The Most Important Year of My Life

December 30, 2011 2 Comments

Rare are the moments when what happens next will influence the rest of your life.

But that’s exactly where my life is today. It’s both exciting, and frightening. After years of being in the classroom, I finally graduated last week. I guess that means I’m a scientist. (Weird.) And now that I’m a scientist, at least in my education, it’s time to change the world. How, exactly, I go about doing that is yet to be determined.

Even though I’ve graduated, I’m enrolled in classes for Spring semester. I haven’t had much luck (any luck) finding a job (any job.) Instead of hanging around the apartment feeling sorry for myself, I’m going to use that time to further my education. There were some classes that I didn’t have an opportunity to take before graduation, and now that I have the time, it’d be a waste not to use it to my benefit.

Enrolling in classes isn’t without problems. If I receive an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps, I may have to drop out of school as early as April. But that’s only if I receive an invitation, and my departure date isn’t delayed for any reason. I’ve heard horror stories about that. At this point, I still have to submit what I hope will be the last of my medical information, which I expect will be mailed out within a couple of weeks. I still have one appointment before the paperwork is complete.

For a while I questioned whether the Peace Corps was the right choice for me at this point in my life. I think it is. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself…I’d be a fool to turn it down. And after writing a research paper about the connection between poverty and the environment in Tanzania, I feel like I have a better understanding of the types of issues I might be dealing with during my time in Africa. Knowledge is power! And now that I know more about the problems, I feel empowered to do my part to help. I might not be able to save the world, but I can help dig a well, or build a school.

Two years is a long time, and I know it’ll put a strain on my relationship with Erin. How could it not? Long distance relationships are notorious for problems. As much as I’d like to think our relationship is strong enough to weather the time apart, I don’t take it for granted that we’re not immune from the same problems other couples face. That said, I really think that if anyone can do it, we can.

In the meantime, until I hear something from the Peace Corps, I’ll continue looking for work. My job search will be limited to jobs that I wouldn’t have any issue quitting at the drop of a hat. It’d be a lot more difficult to quit a job I went to school for, and those are the kinds of bridges I’m not willing to burn, even for the Peace Corps.

And if none of the above works out, I’ll begin applying for graduate school. My school of choice is the University of Denver where I’d study Environmental Science, and specialize in Environmental Health. If I can get in. This would knock out Goal #63) Attend college in another state.

What’s all of this mean for my goals over the next year? A lot. If I’m not living in Africa in a few months, 2012 will be the year of climbing. If I am living in Africa, 2012 will be the year of climbing. Next year I’d like to climb Mount Whitney, Devil’s Tower, Kilimanjaro, and Ancient Art. I’d like to spend some time in Yosemite this summer…climbing.

I thought I’d get to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon last July, but it didn’t work out. This year I’ll get my permit application submitted earlier than two weeks in advance. I’d also like to visit the last few states of America, and finally visit all 50. Alaska will be the most difficult, but who knows…it could happen. Anything is possible.

Are you looking forward to what the future has in store for you?

Filed under 50 States, Career, Education, Employment, Environment, Goals, Graduate School, Graduation, Life, Peace Corps, Preparation, Travel, Updates, Yosemite Tagged with ,

Quitting a Job I Wasn’t Hired to Do

November 12, 2011 8 Comments

Sitting alone in a parking lot on the outskirts of town, I waited for a man I’d never met. He had a job for me. As I checked the time yet again, a car turned the corner, its headlights casting a pale yellow glow as they approached. When we’d spoke on the phone earlier that day, he told me to be there at 1 a.m.

He was late.

I stepped out of my car and stood there watching him cleaning the piles of garbage from the passenger seat. He unlocked the door, and waved me inside. The air was thick with the smell of coffee and stale cigarettes. I reached out to shake his hand, but he seemed disinterested. “Are you ready?” he asked. Only a few minutes earlier I’d been asking myself what the fuck I was doing waiting for a stranger in the middle of the night, almost in the middle of nowhere. “Am I ready? I don’t even want to be here right now,” I thought to myself.

“Let’s go,” I said. There was no turning back. We drove off into the night, disappearing down a back road. “Here’s where we’re going,” he said, handing me a list of addresses, “and the newspapers are in the backseat.”

