The beginning of a new decade

Happy New Year!

January, I hope, will not be an accurate indication of how 2010 will pan out. I have been sick with a cold/sinus infection/chest congestion for about 3 weeks. The week before all this happened I pinched my C6, which is the base of my neck. I had pain spasms in my left shoulder for days, and I had limited turning capability as well.  I could even feel the pain in my index finger! Three emergency chiropractic appointments and one deep massage, and $100 in copays later, I was feeling better only to come down with the cold progression I mentioned previously. This also interfered with one of my new(unreleased) goals for this year concerning the gym. I only got in twice before this whole health debacle.

THAT aside (inhale) I have some results for you:
In 2009 I bought my first car. I went to Europe. I created my first dreamboard. got strep, found out I have hyper thyroidism- which fixed my insomnia and anxiety woes. I joined dodgeball. I moved out of my 3 year relationship. I made some poor judgement at work. I met my current relationship. I contracted swine flu. I got motivated to subscribe to 24 hour fitness. I submitted my interest with a local historical society. I can fit into size smalls again! I got broke. Really broke.
(exhale) Up down up down. Wheeeee.

Here are my much anticipated(and more specific) goals for 2010:

• Health. 
• I have a terrible track record with my health. Here I am as it stands, my hyper thyroidism seems to be under control. I missed my last appointment, and when  I have a spare $25 I need to keep up with my maintenance. You have to keep your thyroid hormone levels monitored, but I think I'm doing ok. I skip my medication frequently, so I don't have to worry about over consuming the hormones, but I should be more diligent about taking them. I don't have issues with insomnia, but anxiety comes about after a couple of weeks of not taking it. Then I start thinking crazy thoughts and get really claustrophobic. No good.

1. Eat less sugar. Develop healthy alternatives- suggestions?
2. Clock in at least 150 minutes of cardio every week(also a goal on work's health assessment)
3. Work up to being capable of lifting 15 lbs each arm, currently at 8 safely for reps)
4. Focus on building strength in arms, back, shoulders, stomach, and upper legs)
5. Record food intake
1. Increase fiber, protein, and water intake awareness

Notice no focus on weight gain or loss.

• Outreach. 
• My chosen community outreach is through the South West Seattle Historical Society which owns and curates the Log House Museum on Alki Beach(the birthplace of Seattle). I have volunteered to be on the board, which involves participating on several committees.

1. Public Relations committee
1. Manage social networking portals
2. summon interest in the Scouting networks to involve with docent/volunteer/service projects
2. Facilities Committee
1. Gain an appreciation for the effort being involved with the log house structure
3. Gala fundraiser committee
1. Create invitations, envelopes, etc for Gala. Finish by the end of February.
2. Public outreach, ticket sales, participate

• Work. 
• I've had an interesting past year. Please note that my year at work is September to September. I've become very complacent, and you should know that there is nothing that drives me more to anxiety than complacency. My boss recognized this, especially when in the middle of last year I began to quietly act out. He's deligated some more challenging tasks to me, which in itself is a challenge because my work requires me to drop anything I'm working on at any given moment, repetitiously. It's a distraction in itself. I already have my ADD mind distracting myself, but then outside forces as well??? Sometimes I feel almost schizo!

1. Earn an Outstanding on my next review (September)
2. Create and finish an inventory spreadsheet, any suggestions? 
3. Develop deeper knowledge of SharePoint for my newest delegation as the dept. Records Manager
1. Classes will be offered, have already been certified for one training. I feel it's not sufficient.
4. Develop a habit for creating and maintaining to-do lists. This has proven to keep me the most motivated to see a project/assignment through
5. Gain knowledge of the proprietary software used at Shilshole Bay Marina for potential(desired) relocation.

• Money. 
• Yuck. I don't have much left over after paying for bills/debt/gas. I'm lucky if I even have enough to cover gas. Jamie suggested seeing a financial advisor he has recommended to his brothers and friends. I might just consider it. Currently I owe $800, $1800, $500(different credits), and 21k(car)

1. Refinance my car loan- If it's even possible. Right now I pay $495 a month. I saw a Mercedes car lease for 435/month. That's CRAZY. I pay waaaayyy too much.
2. Car insurance decrease- I'll be 25, isn't that when it happens? 
3. Pay off at least 500 in credit. Currently I owe 3,100. Again. Ugh.

• Personal life. 
• Create and maintain friendships with women. For some reason this is super difficult for me. I was never a gaggle of girl friends kind of girl. I get along with guys so much easier. It helps that I like video games, skateboarding, and being active. I confess this difficulty to other ladies, and they have the same issue. I think it's a primal thing, everyone is seen as a potential threat to your man. But then where does the village come from? I find myself feeling super cut off from everyone, especially because I can't drive to the East Side like I used to all the time.

1. Continue craft nights. We've kind of dropped them recently, maybe because of dodgeball picking up again. But I miss those ladies, a lot. It's like a breath of fresh air to see and chill with them. Plus we make cute things!
2. Nikki and Lauren are my two gemini friends, and I think potentially I could be friends with them for a long time! I'd like to work with them on photoshoots more
3. Speaking of which. I miss photography and modeling. I want to come up with some concepts and work with different photographers/make up artists and stylists. Which also means networking!
4. Increase my wardrobe with more versatile outfits. 
1. Need stylish and simple pumps
2. Timeless and flattering dresses, skirts, and blouses
5. Maintain a healthy and productive relationship with Jamie :)

Please support me and I will support you. Good luck to you! Thanks for reading or subscribing. I might add vlogs!

in progress

I haven't been posting, and you have been nagging *thank you!*

Regardless, I have been fairly productive, and I promise my goals have not left my conscious.

At this time I am constructing what I want to release 2010 goals as soon as I can. This concentration will help me construct my new dream board with clear images in mind and specific ideals to work towards.

I start working with the historical society soon, I'm pretty excited about it. I hope I don't lose that determination.

Money has been really good, mostly because at the moment I am house sitting for a husky. The compensation definitely helped tide me over through my paychecks with the holidays about.

Speaking of which, I wish you a wonderful holiday season. I am about to partake in mine! Take care now.

money woahs!

Woah....so I'm negative again! I got paid on Friday, then paid for my car, cell, two credit cards, gym, gas, and I even got groceries! I figured I had at least 100 left in my bank account and that Sunday night I told myself to just put my card by Katbank so I don't try and use it extracurricularily. Next Morning I check online, -28!

Woah. Good thing I pulled cash out when I got groceries for gas next week.

Good news is, that was my last check affected by a furlough for this year. I'm praying as hard as I can that we don't have them for next year. Pleeeeeease employer gods, please!

I went to the gym on Sunday, and did cardio for half an hour and then worked my legs out. To balance out the pain I would be inflicting my unsuspecting lack of leg muscle, I lifted with my biceps and triceps as well the next day in our office gym.

As it stands.... with my arms, I'm comfortable with 8 lbs. Yeah, a whopping 8 pounds. But this is good, hopefully I'll be able to make significant progress by a year from now. This also will help me formulate future goals for 2010.

Yesterday I noticed doing the same eliptical preset program wasn't as difficult as it was on Sunday, and I attribute that to the grueling leg presses Jamie had me do. So soon i should be able to keep a faster pace for more intervals.

I must say...I am enjoying the sudden increase of energy I have. I don't expect any visual improvements any time soon, that'd be niaeve, but I am already feeling like a better person! Yay!

I haven't been to a craft night in two weeks and this is putting a damper on my social life, as I miss my ladies. I see them so rarely!

This week I've been primarily eating granola in yogurt, sandwiches, cranberry juice, and protein bars. Yesterday I messed up and had a toasted cheese on white bread, with potato chips, AND ferero rocher hazelnut ball. Oy. I don't know what I was thinking- but I went to the gym last night no questions asked and burned 300 calories.

In other money related goodness, you have probably heard that the credit market is in for some drastic restrictions(FINALLY), but until then, they are trying to squeeze you for every penny they can until then. It's gangbusters! I read this blog post by mint.com who I use for managing my money. It gives me hope but at the same time, I still feel slighted. I hope none of you are being affected by their devious scams.

Let's get physical!

Today I worked out with Jamie. I did half an hour on elipticals burning about 280 calories, not including warm up.

Then he helped me work on my calves, hamstrings and quads with various weight contraptions.

I went with him whenever I last posted, but didn't get to swim. I had done 20 mins on eliptical, lifted with my arm muscles(was sore for 4 days), and then did another 15 on elipticals. All in all good times. I hope to go to the big gym with the pool soon!

I purchased my gym membership, adding onto Jamie's membership, doesn't mean much, it's still the same price regardless. 30/month, so I can afford to budget that in.

