2017 was a wonderful year full of changes and growth both personally and with my family. We have grown closer together and to the Lord. I am excited to start another year and to establish new goals for myself.
The three things that I will focus on and set yearly and weekly goals for myself are:
1. Personal
2. Husband/father
3. Professional
Year long resolutions will be:
Personal
1. Train for and participate in
- at least one running race over 50k
- at least one triathlon at or above Olympic distance
- at least one paddle board race
2. Continue to set weekly goals in my journal post
Husband/Father
1. Pray together with Ash each night
2.
Professional
1. Successfully complete 3 semesters of my Masters program
Friday, February 2, 2018
Monday, May 8, 2017
Week Summary 5/1 - 5/7
Review of last weeks goals:
**To preface this section I would like to say that I didn't anticipate the degree to which I would be affected by the jet lag and yes that is an excuse but i think it is a rather good one.
Physical:
I think I ran once, (8ish miles) and hiked 3 times. I might have done a couple sets of push ups and pull ups but I was no where near "getting back into the swing of things". I felt pretty tired all this week and I am guessing it is a result of returning to my really busy reality as well as recovering from Hawaiian made jet lag and island life syndrome.
Spiritual:
I did extend the invitation to Hazen to attend church with us today but he has something to do with his mom about an early mothers day. I did introduce him to Tim Cobb and they hit it off pretty well. That will help when he comes to church and has already met and had a positive interaction with the Bishop of the ward.
Mental:
I kept my sanity through finals week.
Goals for this coming week:
Physical:
I am going to be "forced" back into my 4:00 am routine. That said, I am planning on working on my new Bioinformatics class and then going out for my hour run. I am hoping that schedule will lead me to a 30 mile week. I need to get a long run in this weekend so that I can be prepared to run my age on my birthday week (33 miles!). I guess that means I am going to need to set a goal for that run...
Week of:
5/13 - 30 weekday and 15 long run
5/20 - 35 weekday and 20 long run
5/27 - 40 weekday and 25 long run
6/3 - 40 weekday and 30 long run
6/10 - 30 weekday and 33 long run
Spiritual:
My goal for this week is to pray every night with Ash before I go to bed. We just had stake conference and President Mosely spoke about 3 different shields that we need to protect ourselves spiritually. One of those was the shield of prayer. He mentioned specifically praying with your spouse and this is something I we have never done consistently. I have always been diligent in my personal prayers (I don't think I have missed a night or morning for many many years) and we pray consistently every morning, evening, and meal as a family. I know we have received blessing as a result of this diligence but this additional prayer I believe will be good for strengthening our relationship as husband and wife. We just celebrated our 11 year anniversary and I feel so blessed to have her as my wife. We truly do have a wonderful marriage and I am excited to see how it might grow as we pray together as husband and wife.
Mental:
I am a bit terrified about my upcoming class, Bioinformatics. It looks like a computer programming course and I am not super savvy with that language! My goal for this week is to establish a routing that allows me to stay comfortably on top of this class so that I can do well in it!
**To preface this section I would like to say that I didn't anticipate the degree to which I would be affected by the jet lag and yes that is an excuse but i think it is a rather good one.
Physical:
I think I ran once, (8ish miles) and hiked 3 times. I might have done a couple sets of push ups and pull ups but I was no where near "getting back into the swing of things". I felt pretty tired all this week and I am guessing it is a result of returning to my really busy reality as well as recovering from Hawaiian made jet lag and island life syndrome.
Spiritual:
I did extend the invitation to Hazen to attend church with us today but he has something to do with his mom about an early mothers day. I did introduce him to Tim Cobb and they hit it off pretty well. That will help when he comes to church and has already met and had a positive interaction with the Bishop of the ward.
Mental:
I kept my sanity through finals week.
Goals for this coming week:
Physical:
I am going to be "forced" back into my 4:00 am routine. That said, I am planning on working on my new Bioinformatics class and then going out for my hour run. I am hoping that schedule will lead me to a 30 mile week. I need to get a long run in this weekend so that I can be prepared to run my age on my birthday week (33 miles!). I guess that means I am going to need to set a goal for that run...
