{Resolution Time: August}

Sticking to my '09 resolution to make three new resolutions
for every month. The new month means it's time to:
~ review how I did with July goals
~ make new August goals

NOTE: Is July seriously over? I was school focused and did

little else! This month seems to be over just as it started.

July Resolution Review:
1. Refocus on school: Manage study time. Go to class M-F.

Get stuff done for it early in the day and on time. Leave the

house early so I don't have to rush or speed to get there.

Have lunch and drink in reusable bottle in hand.

Well, school is going. With or without me!

There are actually several little goals wrapped into this one.

I've totally rocked my plan to bring drinks and food instead

of buying it. Between Monday AM and Friday before dinner,

I only spent about $10/wk on that stuff. Not bad considering

I'm there M-F and it's crazy hot (and so drinks are a must).

Also felt great about meeting my goal to leave on time and not

be late or rushed. Unfortunately, Political Ideologies was the

red headed step child of summer session. I didn't put my

normal amount of energy into it. French just took over. And

really, French kicked my ass. It's tough to learn a language

when you don't have a good foundation in it. It's like building

the third floor of a building on top of a sand castle. Six more

days ... six more days ...

2. Look for a part time job.

Haven't "looked" particularly hard but I wanted to put this

desire out in the Universe so I could open myself up to some

possibilities. I have an interview on the 19th with a small,

locally owned and run company. Not sure how many hours

they would require but it sounds interesting. I also applied

for a position as a shooting assistant for documentary inter-

views that would just be a two month deal. And then I filled

out applications at Sprouts and Whole Foods cuz I think I

could dig spending some time there. So, we'll see. I'm glad

I started looking. I'm definitely still school focused...

3. Start refinishing bathroom cabinets.

It's such a good thing I wrote this goal down because if it

weren't for that, I wouldn't have even thought about this

project in July. (It was easier not to do between school and

the heat.) So, to "qualify", I removed the doors & then

tomorrow morning, I have a date with the sander. Hey, the

goal was to start, and I started -- sort of. :) Either way,

I'm underway and will now do a bit here and there until

they're done.

August Resolutions:

1. Have an amazing getaway with my husband! No emails.

No phones. No agenda. No stress. Total focused on simply

enjoying the moment and each other.

2. Go see or do something cool in the Phoenix area that

I've never seen or done. (Now taking suggestions.)

3. Sew something with my sewing machine for the very

first time. (Planning on this being a simple project like on

a card or scrapbook page probably.)

NOTE: Last month, my resolutions started to feel more like

a to do lists then I wanted them to. This month, I think I got

back on track -- even if all my resolutions are fun ones this

time! But the work this month will be there in finishing both

summer classes and starting my fall semester. The to do list

is still there too, but it's separate, as I want it to be.

******

A lot of you seemed to connect to my last post about doing a

million things at once and having trouble living in the moment.

What helps you to slow down and appreciate each moment

as it comes? What do you do to keep your mental to do list

organized so your mind can be clear and calm?