Setting Goals
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've finally decided on a few goals I'd like to accomplish by this time next year and a little beyond. I've never liked the word resolution, and I've always thought written out goals seem much easier to accomplish.
1. Finally get into my very best physical condition. I've been working out 3 days a week for aproximately 6 months, and I've hit a minor plateau, so it's time for me to kick it up a knotch. I'll do my weights & running on tues/thurs/sat and do running and/or bike on mon/wed/fri. I'm tired of not being in so-so shape, so by June I hope to be in good shape and by September I hope to be in great shape.
2. For once and all I want to get my TEFL diploma. My goal is to sign up for i-to-i's online/weekend course by May, and have it finished by the end of August. In order to do a weekend thing though I'd have to make a trip to Chicago since it's the closest city to me that offers a weekend class. I'd like a trip to Chicago, but I was really really wanting to go to D.C. this year. The only other thing I could do is take my trip to D.C. and then head to NYC over the weekend (I found a cheap $35 bus to NYC from D.C.) for the course and then go back to D.C. for the rest of my trip. I dunno I'll figure it all out soon enough.
3. By December or early next year I hope to spend about 6 weeks in Central/South America. First I want to put that TEFL to some good use and get in some practice by doing some volunteer TEFL teaching for about 2 weeks. Then I'd like to spend the rest of the time learning Spanish (they have cheap Spanish schools especially in Guatemala) and do some minor traveling while I'm there. But, perhaps I'll just spend 3-4 weeks learning spanish and see if I might be able to do some practice/volunteer TEFl teaching here in the states.
4. If I'm feeling comfortable & confident with my TEFL skills I'd really like to try and get paid placement for 3, 6, or 12 months in Asia or Africa by May of next year.
5. Which brings me to something I need to do right now. I need to get a second job ASAP. I think waitressing would be good for me to make some extra cash for my savings. Right now I'm able to put back about $200 a month after bills, rent, etc. However that's not enough to be able to afford all this globe trotting. I'm hoping though that #4 will be ok, because there's a lot of schools that pay for airfare, cost of living, and a minor salary on top of that. Not to mention, most the TEFL schools only have you work about 4 hours a day (not including lesson planning) and you have the weekends off in order to get a small on-the-side job.
6. Learn self defense. I've been wanting to do this for years and still haven't ever done it. I want to get this done by November of this year so that I might feel safer when I do travel alone.
7. Improve on all aspects of my photography. Enter more photo contests. Make a portfolio. Practice more shots. Get creative.
8. Get more involved in charaties, donations and volunteer work.
1. Finally get into my very best physical condition. I've been working out 3 days a week for aproximately 6 months, and I've hit a minor plateau, so it's time for me to kick it up a knotch. I'll do my weights & running on tues/thurs/sat and do running and/or bike on mon/wed/fri. I'm tired of not being in so-so shape, so by June I hope to be in good shape and by September I hope to be in great shape.
2. For once and all I want to get my TEFL diploma. My goal is to sign up for i-to-i's online/weekend course by May, and have it finished by the end of August. In order to do a weekend thing though I'd have to make a trip to Chicago since it's the closest city to me that offers a weekend class. I'd like a trip to Chicago, but I was really really wanting to go to D.C. this year. The only other thing I could do is take my trip to D.C. and then head to NYC over the weekend (I found a cheap $35 bus to NYC from D.C.) for the course and then go back to D.C. for the rest of my trip. I dunno I'll figure it all out soon enough.
3. By December or early next year I hope to spend about 6 weeks in Central/South America. First I want to put that TEFL to some good use and get in some practice by doing some volunteer TEFL teaching for about 2 weeks. Then I'd like to spend the rest of the time learning Spanish (they have cheap Spanish schools especially in Guatemala) and do some minor traveling while I'm there. But, perhaps I'll just spend 3-4 weeks learning spanish and see if I might be able to do some practice/volunteer TEFl teaching here in the states.
4. If I'm feeling comfortable & confident with my TEFL skills I'd really like to try and get paid placement for 3, 6, or 12 months in Asia or Africa by May of next year.
5. Which brings me to something I need to do right now. I need to get a second job ASAP. I think waitressing would be good for me to make some extra cash for my savings. Right now I'm able to put back about $200 a month after bills, rent, etc. However that's not enough to be able to afford all this globe trotting. I'm hoping though that #4 will be ok, because there's a lot of schools that pay for airfare, cost of living, and a minor salary on top of that. Not to mention, most the TEFL schools only have you work about 4 hours a day (not including lesson planning) and you have the weekends off in order to get a small on-the-side job.
6. Learn self defense. I've been wanting to do this for years and still haven't ever done it. I want to get this done by November of this year so that I might feel safer when I do travel alone.
7. Improve on all aspects of my photography. Enter more photo contests. Make a portfolio. Practice more shots. Get creative.
8. Get more involved in charaties, donations and volunteer work.