Week of:
5/13 - 30 weekday and 15 long run
5/20 - 35 weekday and 20 long run
5/27 - 40 weekday and 25 long run
6/3 - 40 weekday and 30 long run
6/10 - 30 weekday and 33 long run
Spiritual:
My goal for this week is to pray every night with Ash before I go to bed. We just had stake conference and President Mosely spoke about 3 different shields that we need to protect ourselves spiritually. One of those was the shield of prayer. He mentioned specifically praying with your spouse and this is something I we have never done consistently. I have always been diligent in my personal prayers (I don't think I have missed a night or morning for many many years) and we pray consistently every morning, evening, and meal as a family. I know we have received blessing as a result of this diligence but this additional prayer I believe will be good for strengthening our relationship as husband and wife. We just celebrated our 11 year anniversary and I feel so blessed to have her as my wife. We truly do have a wonderful marriage and I am excited to see how it might grow as we pray together as husband and wife.
Mental:
I am a bit terrified about my upcoming class, Bioinformatics. It looks like a computer programming course and I am not super savvy with that language! My goal for this week is to establish a routing that allows me to stay comfortably on top of this class so that I can do well in it!
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Weekly Summary 2/27-3/5
Review of last weeks goals:
Physical: this week was an off week for me physically. I'm not quite sure what I was dealing with but my primary symptom was fatigue. I felt it best to take a light week and hopefully get back into the swing of things tomorrow. I was able to stay consistent with my strength routine. It seems to be going pretty well.
Spiritual: I think I might have started off well with this goal but without a constant reminder it did not and probably will not go well. My relationship with Amelia has been one of the more challenging things that I have struggled with recently. This coming week I will hopefully be able to set a goal to ask more as a reminder rather than just a goal.
Mental: I reached my goal of memorizing the Arabic alphabet and I'm making good progress with this language. I think I only read from my book 3 days this week but I guess that is better than nothing. To feed myself mentally I have been really busy with my masters program as well as listening to a lot of different TED talks while driving.
This weeks goals:
Physical: I'm going to reset my goal from last week and hopefully I will be feeling well enough and have enough energy to accomplish this. Scheduling the time to reach this goal is not an issue but I am tweaking with some things in my diet to see if I can enhance my energy levels that way. I plan on running at least 36 miles and going paddle boarding at least one time this coming week. Saturday may be a challenge as I think we may be going skiing but I might just have to get out extra early.
Mental: to continue my study of the Arabic language, I plan to accomplish all of task to in my AR ABY a to continue my study of the Arabic language, I plan to accomplish all of task to in my AR ABY app.
Spiritual: I am going to set a goal to have three formal meditation sessions this week.
Physical: this week was an off week for me physically. I'm not quite sure what I was dealing with but my primary symptom was fatigue. I felt it best to take a light week and hopefully get back into the swing of things tomorrow. I was able to stay consistent with my strength routine. It seems to be going pretty well.
Spiritual: I think I might have started off well with this goal but without a constant reminder it did not and probably will not go well. My relationship with Amelia has been one of the more challenging things that I have struggled with recently. This coming week I will hopefully be able to set a goal to ask more as a reminder rather than just a goal.
Mental: I reached my goal of memorizing the Arabic alphabet and I'm making good progress with this language. I think I only read from my book 3 days this week but I guess that is better than nothing. To feed myself mentally I have been really busy with my masters program as well as listening to a lot of different TED talks while driving.
This weeks goals:
Physical: I'm going to reset my goal from last week and hopefully I will be feeling well enough and have enough energy to accomplish this. Scheduling the time to reach this goal is not an issue but I am tweaking with some things in my diet to see if I can enhance my energy levels that way. I plan on running at least 36 miles and going paddle boarding at least one time this coming week. Saturday may be a challenge as I think we may be going skiing but I might just have to get out extra early.
