100th Post; 100 Goals

100th Post; 100 Goals

Well, this is my 100th post! Wow! I’m a little surprised. I officially started this blog in March of 2010, and now a little over a year and a half later, here I am with 100 posts under my belt. Part of me is a little disappointed I only have 100 posts over a year and a half (1 post for every 5-6 days), but another, bigger part of me is happy that I have kept up with it! I feel like I have learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of achieving while maintaining this little blog. I’ve always been what I refer to as a “cynical optimist”. I expect (and therefore am not surprised by) the worst, but I am steadfast in my hope for the best. So while I hoped to be blogging more often, I am happy I didn’t let it fall by the wayside!

To commemorate my 100th post, I’d like to write a list of 100 goals, big and small, that I would like to accomplish by my 200th post. Being a reasonable woman, I don’t expect to accomplish all of these goals, so I’m going to say I’d like to accomplish 80 of them.

BLOG & WEBSITE GOALS

  1. double my posting rate: I’d like to hit my 200th post by July 21, 2012. I would need to have 2-3 posts a week in order to meet that goal. I’ve been capable of doing that in the past, so I’m feeling good about being able to achieve this goal.
  2. add a prints/patterns portfolio
  3. add an apparel graphics portfolio
  4. add a wood toys portfolio
  5. add a web graphics portfolio
  6. add a general graphics portfolio 
  7. add an invitations portfolio
  8. add a photography/photo editing portfolio (?): I don’t exactly consider myself a photographer, but I sure do plan, take, and edit a lot of photos! Maybe I need to include this in my portfolios…
  9. add an illustrations portfolio
  10. add a painting portfolio
  11. redesign my portfolio section; add some neat functionality: Hubs would have to get on board for this; his new career goal is to get into interaction design, and I want him to apply what he’s been learning to my website in general, but I think my portfolio is a great place to start!
  12. start a recipes category: I’ve been thinking about this for a while! I don’t think it would be a super regular feature, but there are a few recipes I’d love to document.
  13. consider a tips category
  14. add more tutorials
  15. change the features section (I hate it)
  16. update about section (add photos)
  17. increase readership in an authentic way
  18. categorize more efficiently
  19. add tags to posts that have no tags
  20. make graphics for categories
  21. finish my header/logo already!
  22. consider featuring what I wear (might help with the “get back in shape” goal): I already feature Laelia’s outfits, but I have a passion for and a lot to say about women’s fashion as well.  My first blog I briefly authored in 2007 focused on women’s fashion a bit more, as I was so inspired by other fashion blogs out there. I’d love to get back in touch with that part of myself. :)
  23. complete room tours
  24. birthday boards category: Laelia’s first birthday board is very popular, and I loved making it. I would love to make more boards for general inspiration purposes! I think I’ll also take suggestions for boards, or perhaps make custom boards for a small fee.
  25. become more active in the blogsphere: I should totally be cultivating friendships with other bloggers across the land, but I’m not. I don’t think I’m doing my part. Mostly, it’s because I can barely time find to blog myself, let alone read other’s blogs. Also, although I am a confident person, I don’t say something unless I think it needs to be said (this is internet comments only), and I’m pretty reserved when it comes to self promotion, so I find myself reluctant to comment on things often (which is ironic, considering how much I write here). But following other bloggers is something I really want to and should do, and I should make time for it. I also think I should participate in more events.

HOME GOALS

General

  1. switch out all fake plants for real plants, and add more plants around the house in general, including at our front door
  2. clean & touch up all the hardware; replace some
  3. organize photos
  4. wedding album

Living + Workspace

  1. finish this room!
  2. add more lighting
  3. add more seating: Maybe even small stools in front of the coffee table
  4. make a faux mantle over the wall heater

Hallway

  1. paint hallway midnight blue
  2. gallery wall
  3. switch out light fixture
  4. frame wedding photos 
  5. frame family photos
  6. switch out switchplate 
  7. paint lower half of one wall w/ chalkboard paint
  8. mirror
  9. make hall closet more efficient

Bedroom

  1. strip mid-century dresser
  2. paint closet interior
  3. cover initials w/ fabric

Laelia’s Room

  1. hang quilt
  2. paint closet
  3. make a play kitchen
  4. paint rocking horse
  5. easel
  6. gallery wall
  7. twin bed
  8. new rug
  9. toy bench
  10. add a chair
  11. add finials to where the tassel garland is fixed to the wall
  12. buy a ceiling medallion for the mobile
  13. new light fixture (perhaps move the birdcage chandelier in here)

Kitchen

  1. paint
  2. buy new chairs
  3. install a chair rail in the breakfast nook
  4. make cafe curtains or roman shades
  5. remove the wall cupboard doors for openshelving
  6. install a shelf above the sink
  7. install shelves above the stove
  8. install shelving on either side of the window in the breakfast nook
  9. replace the brown/black billy with a white one (it’s our pantry)

Laundry/Utility Room

  1. make curtains for the laundry room
  2. paint
  3. add a shelf in the utility closet
  4. paint washer and dryer w/ chalkboard paint?

Bathroom

  1. medicine cabinet
  2. paint
  3. switch out light fixture
  4. Étagère/space saver

DESIGN/CAREER GOALS

  1. start on my own print line (finally!)
  2. make posters
  3. printables/downloadables
  4. revamp/rethink/new etsy site
  5. work on a project with my husband
  6. design a font This is really more of an item for my bucket-list. If I do this in the next 9 months, I’ll be shocked!
  7. expand my clientele; offer design services on this blog
  8. learn basic HTML Ohhh, it feels daunting to even write that, but this is a skill I can totally use and would be an excellent addition to my arsenal. Plus, hubby said a long time ago that he would find it sexy if I knew HTML!

