Updating the List of Champions

So, I set some New Year's goals, ya know? And - in an effort to keep myself accountable - I feel like it's best to keep everyone updated on my progress. So, here it is. The list of champions update:

Goal number one was to...1. Read (at least) 36 novels this year. *Some of you reading this are probably freaking out. This is an average of 3 books a month. 
So far, 3 months in, I've read the entire Harry Potter series (7 books), My Name is Not Easy, The Clay Marble and I'm half way through Brave New World. Over spring break, I plan on reading Life of Pi, An Invisible Thread and 2 other not yet decided novels. 

2. Travel outside of the country once this year. This goal is to appease my insatiable appetite for travel and my secret desire to be a runaway. 
I'm going to Hawaii for spring break, but that's still technically US soil. I'll count this as "outside of the country" because it require international flight preparation and travel time, but I would still very much like to put these feet in a place where, perhaps they only speak Spanish. And stay there a few weeks to perfect my own Spanish speaking.

3. Try 2 new things that I'd otherwise be afraid to try *like parasailing, hiking a volcano, speaking my mind at a staff meeting, travelling alone or speaking Spanish to a native speaker.

Well, I will be travelling alone on my way to Hawaii. Planes really freak me out, so this could work. But I'm hoping to do something more meaningfully frightening.

4. Find ways to be more social. So far, I'm failing at this goal.

I have been doing an okay job with this. I've been trying to make more time to keep up with friends who are in other parts of the world, and I've also gone out and done a few things with one of my coworkers and his friends (I mean, I even went to a Super Bowl Party)...

5. Write in my journal at least once a month. I stole this goal from a friend. It is pretty good.

I failed at this for February. But, that doesn't mean I can't keep trying!

6. Live in the moment. I get easily overwhelmed by my anxieties over every.little.thing. I think keeping my nose stuck in a book at every moment of the day instead will help to keep me distracted. 

I'm not exactly sure of how to gauge this...but I think I'm doing it? Haha. I've really been trying hard to shed my "I'm worried about what other's think of me" skin. I am trying really hard to just accept me, because if I accept myself - then others will be more inclined to accept those parts of myself as well. So, I've been reading more books, watching more futbol, and going to more performances! 7. Create something beautiful. A piece of art, music, etc.

This definitely hasn't happened yet. I'm not exactly good at things like this. :)

8. Help someone or something in a meaningful way (human, animal or environmental).

I have a student who I bought a coat for just before Christmas. This week, at the book fair, I gave him my "free book for a teacher" credit, and let him pick out some things instead. He picked a book, a poster and a checkered, rubber bracelet. He was so happy, and it was such an easy thing to do. 

9. Tell people what I really think about them instead of just saying it behind their backs. If it's important enough for me to say it, I might as well say it to your face.

I have to encounter this this week as I approach a coworker about an uncomfortable occurrence. Wish me luck.10. Become less afraid of doorknobs and telephones. You may laugh - but I have serious issues with both. 

Nope. I'm definitely failing at this. But it's not too late!

The Hansen - Johnson Family Update

Well, Okay. We're not an official family.... yet! But, I have high hopes.

Anyway, Here's the news:

Nikki- That's me


I graduated college in December. I'm currently working for my dad's company part time, while also trying to find some part time work to supplement my income. I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for scholarships for my masters program. I've also been baking things, cleaning, reading new books (that aren't assigned readings, woohoo) and trying to make new friends.

Matt - The cute boyfriend


Matt has actually has a lot of exciting things going on. I'm slightly jealous. He recently attended a straight-razor shaving event. He uses a straight razor to shave, and is learning all there is to know (honing, stroping, restoring). He met a cool guy who makes knives and swords. He also got accepted into a fire-fighting (fire chasers... you know, the ones who help to put out the out of control forest/prairie fires in the summer) program. He'll be gone for 5 days to do that. He is very excited about it. He also is doing well at work.

Apollo - my serious cat

Apollo is doing well. He enjoyed a little vacation at Matt's apartment, eating plants...knocking things down, chasing toys. He spends his days laying on my heater or pestering my other cat. He won't eat his food unless I crumble dried seaweed on it, and he likes dog chews so much that he will attack anyone who gets within 1 foot of him while he eats it.

Iggy - my "special" cat

Iggy has been having a rough time. He was recently neutered (because he was spraying). The spraying has since stopped. Unfortunately, his hair eating habit has worsened. He licks and licks and scratches to the point where most of his body now looks like the image below. He has a vet appointment for wednesday, but I'm sure worried. Otherwise, he has a healthy appetite, likes to chase his toys and steal Apollo's food.


Cleo - the newest addition

Cleo is my new 6 week old panda hamster. They were trying to get rid of them quickly, because I got her for $15 (including everything I needed). I guess they don't do that often. It must have been meant to be :) She is super cute - although I don't think she knows how to use her water bottle...and that worries me. The cats are, of course, interested. They only like her when she's in her cage, though. I took her out this morning to show her to Iggy and he cried and ran away. Apollo just ignored her. She likes to run on her wheel, climb her cage, jump from her food platform, dig for food and sleep.



That's what we've got going on! I'll keep you posted on Iggy's condition (hopefully he's okay!) and anything else new or exciting that happens to come up!

Over and out. :)