NaBloPoMo 2014: Day 3 "In it to win it"

I'm a sucker for a challenge. I can't resist this month's siren call of bloggy-blogging every day. Plus, I've got a lot of memories to record from 2014, and I've got a fresh set of goals and dreams to set down. If nothing else, posting about such things on here keeps me accountable.

Shout out to Mary G. for letting me in on the concept of NaBloPoMo, and for the neat-o minimalism challenge she shared from last year. And props to Heather A. for joining in the blogospheric fun this year with me! (If you're also taking part, please comment below so I can follow you.)

NaBloPoMo + GOALS for 2014:

1. Blog every day! Duh.

2. Get fit! I'm participating in a squats challenge again, same as last year. Did my 50, and 55 the first three days despite the moans, groans, and tears heard coming from my achy-breaky leg muscles. I'm also taking a weekly Zumba class (ZUUUMMMMBAAAAAAA!!!!), and I've scheduled 4 rock climbing outings with a friend, to a local climbing gym in the area. Here's an online image of the squats challenge, should you want to join in.... ;)

3. Eat right! Drink moar water! Adam and I are actually on our 3rd week of pre-made salad meals. On Sunday or Monday nights, we sit down and chop and wash and peel and shred and pack up 12 jars of salads to feed us throughout the week. They stay fresh and tasty all week, and we don't have to cook at all! Just winning, all around. For the water, I'm gonna put tape on my water bottles to mark how much I should drink every hour at work, and then stick to it. And have to take more frequent pee breaks, but healthy living ain't without sacrifices, ya know.

4. Splits! I've wanted to get my splits back for years. And there's no time like the present, amirite? Plus, I'm obviously not attempting enough this month. So, I'm using this schedule to stay on track:

5. Read 2 books! The Dubliners and Gone Girl are the books of the month - in that order. Now, if you're like me, you're thinking "only 2 books? That's nothing, girl. I could pack in at least 4, if I really wanted to..." BUT: If I finish these, and have time to move on to more books? That's even more winning! For now I'm sticking to what I know is achievable: 2 decent-sized books, one classic that anyone who's anyone has already read, and one gotta-read-before-watching-the-film book.

And with those 5 goals boldly and merrily pronounced, imma do some splits and squats and pass out for the night. (11:15 is a definite improvement from last night's all-nighter wannabe.)

Carpe diem.

NaBloPoMo 2014: Day 2 "Goals Updatez"

For those of you who have noticed (love you Mom), I've only written ONE blog post since last November:  my 2013 "National Blog Posting Month" challenge. Despite this alarming lack of activity, you can rest assured that it was all for very good reasons.  During last year's NaBloPoMo, I outlined my daily, monthly, yearly, and Korea-time goals. Looking back through those goals, I'm impressed enough with myself to announce that I have dominated in checking these goals off of my personal to-do lists.

A "Success" Summary:

1. I still floss every day.

2. I've completed 2 out of 3 curriculum resource books, and the third (and final!) book is scheduled to be finished by January, 2015. A year ago, we presented the incomplete first book to the Gwangju Office of Education and asked for financial support to complete it and the remaining books. To my group's delight and amazement, the support was granted. I feel hella proud of the materials we've turned out, and the payment that we received - and will receive - for it. I look at the books now, and feel a swelling, awesome sentiment: "I made this." 

3. I'm currently the President of the Gwangju Performance Project, which is where the bulk of my not-writing-blog-posts blame lies. This past spring, I directed and produced 5 performances of Neil Simon's hilarious farce, "Rumors." It was blood, sweat, and tears getting it done, but I'm hella proud of myself and my cast and crew for the excellent productions we created. I remember the moment after the first performance, when I looked at the stage, the gorgeous set, and the actors bowing to the audience's applause, and I felt a swelling, awesome sentiment: "I made this."

Obviously, I wasn't the only one who made these books or shows, but my involvement and motivation  and efforts were crucial in the final results being produced. And that is a sweet, tangy feeling.

The GPP continues to flourish, too. I initiated a monthly workshop series where we teach about various performance arts topics, and anyone in the community is welcome to attend. A choir was started, and has regular practices and performances. A spring raffle fundraiser turned out to be a huge success, and our upcoming fundraiser is an exciting "Cabaret" Dessert Night with singing and dancing and chocolate. We participated in the Busan Shakespeare Theatre Festival, and I got to play Helena from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I'm currently the producer for our upcoming fall play, David Auburn's "Proof." We recently merged our group with the local International Center, and will hopefully be receiving govt. funding for the arts next year, for our 2015 play lineup. People in the community are constantly creating, performing, and enjoying the arts, thanks to all of the hard-working and passionate members of the GPP.

4 members of the GPP choir (plus Adam in a bear suit - thanks again hon!) just before we won 1st place in a foreigner-only K-pop singing contest. WOOT.

3/4 GPP actresses who participated in the Busan Shakespeare festival. Tho we be but little, we are fierce.

GPP choristers before our first official singing gig!

We  raised over 800 bucks with these baskets, and paid for our set and costumes! WOOHOOO!

In short, I spend most of my free time talking, working, and thinking THEATER. It's delightfully amusing to realize that my college degree is getting as much of a workout as it is. Especially considering that I had no plans to return to theater again after graduation in 2007. 

I believe that's enough gratuitous back-patting for one blog post. Also, it's 1:15 and Monday morning's alarm clock is looming ominously close on the horizon. Tomorrow, we shall all find out what my goals are for this year's NaBloPoMo challenge. ...Myself included.