2007 Report Card.

Report Card from Friday5.org:

1. For these first seven weeks of 2007, what’s something you give yourself an A for? Becoming more motivated, getting things done, finding a job, and staying consistent with yoga.
   
2. What’s something you give yourself a B for? Keeping up with school. ;)
   
3. What’s something you give yourself a C for? Being more social and getting more involved on campus.
   
4. What’s something you give yourself a D for? Working out and keeping up with my artistic interests.
   
5. What’s something you give yourself an F for? Not studying to retake the SAT. XD

I am proud to announce that I managed to acquire a new job this week as a photo coordinator! :D Well, actually, I'm that, a photo packager, and a Photoshop Tech. :x I am really excited, especially since my weekday schedule will be flexible. I'll have time to study and keep up with school and friends and things. I've also attended a Circle K meeting. Circle K is a serivce-based organization and I am taking Saturday to help clean up North Cobb High and then I will be training for volunteer positions for various community orchestra concerts. ^_^

My brother's been sick all week, poor thing. I bought him some chicken noodle soup; I hope that'll help ... We've been watching old Pokemon episodes at night together. Brings back a lot of memories.

I think I'm finished with my Hanu Murals Myspace; I've even done flyers. Now, I just have to find places that will be willing to put them up ... I don't really anticipate any problems, but I hope I can find a few. Josh said he's hang them up at work, so that least that's a given. ^_^ I really hope I get commissioned for a project. I miss mural work so dearly ...

Breaking Down Goals Into Achievable Tasks.

It hasn't been that too long since the New Year started ... so are you keeping up with your resolutions? :)
It's okay, I really don't know anyone who does, including myself. I think I've been getting closer to my goals a lot faster than normal, though, upon my sudden interets in the GTD meme. The reason why my goals have been getting more attainable?

I break them down into the tiniest tasks. I'll provide an example of one of my biggest goals: transferring to GA Tech.

It's daunting, especially for a math-phobic liek myself but I want to attend there for architecture and they have the best program around.

But getting into GA Tech, I imagine, is no easy feat. How do I go from where I am now to transferring to a school like that?

I break it into the smallest tasks possible-- and by smallest, I means tasks you can do perhaps in the next week or even tomorrow.

I write mine in the standard outline format:

I. Get accepted to GA Tech
A. Research the field--I have to make SURE architecture will be worth all of this, first off. This is the only reason why I'd attend the school. (They don't have many majors I want to grab. ;x)

• 1. Go onto websites, such as the ones Kevin provided, and list down every pro/con. Compare to other fields of interest.
• 2. Visit architecture firms; Jon said he could possibly help with this. If not, I'll have to find some way to contact one ...
• 3. Find out courses I need and find out what I can branch off into if arch. isn't what I want after all.

B. Study for SAT

• 1. Review math
• i. Buy books on SAT math, look online to review.
• ii. Sheffuu~ teehee. In addition to boosting my math skills for the test, this could help him sharpen his tutoring skills; it's win-win!
• iii. Read "Up Your Score: The Underground Guide tot he SAT." LOTS of unconventional tips for the test.
• iv. Do a couple of SAT math problems everyday to keep my mind fresh.
• 2. Review english.
• i. In addition to the above, read some articles every day, AT LEAST.
• ii. Write more, whether it's for school or for this blog, etc.

C. Go that extra mile-- I am going to be realistic about my expectations; I am optimistic about getting better at math but I also have to consider the possibility that my math skills will not end up amazing. ;x However, I can also show off my academic commitment by doing more than what is required of me.

• 1. Join a group.
• i. Right now, I have 2 in mind: Circle K and UNICEF.
• 2. Establish contact with GA Tech counselors. Especially the arch. department
• i.Explore their website, try to contact them
• ii. Set up appointments, and keep in touch with them.
• 3. Scholarships
• i. Find out potential scholarships.
• ii. Map out essay topics
• iii. Outline essay.
• iv. Write essays.
• v. Submit.

That is basically what I have so far. I can do most of these probably tomorrow if I could. In fact, I want to shoot for some of these this week. By the way, I have to take a moment to pat myself on the back for my progress last week. :) I completed all of my goals with the exception of furnishing my murals Myspace and applying to 2 scholarships. However, I DID look up scholarships and scholarship resources and am ready to work on my essays this week. :)

But anyway, breaking them into very small tasks makes a big goal more approachable. As you see each task being scratched out, you get more confident and you feel more in control of your life.

Networking.

Networking Surprises by Matthew Cornell
"[...]two recent experiences surprised me, and made me realize that there are many directions networking with someone can go. In one case I talked with an established professional organizer in the area, who started the call with the very emotional speech 'What makes you think I'd be willing to talk to you?' The outcome? No I didn't (politely) hang up (I did seriously consider it). Instead I stayed with her, asking if there was a way we could talk that wouldn't be threatening. We ended up talking for well over an hour, and discovered mutual friends and compatible ideas. "

A Geek Gets Networking By Matthew Cornell
"[...]I know I absolutely must stay open to unexpected opportunities, especially ones that I literally can't imagine. My hope is that, by meeting others, being generous to them, and listening, I'll gain insight into (and help with) defining my path, rather than simply following possibly limited ones I dream up myself. [...]

I've discovered a world that, as a programmer, I had no clue existed. I've been living in a 20 year technical cocoon, starting with my first job with NASA, in which I've focused solely on my immediate social environment - my fellow workers, my boss, etc. This has been possible due to the focused nature of the work, and my willingness to be happy with that (frankly) impoverished level of connection with people. However, it is definitely time to change."

And finally, a refreshing, more productive and less "bloodthirsty" definition of networking: "Is Networking a Dirty Word?"

Hm, I wonder what the theme is for this blog. ;)

One of my goals this year is to reach the level of social competence that I had achieved in high school senior year. In a previous post, I wrote about how openness and compassion led me to automatic intimacy and friendship. Since I've graduated, however, I have started to withdraw more and more into the social ineptitude I suffered from during the majority of high school and middle school. To give you an idea of how severe my social anxiety was, I always took an hour to debate with myself whether or not I should ask the man four feet away from me for the time. No joke. I hated making eye contact, I felt uncomfortable being near people, and in the course of an 8-hour school day, I literally spoke about 5 words. (Ask John Kim, he even brought this up to me. Lol.)

When I became more social, I found it easier to deal with problems, to talk to people, to initiate conversations with strangers, to ask for help, to give and receive generosity-- being more social made me stronger, more resilient, and more productive. While I do not have personal tips and advice for networking (it's become a new subject of interest to me, honestly), I do have advice for those who find it extremely difficult to approach people:

1. Use surroundings.
If I'm in a classroom, I'll discuss about the professor, the coursework, the subject, the school, the campus. This gives you an idea of their attitude, whether they are slackers, go-getters, critics, optimists, etc.

2. Use other people.
This does not imply gossip or criticism, by the way. It's important to stay positive, no matter what. Ask, for example, how they know so-and-so (i.e. if you are at a party or at a friend's house).

3. Use visuals!
This, personally, has proved to be the easiest way for me to make friends and make new people. By visuals, I mean hair, clothes, shoes, jewelry, anything. Give a genuine, honest compliment and build on it. Ask where it came from. Make comments about the store (i.e. you like the store, you shop there occasionally, you've never been there, you've never heard of it...). From there, you can go in a multitude of directions.

