I’ve been up tossing and turning all night–my nursing program starts tomorrow and I’m far too excited/nervous to sleep. I sometimes find myself doing this when I have a lot on my plate–I usually keep a notebook and pen on my nightstand so I can write down all the important “things to do” that fly through my head at night. Writing it down helps me let the thoughts pass more smoothly, I don’t have to dwell on a particular thought because it’ll be there in the morning on paper. Right now, though, I don’t have a lot of responsibilities or tasks that I’m afraid I’ll forget. I’m just too excited to sleep.
I’m hoping that making this list will serve a few purposes–for the moment, it’s a meditative practice with which I have history. Making this list might mean I can catch a few more hours of sleep before I get up for good. I also hope that in the future, I can revisit the list and remind myself that I’m a kick-ass, capable woman.
Inspiration for this list came from the following blog:
Victories List (in approximately chronological order)
- became a big sister (twice!)
- jr. black belt in Taekwando
- attended leadership conference with mom in Pennsylvania
- learned to ski
- traveled to Seattle with mom
- illustrated 6th grade teacher’s book cover because she admired my art
- math meet competitor
- completed Hunter’s Safety training
- hunted with my dad-pheasant, grouse, partridge, dove, deer, moose, and elk
- visited a friend in Alaska
- mentoring program-partnered with a girl with special needs
- first job at a local ice cream/burger joint
- traveled to Mexico on family vacations
- attended state leadership seminar as school representative
- state Governor’s School scholar
- spoke at chamber of commerce meeting in home town
- Japan/US Senate Exchange Scholar
- helped coach 6th grade basketball
- qualified and ran at state track
- 34 on my ACTs
- cross country captain
- won a race (JV, but still fun!)
- FCCLA chapter president
- Tom Petty concert with my parents
- learned to sew
- learned to cook
- Student Council President
- National Honors Society President
- fell in love
- all state speech
- academic all state
- placed in both of my events at state speech 4 years in a row–sometimes the only woman in current events category to place at state
- selected to meet with city council to survey community about proposed city taxes
- Passed national boards to become an EMT-B
- high school valedictorian-gave a speech!
- Presidential scholarship at my University
- outstanding character award at high school graduation
- became a vegetarian
- counseled at a summer camp for children and adults with special needs
- good grades in college
- learned to speak French and attended French table with native speakers
- volunteered at Humane Society, as a conversation partner for English language learners, at local drag shows, at the state leadership seminar, as a safe space trainer for LGBTQ issues, at Special Olympics, and as a yoga teacher at a substance abuse rehabilitation clinic
- taught yoga at student wellness center
- taught reformer pilates at wellness center
- learned how to snowboard
- attended local LBGTQ student organization
- came out as bi, and later queer to family and friends
- fell in love again
- Assistant Director at camp
- first grown up apartment
- regularly attended regional and national conferences on sexuality and college campuses, bisexuality, and other LGBTQ issues
- presented at an LGBTQ conference
- traveled to Spain to visit my best friend who studied abroad
- attended a Killers concert at an olympic stadium in Madrid
- visited France on family vacation
- student organization activities coordinator officer
- survived a friend’s suicide
- sought out mental health help
- adopted my dog from the Humane Society
- independent research in organic chemistry, parasitology, and entomology
- job as assistant for the health and wellness head honcho on campus
- chaired the committee to plan a campus interfaith week
- selected to serve on a diversity council to the university president
- Phi Beta Kappa
- survived a sexual assault
- finished undergraduate thesis
- engaged to my partner
- performed corneal recoveries on donors for the state Lion’s Eye Bank
- graduated magna cum laude with two degrees (three majors and a minor)
- bought a house
- worked for a year in customer service to support ourselves as partner looked for a better job
- got married to my amazing, supportive partner
- nannied awesome kids
- testified against my assailant in court marshall proceedings and saw him convicted
- back to school to pursue nursing
- shadowed a home birth midwife
- stood next to my sister as matron of honor at her wedding
- taught a children’s gardening class at the city library
- helped organize national moth week with local environmental enthusiasts
- got into nursing school
- watched my sister walk across the stage at her pinning and nursing graduation
- started this blog
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