I spent the next two and a half hours riding around the countryside on the wrong side of the road, delivering newspapers. Not exactly my idea of a dream job, but when I’d answered the ad I thought it might be an easy way to make some extra money. About half an hour into the drive, I knew it wasn’t for me. After we finished the route, I asked how long he’d been delivering papers.

“Twenty years!”

Twenty years? I couldn’t handle two hours. “So, what do you think?” he asked me. “I don’t know,” I said. “I guess it’s alright.” I felt compelled to lie to him. I didn’t want it to seem like I was insulting him by saying that I thought it was a horribly boring, mindless way of earning a paycheck.

“Will I see you tomorrow night? You can ride along again.”

“I’ll have to think about it. I’m not really sure,” I admitted, feeling guilty for wasting his time. I knew that after he dropped me off at my car we’d never see each other again. The rest of the ride was quiet. I knew that he knew I wasn’t coming back, but when he dropped me off at my car, he told me to call him and let him know about tomorrow night. I said I would, but I knew I wouldn’t. Maybe if I don’t call he’ll get the message.

I’m not very good with disappointing people.

Filed under Life

Going Through Changes

October 28, 2011 5 Comments

In less than two months I’ll graduate college.

This marks a significant turning point in my life since I’ve been a college student for something like six years. Not being in a classroom will be a huge change. And considering that I’m being thrust into the worst economy of my lifetime, I’m a little nervous about entering back into the “real world.” There’s not much reassurance that everything’s going to be okay.

Two months ago I was telling you that I thought I’d wait to join the Peace Corps, and instead go to graduate school. Despite thinking that now wasn’t the right time to join the Peace Corps, I decided to continue the application process, just to see if I’d receive an invitation to serve or not. I submitted my medical information at the end of September, and a few weeks ago received this update:

Peace Corps received the results of your physical exam on October 5, 2011. If the program you are nominated for is not scheduled to leave in the next 4 months you may not hear from Medical until the time of departure is closer. Currently those programs scheduled to leave in the next 4 months are being reviewed. For applicants leaving within 4 months Peace Corps may request additional medical information. Please respond quickly to these requests.

The program that I’ve been nominated for (Environmental Education/Awareness in Africa) is scheduled to leave in April so I don’t expect to hear anything until December or January. Since submitting my application, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to think about what I’d do if I actually did receive an invitation to serve, and I’ve decided that I’d be foolish not to accept it. Now I feel like my life is on hold while I wait…

And if I don’t get an invitation?

I’ll apply to graduate school at the University of Colorado – Denver, and continue my education in Environmental Science, specializing in Environmental Health (if they’ll have me, that is.) Moving to Denver without a job or a place to live is scary, and in some ways, it’s even more frightening to me than moving to Africa for two years. It’s not the moving that concerns me, but finding a job to support myself. I have some money saved up and will be able to survive for a little while, but without an income, it won’t last long.

I guess if all else fails, I’ll starve to death…

Filed under Graduate School, Graduation, Life, Peace Corps

24 Hours

May 28, 2011 3 Comments

“If you only had twenty-four hours left to live, what would you do?”

It’s one of those hypothetical questions people often ask themselves (or others) to determine whether they’re following their hearts, living their passions, or leaving a meaningful impact. At the end of our lives, we want to be able to look back over the years with a sense of accomplishment, of having made a difference. We want to be remembered for the good we brought to others.

The other day I was asked that question: “If you only had twenty-four hours to live…”

As much as we might wish it weren’t true, we all reach a point in our lives where we’re left with only twenty-four hours to live. And right now, there are people making plans for tomorrow without realizing they’re going to die today…

It’s cliché to say “Live each moment like it’s your last,” and there are hundreds of similar phrases, all telling us the same thing. But rare are the moments when we actually pause to appreciate how fortunate we are to have been able to grace this strange and wonderful planet, to have had the opportunity to leave a mark. Too often we’re caught up in the minutiae of daily life to acknowledge just how blessed we really are simply to be able to take in this breath at exactly this moment.

A diagnosis, an accident, an undetected medical problem…in an instant, life can (and eventually will) change for each of us. And while we’re all planning for a bright future ahead, some of us won’t be there to see it. None of us are promised a tomorrow. Are you living your life today like you might not see tomorrow? Because you just never know…you might not.

Appreciate your gift.

Filed under Attitude, Behavior, Life, Philosophy, Prioritizing

Be Aware of What You Eat…

May 14, 2011 2 Comments

I’ve been vegetarian for about seven months, and Vegan for two(ish).

