Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads . . . It was only a matter of time before my total internet immersion brought me to the Blogosphere . . .
So . . . here it is: To High Places by Narrow Roads.
I decided a few months ago that it is not only natural, but expected, that I start a blog but actually launching one turned out to be a lot more involved that I thought. Beyond the challenges of choosing which blog website to join, customizing layouts, choosing color schemes, and naming it, I had to consider exactly what I wanted my blog to be about. Many blogs are topical, politics and whatnot, or dedicated to things like fashion or DIY, but as my political platform involves Skittles for the masses and my fashionista-ness extends only so far in that I haven't had to tie my shoe-laces in over four years, I figure keeping this blog low key and mostly personal is the way to go.
Ultimately, I am a goal-oriented kinda girl but my ambition has always been at war with my inherent laziness. Which is where this blog comes in. My new motto for 2012 is 'Make It Happen!' and I am putting it to work in a handful of ways:
1) I've got it into my head that I want to be a published author - yikes! My best friend, an English teacher, no less, reminds me often that writers write. Go figure, huh? Well, she's correct, as she so often is, and I've taken her advice to heart. I've been working on a book idea for a couple years now and it's high time I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and get this baby written. The average teen fiction novel (my genre of choice) is roughly 80,000 words and by writing 2,000 words per week, I should have a draft in 40 weeks. Whether it is ever published or not, completing a manuscript is something I have been dreaming of for years and it's time to make it happen.
2) I've never been a great athlete. If I were, you'd have seen me at the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing, beside Kerri Walsh (look out Misty May-Treanor!) kicking butt on the volleyball court. Although that's a dream for another lifetime, I have always been semi-sporty - when the mood suited. Unfortunately, the past few years have seen a rapid decline in my overall fitness and that's something I need to remedy now. My mom likes to remind me that all my bad habits will catch up with me by 30 and as I am only two years from that most dreaded and despised age, it's time to get crackin'. I have taken the metaphorical fitness-bull by the horns and have signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon! By September 2nd, I will have somehow learned to run for three hours straight and, with luck, have developed a love for running that will remain long after the race is over.
3) I like big books and I cannot lie. Despite my absolute passion for reading, my foundation in literature has always been a little shaky due to some positively reprehensible English teachers in high school who thought watching the movie was as good, if not better, than reading the actual novel it was based on. Public Education, fail. I've taken it upon myself to fill in the gaps and have been slowly crossing off books from the 1,000 Things To Read Before You Die list. To assist in this endeavor, I have joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge and have pledged to read 100 books this year.
4) I like to think of myself as crafty, as in I can manipulate and maneuver situations to work in my benefit better than any daytime soap opera diva, but now I want to tackle the other version of the word, a la Martha Stewart (although, she really illustrates both definitions, huh?). I recently made a giant leap and moved into my very first apartment, which is beyond great in its cute, cozy, awesomeness. For the first time, all decorating decisions are mine, mine, MINE (cackle, cackle), and have I got ideas! This will be a great place to showcase my super-gluing prowess.
5) In conjunction with Goal #2, in an effort to develop some healthy habits and to help make up for all those Reese's Peanut Butter cups I've consumed in 28 years, I'm going to learn how to cook. It shouldn't be too hard, right? It's just like being back in Lab, all the same rules apply for most part - always add acid and don't drink the ethanol (or cooking wine), right? Probably not, but I'm looking forward to all the trial and tasty errors.
So, why 'To High Places by Narrow Roads'? It's fairly simple, when you think about it. Anything worth achieving comes at a price - hard work, determination, sweat and struggle - these are the things that make accomplishments all the sweeter. You don't make it to the top of the mountain via the ski lift and think you've actually accomplished something. It's only when you take the trail, with the winding switchbacks that sometimes take you to the precarious edge, and feel the pain in your legs and the pounding of your heart when you are finally at the top and surveying the world around you, only then do you actually get that sense of having done something truly remarkable.
The easiest part of having goals is making them, it's the follow-up where the challenge lies, which is ultimately why I've decided to use this blog as a tool for accountability. By making my goals public and inviting others to follow in my journey, I have to answer to someone other than myself (because when push comes to shove and it's go outside and run or stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate, a brownie, and an episode of CHUCK, CHUCK will always win - but no longer!). I thank you all in advance for your encouragement and support, I know I'll never get through many of these goals without the support of my friends and family.
Now that I've officially launched (where's the champagne?) To High Places by Narrow Roads, there's no going back! Stay tuned next week for the first update.
