"Catch the train" and other races I plan to win this year
I don't consider myself an athletic person, and gone are the days when I tried to mirror the affinity to sports possessed by the rest of my family. During the annual sports day at my prep school, the only white first-place ribbons achieved by my household were won by my mother, the ringer in every Parent's Race. Well, OK, my brother won ribbons for himself but I seemed to peak in first grade when I won one race, of the obstacle variety: one where I had to put bean bags in a bucket and get them to the finish line first. I can't remember the name of that race, mostly because it's not the one I'm remembered for most. For "Catch the train", participants had to bring a pair of shoes, pants, a button-down shirt and a knapsack in order to race to get dressed to catch the imaginary train on time. In second grade, my sole attempt in the race resulted in a last place finish and a puddle of tears in the arms of my father -- much like most of my embarrassing stories. Every time I have to run to catch my train to work now, I remember this race and how picking the wrong shoes can be the difference between getting there first or struggling to get there at all. As far as resolutions for the new year, being prompt for everything is a big one. Here are a few other races I plan to win this year:
The Indy 500
No, I don't want to become a race car driver but I might as well try, considering my trepidation toward getting a driver's license. Plus, driving in a straight line and turning left every half-mile can't be that hard, right? I've had the convenient excuse of living in New York City to avoid getting behind the wheel for years, but I think my avoidance has grown into a stumbling block to moving forward. The license will come in handy if I venture west this summer, perhaps through Indianapolis.
Around the World in 80 Days
Reading the Jules Verne novel is on my list of things to do and I plan to go outside of my own little world. Most of my adventures beyond the boundaries of home and school happened within a year of leaving college. My brother reminded me the other day of a mission of mine to see every major league ballpark, something I'd still like to do, and I want to enjoy traveling again and just get going already.
National League pennant chase
I'm an avid baseball fan and as a Mets fan it will be a challenge to make it through the whole season. It's improbable that they'll do better than the four other teams in their division, but it's not impossible. I had the privilege to watch both New York teams compete in person last season and hope this year is just as fun. My busy schedule made for a six-month workout and by the end of the summer I was falling out of my khakis. This race is not mine to win but one to endure. I'm looking forward to the return of Mets Banner Day though.
The Human Race
I watched the movie The Switch recently and Jason Bateman had a line at the end about the human race not being a race at all. I thought it was funny play on the phrase and a good way to highlight my resolve to better myself -- in relation to others and my future. I have a placard next to my bed listing the attributes of an excellent woman as outlined in Proverbs 31:10-31. It will be more than putting on characteristics like necklaces, and be more about becoming a better daughter, sister and friend, and eventually an able wife and mother. The key will be to go about this diligently.
The Apprentice
Even though the first season of this reality competition is my one of my all-time favorites, I'm not aiming to work for the Donald or Martha Stewart. I see all of the people close to me roaring ahead with careers and I feel like I still have training wheels on my bicycle. This was the same lament I had at 21 as I felt everyone around me knew more and fit in better. I'm still in search of my niche and determined to find it this year. Unemployed or not, I can't let December 31 roll around again without giving myself a chance to truly thrive at something.
Now that I've written this all down, my aim is to honor these goals and try every day to take one step closer to accomplish them. (And catch my train on time.) If you're interested in leaving the "races you'll be competing in" below in the comments, please do. Thanks, and good luck.
The Indy 500
No, I don't want to become a race car driver but I might as well try, considering my trepidation toward getting a driver's license. Plus, driving in a straight line and turning left every half-mile can't be that hard, right? I've had the convenient excuse of living in New York City to avoid getting behind the wheel for years, but I think my avoidance has grown into a stumbling block to moving forward. The license will come in handy if I venture west this summer, perhaps through Indianapolis.
Around the World in 80 Days
Reading the Jules Verne novel is on my list of things to do and I plan to go outside of my own little world. Most of my adventures beyond the boundaries of home and school happened within a year of leaving college. My brother reminded me the other day of a mission of mine to see every major league ballpark, something I'd still like to do, and I want to enjoy traveling again and just get going already.
National League pennant chase
I'm an avid baseball fan and as a Mets fan it will be a challenge to make it through the whole season. It's improbable that they'll do better than the four other teams in their division, but it's not impossible. I had the privilege to watch both New York teams compete in person last season and hope this year is just as fun. My busy schedule made for a six-month workout and by the end of the summer I was falling out of my khakis. This race is not mine to win but one to endure. I'm looking forward to the return of Mets Banner Day though.
The Human Race
I watched the movie The Switch recently and Jason Bateman had a line at the end about the human race not being a race at all. I thought it was funny play on the phrase and a good way to highlight my resolve to better myself -- in relation to others and my future. I have a placard next to my bed listing the attributes of an excellent woman as outlined in Proverbs 31:10-31. It will be more than putting on characteristics like necklaces, and be more about becoming a better daughter, sister and friend, and eventually an able wife and mother. The key will be to go about this diligently.
The Apprentice
Even though the first season of this reality competition is my one of my all-time favorites, I'm not aiming to work for the Donald or Martha Stewart. I see all of the people close to me roaring ahead with careers and I feel like I still have training wheels on my bicycle. This was the same lament I had at 21 as I felt everyone around me knew more and fit in better. I'm still in search of my niche and determined to find it this year. Unemployed or not, I can't let December 31 roll around again without giving myself a chance to truly thrive at something.
Now that I've written this all down, my aim is to honor these goals and try every day to take one step closer to accomplish them. (And catch my train on time.) If you're interested in leaving the "races you'll be competing in" below in the comments, please do. Thanks, and good luck.