To say that I’ve been excited and proud of making the switch would be an understatement. I’ve shared recipes with friends, cooked for family, spouted off condescending slurs towards omnivores, and just generally felt great about being Vegan. I’ve shared videos exposing the cruelty of factory farms, sang the praises of Veganism and all the benefits of not consuming animals.

And then I realized something.

As much as I believe in everything I’ve preached over the last many months, I enjoy eating without stress.

Let me try to explain what I mean in that statement; I enjoy eating without stress. Being Vegan has brought many challenges to the dinner table. At home, creating Vegan meals isn’t always the most convenient. Since we live in a small town, finding certain ingredients can be challenging, if not impossible. Still, I’ve fumbled my way through and have managed to get by. I’ve done quite a bit of experimenting in my diet, creating many dishes I’d never heard of before. Most of them were delicious.

But it isn’t eating at home that’s the source of stress.

I travel, a lot. And when I travel, it’s been nearly impossible to go out to eat without being limited to a $15 salad that I’ve had to ask that most the ingredients be removed. No chicken, no cheese, no eggs, no Caesar dressing…and it still costs $15 when the bill comes, despite being what amounts to a pile of lettuce on my plate. It really pisses me off.

When we went to Europe a few months ago, I wasn’t Vegan, but found that I was only eating pasta and pizza. By the end of the trip, I felt like shit. I wasn’t able to properly nourish my body while trying to navigate around a continent. I can only imagine what that trip would have been like if I’d have been Vegan.

On our road trip to Florida a couple weeks ago, I practically starved for the first couple of days, refusing to break my Vegan diet. I had my Larabars, damn it! I wasn’t eating cheese! Until I ran out of Larabars and hadn’t eaten for twelve hours. I gave in and ate a cheese pizza. Great choice, huh?

So I’ve been questioning my choice to be a Vegan. Why did I decide to become Vegan? Is it because I think meat is disgusting? No. I don’t think meat is gross. I’ve killed my own food in the past. I’ve slaughtered my kill. I grew up on a beef farm, and watched the cows be slaughtered. I’ve never been repulsed by the process of killing an animal, or slaughtering it. Not until I learned what happens behind the walls of factory farms. There is no compassion for the animals, and that’s the reason why I wanted to become Vegan. I didn’t want to contribute to the brutality perpetrated against animals raised and slaughtered under these conditions.

I believe animals deserve a life that is enjoyable and a death that is humane.

And what I found is that there is no humanity in factory farming. If you’re interested in knowing what happens behind those walls, please take the time to watch the documentary Earthlings. It might change how you feel about the food on your plate.

I made the transition to Vegan over the course of five months, and have been (mostly) successful in keeping a Vegan diet for the past two. But as I mentioned before, I’ve struggled while traveling, and began to question my thoughts on Veganism and even whether or not I found it practical to be vegetarian. Afterall, it wasn’t the meat that I was repulsed by, but the system.

I’ve been thinking about this for a couple weeks, and have made the decision that I’m not Vegan. I’m an omnivore. I think being Vegan is an honorable choice, and I encourage everyone to make an honest attempt at going for some time without eating animal products. Learn about the food that’s on your dinner table, and where it comes from. Take the time to research the benefits of Veganism from a health-based perspective. Look through the misinformation campaign being waged by the meat and dairy industries. Question everything you’ve ever known to be true about food.

I feel I’ve done that research, and I know that while I may not consider myself Vegan any longer, my diet will be forever changed, and I won’t look at food the same way again.

Filed under Activism, Balanced Diet, Dieting, Environment, Food, Health, Life, Philosophy, Politics, Prioritizing, Psychology

Will I Witness a Space Shuttle Launch Afterall?

April 2, 2011 6 Comments

At the end of February, I’d accepted the reality that I’d never get to accomplish my goal of witnessing a space shuttle launch. I’d tried, and failed, twice. And since the Space Shuttle program is quickly coming to an end, I decided to just give up on ever witnessing a launch. The first time I tried, I bought my plane ticket to Orlando and the launch was postponed. It would’ve cost us more to reschedule our flight than book another, so we went to Florida anyways. We went to Disney and Sea World (before I knew better), and I had a lot of fun, but it would’ve been awesome to have seen a launch.

My second attempt wasn’t as ambitious as my first.

