[today is the day]

Published 5/16/2011 • Updated 6/9/2020

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Today, is the day. Where my stress level begins to creep back down to a comfortable level. Where I wake up without my mind racing. Where I take time for myself and for the amazing people in my life. Where I eat nutritious foods to fuel my body. Where I make time for good exercise. Where I smile and laugh. Today, is the first day of summer and I am going to abuse it like you don’t even know!

First, you guys should all congratulate the sister for graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Professional Strategic Communications (and minors in history and political science)!

Foreshadowing my graduation next May 🙂

The family came up to Minne this weekend to celebrate her wonderful accomplishments!

Yeeeh! She will be off to Colorado in August to pursue a law degree from University of Colorado, Boulder. She’s giving me a reason to live my dream by living hers.

Her amazing friends are all off to do amazing things at all corners of the country…

Sister Boy and Sister

Brother, Mom, Me, Sister, Dad

On this happy note, lets revisit the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year…

Lee’s Goals of 2011

*All the ones in pink have been OR are are being accomplished!

1. Wake up positive, go to bed positive. (I stole this goal from Michelle @ Give Me The Almond Butter) But…she’s right. Waking up in a good mood sets the tone for your day. Surrounding your self with positivity such as happy people, healthy foods, and and positive environment are all part of your personal well-being. This goal is definitely a work in progress…

2. No cheating on the 28-Day Challenge..it’s only 28 days! Start day: Monday 1/3

3. Find time for myself every day. I want to amp up my yoga, drink more hot tea, nap if i need one, skip class if I need to… 🙂

4. Add at least 1 original CFF recipe per week that is 1) cost efficient 2) healthy and 3) delicious.

5. Travel to a place I’ve never been.

6. Minimize my carbon footprint and do more DIY. (My friend Claire makes a lot of her own hygiene products and strives to live an eco-friendly life). I want to start buying as much as I can in bulk, reusing bags, making my own spreads and dips (hummus, nutbutters, etc.), and washing my clothes less.

7. Volunteer. I think it is important to give back to your local community. Making a difference is a two way street. It not only benefits people in need, but it helps with personal growth and moralistic development.

8. Declare a major. This just needs to be done. Remember when my proposal got approved?

9. Find an internship.

10. Chew less gum and drink less coffee. These two are my weaknesses. Gum chewing is a nervous habit and the amount I go through in a day is excessive (I’ll spare the number for my own sake). A cup or two of coffee when I wake up is A okay in my book. What gets me is the extra expenditures at Starbucks, Caribou, and Brueggers. If I can cut this bad habit out, I can save mucho dinero! EPIC FAIL.

This summer, I want to focus on the goals that have yet to be accomplished…

1. Find time for myself every day.

2. Travel to places I’ve never been (I have lots of trips lined up this summer!

3. Minimize my Carbon Footprint.

4. Chew less gum and drink less coffee.

additional goals…..

5. Drive my car as LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.

6. Socialize more. As you know I had some pretty bad anxiety about alcohol when I t urned 21 back in April. I have been extremely hesitant to submerge myself in scenarios where everyone is drinking (the bars) because I don’t want to feel awkward or make anyone else feel awkward. Time to get over this social anxiety and have some fun, sober.

7. Read the news. Weird “goal,” I know. Lately, I have been engulfed in the blog-o-sphere and have abandoned CNN. Not good.

8. Be less self-conscious in a swim suit. It’s time for me embrace my body and feel comfortable in a swim suit. This is something that I have always struggled with. I need to accept my flaws as strengths. For me, it’s my legs. I have a little something called, muscular thighs. Always have, always will! Everyone has their insecurities in a swim suit and that’s mine!

9. Meet new people and none of this judging stuff…What I mean by this is look past stereotypes and let the new people I meet be who they want to be!

Time for breakfast….I’m craving: