2013 Goals: Mid Year Update!

I seems like its the right time to give you all an update on how things are going…(if not, its a good personal reminder and motivator).

Earlier in the year for a Weekly Photo Challenge, I put up my “New Year’s Resolutions”.  I don’t really resolve anything but rather I list some goals I’d like to accomplish or work towards accomplishing in the coming year.  I’m still trying to find the appropriate amount to accomplish without too much stressing and feeling like I’m running out of time.

My board looked like the picture on the left at the beginning of 2013!

There are a few changes as I gain knowledge of certain aspects of the tests and goals in discussion with my friends.  My board now looks a bit different with little extra notes and progress, tentative dates to finish.

2013 midyear progress!
*ignore the TV tracking on the side*

For one, I learned that Grade 10 Piano which I’m aiming to do has a 5 year limit to keep my certificate.  In order to get the certificate, I need to be up to date and completed my theory exams of History 1 (done), History 2, Basic and Advanced Harmony along with Advanced Rudiments (WHAT?!?!?).  Sorry I just learned about Advanced Rudiments being a requirement…some extra long term planning in need. With that said, first things first is to get my Grade 9 requirements done so my goal for the rest of the year is to learn Basic Harmony right after I finish up my TESL certificate.  I’m confident I can finish that off by August since these past few weeks, I’ve been moving along really well. 🙂

As for my Grade 10 Practical, the timeline doesn’t change. I still aim to take the earliest exam of 2014.  In between, there will be an extraordinary amount of work to be put in.  Most of my pieces are not memorized completely and if they are, my mind is playing “lack of confidence” tricks on me so I always start doubting myself somewhere in the middle and make mistakes. Big problem but hopefully with more practice, it’ll get where I want it to. At least, I’m getting the technical part down for the scales, chords, etc.  I’m still a bit choppy when it comes to arpeggios but at least its still improving. With half a year to get it at par, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Doing the whole rundown of everything is going to be the hard part, its going to be like going to the gym just mentally and emotionally draining to get through just the 5 pieces itself, then having to do the rest, its going to be a lot of practice to get it all down. Maybe I’ll post some up if you’re interested in hearing it 🙂

I had originally aimed to edit the draft of NaNoWriMo for June 30th but it became slightly impossible. However I did get 25% of it done.  I intend to still do it and then bind it as a personal manuscript just to have proof of my first personal goal achieved.  This year, my brain is already thinking up tons of ideas I could use for NaNoWriMo 2013.  Its going to be awesome! I’ll decide at the end of October what type of book to write depending on how I feel. 🙂 Anyone else in for NaNoWriMo 2013?

Keeping stress in check and working out is something I’ve been somewhat tracking through my Weekly Workout logs on here. Suffice to say, its been on track. I haven’t flipped out at anyone this year so far and I’m getting 3-5 times per week of workout.  That one is going the best so far!

Saving money is going okay.  This last month has been a bit more splurging due to awesome movie releases, adding some new clothes to my wardrobe and vacation planning.  After all that is done, I’ll be completely back on track 🙂 I have a whole new pile of movies to go through and all those movie marathons I talked about before will one by one be completed! I mean, I just finished Pirates.  I have some awesome ideas for how the movies segment is going to go..just deciding to start later this year or do it next year 😉 Let me think about that one!

Thats my mid year update! Maybe with all of you watching me (subconsciously), I’ll push even harder 🙂

**Also, just an update that the posts will be a bit more relaxed this week! You’ll know why soon 🙂