Instead of booking a plane ticket just to sit in a random parking lot in Titusville, I tried getting tickets to the Kennedy Space Center. I wasn’t lucky enough to “win” the lottery for a chance to buy tickets. Did you catch that? A lottery, for a chance to buy tickets. Even if you’re fortunate enough to win the lottery, there isn’t any guarantee that there’ll be a ticket available for you to buy. So, I didn’t win the lottery, and figured the story would remain the same for the remaining launches.

That’s when I wrote the article, my head hung in shame, and admitted defeat.

Almost as soon as I’d published the article, an email from Kennedy Space Center showed up in my Inbox with all the details of when I could register for a chance to win the lottery for a chance to buy tickets for the next launch. Only half hopeful, I signed up yet again. Later that week, I got another email saying I’d been selected…I’d won the lottery!

The next week, tickets went up for sale.

I was too late to get causeway tickets, but I was able to get two tickets for the Visitor Center (and I’ll even be dining with an astronaut.) The Visitor Center is about six miles from the launchpad, so I won’t be able to see the Shuttle until it clears the trees, but that’s better than watching it on TV or from some parking lot in Titusville.

It looks like I’m on my way to Florida later this month, though I still haven’t purchased my plane ticket in case they delay the launch again. I’d hate to have a ticket to Orlando with no reason to be there.

The moral of the story? Never give up on a goal even if it seems doubtful. You just never know when you’ll hit the lottery!

Filed under Determination, Goal Updates, Goals, Life, Motivation, News, Space Shuttle, Travel

Guest Post: The Toughest Job Ever

February 12, 2011 3 Comments

Today’s article is the second in a two-part series regarding children and parenting. Today’s article is written by Diana Krygowski Logan, mother of two adult children and many four-legged children.  Diana is a partially retired ICU nurse who spends most of her time taking care of an elderly father with end-stage dementia.  She is patiently awaiting grandchildren.

Anyone who chooses to become a parent agrees to undertake an incredible challenge.

You help hold the balance of the world in your hands.  Will it be a better place because of the person you’ve created or will it be pulled a little further down into darkness?  This challenge is borne with your child and stays with you throughout your life.  The toughest part is that children don’t come with instructions.  You learn the rules as you go.

Mostly we parent the way our parents raised us.  I’ve always had a deep respect for people who were reared by bad parents but were able to break the cycle and excel in parenting.  That’s a tough row to hoe.  I consider myself blessed to have had parents who set a good example.  They taught my sisters and I the difference between right and wrong, family values, respect for authority, a good work ethic and a sense of community.

I also respect those who’ve decided they aren’t cut out as parents because it’s not a job for the weak.  It’s difficult to be a parent….the toughest job ever.

When a person becomes a parent, there’s a shift in perspective.  If there isn’t then you’re not doing it right.  Holding a new soul made of your flesh and blood, so innocent, so dependent on you for everything, it’s easy to see that there’s something more important than your own life.  It’s the life you’ve created.  As a parent, I believe your children should become your first priority in life.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, should come before your children.  Not a job or another person, not a habit…nothing.

You’d do anything to make their world perfect but you can’t always protect them.  Sadness comes along the same path as joy, as life is full of choices and risks.  There are times when life’s lessons can only be learned through experience.  A parent needs to judge which of those lessons our children must learn on their own and which should be taught through consequences that we as parents impose upon them.  Our life experiences make us who we are and making mistakes helps children learn.  Parents must guide their children and create a balance between allowing them to make mistakes for themselves and keeping them out of harm’s way.

When it’s time for them to go out into the world on their own, stepping back and letting them lead their own life is difficult. You do the best you can while they’re growing up, trying to give them the freedom they need to become their own person while also being there to help them along as needed.  Letting go too soon or hanging on for too long only impedes their growth.  The goal is to raise a well-adjusted, happy person who is able to find their own way in the world and make it a better place.

People can say “Oh, it’s a miracle,” but until you hold your own child it just sounds like another cliché.  It really is a miracle.  When I held my first child for the very first time, I didn’t feel different being a mother but with every breath, my sense of motherhood grew.  My children were the center of my universe.

When you leave this life, your sign of success is not by what you gathered but rather by what you scattered.  I’ve been lucky. I have two great children who are now young adults and I am proud of both of them.