Mental: to continue my study of the Arabic language, I plan to accomplish all of task to in my AR ABY a to continue my study of the Arabic language, I plan to accomplish all of task to in my AR ABY app.
Spiritual: I am going to set a goal to have three formal meditation sessions this week.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Week Summary 2/20-2/26
Review of last weeks goals:
Physical: I would like to experience linear growth in terms of my weekly mileage not only because it is the right way to train but also because I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE! This week I hit a whopping 36.7 miles (6.7 more than my goal) which I am pretty proud of considering my life is crazy busy right now. I really only have time for about 5-6 miles a day with my graduate studying from 4-5:45 and run from 5:45 - 6:30. If I can be consistent about that and use Saturdays for either a short run/long paddle in preparation for a paddle race or perhaps a long run if the lakes are frozen, I will be content. The summer will probably allow for more time to pick up weekly mileage. I am still doing well with my yearly strength goal and haven't missed a day of my minimum rep goal. I will say that with the consistency comes natural growth. Go figure.
Spiritual: This week I was able to take 45 male names to the temple to do baptisms with the youth. Amidst those names were Bernard Adams (my mom's biological dad) and my great uncle Roland. The spirit was palpable and I am sure that those individuals were so pleased to have been able to receive that ordinance.
Mental: I am doing well on my Arabic studies amidst the chaos of life and I am close to having the alphabet memorized.
Spiritual: This week I was able to take 45 male names to the temple to do baptisms with the youth. Amidst those names were Bernard Adams (my mom's biological dad) and my great uncle Roland. The spirit was palpable and I am sure that those individuals were so pleased to have been able to receive that ordinance.
Mental: I am doing well on my Arabic studies amidst the chaos of life and I am close to having the alphabet memorized.
New Goals for this week:
Physical: I would like to be more consistent in my weekly mileage and start a gradual build up so I am going to aim for 36 miles again for this week. I am also going to go paddle boarding on Saturday in Sun Up Bay (I heard that it is thawed!).
Spiritual: I am going to need to set a goal to improve my relationship with Amelia. This has been a hard week and I have not qualified for the best dad award. I have been too hard on her as she has struggled with ADHD symptoms. It is difficult to separate her from the behaviors and not get frustrated. This has been an ongoing struggle for too long and I need to be more proactive in developing the love and patience needed to handle these stressful parenting situations. So my goal for this week is to not raise my voice AT ALL to my children. I know I can do this as it is not usually a struggle just when I am in the heat of struggle or stressful situation. It is easy in the moment to justify but there is no excuse and I have to remember that always.
Mental: I am going to take it up one notch here and set a goal to read at least one page a night for at least 3 nights this week AS WELL AS memorize the Arabic alphabet (I am already pretty close so this shouldn't be too hard).
Spiritual: I am going to need to set a goal to improve my relationship with Amelia. This has been a hard week and I have not qualified for the best dad award. I have been too hard on her as she has struggled with ADHD symptoms. It is difficult to separate her from the behaviors and not get frustrated. This has been an ongoing struggle for too long and I need to be more proactive in developing the love and patience needed to handle these stressful parenting situations. So my goal for this week is to not raise my voice AT ALL to my children. I know I can do this as it is not usually a struggle just when I am in the heat of struggle or stressful situation. It is easy in the moment to justify but there is no excuse and I have to remember that always.
Mental: I am going to take it up one notch here and set a goal to read at least one page a night for at least 3 nights this week AS WELL AS memorize the Arabic alphabet (I am already pretty close so this shouldn't be too hard).
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Week Summary 1/22-1/29
Review of last weeks goals:
Physical: I was good on this goal with the exception of the long run on Saturday. I did get a good run in and was actually able to go with Don Francis (the director of Awsaj in Doha). Following the run we were able to have a second interview with him for positions teaching at his school. We feel pretty good about it but are going to wait until Wednesday to make a final decision. We had interviews with schools in Egypt, Qatar, Thailand, England, Panama, and Lithuania. All of the schools seemed like great places to work but we are focusing more of quality of life and access to our children, specifically Ashley's access to Edmond as he will still be only 2 years old if we go.
