Makin’ Changes: 2010
I have no clue how it happened, but tomorrow is the last day of 2009! I swear it was just December 1 and I was thinking about all the exciting things I had to look forward to in December! I guess they were right…time flies when you’re having fun! With 2009 wrapping itself up, I could do a year-in-review, but if you want a year in review, so just scroll back to January and start reading. 
You know what they say…don’t dwell on the past, focus on the future! (Okay, I don’t know who says that, but let’s just go with it.)
On paper, 2009 looks fantastic. Let’s check it out, bullet-point style:
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Graduated from nursing school.
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Finally got my first (real) job.
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Moved across the country closer to my boyfriend.
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Qualified for Boston!
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Ate a lot of ice cream and cookies.
To most people, this comes off as a very good year. Don’t be fooled! My job is far from my dream job, and it’s a daily struggle to make myself walk in the door of the hospital. Yes, I no longer have to take a plane to see my boyfriend, but he still lives an hour away and I pretty much only see him on weekends. Not an ideal situation, but it’s what I have to work with for now.
For now. 2010 is a new year, and it has to be better than 2009. I’ve spent so much of 2009 hating everything, and the new year is a perfect reason to start making changes! Life’s too short to be unhappy. So what’s the plan? Here we go…
Makin’ Changes 2010
Work
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Actively pursue other jobs. I don’t like my job. I don’t like my hospital, and I especially don’t like that I can be sent anywhere in the hospital. It’s hard to get a grip when you have no clue where you’ll be and can be sent into any unit. When I graduated nursing school, I pictured myself in a large city academic medical center. I’ll be applying to jobs this week and hunting down human resources in January. Mark my word.
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Apply to graduate school. When I first decided to go to nursing school, I wanted to be a nurse practitioner. Some say you should have a certain amount of experience before going back to school, but why wait? Let’s get the ball rolling.
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Apply to be a HealthCorps Coordinator. HealthCorps is a program much like AmeriCorps, but it sends college graduates into high schools to teach healthy living to students. This sounds like a great program, and I would love to teach people about healthy lifestyles! I’m keeping my options open for the new year, weighing nurse vs. grad school vs HealthCorps. Time will tell!
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Pursue opening a bakery. I’m just going to say it…I don’t think 2010 will be the year of the bakery. That won’t stop me from trying new recipes, learning more about baking, and dreaming up plans to open a bakery with Allie!
Running, etc.
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Run a marathon in 3:20. It’s doable. It will take work. I can do it.
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Run 2,010 miles in 2010. I’m on the verge of 1,600 miles for 2009, and that’s with a month off of running! I can definitely squeeze in those other miles to hit 2,010.
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Run a marathon for fun. Yes, Philly was kind of for fun. But I’m talking a full-on, who-cares-about-time, I-just-like-to-run marathon. This may include a marathon on my 26th birthday (26 miles on your 26th birthday? Why not?) and my initiation into the Marathon Maniac club. We shall see.
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Try a tri. I can run. I can bike. I used to be able to swim (or, I at least taught people how to swim!). Why not try something new and try a triathlon?
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Do more core work/lifting. I’m notorious (amongst myself…) of not doing any core work. I used to lift, but once marathon training picks up, I kind of forget all about it. I used to have nice abs…let’s get back there!
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Drink more water. I don’t know when I fell off the chugging water all day bandwagon, it’s time to restart. I’m a thirsty girl!
LIFE
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Be more positive. Some days, I cry all day and eat M&M’s. That’s no way to live. My life isn’t that bad. 2010 will be able focusing on the good things in life and moving forward. Not saying I won’t ever be mopey, but it’s something to work on.
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Do more things for others. I love getting mail, especially notes from friends back home. Even a random note on facebook saying, “Susan! I miss you!” brightens my day. If it makes me happy, it will probably make other people happy as well.
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Figure out financial stuff. I’ve been making minimum payments on my student loans, but that means I’ve paid about the same amount in interest as I have on the principle amount! Now that I have a better idea of how much I make/spend on a monthly basis, I can work on cutting down on my loans. Or I can use my money to…
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TRAVEL. I loooooove to travel! I’ve been all over Europe, but there’s still so much to see! I put in for vacation in July (we have to request time off for the summer NOW), so the Rocket Scientist and I can jet set to somewhere fantastic. And far away. Preferably with good food.
