1. Get driving license
In typical fashion, I managed to miss my booked driving test. Had not had any lessons for about two months, just got back from Sierra Leone, internet went down and I was unable to change my test date on time, so decided with my instructor not to take test. Will re-book for next year and get myself a consistent set of ten lessons in preparation and then will be ok to pass in time for target of February.
In typical fashion, I managed to miss my booked driving test. Had not had any lessons for about two months, just got back from Sierra Leone, internet went down and I was unable to change my test date on time, so decided with my instructor not to take test. Will re-book for next year and get myself a consistent set of ten lessons in preparation and then will be ok to pass in time for target of February.
'When you really want something, the whole universe conspires to help you get it', or something like that according to Paulo Coelho in the Alchemist. My lovely mother, the least materialistic person I know, who never wants for anything and has only ever worked in minimum wage jobs has amassed savings of big proportions and she has (for the second time) offered to bail my behind out with a £7000 loan. Essentially I'll have £1700 left to pay off myself and pay her like £650 a month. I have given up my credit cards- never to be used again, so seems like this is on-track.
Already mentoring and really want to do my volunteer reading but the school is so disorganised they have not got back to me despite me giving in my CRB form months ago. Anyway ticking this off as I'm also a trustee for an amazing organisation and that's taking up a ton of my time, and hopefully if we get funding for projects will help a lot of people.
4. Create an outstanding department at work and finalise next career steps
2011 went well, (good inaugural conference, education packs, consultancy etc) but as always there’s so much more I can do. So want to use the quite days of being in the office next week to draw up a year work plan, a strategy document and at least 3 project proposals. Oh yeah and I want to move desk space, so that I can be next to the window, so yeah a lot to try and sort in 3 days, but always one for a challenge.
2011 went well, (good inaugural conference, education packs, consultancy etc) but as always there’s so much more I can do. So want to use the quite days of being in the office next week to draw up a year work plan, a strategy document and at least 3 project proposals. Oh yeah and I want to move desk space, so that I can be next to the window, so yeah a lot to try and sort in 3 days, but always one for a challenge.
5. Complete all the reading for a self designed MSc in African Politics, Human Rights and Education
I have a brand spanking new lush desk to work from, have organised my folders, got the text books I need and module outlines at the ready. Now just need to get a university student’s log-in details so I can access academic journals, then I’m good to go. I am going to do six modules in all (African Politics, International Political Economy, Human Rights, Nations and Nationalism, Political Concepts and Education), so it’s two modules per 10 weeks and I have 34 weeks till birthday, so six will be completed including essays. Exciting times, but I have to make sure that I’m putting in at least 15 hours study time per week.
I have a brand spanking new lush desk to work from, have organised my folders, got the text books I need and module outlines at the ready. Now just need to get a university student’s log-in details so I can access academic journals, then I’m good to go. I am going to do six modules in all (African Politics, International Political Economy, Human Rights, Nations and Nationalism, Political Concepts and Education), so it’s two modules per 10 weeks and I have 34 weeks till birthday, so six will be completed including essays. Exciting times, but I have to make sure that I’m putting in at least 15 hours study time per week.
6. Complete a self-designed de-clutter and organisation programme
I am soooo proud of actually managing to get rid of over half of my wardrobe, like 7 pairs of shoes, and probably about 100 items of clothing, most of my beauty products. Honestly, feel so much freer and the phrase ‘less is more’ has never been more true. I find it easier to get dressed without the clutter of unloved items in my wardrobe. I’m still not quite satisfied yet though and want to purge even further, but I think I’ll take it slowly next year. I’m also going to follow Regina Hall’s ‘One year to an organised life’ and do weekly updates of my progress, so the rest of my life can become super organised as well. Which is even more imperative given all I’ve got to do in the short space of time.
I am soooo proud of actually managing to get rid of over half of my wardrobe, like 7 pairs of shoes, and probably about 100 items of clothing, most of my beauty products. Honestly, feel so much freer and the phrase ‘less is more’ has never been more true. I find it easier to get dressed without the clutter of unloved items in my wardrobe. I’m still not quite satisfied yet though and want to purge even further, but I think I’ll take it slowly next year. I’m also going to follow Regina Hall’s ‘One year to an organised life’ and do weekly updates of my progress, so the rest of my life can become super organised as well. Which is even more imperative given all I’ve got to do in the short space of time.
