Growth Mindset: Quote by Mandela

"Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country competition, training acounted for more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for lack of natural aptitude with dilligance and discipline. I applied this in everything I did. Even as a student, I saw many young men who had great natural ability, but who did not have the self-disciplineand patience to build on their endowment." -Nelson Mandela

#2 and #11 Complete.

#2- Run the Boston Marathon.

#11- Add another state in the quest to go to all 50 = Massachusettes

My trip to Boston was a trip I will never forget. 

A perfect race and a horrifying tragedy. 

A day of opposites. 

A longer post to come.  

#28: Letter #2

To my amazing Grandma. 

#27: First Farmer's Market Trip of the Year

I found myself with a rare Saturday morning bike-ride-free so I decided to take advantage and hit up my first farmer's market of the year. I have been to farmer's markets before but never really purchase anything, just enjoyed wandering through the market and admiring the home grown veggies and other handmade products. When I added, going to more farmer's markets to my list, I did so with the attention of actually purchasing vegetables each time I went. I have been trying hard to increase my daily vegetable intake in my diet so I was excited to make some veggie purchases this morning. 

First farmer's market purchases of the year (bottom left): carrots, broccoli, yellow cauliflower, and swiss chard. LOVE the colors! 

Cauliflower has recently become my new favorite vegetable. I am excited to try the yellow variety for the first time. I enjoyed the broccoli and carrots in a stir fry for my lunch this afternoon. 

#10: Create a Twitter Account

I now have a twitter account. Follow me! @ksfitch

I am off to SXSWEDU tomorrow and is a very technology forward conference. I figured it would be a perfect time to create my account so I follow and create tweets as I attend.

#7 & #18 Are in the Works!

 It's official! I am going to Europe!!! And come June I will be able to check #7--Take a trip outside the US-- off the list. I am going to visit my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Chip in Luxembourg and hopefully see some other European cities too. Let the planning begin!

 

 Also, I booked my ticket to the beach (#18)! It will be so much more than just a beach trip though. I will get to see my wonderful friend Kristin get married and spend time with my Aunt Carol and Lisa. June is shaping up to be an AWESOME month!

Social Learning?

This book sounds fascinating. I need to freeze time so I can have a chance to read all of the books that I would like to. I might have to order this one. 

Makes me ask myself the questions, how can I make learning more social? 

The Social Animal by David Brooks

#28: Letter #1

To my wonderful Aunt Carol.

#12: Buy a pair of skinny jeans.

Until I made this list, I had been avoiding the trend of skinny jeans. For a while I didn't like them and then for a while I didn't think I was skinny enough for the trend. But I decided that I should own a pair. The weekend of my birthday I when to my favorite clothing place-Banana Republic- and bought a pair. Not only did they fit... I realized I looked good in them! I wore them out that night and to my birthday picnic the next day. I am loving my new skinny jeans and my first To Do has been checked off!

Swiss Cheese

I like this analogy. I find it very true in chemistry. Chemistry continually builds. If they don't understand a concept in the first semester, it can come back and cause difficulties in the second semester. How do you help students not have gaps and holes?

http://anniemurphypaul.com/2013/02/watch-out-for-the-swiss-cheese-effect/

Thanks Michelangelo...

Thanks Michelangelo for the great quote and now blog title. I hope to live my life my life in a way in which I am always learning and always growing. 

28 before 29

I love making lists. To-Do lists in particular. (Though grocery lists come in a close second.) I feel more at ease, less stressed and more productive when I have a good To-Do list written. And then the best part can begin, I can start crossing things off. Sometimes I will even add something I did that was not on my list- to my list, just so I can cross it off.

So, when I came across a list made by my friend Sutton I knew I had to create one as well. I am excited about my 28 before 29 list. And, of course, I can wait to start crossing things off. My goal is to document each of my 28 things. I never been a good journal keeper but I think this will be a great way to document my 28th year. 

Thanks Sutton! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures and to get started on my own.

Favorite Quote...

I have discoverd a new favorite quote. 

"To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows." -Jean Anouilh

I love the imagery of this quote. Meaningful work requires you to go all in-- all they way to your elbows. I think I also love this quote because it reminds me that meaningful work requires you to sweat.

I love to sweat. I feel a sense of renewal and release when I sweat. Sweating can release tension from a hard day or make a great day that much better. It is through sweating that I feel like I have lived that day.

I want to live life where I plunge into it up to my elbows-- in my job, in relationships, in my training/racing, and in my faith. I am ready to roll up my sleeves.