A Note from Steven: I want to thank Diana for writing today’s article and giving those of us without children a peak into the life of someone who does.  I asked Diana to write today’s article because of a comment she left on the Hundred Goals’ Facebook page about parenting and what it means for her to be a mother.  Quoted from that conversation:

“…teaching your children to follow their dreams is a wonderful example to set.  I’ve never felt like my children hindered me in any way.  They actually inspired me to further my education and broaden my horizons because I wanted to be a good example.  My children gave me purpose because I became dedicated to one single goal in my life: to be the best mother I could be.”

To the readers, I hope you’ve found this series to be interesting and balanced.  It’s a difficult topic to discuss as passions and emotions tend to dominate the conversation.  If nothing else, I hope these articles have given a glimpse into the minds of people on the “other side” of this issue.

Filed under Family, Guest Posts, Life

Guest Post: “Wait Until You Have Kids”

February 7, 2011 6 Comments

Today’s article is the first in a two-part series regarding children and parenting. Today’s article is written by Tom Meitner, a freelance writer that helps people break through the boundaries they place in front of them on a daily basis.  You can check out his work and learn more about The “I Can” Movement at The Practical Nerd.

I have friends and family members that seem to enjoy using their kids as methods of crushing other people’s dreams. When I talk about working from home and building my business, they usually say something along the lines of: “Well, enjoy it now, because when you have kids, you won’t be able to do that anymore!”

It doesn’t stop there – everybody gets it with different excuses. “When you get older, you won’t have the time to [insert what you want to do here]…” or it can simply be summed up as, “Hey, it’s a nice dream to have, but once you ____________________, you won’t be able to do it.”

It’s easy to get angry at these people. After all, it’s your goal and it’s your dream, right? What right is it of theirs to crap all over it?

At some point, I start having sympathy for these people. Friends and family, in particular, generally don’t mean to crush your hopes and dreams. If nothing else, they would love to see you achieve them and would be proud of you if you did. Their comments are a mode of caring for you – a misguided one, to be sure, but caring nonetheless.

Here’s what happened: when they were in a position similar to yours, they had dreams and goals. But they didn’t pursue them very aggressively, if at all. They just expected that life would turn out a certain way. When life happened to them and they seemingly missed their chance to make it happen the way they wanted to, they just concluded that it doesn’t work the way they wanted it to. They became incredibly disappointed and they are trying to not let you “get your hopes up,” in their minds.

Understanding that perspective is what will help you deal with them. If they are the just-make-a-quick-snarky-comment type, then you can just laugh, shrug them off, and continue on your way. If they are the argue-until-they-are-blue-in-the-face type, then you may need to sit them down and say, “Hey, I understand that you are skeptical and I do appreciate your concern, but please be supportive. If you can’t, then we just won’t talk about it when we are together and focus on talking about other topics.”

How To Heed Their Advice

Just because they failed at making life what they wanted it to be doesn’t mean you will. There are plenty of people in the world, with kids or without them, that are doing the same thing you are. What to take away from their argument is that, in life, circumstances do change. At times, these circumstances will complicate things or they will make them harder. These changes could set you back. Their response was to give up on their dreams. Here’s your response:

Prepare as much as possible for the changes that come. You don’t know what curveballs life is going to throw at you, so make sure that you recognize that sometimes, you will need to be able to adapt to life as it comes. Without the ability to adapt and be flexible, your dreams will get crushed. Maybe they’re not supposed to be crushed, but altered, and that’s why the life changes come along.

Understand that you need to be aggressive now, because there is no better time to do it. Something will always come up, and this is where people get trapped. They wait for that “perfect time” to do something, and when it doesn’t come, they just assume that it wasn’t meant to be. Make it meant to be. Take advantage of what you can now, and jump over the hurdles that are in front of you. There will be other ones down the road either way. That’s just a part of life.

Ditch the smug attitude and avoid the confrontation. If you struggle, there’s no need to share that with them if they can’t be supportive. If they keep asking, present facts to them about how you are approaching it. If you are succeeding, don’t do the “I told you so” thing. Just go about life as if nothing is different. If they ask, you can tell them, but leave it at that. Be the bigger man – or woman.

Be sympathetic towards these people and recognize why they are so skeptical. It’s likely that they are bitter over the lack of achievement in their own lives. Instead, just focus on what you can control and what you can accomplish. If they try to cut you down, just stop talking to them about it. You don’t need that negative energy in your life.

