Here we go

It's been a while since the last time that I blogged. I needed it. December was a month full of a lot of emotion for me. I needed to take some "me" time and just let things be.

But here we are, a new year. This is going to be MY year. I have a lot of plans for ME. On the list of things to do this year include:
--losing more weight and becoming healthy and fit again
--going back to school to get my MSW
--take a vacation

I'm sure I'll have many more plans, but these three things are at the top of my list. Here's why:

1.) Losing more weight and becoming fit: I have lost a total of 13 pounds so far. I am a jean size smaller and my friends/co-workers are starting to notice. I have gotten a lot of "wow, over the last month, you have just glowed!" comments. I needed this more than anyone could possibly imagine! This month has been very emotional for me. I haven't shared it with anyone. I've kept my smile but on the inside I felt like I had died a thousands deaths. From this stemmed my decision to focus on me. I needed to fix me. And so I am. I work out at least 3-6 times per week doing Zumba at home or taking classes. I am watching what I eat. I have made the decision to move towards a more vegan diet. I can eat vegan without a problem and I already have many of the foods in my pantry. I want to do it for the health reason and  benefits. I have dropped my coffee intake to maybe once per week, which is a huge deal if you know me. I've replaced it with green tea, any other variety of tea, and water. I drink at least 3 cups of green tea per day now. I feel much better than I did, but I know there is still work to  be done. But I'm on the road.

2.) My desire to go back to school has pretty much been a mute point up until now. I knew I wasn't ready both mentally and just the ultimate time commitment for school, three  children, and working full time. But now I am ready. I have the desire to learn more about my field of work and to expand my job opportunities for the future. A big reason I have put it off is because there were no local schools that offered a MSW and I would have to drive an hour each way to attend class. Plus with my husband's work schedule, it would be impossible to attend class each week. However, now IUPUI offers a MSW online. This was my saving grace! I know several people that have completed their MSW through IUPUI and loved the program. I have already started the admissions process, my writing samples, and have lined up my references. I just need to complete it and get accepted. I hope to  start in March of this year.

3.) I haven't take a vacation in 4 years. Yeah, 4 years! I haven't take more than 3 days off in a row from work in 4 years, except for my maternity leave with Avonlea where I took 4 weeks off. Yes, I had a 4 week maternity leave. It was my decision. The thing with my job is that I only get paid for the hours I work. I make my own schedule, so if I don't work, I don't get paid. That means no paid vacation, no paid time off, no paid sick days, no paid maternity leave. Plus, I work my own  cases. If I don't do the visits or the case management, I feel like I have no idea what is going on with my cases. And that drives.me.crazy! I need to  be in control. :) But this year I have vowed to  save up some money and take a vacation! I need a vacation! Badly.

So these are my three major goals for the year. I know that I can accomplish them, I just need to do it and plan it.

What are your goals for the year?