Make Use of THIS Time. THIS Phase. THIS Now.

This Phase -- 2020 -- has clearly been a shock and surprise.  It has changed so much of our day-to-day lives.  I have caught myself thinking often, "I can't do that", and then as the "I can'ts" add up, I have become increasingly withdrawn and saddened.  So many of the things we usually do in the summer are halted or altogether stopped, and it's been a slow process this month to take stock and somewhat grieve for them.  On the list--being with friends, family bbqs, small-town baseball games and fireworks.  Community concerts, outdoor movies, rodeos, and big group campouts.  Luckily, this feeling of loss is starting to give way to a feeling that there is opportunity in this summer totally unlike any other season of my life.  So, I thought I'd share an ongoing list of things I CAN do this summer, and hopefully my sharing might help someone else begin their own list and their own actions of things that CAN be done this summer.  Because even though there are a lot of things missing this summer--it also is a time when a lot of things that I never have the time or inclination to do are finally getting done.  And I'm finding that being fulfilled and productive have their own kind of "joy"-- a satisfaction that I'm leaning into, learning from, and starting to love. 

In no specific order, here is a list of things I am starting to do for Summer 2020:

• bike riding 
• I used to mountain bike a lot in high school and college.  Enter in kids and family life, and biking just didn't have a place in my life...until now.  I've been able to take off on my bike, discovering some fun little trails to help me regain my confidence off-road, and I hope to hit some bigger trails in the next few months.  (this is also my favorite form of exercise because it feels like like "work" and more just "fun")
• cleaning out our unfinished basement 
• This is the project that has been waiting for years...I am really happy to have days when no one is needing me, waiting for me--and I can just de-junk and clean!...which will hopefully lead to FINISHING our basement before next August.  (Everyone needs goals, right?!)
• yard projects 
• I can think of about 100 things I'd rather do than yard work, but now that I have the time, I'm enjoying working with my kids on various yard projects, and making our yard someplace I like to be.
• cleaning 
• yes...cleaning.  Unglamorous, I know.  I'm teaching my daughters, age 9 and 10, to do the harder cleaning jobs, like mopping the floors, cleaning out the tub and shower, and dusting without using the entire can of Pledge!  Teaching them takes WAY longer than just doing it myself, but I'm hopeful that when life goes back to "normal", we'll be able to clean the house in a couple hours between the 3 of us instead of it taking all day for just me!  I don't love using my Saturdays for cleaning during the school year, so this is a great use of this time-at-home. 
• library trips & reading 
• I jumped for joy the day the library opened back up!  I have to wear a mask, and my kids don't really get to explore the games or hop on the computers, BUT we are excited to check out books again!  I usually read books on my phone, but there has been something incredibly soothing about holding a real book again, and discovering new stories and authors.  I'm a huge fan of reading--continually reading--as a way to expose myself to other cultures and histories I can't experience myself.  I wander through library aisles and grab books, open to a page and read it.  If the style of writing is good, I'll check it out.  I've found amazing books that way--and part of the joy is feeling like I "discovered" it on my own.:-)  
• Baking and Cooking
• I know this one is common to many people during this time.  I've overcome a few of my fears in the kitchen:  baking bread (the mystery of how to get yeast to rise is no longer a mystery!), working my way through multiple chocolate chip cookie recipes to find just the right one (not the healthiest progress I've made, but definitely the tastiest!), and making homemade curry sauces (we really miss certain restaurants!!).  I also finally overcame my fear of the InstantPot which my mom got me for Christmas 2 years ago (yes...it's been in a box for 2 years!), and used it.  I was terrified of this cooking-appliance and thought I would die, the house would catch on fire--or both.  Luckily, there are lots of nice people who share InstantPot tips online. 
• Hiking
• This is one activity we can do while social-distancing--so I am getting out with my kids about twice / month.  We haven't gone on any hike more than 4 hours, but considering that my youngest is 5 years old, I'm really happy with this!   
• Cross-Stitch and Needlepoint
• I need to first say:  I am not much of a crafty person, and I definitely have NEVER sewn.  But this seems to be a great little activity.  I have a little cross-stitch pattern that gives me "something to do" when there is "nothing to do".  I'm learning quite a bit, and I feel like I might, might have the courage to try sewing at some point.  
• Music
• I haven't been able to play the piano because of an injured wrist (waiting for that surgery...yikes!), but I have enjoyed listening to music.  I've also helped my daughters learn some celtic fiddling duets.  We didn't have time for "extra music" before this summer, but now they are begging to practice their violins more!  When life is "normal", we never had time for this, so I'm really grateful for this opening to a new musical interest.
• Korean Dramas
• Yes--I do fill part of my time with Netflix!  I've discovered that I love Korean Dramas.  I watched "Crash Landing On You" the first few weeks of COVID-19, and just barely finished "Hi, Bye, Mama".  I've been entertained and learned quite a bit about a different culture through watching them, and even though no one else in my family is hooked yet...I'll probably keep on this trend!    