So there you have it, my plans to make 2010 much more bearable amazing. 2009 has been full of life changing events, and 2010 is the time to be happy. I think our own mindset is very important in how we view things, so positivity will take me a long way this coming year. Stay tuned to watch it all unfold!
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Got out for a brisk run this morning! It was about 27 degrees but not nearly as windy as yesterday (when I took the day off since I didn’t want to get blown into New Jersey!). Seven miles gives me only five miles to go until 1,600 for the year…that’s what tomorrow is for!
Wednesday, December 30
7.05 miles in 53:26, avg pace of 7:35
Time for lunch and then off to work…which I hope isn’t as much of a mess as it was last night. It’s my last day of work for 2009, so let’s hope it ends on a good note!
In other news, if I could invite myself to anyone’s New Year’s Eve plans, please let me know…I don’t have ANY. As in I’m currently going to cheers myself on the couch.
What a great list! I am getting excited just reading it. Your 2010 is going to be amazing.
HealthCorps sounds amazing! And really awesome. You know I’m going to be checking that out! And I love your plans for the year. They are great and definitely attainable. I hope 2010 will be much happier for you!
I’m inspired! I’m going to have to make a similar post
And I hope that things get to be 100x better in 2010!!
i’m so excited for you to get your baking crackalackin girl
i’ll be there opening day!
i think you should come to NY and come to sush with me and my friends! doooo iiiiit can you smell the saki bombs now
2010 miles?? Oof, I definitely think you can do it…just can’t imagine running THAT much!
I’ll be around to “help” you test out more cupcake/cookie recipes for that bakery!
I love all your 2010 goals! You have a really good mix of running, fitness, and personal goals. Best of luck!
great list. you’ve inspired me to put my thoughts down into writing.
I can’t wait until you find that job that you actually ENJOY.
What a great list and positive attitude girl! Love it! It is terrible when your job isn’t a place you like to go every day. I’m finding myself in that situation right now and want to start perusing other options once I’m done with grad school. I want to try a tri too, need to figure out the swimming part
You’re so fast!!! so cool! and at 27 degrees?! I think my lungs would collapse from lack of blood flow lol
Your goals look great! I definitely think 2010 will be your year! And if you happen to open a bakery, please let me in on the action too! That’s a secret dream of mine also!
Birthday Marathons can actually be a lot of fun! I ran Chicago for my 26th birthday this year and then pigged out on cupcakes afterward. I tried to “run for fun,” but my competitive side kicked in and I couldn’t overcome it. But, the birthday marathon was still a great way to spend my birthday.
It’s gonna be good year, Susan!! Even if our bakery is still a thought bubble, it makes me happy to think about the possibilities….and it distracts me when I’m at the gym
We’ll get there someday!! You have such thought out goals..I’m excited for you!
Awh, I’m so sorry to hear that you aren’t enjoying your job. Are you working in the resource department? I just got a job as an NA doing the same thing and I hate switching floors everyday. I will be graduating this time next year. I guess I should enjoy being in school and not in the real world
I really hope that you will be able to get out of that job soon. Work can affect all parts of ones life. I’m excited to see what 2010 has in store for you!
I’m loving that list, I think I’m going to have to snag your idea and do something like that myself! Great job with all of your accomplishments though, even though you’ve not liked where you’ve been it’s great that you’ve been sticking it out. Great things will come in 2010.
I ditched out on NYC this year and officially finalized my NYE plans today and got a ‘ticket’ to go to Winberies tomorrow night. If your’e around Princeton with RS you should join in the festivities! I think it’s about 55-60 with open bar and a buffet of sorts. I’ll be there if you’re around!
Sounds like an awesome life for the new year. There are days when i sit around, crying, eating candy all day, too,hahaha. it is so dumb, but you know, just happens!
hey….from one running RN to another….keep your chin up! also, have you considered working for a VA hospital? great bennies, they aren’t going to merge or close or what not for a while….they are all over the country (think: moving closer to R/S)….just a thought. drop me a line if you want more info…..
Happy New Year!
Gene
travel: to NC!!
academic medical center: hey, we have one of those
i think you just need to incorporate north carolina into all of your plans.
HAPPY NEW YEAR susan!! getting to know you (both online and off) has been a lovely part of 2009
I like your goals and ambition for 2010. I’d say you’re set to have an awesome year! Can’t wait to keep reading and find out what happens with your job, etc.! Happy 2010!
looks like 2010 is going to be a GREAT year for you!! LOVE the goal of running a marathon for FUN – its so much fun