Final Post – Final Thoughts

Wow. I can’t believe that 1 year ago I sat with my good friend Leila and started talking about all these things that we’ve wanted to do. Our initial lists were long and kind of far fetched, and over the year we’ve had to make some changes here and there to adapt to the changes in our lives. Just goes to show you that no matter how much you plan, something will always be there to steer you in a completely different direction. I don’t mind that, i’ve adapted to change pretty much my entire life and have come to peace with this.

With under a week to go, I had 3 things left to do:
Learn Sign Language – I have been looking online on how to spell my name, say Hello, all of the little things that might make a difference. I know that with more practice (and hopefully a course down the road) I will be able to get the basics down

Paint something new – This is actually on my agenda for tonight! I won’t be posting any pictures as some of these will be gifts, but i’m sure that those respective people will post them for me 🙂

and lastly, Get a new Tattoo with George Brown. Due to financial reasons I wasn’t able to get this done before my birthday, and unfortunately this leaves me with 24/25 completed. Although I am a little disappointed about this, I will still be completing this goal later on in the month.

I am fairly happy with myself for keeping on track, and completing as much as I could. 24/25 is better than nothing, right? I am happy that a year ago I made a promise to myself, and kept at it as much as I could. I have lived, learned, and loved and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
I’m hoping, that with you all reading about my progress, that I have at  least motivated you to go out and try something new. I am a big advocate for change, and for growing. Thank you all for being a part of this. And with that, this is Andrea Gray signing off, and saying “Goodnight to yous all, and god bless ya”

A Belated August Update

Sorry about that gap in communications… I have plenty to tell you about!

This past month I have finally gone somewhere new. I always drove past it, but I got to visit Saratoga Spring, Bolton’s Landing, kayak in Lake George and visit a couple of cute little campsites, Schroon River and Turtle Island respectively.

 

Labour Day weekend was also definitely an informal lesson on defensive driving, but I still need to find the time to actually participate in lessons.

 

I’ve been doing a lot less yoga, but still going about once per week. I started running again, not just biking, and I’ve decided to work on increasing my stamina, because that seems to be my greatest difficulty. Hopefully I’ll manage to reach the goal. But since I’ve learned to like running, all of this is a plus!

 

I’ve stopped studying Spanish (my lessons ran out), but I have been going to French conversation groups. It’s definitely helping me keep my French up and learn more.

 

Oh yeah, and I decided what my new goal should be, and have started working on that too! I’ve been to two events now, not counting the programming course in New York. Even though I found a new job, I still think I should keep up the good work!

 

As for building something, I’ll tell you all about it soon! I’m excited about it!

Driving Me Crazy

Today I will have embarked on my first solo road trip. I am a little nervous. It will be me and a sheaf of directions.

It’s not exactly defensive driving, but it will be a lesson on its own for sure!

Wish me luck!

Round Two! (Ding, ding)

Ok, I’m off this evening to try again to work on becoming less shy and get better at meeting people for work purposes! This is 2/5.

I have enough cash to buy myself some drinks, but not enough to get shitfaced.
I am eating a snack beforehand just in case.
I have an exit strategy, so that I don’t feel weird leaving (I probably will feel weird no matter what).
I am meeting a friend after, so that I will feel safe afterward.
I am dressed nicely and neatly, even though I work from home.

I don’t have business cards though! Not sure what to put on them…?

Does anyone have any suggestions? I have my details on one side, but what about the other? Some design of some sort? A drawing? I haven’t drawn anything worth showing in ages!

No matter, I hope to meet some awesome people no matter what!

That Dilemma Again

Well I have been swimming sometimes. And going to yoga sometimes. And biking almost everywhere. But damn do I not want to get running.

I go for long walks. On the beach, up the hill, hiking, across town, whatever. But even the thought of sweating in a light jog is the most discouraging thing.

So I ask you, what do you do to get yourself into it? And if you don’t run, how do you get yourself into other things? I had a brief affair with running and now I want nothing to do with it!

Sweet Child O Mine

This year in January, I welcomed my new cousin into our family, Poppy. Not to be biased, but she might be the cutest thing on this planet. My Aunt and Uncle, after many years and lots of paper work, finally got to adopt a kid of their own. Before she came into our lives, they bombarded me with questions, and I felt like I had a new purpose in life. My purpose is to now be there for Poppy, to guide her and support her. She is a very lucky kid, to have someone within our family go through the same experience as her. I would have loved to have this growing up, but unfortunately, I was the only one.

A couple of months ago, I decided to write my experiences down in a book for her. I told my family and friends, and received the most ridiculous support that I have ever seen in my life. I never thought for one second that my life would have been interesting for other people to know, but I guess I was wrong. So I sat down, with my glass of wine of course, and knocked out an intense outline.

I am currently writing the fourth chapter of everything, and it has been quite hard. I have to revisit memories that I locked up (for a reason) and sometimes will cry as I’m writing. It’s kind of therapeutic in a sense for me, and now as I am older looking back on everything I have a different perspective. There are something’s that I will be omitting as I feel it doesn’t really pertain to my story, and all of the names will be changed. Hopefully, along with Poppy, it can affect or change your life.

Now, for the rest of my list:

I have started to teach Yiddish to Brian! A few words here and there, the number 1-10, and how to spell his name in Yiddish (along with his parents). His pronunciation is very cute, and I’m trying to tell him how to do the “cha” and “r” sounds that we usually do! But he is remembering things, and I feel very accomplished for that! So… Cross another one off of my list?

Leaving 5, although another one will be crossed off next week once I do my volunteer work!

And then there were 4!

RSVP or Bust

Whelp, I kind of lose.

I tried to go to a networking event, and assumed it was a casual thing. I never saw an RSVP situation of any sort. But when I got to the location it was empty. I felt like a huge joke had been played on me.

As it turns out, it had been rescheduled to the following week, but I never got a notice about it…!

So here are some things I did wrong that I will correct the next time:

Show up on time

Confirm that I’m attending

Try to bring a friend, so my confidence doesn’t shoot down to zero

Better luck next week!

Uh, about that…

Hey, so about that new goal? I am a really, terribly shy. In person.

It’s rough. I can be pretty socially awkward. And frankly, it sucks.

But tomorrow evening I will try to head out for a little but and make new contacts. I’ll keep you updated.

Also, jokes on all of us: I start a new job Monday!

The New Goal

It turns out I need to step up my networking game.

OK, so tomorrow I’m heading to an event in New York. And I’ll try to find four more to attend in the next little while. I think this will be good for me!

Thanks for voting!

On Not Running, and Needing a New Playlist

This running thing is kicking my ass. I really need to want to do it, but it’s just not happening. I was going regularly, and then I stopped, and then I justified stopping cause I was biking and going to yoga so often (I got an unlimited pass across town). And so I need to restart again.

So in anticipation for restarting, does anyone have suggestions about tunes I should listen to? I love house/techno, but I’d love ideas about what to listen to in order to get pumped! Here’s an idea on what I’ve been listening to in the past (warning, some of this is old!):

• Avicii-Levels
• Tiesto vs. Diplo-C’mon
• Tiesto-Maximal Crazy
• Like a G6-Far East Movement
• Party Rock-LMFAO
• Pon De Floor-Major Lazer
• Yelle-À cause des garçons
• Zedd-Shave It
• Skrillex-Bangarang

Some of this has become a bit stale and lost its pumped-up luster. I’m hoping to change things up again!