CourtneyC Eats an Elephant

[courtneyc]

Well hi there!

 

I'm a former monk returning to the boards after a loooong time away. BJJ used to be my obsession, but life changes (maybe personality changes too?) have found me craving activities that are less combative and more reflective, i.e. climbing, yoga, and a smidge of running. I'm a single mom currently wrestling with a mountain of life changes: job loss, returning to school, relearning how to learn, etc. It's a mentally and emotionally demanding time, and, while I consider myself a fighter, discouragement has been abundant lately.

 

My first challenge back is all about taking it one day at a time, trusting that those little steps will get me to a better place. Consistency and positive, concrete steps are the focus here. So each evening I will post:

 

1. A clear plan for how I will succeed the next day
2. Reflect on the successes/struggles of the current day's plan

 

In other words:

 

Day 1 Plan: Create NF challenge (check!), complete 2 pomodoros of Python learning, finish signing up for spring classes

 

Looking forward to getting to know a new group of nerds! 

[Manarelle]

Welcome back - sounds like a good plan to get back on the wagon during rough times. May I ask what you're going to school for? 

[courtneyc]

3 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Welcome back - sounds like a good plan to get back on the wagon during rough times. May I ask what you're going to school for? 

 

I'm going back to finish my aerospace engineering degree. Abandoned it almost a decade ago and have regretted the decision ever since. 

[Manarelle]

That sounds fascinating, and a wee bit tough. No time like the present to get that sorted. How much more do you have to do? 

[courtneyc]

58 minutes ago, Manarelle said:

That sounds fascinating, and a wee bit tough. No time like the present to get that sorted. How much more do you have to do? 

 

It'll take me 4 semesters as a part-time student if I get accepted back in the program for the fall. This spring I'm reviewing independently and retaking a couple of classes at community college to build up a more current picture of myself academically before applying. At any given moment I exist someplace between really excited and terrified 

 

Day 1: Was a success! Having guidelines for my day gives me an actual metric instead of a sense that I could always being doing "more", which realistically results in me getting discouraged and doing very little.

 

Day 2 Plan: Re-establish my morning routine (5+ minutes of yoga, 10 minutes meditation, journal), sign up for payment plan for classes, finish segment 3 on Python course, 2pm meeting

[raptron]

Hello! Happy to have you in our assassin corner.

 

 

[courtneyc]

Day 2: 

• Morning routine
• Sign up for payment plan
• 2pm meeting It went really well! I might have a part-time job starting in February ::fingers crossed::
• Finish segment 3 in Python course...Really wish Codecademy would show a better overview of all the parts in each segment. Got an unpleasant surprise that the 3rd section is waaay longer than others I've completed. Still working my way through the final round of coding challenges.

Day 3:

• Morning routine
• Finish Python code challenges
• Begin Larger Python Project
• Read/study chapter 1 in Funk piano book

[Manarelle]

On 1/16/2019 at 11:02 PM, courtneyc said:

 

It'll take me 4 semesters as a part-time student if I get accepted back in the program for the fall. This spring I'm reviewing independently and retaking a couple of classes at community college to build up a more current picture of myself academically before applying. At any given moment I exist someplace between really excited and terrified 

 

Day 1: Was a success! Having guidelines for my day gives me an actual metric instead of a sense that I could always being doing "more", which realistically results in me getting discouraged and doing very little.

 

Day 2 Plan: Re-establish my morning routine (5+ minutes of yoga, 10 minutes meditation, journal), sign up for payment plan for classes, finish segment 3 on Python course, 2pm meeting

 

That's not too bad, though I know it probably seems different when faced with actually doing and paying for that much time. Grats on the good start, and good luck with part-time job. 

[courtneyc]

Day 3:

• Morning routine
• Finish Python code challenges ...but there was still a whole other section on loops hiding afterwards 

• Begin Larger Python Project
• Read/study chapter 1 in Funk piano book 

Finally figured out how to see all the parts to each section in Codecademy's courses, and section three is not messing around! After several hours of chipping away at lessons and challenges my brain just wasn't having anymore, so I called it good enough for the day. 

 

Today was actually surprisingly productive. Learning of all sorts happened. I'm especially loving my book on funk keyboards. I've been playing piano for years but have always been really tied to sheet music. This year I'm trying to break away from that by working on learning how to play jazz and funk. Maybe I'll incorporate my music practice into next challenge. I could focus on working a particular chord progression with a rhythm pattern and an interesting fill or two into a larger structure. Something to consider at least.

 

Day 4:

• Finish Python section 3 (finally!)
• Section 4
• Practice favorite chord progression from chp 1 and a transcribe a fill in that key
• Morning Routine

[Talvi]

I have never seen a challenge format like this before, but I really like it.   It keeps your goals current and provides short-term gratification, but messing up one day shouldn't throw you off the groove so much as long as you make new goals for the next day.  Noting this down for future use!

 

I am planning on (re)starting some python and data science Moocs soon - what are you planning on doing with all your python knowledge?

 

 

[Suzaqu]

Hello! I found your thread! Welcome to the assassins!

