what I know how to do best

I finally made myself sit down and write out what I want for myself from this thing called life. I’m big on expectations and I realized that I need to have some solid expectations of myself; something so I can check myself when I start slipping. It really is true that putting pen to paper makes it real. Extracting these thoughts from my mind made them feel real, as if they had LIFE. That’s because they do. I’ve decided that if circumstances arise that don’t contribute to these things, I won’t be providing them with much energy. I feel that God places desires in your heart because they are a part of His purpose for you. I pray my vision is in line with His will for me. I’m not asking for much!

This also made me realize I have  A LOT of work to do in the very near future. *wipes sweat*

5 year plan:

• Mission: admit-grad school (2010)
• Drop 50lbs. (2011)
• GPA no lower than 3.8 in grad school (2011-2013)
• Obtain internships, be actively involved on campus and in professional organizations (2011-2013)
• Win awards for outstanding grad work (2011-2013)
• Get my little brother into college (2013)
• Obtain my Master of Art in Education by 29 (2013)
• Start my consulting company at 29-30 (2013-2014)
• Find a job at a PWI to conduct research relevant to doctoral studies or with a low-moderate minority student affairs dept so I can build it (2013-2014)
• I want to be married by 30 (2013-2014)
• Ensure that my husband has met/is meeting his personal goals and that I am in line with his vision for us (2014)
• **Cannot disclose** (2014)
• Buy a house by 32 (2015)

10 years:

• Travel to at least 2 foreign countries (preferably Africa and Europe) before kids (by 2016)
• Obtain PhD by 33 (2016)
• Attend little brother’s graduation (2017)
• Children by 34; 3 max, 2 preferred; boy then girl; stair stepped or twins (2017)
• Establish a scholarship fund with my husband by 35 (2018)

40 and beyond:

• Have consulted with at least 10 TRIO programs and helped at least 2 colleges/universities by 44 (2027)
• Begin to travel with our children; over 10 years, plan to take them to at least 3 foreign countries and/or 2 diff parts of Africa (2029)
• Our children will enter college on full scholarship (athletic, academic, etc) (2034-2037)
• Buy property outside of our home; it’s the only thing God isn’t making more of (2036 and beyond)
• Double consulting goal by 54 (2037)
• Live to see our children graduate and lead successful lives (2037 and beyond)
• Travel to all continents (minus Antarctica)

Miscellaneous:

• Maintain weight of no more than 160lbs.
• Learn to play piano
• Learn to play guitar
• Write my own music
• Learn at least 2 different languages
• Learn to belly dance
• Learn to pole dance

I want to live a purposeful, intentional, happy, fulfilling life as a wife, lover, mother, sister, auntie, child, grandmother, friend, servant, consultant, department/program director, mentor, mentee, advisor, role model and anything else constructive and supportive. When I die, I want to find comfort in the fact that I exhausted all the gifts, skills and abilities God gave me; know that I served my purpose.

 **This is what being polite LOOKS like