2013 Goals and Updates

Like last year, I've decided to make a list of goals/things to accomplish during the year instead of having a New Year's Resolution.

1)  Read my Bible daily (following a plan in my Nook)
2) Complete my first ultramarathon.
3) Manage my finances better.
    ~Write down monthly budget/expenses.
    ~Find a way/ways to make more income.
4) Finish most of my wedding planning.


I also have a few updates since I haven't blogged in a while.  I'm a slacker, I know.  :-p  I won't be anymore though, for real!

      First, I've officially registered for my ultramarathon!  It's a 50k in Nashville, Indiana called Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone.  It's part of a race series (Dances with Dirt).  I'm super excited to take this next step in running and join the community of some of the most badass people ever: the ultrarunning community!

     I didn't have luck with the process of getting into physical therapy school for next year, so I'll be taking a year off of school altogether.  I'm actually kind of relieved: a year without the daily grind of studying, doing homework assignment after homework assignment may be exactly what I needed anyway.   I am ridiculously burnt out on school and in need of time to regroup.

     In August, I got another job within OU Outdoor Pursuits as the Rental Center Manager.  Basically, I'm in charge of daily operations of the OUOP rental center where we rent out camping gear, I help training new employees, and attend weekly OUOP manager meetings.  I'm still looking for a job as a personal trainer and currently working on a First Aid/CPR/AED instructor certifications.  Yay for another certification!

     I know it's already March, but I'm looking forward to the exciting opportunities that 2013 has yet to bring and hope that I can finally figure out what exactly I'm supposed to be doing with my life.

with my adorable kitty Twilight (NOT named after the movies or books)

   

     

Lots of Updates

(1) I'm engaged!  :-D  It happened at the finish line of my goal race (actually a weekend with multiple races).   Ray gave me the proposal of my dreams!  The story is on my wedding website:  http://MathesAndSchumacher.ourwedding.com

(2) I've done my first half ironman as part of the American Triple T!  :-)

(3) I quit my job at Baker Center.  Long story short, I've been dissatisified all year and they tried to demote me.  So instead of accepting the position of being a normal student employee, I read the long list of complaints I'd been making (the discussion took over an hour) and said I would not be returning to work the following week.  It felt great!

(4) I got a promotion at my summer job.  Instead of being a counselor at Camp Otterbein, I'll be the director of a program called Wilderness Adventures.  It will involve rock climbing, kayaking, sleeping in a platform tent all summer, lots of outdoor cooking, lifeguarding, planning games/activities and tons of hiking.  I'm excited and nervous!  Oh yeah-and there's the added perk of a significant pay raise.

(5) I'm now a certified personal trainer!  :-)  I just need to get hired somewhere, or at least find the money to get the equiptment to start my own business. 

(6) I'm now a certified lifeguard!  :-) 

(7) Only 2 more classes to take and I'll be done for my Physical Therapy school prerequisite classes! 



Definitely will be updating this REGULARLY once summer is over!  Would say sooner, but let's be honest: it's more than likely not happening with finals and camp approaching or during camp season.

Forget a New Years Resolution...I have a New Years To-Do List!

For 2012, I couldn't figure out just one thing I want to work on, improve or keep up.  So instead of a New Years resolution, I have a 2012 To Do List.  :-) 

(1) Friends and Family: I need to do a better job of spending time with them. 

(2) Finances: In 2011 my resolution was to get my finances under control, which I did.  This year, I need to keep more written budgets and keep my debt from building back up.

(3) Focus: I need to learn to focus on one thing at a time instead of trying to do a zillion things at once.  This will especially help with getting my homework and studying done.  It will help me keep my apartment cleaner too  :-p

(4) Fitness: I want to keep up my endurance, while improving upon my speed and strength (especially upper body strength).

Introduction

I guess the most appropriate first time post would be introducing myself.  My name is Jamie and I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio.  If I could describe myself in 5 words, I'd say I'm active, energetic, outgoing, adventurous, and bubbly. I have an awesome family, fabulous friends, and an amazing boyfriend named Ray.  I am a part-time student at Ohio University, working as a student manager (or "student leader" as they now call us-kinda' silly, I know) at the food court in the Baker University Center.  During the summer, I'm a counselor at Camp Otterbein in Logan, Ohio. 

My favorite activity ever is running.  I got into running during my recovery from an eating disorder.  I used the running as a way to deal with all of the anxiety I felt and a way to develop a better sense of self confidence.  I started reversing the "reward system" I'd always used for myself with exercise and eating.  In a nutshell, the more I ate on a given the day, the more I'd be allowed to run the next day, using exercise as the reward.  My mom was very skeptical (among many other people) when I decided I wanted to train for a half marathon in 2007.  Soon, running became my healthy addiction and my weight increased steadily as I started building muscle. I ran my first half marathon in April 2007.  The following year, I did my first 2 full marathons.  I've been healthy and relapse-free ever since I started running regularly.  I've done tons of 5ks, several 10ks, a couple 15ks, 2 half marathons, and 5 full marathons. 

I am also a triathlete.  With the wear and tear long distance running puts on the knees, combined with the fact that I destroyed my body for about 5-6 years, I started getting injuries way too often and decided I needed to start doing more low impact activities.  In the summer of 2008, I did my first triathlon, became hooked, and then joined the OU triathlon team.  I've done 6 triathlons so far and am registered for a crazy event called the American Triple T (4 triathlons, 1 weekend: you do all of them and then collapse!  :-p). I'll be doing that event in May and training my butt off this winter harder than ever before.

My career goals, life plan, etc. have changed so much it's ridiculous.  I majored in psychology, getting my B.A. last spring and have a minor in biology.  I'm a bit behind schedule though, because I decided my senior year (my 4th year I should say; I ended up being a 5th year/"super senior" last year) that I didn't really want to be a clinical psychologist. I wanted to go to Medical school.  Recently however, I've decided that Physical Therapy school is a better fit. I'm sticking to it and will be done with the pre-requisite classes at the end of the school year.  Next year, I get to take a year off from classes and will be turning in applications, working full time, shadowing, etc.  I'm also hoping to take classes and the exam for getting certified as a personal trainer this upcoming year. 

One more thing: I absolutely love kitty cats!  :-)