I personally love taking to other otakus. :) I feel so connected and so extroverted in a convention because I know that I have at least ONE thing in common with them: anime! And it's a safe assumption that if you live in Georgia and you are an otaku, you've heard of/visited/frequent/volunteered at/anticipate/love AWA. If they are adorning some otakuwear ( be it a shirt, a beanie, a keychain ..), I bring it up. I've gotten into the most elaborate conversations with people I've never seen before and it's amazing how long it goes on for. Most of the time, I even expand the conversation to other areas, like whether they live around the area, or whether they know of so-and-so, where they go to school at, what their major is-- I love talking to new people. :)

So especially if you're a total nerd like me, you can connect to people just like that. ::g::

I also think that this is a reason why it's also useful to wear printed t-shirts on them. :3 They make great conversation starters, which brings me to my next point ...

4. Do not be afraid of small talk.
Small talk is almost always inevitable, so why waste time and potential avoiding it? And small talk always leads up to bigger talk. I used to feel really awkward making small talk. My mind was constantly being bogged down with thoughts like, "Jeez, she must think I'm so lame" or "This is not going well; this is so awkward!" or "He must think I'm so shallow." I wanted to impress people, but talking about yourself up front tends to seem arrogant or braggy. Also, I picked up somewhere that it is never a good idea to talk about something that makes you passionate, which makes a great deal of sense. Otherwise, people will avoid you, assume that that's all you are interested in talking about, or people just mark you down as crazy or bad-eccentric.

If I approached a stranger, "Hey, how are you? I'm Havana. God, aren't you so angry that Disney isn't making any more traditional animaion films?!*" Passion is admirable, but not when it's slapped in people's faces. I prefer it to be a quirk than to be my identity. :)

That's all I can really offer for now. If you have more tips/advice/articles, please a comment! :D I always love hearing from others!

Breaking Perfectionism.

"Double Your Income ... By Reading?!" by Matthew Cornell

Very interesting post ... which leads me to admit something awfully embarrassing:

I honestly have no finished a book in over a year.

Can you believe that? Over a year! Schoolwork has been piling up on me, social obligations (Well, not obligations, I love my friends~ :3 But keeping up with them does take up a chunk of time.), various concerns, and resulting slackerdom and mental fatigue has come between me and reading. The books I have been finishing are mangas (NANA, go read it!) and even then, I have trouble reading them (i.e. Deathnote).

I used to be a pretty avid reader-- a moderate fast reader, as well. Now I find myself struggling with speed-reading techniques and chastising myself for back-reading and reading too slow. it has desaturated me of a hobby I used to enjoy very much. Sure, I read blogs and articles and things like that but I really miss immersing myself in fiction. The last fiction book I've finished was Jodi Piccoult's My Sister's Keeper and even though it took me half a year ( I came back to it, off and on), it felt great to reach that final page. It was a beautiful, thought-provoking story and whether it takes two days to read it, two weeks to read it, or even (in my case) 4 months to read it, the story's splendor remained the same. I think I criticize myself too much when I'm doing something that either others (or myself) do not perceive as "efficient" or normal. Often, I feel that this is why people deny themselves from doing some things. I can't do that, because it's not professional. I can't do this, because I'm not athletic. I can't do that, because I'm not artistic. Even if I don't become a speed-reading demon, I'll still enjoy a good work on fiction.

So instead of feeling, pardon me for this, retarded for not being able to read a novel in two days anymore, I'm just going to stay at a pace where I can enjoy it and still get work done. My pace. And hye, the more I stick with it, the more efficient I WILL be at it.

And expanding on that mindset, I also want to just go ahead and try other things that I've never really allowed myself to try because of some perfectionist excuse.

1. Overcome math-phobia and become decent in it.
2. Try out tennis.
3. Try rock-climbing.
4. Bungee-swing @ Six Flags.
5. Play strategy games.
6. Get better at Halo.
7. Learn to play an instrument. ( Preferably piano, guitar, violin, or flute. )
8. Re-learn HTML and go beyond basics.
9. Take a public speaking course.
10. Approach a stranger every day.
11. Archery.
12. Fencing/swordfighting.
13. Cooking.
14. Take business courses.
15. Make a business of selling art on the side.


And of course, read more.