7. Sort out all physical and emotional health problems
Not really done much on this one in 2011, I joined the gym, but not been using it as been away so much and came back to a messy house (but realising what a cop-out that is as I type it J). So anyway, three times a week at least to make it worth my £50 a month membership fee. I’ve bought some herbs as well to help with the PMS and been drinking it, though need to sort a routine so I’m drinking it every night before bed and taking it away with me when traveling. On the emotional side, I’m actually (touch wood) a lot happier than I’ve been in years, though I still need to learn to identify and manage the stressors which can throw me off course, and of course I really need to mend/let go of some relationships as well which does stress me out.
Not really done much on this one in 2011, I joined the gym, but not been using it as been away so much and came back to a messy house (but realising what a cop-out that is as I type it J). So anyway, three times a week at least to make it worth my £50 a month membership fee. I’ve bought some herbs as well to help with the PMS and been drinking it, though need to sort a routine so I’m drinking it every night before bed and taking it away with me when traveling. On the emotional side, I’m actually (touch wood) a lot happier than I’ve been in years, though I still need to learn to identify and manage the stressors which can throw me off course, and of course I really need to mend/let go of some relationships as well which does stress me out.
On course and done about 15 recipes (at least, though not all blogged yet) really enjoying it, save for times when I don’t want to go into the bomb-damaged kitchen, but with good organisation and routine, I should be cooking at least 4 times a week and really enjoying every mouthful.
9. Read all Folio books on bookshelf
I have a real concentration issue, and these books are not the easiest to read, so I’m on the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ for now, as I’m going to Peru in January and I really want to finish it before I go, so hopefully it will continue to hold my interest. Let’s see. The rest, I’ve set myself a micro-goal of reading only 10 pages per day. Hopefully my speed will increase, but going slow to start with and so in eight months I can conceivably read 2380 pages which I hope should cover all 8 books, but might not, but if my speed increases, then it will and it’ll be ok. Fingers crossed.
I have a real concentration issue, and these books are not the easiest to read, so I’m on the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ for now, as I’m going to Peru in January and I really want to finish it before I go, so hopefully it will continue to hold my interest. Let’s see. The rest, I’ve set myself a micro-goal of reading only 10 pages per day. Hopefully my speed will increase, but going slow to start with and so in eight months I can conceivably read 2380 pages which I hope should cover all 8 books, but might not, but if my speed increases, then it will and it’ll be ok. Fingers crossed.
10. Run the Paris/Rome Marathon
Booked my Rome marathon place, need to confirm with my medical certificate, book my flight and start training like yesterday if I’m gonna follow the 12 week training course, and take my kit with me to practice when I’m away. This is gonna to require a lot more discipline than I’ve ever been able to muster in my life! Argh!!!
Booked my Rome marathon place, need to confirm with my medical certificate, book my flight and start training like yesterday if I’m gonna follow the 12 week training course, and take my kit with me to practice when I’m away. This is gonna to require a lot more discipline than I’ve ever been able to muster in my life! Argh!!!
12. Create photo albums and music playlists
I bought some really good-priced but quality photo albums that I happened upon at WHSmiths in Victoria Station. It’s been an absolute byatch uploading photos onto Boots, but going to spend Crimbo day doing that and come hell or high water, it’ll get dine between then and Boxing Day. Regarding le music, my beautiful AMAZING mother and sister have clubbed to buy me the most squealy crimbo prezzie EVER!! I, Michaela Alfred-Kamara, from Sunday will the the utterly delighted owner of a Roberts MP53 player baby. What’s thus gotta do with my music playlist, I hear you ask? Well the MP53 ONLY copies from CDs to a memory stick, I tell you, so given that uploading onto my netbook is an utter pain which takes too long. Now everytime I pop a CD in, I’ll copy it and then be on my way to making my playlists. Mainly on planes and at airports by the looks of it. Bring it on!!
I bought some really good-priced but quality photo albums that I happened upon at WHSmiths in Victoria Station. It’s been an absolute byatch uploading photos onto Boots, but going to spend Crimbo day doing that and come hell or high water, it’ll get dine between then and Boxing Day. Regarding le music, my beautiful AMAZING mother and sister have clubbed to buy me the most squealy crimbo prezzie EVER!! I, Michaela Alfred-Kamara, from Sunday will the the utterly delighted owner of a Roberts MP53 player baby. What’s thus gotta do with my music playlist, I hear you ask? Well the MP53 ONLY copies from CDs to a memory stick, I tell you, so given that uploading onto my netbook is an utter pain which takes too long. Now everytime I pop a CD in, I’ll copy it and then be on my way to making my playlists. Mainly on planes and at airports by the looks of it. Bring it on!!
13. Visit 30 places of interest in London
Ticked two off the list so far, so gonna have to be doing at least one a week now to be able to complete challenge by August. First one is the National Gallery with my mentee, second weekend in Jan.