PERSONAL GOALS

  1. get back into shape: I was a kinda a scrawny kid, a chubby teenager and then I worked my butt off to lose 30 or 40 pounds just after college. My mom is a pilates instructor and a personal trainer. She is a size 0! (She is 5’2″). I was definitely in the best shape of my adult life during my wedding, thanks to rigorous workouts with her. But I got pregnant a month and a half after we were married, and I gained 60 lbs! I have been making slow but steady progress in this lately, but I still have more to go before we have a—
  2. second baby: Oh yes, I totally just addressed the “are you having more children” question. I want my kids to be closer in age, (I am 16.5 mos apart my brother, and it’s greatness) and I really kinda want to “get it over with” so I can return to work full time sooner rather than later. I always wanted to have my second baby before I turned 30, but it’s looking less likely (unless I get pregnant in the next two months). Now, we’d like to have less debt and I’d like to be finished with my invisalign treatment before I get pregnant again! Also, we have a lot of weddings next summer, including my brother-in-law’s which will take place in Idaho. I really don’t want to miss it because I have to give birth, and I don’t want my husband to miss out on his brother’s wedding or the birth of his child… but I’m hoping I’ll at least be pregnant again by July 2012. A part of me is totally terrified though. That’s normal, right?
  3. get out of/significantly lessen our debt: This is a long story, and probably something I should share about because I think a lot of other people have been affected by the recession as well; but it’s a story for another day.
  4. help my husband find more time to accomplish his personal goals: My husband is kinda a genius, and I believe he has the potential to start the next big thing. When I read about Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Dorsey, I’m totally reminded of my husband. I want to give him more opportunities to work on his own side projects, but it’s hard because I also need time for my own projects and I don’t feel like I have enough time as it is, and I usually need some time not having to watch over our child in order to get things done. This is one of our biggest struggles! It also compromises goal #88.
  5. more quality time with family: It doesn’t matter how much or how little time you spend with your family, this should ALWAYS be a goal. :)
  6. go on a vacation!: Tyler and I come from large families that just never seemed to be able to afford vacations, so neither of us seem to think about it very often. So, we haven’t ever really been anywhere. And while we can’t really afford something luxurious or extravagant, I think we should make it a point to have a little weekender at least once a year! Yeesh.
  7. take more photos of everyday life
  8. document Laelia’s development more thoroughly: All of Laelia’s documentation seems to happen on this blog, and I have these amazing ideas of how to keep track of what she’s doing, but it always ends up falling by the wayside! Here she is 18 months old and I still haven’t written down all the words she can say! :(
  9. write more thank you cards: I used to be so good about this, and I’ve been slacking off horribly! I still have “write thank you cards for Laelia’s birthday” on my to-do list.
  10. be more festive: I want to be more festive about each season that rolls around, and I always have good intentions that never seem to come to fruition. I’d especially like to try to make things more festive around our home as Laelia gets older.
  11. host more get-togethers: Tyler and I used to have “Friday night dinners” at our house. Granted, this was before we were pregnant and we had no debt (besides student loans… but I don’t really count those!), but after we get our living space back together and things settle down, I’d LOVE to have people over at our house more regularly again. We love our friends and we don’t feel like we get to see them often enough! I miss all the warm fuzzies. ♥
  12. make something out of our pixel blocks
  13. paint more
  14. sew a dress or a high waisted maxi skirt
  15. take a 3rd level language class
  16. crochet a zig zag blanket
  17. document my grandfather’s work: The visual anthropologist in me is wound up to get this done! I’ve been gathering things for a while to prepare for this, but it will require considerable cooperation from my family, who I hope will understand that I’m not trying to hoard all of his creations to myself; I just want to properly document everything we have. This is easier said than done! I am very excited to share his work with the world; especially his jewelry. :)

This was an excellent exercise! I’m all of the sudden very motivated to get started on some of these projects. I hope I don’t disappoint!

7 Responses to 100th Post; 100 Goals

  1. Ambie says:

    I think your goals are very motivating :) I totally can relate to a lot of them in one way or another, that’s for sure! I am continually in awe-inspired by everything have accomplished so far! … I think we should get together and make gingerbread houses! I used to do that every year even with my friends in college and after…definitely never too old for that! I can totally see Tyler creating some sort of architectually complicated yet awesome gingerbread structure! Plus Laeli would love it!LOL! Let’s do it!

  2. Ashley says:

    I’m pretty sure I found your blog via Laelia’s party board on pinterest, and have enjoyed reading your posts so much. I would love to see more of them :o). And all of your goals sound wonderful and motivating. Hopefully I can read how they all pan out if you start posting more! But of course, don’t stress yourself out over it :o).

  3. […] We are feeling really positive about 2012. I really hope I get to move forward with all the ideas I have, and that Tyler gets to finish a few of his own side projects! I hope everyone has a great […]

  4. […] And I’m definitely getting the gold chevron pots! Also, this will totally help me satisfy goal #26) switch out all fake plants for real plants. As soon as I get them, I will likely do a little […]

  5. […] I made my 100th post, I made 100 goals I’d like to accomplish by my 200th post. I checked in at 150 posts, with […]

  6. […] my 150th post. I thought I would check in on my progress of the 100 goals I made for myself in my 100th post. I said I’d hope to accomplish 80 of them, so let’s see how I’m doing! Today’s comments […]

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Welcome

Welcome to Visual Vocabularie! My name is Jesyka, and I am a designer, artist, mom to Laelia and Luca, wife to software engineer and UX designer Tyler, coffee lover, and all around enthused person. This is my blog; here I share my personal projects, whether it's a furniture makeover, a new painting, a birthday party, an invitation I designed, or a favorite outfit for my little. You’ll also catch a glimpse into our family life in Los Angeles.

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