I've also established a little habit this week that I'm really proud of: scheduling slacker time. Right now, I am using my slacker time before I continue with my GTD list. I KNOW I will slack off during the day. I know I WILL procrastinate if I feel overloaded with things to do. So I find that it is important to schedule in slack time (Not to be mistaken as lunch time or lunch break) in addition to scheduling your daily tasks. I'm blogging, checking out Myspace, checking out blogs, thinking of what to download next ... and until that clock hits 9:50a, this time is mine. :)

Weekly Goals for Feb. 5.

After reading this article , I've decided to make up some small goals for this week:

In terms of job/money, I will:

• call Sal
• apply to @ least 2 scholarships
  
• do business card designs for Momocon
• make ad for murals
• finish Myspace for murals

Healthwise, I will:

• Wake up earlier; I'll shoot for 6:50am daily this week
• Turn off computer @ 11:30pm
• Eat decent breakfast, any combo of whole-wheat waffles, yogurt, fruit, and veggie sausages
• Eat smaller dinners
• Do yoga @ least 3X a week for @ least 10 minutes
• Pilates for 2X a week
• Strength train for @ least 2X/week
• Stay diet-conscious on weekdays
• Drink @ least one bottle/water daily
• Restrict coffee to 3X/week, at most
• Restrict soda to 2X/week
  
• Check prices on digital scales

I want to focus on taking little steps. :3 This morning, I woke up @ 6:50, did 20 mins of yoga ( I love Steve Ross. ), ate WWWaffles, oranges, and drank coffee, so I've knocked off 1/3 of my yoga and coffee goals. :3 Wish me luck with the rest!

My own lifehacks.

God, I'm such a geek. Lol. I have been going onto Lifehack.org a lot and it just hit me: why don't I list some of my own Lifehacks here?


1. Post-It notes are addicting. it's bright, it's there, it's visible. You don't have to neglect opening up a notepad or anything. I use them for numbers, reminders, to-do lists, markers, everything.
2. Time-block schedules. As oxymoronic as this is, keeping a fairly loose and flexible schedule and scheduling room for spontaneity helps a LOT. You never know if a friend will randomly call you up for lunch.
3. Wikipedia for quick, fast, basic info.
4. One binder for all my subjects. it's more travel-convenient, it takes up less space, and if I need to refer to another subject, all I need to do is flip a divider. Plus, I find that one one-inch binder is enough to efficently house all my schoolwork.
5. Almost everything in my room is stored in some manner of tupperware.
6. I use ziplock bags to semi-organize chunks of clutter in my drawers.
7. I arrnage my closet in rainbow order so that I can pick out matching outfits easily.
8. I use the $100 checkpoint to keep from spending from my savings account. (e.g. If I have $460 in my savings, I CAN dip into the account, but I cannot let my savings go under $400.)
9. I also find it to be helpful to define emergencies in the finest possible detail in regardings to dipping into savings. This way, you have definite margins. If you are in a hungry, irrational mood, you might justify dipping for food but if you set yourself concise guidelines, you are less tempted to.
10. Color-coded notes help me out, especially when it comes to math and very technical things. I also am incredibly ADD and having different colors help me stay focused. I stick to conservative colors like blue, red, and black, however.
11. I keep nearby an outline for different sort of emails, notably follow-up emails, to make sure I do not ramble off-topic and to keep it as concise as I can.
12. I turn on the lamp if I decide to hit the snooze button to wake up easier.



Lifehacks I have yet to try:


1. For difficult and complex subjects I need to memorize, I want to compose instructions that are very colorful and simple, as if I were explaining things to a child. I'm a visual learner. ^^

2. Be diet-conscious during the weekdays but be more lenient on weekends. Also, invest in a digital scale.

3. Play more Sudoku, at LEAST. Learn new things and play concentration games to sharpen my noggin.

4. Learn office yoga. :3 I'm always on the go~


I had a lot more but I forget them at the moment. ;_; Oh well ...


So, do you have any interesting lifehacks of your own? :)