And if you have kids? Watch them play. Watch them dream. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up. I’m not one of those “You can be anything you want” kinds of people, but children place very few limits on their imaginations. It’s that kind of attitude that you can adopt in your own life. The people who accomplished things looked around at their peers and said, “I want something different.” You need to do the same if you want to achieve your goals.

A Note From Steven: When I hear people make statements like “Wait until you have kids,” it seems to imply that once a person has children they have to give up on their dreams and personal ambitions. I disagree. I hope to live my life perpetually in pursuit of the next challenge/goal and one day hope to show my children the joy of living a life full of adventure and curiosity for the world around us.

Tom made a comment on another blog (which is why I asked him to write today’s article) that I think sums up the so-called “Real World” by saying:

“From what I can gather, the “real world” seems to be about having kids and blaming them for ruining your life. I have people in my life that tell me, “Well, wait until you start having kids…” or “Enjoy it now, because when you have kids you can’t do that anymore.” I don’t remember our parents being this bitter about having us. If anything, I would think kids would help you dream a little more, rather than give up on them entirely. Everybody’s got their own challenges to face.

But I guess I’ll understand it better when I have kids.”

I hear these same comments from parents all the time. When people say “Wait until you have kids,” I’m waiting for them to finish the sentence with “…they’ll ruin your life.” By making statements like this to people who don’t have children, there is a subversive message that is, while no doubt unintentional, still being sent.

For me, children aren’t in the cards right now. Not because I don’t want them or that my “goals” are preventing me from having them but because I want to create a foundation which will allow me to raise a child in a healthy, happy and stable environment. One of the goals on my list is to adopt a child and someday, I will.

Filed under Guest Posts, Life

The Moments that Change Our Life

February 3, 2011 6 Comments

When was the moment that you realized who you are, what you love or what you’re supposed to do with your life?

In my life, I’ve experienced many of these moments, from being arrested and realizing that getting fucked up everyday wasn’t the life I wanted to the road trip to the Rocky Mountains with my friends where I found my passion for travel.  Both of these moments caused a fundamental shift in my thinking and instantly changed the direction of my life.

When I was arrested, I promised myself that I’d do whatever it took to get myself clean, even if it meant losing every friend I had and starting over from scratch, which is exactly what happened.  The road trip gave me a chance to see the world beyond the limits of my small Midwestern town and after that trip, I saw life from a different perspective and a new way of thinking.

And while I didn’t realize it at the time, my hike to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park also helped define who I am today.  I’ve been reminiscing about that trip in my mind, thinking about the beauty of the park, the challenge of the climb and the triumph of reaching the top.  The sore knees and the other pains have long since faded and now I’m left with only fond memories.

I want to go back.

Thinking about everything I want to accomplish this year and the amount of time I have to do it, it’s time to start prioritizing.  Turkey, Russia, Ethiopia, Japan, New England, Yosemite are all on the radar this year but I only have a few weeks in which I can dedicate myself to travel due to summer classes.

I miss Planet Earth.

When I travel, I’m visiting huge cities like Paris, Rome or Buenos Aires and spend a lot of my time riding subways, taking taxis and breathing exhaust.  I long for the solitude of the forests and the thrill of climbing mountains.  There’s something special about a bear and her cub walking next to you in the wild, about getting your boots dusty and the feeling of a cool mountain river to soothe your body after a long hike.

So, while I might not be wandering around the bazaars of Istanbul or doing hand stands in Red Square this year, maybe I’ll return to my favorite place on the planet instead.

Filed under Life, Prioritizing, Random Thoughts, Travel

Twenty Ten

December 11, 2010 5 Comments

The year has gone by much faster than I could have imagined almost twelve months ago.  It went fast but a lot was accomplished.  I knocked some goals off my list and traveled to places that I wasn’t planning to.  This is the first year in a while that I can look back and say that I leave behind an old version of myself.

What goals did I accomplish this year?

Which countries did I travel to this year?

My personal resolutions for the year included:

  • Traveling at least 50,000 miles
  • Finding Internal Peace
  • Maintaining a 3.5 GPA
  • Continue paying off my Student Loans
  • Being nicer to people

Travel at least 50,000 miles

In the update from March, I wrote:

I will be left with approximately 20,000 miles.  That’s a huge distance and though I have a couple of plans in mind, none of them will come close to closing that gap.  It is still early in the year and it is impossible to say what might transpire over the course of the year, so I will remain optimistic!

