I'm a little late to the recap party, but hey better late than never right? Instead of doing a giant recap of 2015 I decided to narrow it down to my top 5 favorite moments from 2015. 2015 was such an amazing year for so many reasons, so it was hard to choose just 5! Without further ado here are my top 5 favorite moments from 2015 (in no particular order):
5. I spent much of 2015 chasing down news stories. I got to tell stories from all over Michigan and it was such an honor and privilege to tell those individuals stories. Between spending a summer at an amazing news station and reporting on stories for my college I got to improve my reporting skills and I fell even more in love with the job. Now I just need a job- anyone want to hire this reporter? :)
4. One of the fun adventures of 2015 was spent hiking Picture Rocks and the surrounding area in Michigan's upper peninsula. Hiking is one of my absolute favorite things to do and there was so many hiking trails with gorgeous scenery and waterfalls that I could have spent forever exploring! I highly recommend exploring Picture Rocks, the beauty is seriously unmatched!
3. Another favorite adventure was going to Pittsburgh and seeing Sam and Amanda! These two have been such a blessing in my life and I am beyond grateful to call them friends! Not only have Sam and Amanda been incredible friends, but they're also wonderful sisters in Christ and that alone has been a huge blessing!
2. This one is one of my favorite memories period. I was blessed enough to spend time exploring Maui with my family in early 2015. I got to escape the frigid Michigan winter and enjoy tropical sunshine, beaches, and LOTS of açai bowls! There were so many incredible adventures on Maui that I can't pick just one moment, but exploring Dragon's Teeth was definitely a highlight of the trip!
1. As 2015 wrapped up one of the biggest moments of my life so far happened- I graduated college (EARLY!)!! It was such a surreal moment and definitely one I will remember for the rest of my life. Graduating was definitely symbolic for me. I closed the college chapter of my life, but it was more than just college. During my time away at school I experienced some of my lowest and highest moments. I discovered new passions, built incredible friendships, gained confidence, and found myself. I am a drastically different person than I was when I started college, but I'm ok with that. The girl that started college was not in a good place. I graduated feeling happier and freer than I have been in a long time. Graduating was a fantastic way to end the year and I can't wait to see what adventures await in 2016! Cheers to a New Year and new beginnings!
Happy Saturday friendly faces! Do you ever have those days when you get up and you need to run? That has been me recently. There has been so much jumbled up in my mind and running helps clear my mind. I don't have to think about anything but putting one foot in front of the other.
This morning I hit the treadmill and pounded out four miles then walked for 20 minutes to cool down. After that I did an ab circuit workout I made up on the fly. I alternated circuits- one then two- and completed them 3 times each. I did each move to both sides (minus plank and toe touches).
I tried taking workout pics and it was a major fail- hence my phone was leaned up against the wall on a weird low angle, so it looks like my butt it way up in the air for shoulder taps (which it's not). And yes my arm bends at a freakish angle because I'm double jointed. Some day I'll figure out the right angle, but for now try this workout! BONUS! You don't need any equipment and can do it at home!
Circuit 1:
35 Ab bikes (to each side)
35 Mountain climbers (to each side)
20 Straight leg sit up (to each side)
1 minute plank
Circuit 2:
20 Toe touches
20 Spider push-ups (to each side)
20 Extended plank shoulder taps (to each side)
15 Diagonal jackknife crunch (to each side)
Repeat Circuits 3 times through
*For an added burn try holding the extended plank should taps (or one arm plank).
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it is a new year, it seems so cliche to say, but 2015 went by so incredibly fast! 2015 was a year filled with so many adventures, big moments, and so many incredible memories. I cannot wait to see what 2016 holds!!
I am not big on New Year's resolutions because who really sticks to them? I know I've made resolutions in the past, but like the old saying old habits die hard. Instead of making resolutions I have a few specific goals in mind for 2016. Making specific goals instead of broad goals makes you more likely to succeed and writing down your goals also makes you more likely to follow through with them. If you don't think you can do it on your own have accountability partners. Tell someone else your goals and have them check in with you to see if you're following through.
I've already told a few people my goals for 2016, but I want to share them because it's a way to hold myself accountable.
Goals for 2016:
1. Run a half marathon (already started training!!)
2. Create a gratitude jar and write down one thing I'm thankful for every day
3. Grow deeper in Christ (maybe start a bible study for college students/recent grads)
4. Find the good in every situation
5. Find a job!
I know I'll make other goals as the year progresses, but these are my goals for now. What are some of your goals for 2016? How do you keep yourself accountable to achieve your goals?
Cheers to what will be a fantastic 2016, Happy New Years!