I had a good weekend. I took Kingston out for a couple walks, sold merch at the Friday Mile concert, and chilled with Lauren. Saturday I was inducted into the Southwest Seattle Historical Society!

Now I need to get my butt in gear during lunch!

Progressive progress progressing

Money issues are pretty much the same. Though I seem to be able to get a bit of cash from each paycheck in my pocket, which inevitably creates change babies that squirm around in my pockets. Kat Bank has been fed recently, and probably has almost 10 dollars in ones or coins collected so far. That's exciting and I haven't even considered pilfering anything from it! I actually look forward to physically dropping money off in there. Please remember that I absolutely hate change. I usually throw pennies away and sometimes nickels. I just don't like it. So this is some sort of progress in my mentality.

Community outreach: This has been in the works for a bit now 
First off here's the blog posting that I am referring to. I've been looking for something comparable to my experience docenting at the Stansbury House in Chico. The Loghouse Museum appeal seems to be relatively close, though the execution is distinctly different. The Stansbury house IS the museum. You go inside, and it's as if you have intruded the daily life of a family still living in the Victorian days. The Loghouse Museum is a venue for displays, videos, and a gift shop. None the less the exterior is fascinating!

Anyways, I responded to the inquiry(said blog posting), and I got a phone call from Joey. I met her yesterday, and was shown about the house. She is excited for me to be on the board because they need new people, and preferably younger people. So I've agreed to join, and I will be at their annual meeting to be voted in.

I already have some ideas for them, I just need to focus my specific participation and what I hope to gain from this experience. I'm excited yet a bit apprehensive! This is definitely some progress, if not an achievement of my desired goal for this year. I feel proud potentially, but I want to see how it pans out.


Fitness: I'm going to workout (meaning SWIM!) with Jamie tonight, and I couldn't be more excited! 

I went to California this past weekend for my cousin's wedding. I brought Jamie with to meet my family. It was successful and tiring as well. My extended family I haven't seen since Thanksgiving in 2004 all noticed the changes in me, besides growing up from 19 to 24, my skin is fantastic, my hair is long(er) and blond(er), and I look happy(er). I felt happy with myself, and I attribute that success to my awareness of progression through life since Daniel's death.


Kat: i'm writing basically the most epic blog right now

it fills me with the biggest sense of pride that i've cultivated on my own behalf

Rick: rad!

Kat: i don't really know if the contents [adequately] exhibit that

but-

my mental chest swells

Slackin!

• Money issues: so remember how I wanted to withdraw my money to kind of hold so as to not spend it all? Well apparently i can't even have the chance because I don't have much money left over after attending to bills. That's cool.
  This paycheck is my car payment check, and so I have more room to pay for other things. So I caught up on Swedish Hospital bills, BofA(sorta), groceries, and gas. Turns out, I didn't have as much luxury as I thought I would. I'm sick and tired of these furloughs ruining every paycheck.
• Health issues: I am over swine flu, finally, and I can be closer than 3 feet to a person. I'm having some difficulty keeping my allergies at bay. For my hyper thyroid I got a lower dose of methimazole, the 10mg was too strong for me, making me sluggish and depressive. Something I'm a little concerned about is the pill, which I haven't taken since high school.
• Yesterday I applied at the Seattle Art Museum to be a docent or visitor information.

Today my friend Adrian told me that my skin has looked really awesome the last several times we've hung out. That made me proud of myself.

Here's an updated to-do/goal list I've been mulling over.

1. join 24 hour fitness (they have hip hop and yoga classes in the evening!)

2. look into night school more intently

3. find some more volunteer opportunities

Have you ever felt so goddamned strong?
How come its takes some people so damn long?
He turned to squeeze the lemon juice to rain
The citrus drawing out the scene in stains

Do unto others

I got the swine flu from PAX. It's almost like winning the lottery!

Something that kind of gets me in Seattle is how people like to stay out of anyone's business. I've been in severfal situations where I wish someone had spoken up or offered me help. Instead they don't turn their heads and burrow themselves further into their world. Possibly assuming someone else will do something?

I hope that I will always stand up for someone or offer to call the police or whatever it takes to get someone out of a situation.

Bringing this interest to a daily scale, I'd like to work on reaching out to people. Mostly strangers, and with simple gestures like smiling, saying good morning, good evening, etc. It seems like in those situations I advert my eyes and act like the person doesn't exist until they walk past. Why???

I want to break through that weird discomfort zone and do something about it.

struggle to be heard, failed to be seen

...the lives of strangers