1/2 Way Mark

Ok, 6 months down, 6 months to go. And I think I've made some pretty decent progress at the half way mark regarding my 2010 goals! Most recently, I've read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. Again, I'll save writing about my favorite quotes from these books until I've read all 10, but I will say that The Other Wes Moore is the most inspiring book I've ever read. Ever. Period.

Also, I have officially paid off both credit cards!!!!! What a great feeling to have accomplished something that was once such a daunting goal. So, I'm officially debt free aside from student loan payments, which is actually considered 'good debt' according to the financial gods. And besides, President Obama and First Lady Michelle only recently paid off their school debt, so I'm not too stressed about mine. BUT, if I do get accepted into the AUSL teaching program, I can get all of my student loans forgiven since I'll be teaching in a high-need school. Just another of the 8 million reasons taking the steps to change my career is so very, very right for me.

Since I have already accomplished so many of my goals, it is actually easier to do a run-down of what I have left:

1.) I still have to run 4 more races
2.) I have to read 4 more books
3.) I still need to take a class of some sort
4.) Write in my journal (which will be a work in progress until the end of the year and beyond)
5.) Save money - This, too, will be a work in progress until the end of the year.

I must say that I have made great strides regarding saving money thus far though. For instance, I take coupons with me where ever I shop and I NEVER shop without a list. I've been buying mostly generic equivalents of name brands (I've discovered there is ZERO difference in the quality). I've been reigning in my entertainment spending by going out only once per week. I don't order in as much (down to 0 - 1 times a week!). And -probably the most major of all- I'm moving into a MUCH less expensive apartment at the end of August. Through all of this, I've learned that being frugal is a challenge, but the accomplishment is so rewarding! Restraining myself from impulse purchases doesn't feel like I'm depriving myself, it makes me feel in control.

Additionally, my goal-accomplishing is going to be on hiatus for the next 17 days while I spend nearly every second of my spare time studying for the Illinois Basic Skills Test and Content Area Test. Passing these two tests will determine if I can even so much as apply to the AUSL program in September. No pressure there, eh? It is totally nerve-wracking, as I have to cram as much as 17 years of schooling back into my noggin, er, at least search for a good portion of it in the archives of my brain. If anything, I'll be primed for a good game of Trivial Pursuit when this is all said and done. Wish. Me. Luck. PLEASE.