Spiritual: On Tuesday I was able to attend the temple and perform initiatory ordinances. It was a wonderful experience (as is every Temple experience) and was a good time for pondering the upcoming life decisions on our plate.
Mental: I am getting way better about texting while driving. I don't think I typed one text this week while driving. This has been a hard thing but I know that it is important for my safety and that of those around me.
New Goals for this week:
Physical: Long run of at least 12 miles this week.
Spiritual: Make contact with my HT families
Mental: Read at least a page out of a book other than the scriptures and my text books everyday.
This is going to be a life changing week as we will be making a decision that will alter the course of our family in a big way. Right now we are leaning towards an adventure teaching in Doha but are waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. I will heavily depending on the guidance of The Spirit, which I know is very real,
Physical: I was good on this goal with the exception of the long run on Saturday. I did get a good run in and was actually able to go with Don Francis (the director of Awsaj in Doha). Following the run we were able to have a second interview with him for positions teaching at his school. We feel pretty good about it but are going to wait until Wednesday to make a final decision. We had interviews with schools in Egypt, Qatar, Thailand, England, Panama, and Lithuania. All of the schools seemed like great places to work but we are focusing more of quality of life and access to our children, specifically Ashley's access to Edmond as he will still be only 2 years old if we go.
Spiritual: On Tuesday I was able to attend the temple and perform initiatory ordinances. It was a wonderful experience (as is every Temple experience) and was a good time for pondering the upcoming life decisions on our plate.
Mental: I am getting way better about texting while driving. I don't think I typed one text this week while driving. This has been a hard thing but I know that it is important for my safety and that of those around me.
New Goals for this week:
Physical: Long run of at least 12 miles this week.
Spiritual: Make contact with my HT families
Mental: Read at least a page out of a book other than the scriptures and my text books everyday.
This is going to be a life changing week as we will be making a decision that will alter the course of our family in a big way. Right now we are leaning towards an adventure teaching in Doha but are waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. I will heavily depending on the guidance of The Spirit, which I know is very real,
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Week Summary 1/15-1/21
Review of last weeks goals:
1. To complete an aerobic activity of at least 20 min each day.
- I was 5/6 on this goal. I had a few days where I woke up not feeling well (today being the worst of those days) and that really impairs my ability to get out the door at the crack of dawn, or not even. I guess I should set a goal that is obtainable even if I am sick.
2. To fast for 24 hours.
- I am currently fulfilling this goal so if I sound hungry in this post it will be evident as to they why. I am fasting for continued guidance as we are in the process of interviewing for various international teaching positions and are going to be heading to Boston this week for a job fair where there will be 100's of schools and many opportunities to interview. Our sights are actually set on a school that will not be in attendance at the fair but that we reached out to this week and they reciprocated interest and scheduled us to interview. The school is in Montenegro, a country we hadn't really had on our radar and really didn't even know existed until now. I am especially excited about this prospect as it is a small school in an area rich in history and geography. There might be a clause in my fast that includes some special help on this particular interview =)
3. To finish all my school work before the campout.
- Done! I am on top of my schooling and this term is going well. I am really enjoying my classes, especially Cell Bio, and am doing well in them. I am learning about membrane transport in much greater depth than ever before and it has really helped me to understand the real underlying mechanisms behind it rather than just a textbook explanation. The thing that most stood out to me this week is the section on action potential in a neuron. I have been teaching this to my students without a deep understanding of it which makes me feel as though I am cheating them out of a potentially more authentic learning experience. For the campout we went up to Mt. Spokane and stayed in a Chalet owned by the Spokane Mountaineers. It was a fun time and a great opportunity to get to know the boys better.
This years goals are going well,
I am back on top of the journal writing, I completed my strength goal for the week, and am setting new goals for the coming week.