Ticked two off the list so far, so gonna have to be doing at least one a week now to be able to complete challenge by August. First one is the National Gallery with my mentee, second weekend in Jan.
14. Learn basic astronomy and go star-gazing
Done nothing towards this, so gonna have to get me a library book out and really want to get one of those mini-planetarium (love Planetariums) projector kids toys so I can learn about constellations and the like before I do the real thing.
Done nothing towards this, so gonna have to get me a library book out and really want to get one of those mini-planetarium (love Planetariums) projector kids toys so I can learn about constellations and the like before I do the real thing.
Not done anything towards this yet. Will read my basic chess book and then arrange a date with any one of the friends who have said they will help with this and get them to teach me.
16. Perfect a signature eye make-up look
Decided to change my goal of collating family history and folk tales, as basically it makes no sense for me to do it half-halfheartedly through hurried phone calls with family overseas, so will do what I can now, but mainly going to be done when I move back to Sierra Leone. Sooooo, realised that there wasn’t enough ‘fun’ stuff in my list, so after seeing a girl expertly apply eyeliner on the tube and the difference it made to how her eyes looks, decided that I’ll learn a signature eye make-up look instead and post my various attempts.
Decided to change my goal of collating family history and folk tales, as basically it makes no sense for me to do it half-halfheartedly through hurried phone calls with family overseas, so will do what I can now, but mainly going to be done when I move back to Sierra Leone. Sooooo, realised that there wasn’t enough ‘fun’ stuff in my list, so after seeing a girl expertly apply eyeliner on the tube and the difference it made to how her eyes looks, decided that I’ll learn a signature eye make-up look instead and post my various attempts.
19.Find the perfect everyday handbag for under £50
Changing this goal of building a sideboard as saw lots of carpentry workshops in Sierra Leone and it will cost me a lot less to learn carpentry there and also I have nowhere at home to keep my sideboard, so don’t want to make something and not use it. So this one is being changed to another ‘fun’ challenge. Finding the perfect handbag!! I hate fussy designs and ninety percent of handbags that I see out there. I need one that looks good, big and sturdy enough to hold all my stuff and to travel with, so needs to be able to hold my laptop, papers, books, food and drink. I’d prefer for it to be leather and under £50. So definitely a challenge.
Changing this goal of building a sideboard as saw lots of carpentry workshops in Sierra Leone and it will cost me a lot less to learn carpentry there and also I have nowhere at home to keep my sideboard, so don’t want to make something and not use it. So this one is being changed to another ‘fun’ challenge. Finding the perfect handbag!! I hate fussy designs and ninety percent of handbags that I see out there. I need one that looks good, big and sturdy enough to hold all my stuff and to travel with, so needs to be able to hold my laptop, papers, books, food and drink. I’d prefer for it to be leather and under £50. So definitely a challenge.
Need to crack on with this, I bought December’s Harpers Bazaar as they always do a good travel guide. I have my Folio World Heritage book to look at sites and things, just need to start scrap-booking now.
Will start tackling this one in February I think if I tick lots off my list in January.
Will write a paper on FGM/C I think and submit to the Journal of Sierra Leonean studies, or look at ethnicities within Sierra Leone when I’m doing my Masters reading.
Need to find salsa lessons – think will save this for later in the year when marathon is done.
In needing to save money, traveling abroad has to be limited so changing this from bike ride in Amsterdam during tulip bloom to bike ride in Hyde Park during spring.
Doing the Camino de Santiago route is still something I really want to do but having worked out the expenses, realised I can't, so heading a bit closer to home and spending a day walking the South Downs instead. Not quite two weeks, but I reckon setting off really early on a Sunday morning and doing a full day of walking will suffice. And if I’m able to do more, then I will. Just seen the South Downs Way walk but it costs £205 and lasts for nine days, so maybe I’ll just try and go nine times in the year and complete the trail BUT only committing myself to one day to fulfil my target.
Need to get on with this one. So doing an hour of French a day should mean I complete both my Hugo ‘French in 3 Months’ beginners and advanced books and then spend two months reading Wretched of the Earth (in French!) Eek.
Well I’m claiming to have boycotted Christmas again this year, BUT would quite like to get on the candle making and make some for post-Christmas gifts for friends and family, so need to order my kit quite soon.
Dunno about this one. Will do it, but sure it’s looking bit less appealing now. But will be done post marathon, when I’m that little bit fitter.
I haven't started my blog yet, but I subscribed to yours!! :) almost there.. :) you are so inspiring
ReplyDeleteAww, sweet. Good luck. Let me know when you blog is live. x
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