Okay--that's all!  As I was writing the list, I realized how different this summer has been--and in a good way!  We've switched out pools and swimming for hiking and biking, play-dates for music and cross-stitch.  Yes, it's different--but I'm leaning into it, learning, and even starting to LOVE it for it's own worth!

I hope to hear from each of you about things you are doing during this time as well--maybe something new, maybe an old hobby you've re-discovered.  So, make use of THIS time.  And let me know what you find, learn, and love!  

A few of my favorite blogs

I thought I'd share two of my favorite blogs that have helped me gain a wealth of knowledge about college admissions through the years.  There have been others, but these are the two that have been going strong for years, and the contact is both well-written and insightful.  I think everyone should read them, and read them often.  Start with the current posts or start at the very beginning...they all hold a good dose of awesomeness. 

• Notes from Peabody  This is a blog specifically about the University of Virginia (UVa).  I happened upon it while helping a student who was applying to UVa in the 2011-2012 school year.  It has been a favorite since, helping me understand college admissions at a deep level.  Dean J, a Dean of Admissions, keeps and writes the blog, which is a virtual treasure-box of information to help any student and parents' understand and calm down about the admissions process!  
• Study Hacks Blog  Blog written by Cal Newport, renowned Computer Scientist.  Newport currently is a professor at Georgetown, and has written books on student study habits and success within the college admissions arena (which is how I chanced upon him).  His most current blogs and books are now about digital usage, putting forward the idea of "digital minimalism".  This is a fantastic blog to stretch your brain and cause you to evaluate some daily habits.

Happy Reading!!

Book Review: The Years That Matter Most--How College Makes Or Breaks Us

I always get excited when I get to review a book!  Today is no exception, as this book is SO GOOD!  I hope that if you're looking for something to read, you'll grab this one.  Or...listen to it.  (little fact:  Utah's Public Library is all set up with an online system where you can check out books online, both ebooks and audiobooks.  I love this--it keeps me reading AND listening to great books--and they return automatically so I completely avoid late fees! Love, love, love this!)

Okay, back to the book.  

This book is a look at college through multiple lenses--for the students who attend Ivy League Colleges AND state colleges.  It's a look at the jump between high school and college level learning.  It's a look at how which college you study at could affect your lifetime earnings.  It's a look at how colleges admit students (this was mind blowing to read how nuanced a process it can be for highly selective colleges).  I loved every chapter of this book, enough that I'm now on my third reading of the book...er, my third listening of the book.  (see note above:-)  

In full disclosure, I need to mention that it contradicts one of the main theories from another of my other favorite books, Frank Bruni's "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be", which supports the theory that a bachelor's degree is not the end-all to the rest of you're life.  Bruni illustrates with many well-known people that it is their advanced degrees that made the difference in their life.  A bachelor's degree is really just a stepping stone.  Bruni also argues that going to a less-selective college and being a big fish in a little pond could be the reason for more opportunities and learning success.  In stark contrast, Tough uses individual stories to support the facts (which is hard to argue with since he is pulling facts from academic researchers that pulled their stats from years of IRS data), that monetarily, you are better off going to the best college that will accept you.  Even if you are a little fish in a big (or highly competitive pond), you are going to be better off, monetarily at least.  Unless, of course, you're in the group that did not finish college, and have huge looming student debt.  Going to college and then stopping really doesn't have a lot of benefits.  The point of sharing both of these books is that instead of only reading one or the other, if you read both books, you'll get a well-informed and thorough understanding of how college matters, and can make the best decision for you personally.  (Which, by the way, I'm happy to chat with you about:-)

Now, this is still non-fiction, so you might not be staying up at night to finish the book (unless you have a future in college counseling).  But it is interesting non-fiction.  Paul Tough is a great writer, and he's known for his ability to weave facts with personal stories so you don't realize you're learning, because frankly, you're being entertained.  Again--a win.

I hope you'll check it out!  Happy Reading!

