Wednesday, April 25, 2007

a day in the life of the list queen

monday

6am wake up

take a bath

615 get dressed; eat a light breakfast

630 drive to graduate class

700 teach graduate students

1030 run errands/head home

1130 eat lunch

12nn drive/commute to next class

130pm teach algebra

530 head home

600 rest/do household chores

700 eat dinner

800 check mail/layout newsletter

read/prepare next day’s lesson

browse through planner

(check appointments, reminders)

1130 get ready for bed

12mn sleep (or at least, try to)

i’m a stickler for details. i am most comfortable when things are planned. that’s why before i start my week, i already imagine what i’m going to do for the next 7 days. i schedule my appointments, errands, etc. i make a list of the people i’m going to see or talk to, the things i’m supposed to do, stuff to buy, deadlines to meet, books to read, errands to run, etc. i write them all down in my planner.

my friends and students often chide me about this (they love to leaf through the pages of my planner - trying to read my really tiny writing). they shake their heads unbelievingly as they see the endless lists and other stuff i write - lineups, daily quotations, dates, birthday reminders, book reviews, post-it notes, lyrics, poems, color-coded memos, mirror writings, etc. someone remarked, “grabe ka naman.. kaya naman pala ang liit-liit mong magsulat.. e ang dami naman pala kasi ng mga sinusulat mo dito sa organizer mo!” well. what can i say?! i may not actually write down my daily schedule as above, but i have to admit.. i am the queen of lists :)

ok yeah, i’m organized. to the point of being near-obsessive compulsive :p and the downside to it is that i do not take well to change. i am not fond of surprises. i only agree to last-minute plans when the person requesting is someone who’s *really* close to me. if something is new.. or if it’s not in my to-do list for the day, chances are i will not even try to do it.

this year, though, i resolved to work on my spontaneity. i decided i’m going to be a bit more flexible.. more open to surprises.. more receptive to doing new things. so i took on the challenge of teaching my first graduate class.. as well as a newly-offered algebra course. i also agreed to become the senior grade level coordinator at school starting june. and although at the moment, the workload is really making my head spin, i’m also thankful for the opportunity to try out new things.. new responsibilities :)

as i browse through my lengthy “to-do list” though, i’m suddenly reminded of one important item that’s missing - my quiet time :p oops. hehe.. i guess the lord is reminding me to have the proper perspective on things. that in the midst of my hectic sked and never-ending lists and plans.. i need to make room for him - his word, his plans :p

proverbs 16:3 says, “commit to the lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

hmm. i commit all my plans to you for approval, lord :p rigid or spontaneous.. predictable or filled with surprises.. may i always put you first in my daily list :)

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