Give ice skating a real shot. I haven't touched ice skates since I was in fourth grade (and even then I lasted about 10 minutes before I politely declined to continue skating). So I figured it deserved a real shot, seeing as I live in Minnesota.
Andrew told me about Science & Engineering Student Board's latest event, Skate with a Date, to happen February 12th. I was already going to sing at it, so I figured I could stick around to make a fool out of myself give it a shot. Jim, Dan, Bailey and Daniel were sticking around also after the gig to goad at me. (lucky me...)
This is indeed like 13 or 14 of us singing into one mic- shockingly I super loved it because we haven't had that much energy in a long time! It looked a lot of fun actually, watching people skate by! (orrrr watching people get bowled over)
Afterward... I had to man up.
This face is effectively hiding how "Oh crap" I was... firstly because my feet are much to wide for these dainty ice skates. Once I got over that I carefully stepped onto the ice.
After standing on there for like 5 minutes in frozen fear I finally shuffled forward-- I was skating!!! I scooted along and Andrew held my hand as I took bigger and bigger glides... I never fell, but I definitely wavered PLENTY of times, flapping my arms around.
Super proud. I loosened up the skates a little bit so my feet would be a little less than bound, and started really skating around the rink-- it was really really freeing to be able to glide around once I managed my paranoia of falling every ten seconds. By the end I was stopping by spinning in a circle!! (Daniel detested me for getting better than him).
This could be a stepping stone to my trying snowboarding?? Maybe.
I'm also continuing to explore the whole... "Wine" thing:
It's been a good year.
Maybe when it's warm out I'll learn how to change oil. Eh Kevin? :D
Woo! How exciting.
#4: Cut my credit card spending to be just about $300 a month.
Firstly, Jim did NOT think I could do it (still doesn't, I'm sure), but I talked with my friend Collin about how he was doing some personal finance stuff. He took a class with Dave Ramsey and really pushed the ever-famous cash-envelope system. I've never tried this before thinking it just wasn't worth it, that it'd never work for me, blah blah. BUT! I finally decided I had to try something because this wasn't working so far. I declare, SUCCESS!
Before:
After:
Boo. Ya.
I'm shocked I even did it. I think I also told myself more strictly, "No, you do NOT need to go to China Express. Nope, don't do it!" and I actually listened to myself. I also walked around Target several times without buying a ton of stuff.
Now I just have to make sure this keeps up not just for one month but for other months also. This can't just be a short term change. Especially because I'm working less this semester and may not be employed this summer after Ireland (sob).
#30: Read the news more often
So thanks to Mama and Papa Carrot I downloaded the MSNBC news app and in my downtime have been reading up on the news. It's surprising how much more clued into everything when I'm informed! I kinda like it.
Currently my favorite categories are Tech & Science, Business, Top Stories, Health and Travel. I don't really get into sports and politics, shockingly. How else would I have discovered the depression rates of new moms and the gorilla that can walk on two legs??
<3