New goals for this week:
1. Physical: I am going to make another attempt at last weeks goal of a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic activity each day and focus on getting a long run (12+ miles) in this weekend (as we will be in Boston without kids). I also want to set some yearly race/adventure goals so that I don't put it off so far as to miss cool opportunities.
2. Spiritual: Attend the temple for an initiatory session.
3. Mental: Not to text while driving at all.
1. To complete an aerobic activity of at least 20 min each day.
- I was 5/6 on this goal. I had a few days where I woke up not feeling well (today being the worst of those days) and that really impairs my ability to get out the door at the crack of dawn, or not even. I guess I should set a goal that is obtainable even if I am sick.
2. To fast for 24 hours.
- I am currently fulfilling this goal so if I sound hungry in this post it will be evident as to they why. I am fasting for continued guidance as we are in the process of interviewing for various international teaching positions and are going to be heading to Boston this week for a job fair where there will be 100's of schools and many opportunities to interview. Our sights are actually set on a school that will not be in attendance at the fair but that we reached out to this week and they reciprocated interest and scheduled us to interview. The school is in Montenegro, a country we hadn't really had on our radar and really didn't even know existed until now. I am especially excited about this prospect as it is a small school in an area rich in history and geography. There might be a clause in my fast that includes some special help on this particular interview =)
3. To finish all my school work before the campout.
- Done! I am on top of my schooling and this term is going well. I am really enjoying my classes, especially Cell Bio, and am doing well in them. I am learning about membrane transport in much greater depth than ever before and it has really helped me to understand the real underlying mechanisms behind it rather than just a textbook explanation. The thing that most stood out to me this week is the section on action potential in a neuron. I have been teaching this to my students without a deep understanding of it which makes me feel as though I am cheating them out of a potentially more authentic learning experience. For the campout we went up to Mt. Spokane and stayed in a Chalet owned by the Spokane Mountaineers. It was a fun time and a great opportunity to get to know the boys better.
This years goals are going well,
I am back on top of the journal writing, I completed my strength goal for the week, and am setting new goals for the coming week.
New goals for this week:
1. Physical: I am going to make another attempt at last weeks goal of a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic activity each day and focus on getting a long run (12+ miles) in this weekend (as we will be in Boston without kids). I also want to set some yearly race/adventure goals so that I don't put it off so far as to miss cool opportunities.
2. Spiritual: Attend the temple for an initiatory session.
3. Mental: Not to text while driving at all.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Week Summary 1/8-1/15 (straight ramblings)
I am sure I am not the only one who has set a goal, failed super quickly, and felt like abandoning that goal. I already missed a week of journal writing and changed the 4:00 rule goal (because I had already been doing that on most days anyways) to a goal of setting weekly goals. I am determined to continue despite my failings because I know that they are worthy goals and all I can do is put forth my best effort and I will accomplish the design of my goal setting. I haven't missed a day on my physical goal of doing at least 40 pushups or 20 pull ups and I am feeling like I have a little momentum.
As of lately our lives have been consumed with the process of applying for international teaching jobs. We have been inspired by a friend of our (Sam Abrams) to take advantage of the relative flexibility we have with our life at this time being that our kids our young and we don't have a ton of obligations and pursue an adventure abroad. We have signed up with a program that will be our liason and facilitate this seemingly complex process. We have also committed by planning a last minute trip to Boston to see if we can score some interviews with a few of the schools we are most interested in. This has been a great time for me as I have had to really rely on my gift of discernment and pray my guts out. I have received some clear guidance which I am grateful for because of the magnitude of this decision. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. That might be one of the strongest parts of my testimony. The great thing about this is that no matter what happens, we have a wonderful life here. If we don't get jobs in a desirable location, so what. We will try again and enjoy the heck out of the life we have here in Spokane.
My personal goals for this week are:
1. Physical - at least 30 min of aerobic activity each day
2. Spiritual - fast for 24 hours next sat-sun
3. Mental/emotional - Finish all my school work for this week before leaving on the campout on saturday.
I think these are easy and worthwhile goals.
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