I was figuring out just how many miles I’d be left with after all my known travel plans for the year and I really had no idea how I was going to travel another 20,000 miles.  Including my trip to France at the end of the year, my total miles traveled will be 56,798.  I exceeded my goal by almost 7,000 miles!!!  The trip to Japan and France really helped make it possible for me to make it this far…more than twice the distance around the world at the equator!

Find internal peace

Let’s just say that this is easier said than done.  To be honest, I’m not sure that I’d like to find internal peace anymore, either.  When I wrote this as a personal resolution, I was dealing with the reality of my own mortality.  One day, my feeling of invincibility evaporated and I was left struggling to come to terms with the fact that eventually I will die.  That one day everyone I love will die.  That one day, each of us will die.  Life seemed so…meaningless at that point.

Today, while I still struggle with my eventual death, it doesn’t pervade my thoughts like it once did.  I’m not saying that I’ve come to terms with my death, I haven’t.  It pisses me off that I’ll eventually die.  I wish I could live forever.  That being said, I’ll continue to find meaning and purpose in life so that when my time finally comes, I’m able to lay my head down knowing that my life had purpose.

Maintain a 3.5 GPA

When grades get posted for this semester, my GPA isn’t going to be close to 3.5 anymore.  I am struggling through a number of very challenging classes and from here on out, they’re going to get even more difficult.  That’s okay.  I want to do good in school and do the best that I can but if my GPA isn’t 3.5, at least I’m doing my best.  Life is more than a number on a transcript and at some point, that number becomes irrelevant anyways.  As I mentioned earlier, I’ve changed since the beginning of the year.  This is one of those changes.  School is important but it isn’t that important.  College isn’t the only path to success in life.  If you struggle in Chemistry or Calculus, life goes on.  There are just too many other things in this world to worry about, your GPA shouldn’t be one of them.  I’ll do my best, struggle and eventually succeed.  If I get a C in some of my classes, so what?

Continue paying off my Student Loans

I was doing a really great job at this up until the last few months when I began making travel arrangements for Japan and Europe.  I decided to take a break from paying off my loans until after I return from Europe so that I have enough money saved up for my travels.  Does this mean that I can’t afford to be traveling?  Maybe.  But then, we all make choices and have to deal with the consequences.  Traveling was my priority and I made a choice.  I acknowledge it and I’m moving on.  Repayment will begin in the near future, most likely in January.

Be nicer to people

It might depend on how you define “nice” in order to gauge how successful I’ve been at this goal.  To be honest, I know I can be a jerk at times but usually when I am, there’s a good reason.  For the most part, I think I’ve been a nice person but more than nice, I’d like to be kind to those who deserve kindness, caring to those I love, generous to those in need, helpful to those who require assistance, etc.  It isn’t enough just to be nice and some people don’t deserve to be treated nice.  I don’t want to be nice simply to be polite.

In addition to personal goals, here are my professional goals:

  • Meet or exceed 500 email subscribers
  • Write 52 quality articles
  • A monthly Guest Post on another blog
  • Daily traffic in excess of 1,000 views

I didn’t get 500 email subscribers by the end of the year.  I did, however, manage to get 725 people to become Fans of Hundred Goals on Facebook.  Maybe it isn’t email subscriptions but I’ll take it.

I wrote 109 articles in 2010, and while I feel that the quality of my writing has improved significantly compared to 2009, I’ll let you be the judge as to whether the articles were “quality”.

I began the year writing guest posts for other blogs and managed to get a post on Get Rich Slowly, a big deal for me.  After a while, I gave up on writing guest posts and just decided to focus my energy on writing content for Hundred Goals as I was putting a lot of effort into writing for other sites and felt like some of my best ideas were going to those sites while the content here wasn’t as good.  In the future, I may write other guest posts but I probably won’t be doing it every month.

My daily traffic hasn’t been in excess of 1,000 views ever and now that I’m only writing an article a week, I don’t think 1,000 daily views is realistic at this point (unless there is some sort of Hundred Goals revolution!)  Site traffic is less important to me today as I think a better way to measure success is by how many people actually want to read what I write rather than just popping in and out from a Google search of Kim Kardashian’s Ass.  Email subscriptions and comments are my new measure of success, so please, comment often!

And there you have it, 2010.  I’ll lay out some goals for 2011 in an upcoming post, so stay tuned!

Filed under Goal Updates, Goals, Life, Travel, Updates

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