*I did two book review of Frank Bruni's "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be".  Read them here:  Book Review #1  and Book Review #2

NEW: Web Conferencing

I'm starting to set up virtual meetings, and hopefully this software will make signing up easier all parties involved!  Let's give it a try!

 Appointments with Mrs. Krim

Reality Check

It's a hard question to answer until you are in the actual reality:  just how much money one needs to live.  Seriously---the task of figuring out the $$$ needed for rent, utilities, food, technology, insurance, transportation, clothing, living essentials, entertainment (I think I got all the major categories) can be overwhelming for the novice (and the expert, too!).  There is a cool online estimator through the utahfutures.org website, called "Reality Check".   I'd encourage everyone to do Option #1 AND Option #2--just because you can see if they line up with what your lifestyle will need.  This is a fun thing to do -- no writing, no tallying up numbers, no actual getting trapped in debt -- just a way to see the $, $$, or $$$$$ you will need when you're living on your own.

Click here--->>>>>  Utah Futures Reality Check Simulator  (when you click on it, scroll to the bottom of the page to see the "Option #1" button and the "Option #2" button. 

***Note:  You don't have to login to go through this Reality Check Simulator.  Feel free to get on the website and explore so many options for your future.  You can create an account any time you'd like, but you can still browse and learn without a login!!

Intentional Use of Time

"If you genuinely want something, don't wait for it--teach yourself to be impatient."

--Gurbaksh Chahal  

I took a break...a rather long break from writing this blog, because it seemed like there wasn't anything else to post on, and I was seeing all my students regularly enough that I didn't need to blog anymore.

Fast forward 2 years.

Suddenly, the world is different with COVID-19.  I'm not seeing students in person, so the need is here to get this going again.  I'm also quickly learning how to do presentations on video and zoom conferences with students--because that's what is needed.  And that brings me to this:

Maybe this is an odd time to post this, but I think it's very easy to let this "stay at home" time become "sit on the couch and binge watch" time.  We're now in our third week of staying home, and I'm just wondering...what are our days looking like?  Am I getting through a season of my new favorite show each day, or am I taking the time to pursue something that's always been there, but I never had time for?  Now--before I say anything else--I need to add that this may not be everyone reality.  Many people are working harder during this time than ever before.  Many people are sacrificing to keep us healthy and safe.  I am so grateful for them!  And our part in this is staying at home to help slow down the pace--and I'm guessing many of you are too, which brings me to this:  I have MORE TIME NOW than I have ever had before or ever will have again.  And I'm guessing if it's true for me, it's true for others.

Yes, I still have to work.
Yes, I still have three kiddos that I need to take care of, and love, and teach (teaching way more than I ever though I'd be doing!!)
Yes, I still have laundry and dishes and cooking and cleaning
Yes, I still have all of that...
BUT...
compared to "normal" life, I still have more "free" time than ever before!

And so yes--I might binge-watch for a few hours--but I listened to a podcast that has drastically changed my approach from week one to week week three of this stay-at-home phase (and I hope it keeps changing).  It's this Rich Roll + Cal Newport podcast with counter-culture, thought-provoking questions about how we spend our time.  Especially when I'm home and the urge to check "coronavirus updates" every hour can be overwhelming, this has really caused me to re-think my habits.  I've put the tablets that have netflix on a bookshelf that can only be "checked out" for an hour each day (that check out limit is more for me than anyone else!!)  I've actually started to turn off my phone for most of the day, because I'm realizing it's sucking time and energy from me.  I simply don't need to check it all the time.  What starts as a "1 minute check" inevitably turned into 20 minutes of scrolling through all the websites.  Repeat this every hour for the 14 hours I'm awake, and that is about 4 and 1/2 hours.  That's a lot of time!  And if that happens everyday, that's 32 hours in one week...more than 1 whole day per week, completely lost!!!  Over the long-term, that's a HUGE chunk of time lost.  OR, if used correctly, that's a HUGE chunk of time to be gained.  Hence, my new attempts to just keep the phone off for part of each day.  So, I'm thinking that because I love this new way of thinking, I'd be remiss to not share it with others.  If you are already somewhat of a dilital minimilist...props to you.  For the rest of you, I'm in the trenches with you!

So, here it is--a paradigm shift of a podcast--and I hope you are able to listen to it and start asking these awesome questions of, "How am I using time?  How am I using my phone?  Am I being intentional about my choices?", and so many other questions that are worth asking during this time, and every other time!