 

I agree, I like your challenge format! So cool that you are working in python. I wanted to learn and started doing codeacademy, but fell off doing it after a week. (Though my short term motivation was to learn it to be able too play Screeps, and my long term was just that someone told me that for my old field of study (which I don't really work in anymore) python would be the best to know, so I didn't have much driving me.)

[courtneyc]

On 1/19/2019 at 6:40 AM, Talvi said:

I have never seen a challenge format like this before, but I really like it.   It keeps your goals current and provides short-term gratification, but messing up one day shouldn't throw you off the groove so much as long as you make new goals for the next day.  Noting this down for future use!

 

I am planning on (re)starting some python and data science Moocs soon - what are you planning on doing with all your python knowledge?

 

 

 

Thanks! It is a good work around for when I'm easily overwhelmed, and, honestly, really structured challenges don't tend to work well for me. I rebel against my own intentions. 

 

Learning python will help me in the science/engineering industry, but the bigger reason I started was because programming was my Achilles heel the last time I was in school. So I wanted to conquer the fear before getting back into the program as a proof to myself that I can overcome what tripped me up before. Now I'm actually really enjoying it and want to explore data visualization after getting the basics of Python down.

 

1 hour ago, Suzaqu said:

Hello! I found your thread! Welcome to the assassins!

 

I agree, I like your challenge format! So cool that you are working in python. I wanted to learn and started doing codeacademy, but fell off doing it after a week. (Though my short term motivation was to learn it to be able too play Screeps, and my long term was just that someone told me that for my old field of study (which I don't really work in anymore) python would be the best to know, so I didn't have much driving me.)

 

Just checked out Screeps, and it looks really fun! Saving that link for if/when I start working on Javascript.

 

Day 4:

• Finish Python section 3 (finally!)
• Section 4 - Started but not completed this
• Practice favorite chord progression from chp 1 and a transcribe a fill in that key 
• Morning Routine

Day 5:

• Clean until home feels nice
• Review this week's progress and plan next week
• Recharge and relax

Taking a creative recharge day. Camping out in front of the tv is not on the menu, but books, music, and naps are all welcome.

[Suzaqu]

2 hours ago, courtneyc said:

Learning python will help me in the science/engineering industry, but the bigger reason I started was because programming was my Achilles heel the last time I was in school. So I wanted to conquer the fear before getting back into the program as a proof to myself that I can overcome what tripped me up before. Now I'm actually really enjoying it and want to explore data visualization after getting the basics of Python down.

 

Just checked out Screeps, and it looks really fun! Saving that link for if/when I start working on Javascript.

Oops, you're totally right, I've mixed up my two times attempting codeacademy into one, once was python and once was javascript.

 

Data viz is super fun! I've only every done the basics and worked with tableau, but I love trying to communicate a data set that I know so well to people who don't know it at all and may not really understand all the stats/math involved behind it.

[courtneyc]

Day 5:

• Clean until home feels nice
• Review this week's progress and plan next week
• Recharge and relax 

Day 6:

• Modified morning routine
• 2 pomodoro's on Python project
• Enjoy an extra day with my mini me

Taking the day to reset my space and recharge was a great call.

 

School is closed tomorrow, so I'll keep my programming study timed rather than trying to commit to finishing that entire project. Switching up my morning routine this week so that I meditate before I get out of bed. Going from savasana at the end of my yoga session straight into meditation is not enjoyable. Maybe meditation while sitting in bed will be a sleepy disaster, maybe it will be a great way to wake up...only one way to find out!

[courtneyc]

Missed posting thanks to migraines the last two nights. I don't know if it was as a result of the extreme cold or from dehydration, but migraines two days in a row is something I can do without. Progress on my coding project slowed as a result, but ::releases confetti:: I finally finished it today.   

 

This week I added a bodyweight routine into my morning routine. So Monday/Wednesday/Friday are focused on strength training, and yoga happens on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. I tested into level 3 of NF Academy's BW program. Don't have all of the necessary equipment yet, so I'm subbing as able. This morning I carried my daughter around in place of weights for the farmer's walk. So crazy to think that I lost what she currently weighs (~60lbs)! She was very amused by the unexpected piggy back rides while I got a nice reminder of how far I've come over the last 4 years.

 

Day 9:

• Complete Strings and Modules sections in Python
• Watching Learning how to Learn videos on Procrastination
• Morning Routine
• Healthy breakfast and healthy snack

[Manarelle]

11 hours ago, courtneyc said:

Missed posting thanks to migraines the last two nights. I don't know if it was as a result of the extreme cold or from dehydration, but migraines two days in a row is something I can do without. Progress on my coding project slowed as a result, but ::releases confetti:: I finally finished it today.   

 

Ouch, that sucks. Grats on finishing the coding project, though, bet that's a nice weight off your mind.

 

11 hours ago, courtneyc said:

This week I added a bodyweight routine into my morning routine. So Monday/Wednesday/Friday are focused on strength training, and yoga happens on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. I tested into level 3 of NF Academy's BW program. Don't have all of the necessary equipment yet, so I'm subbing as able. This morning I carried my daughter around in place of weights for the farmer's walk. So crazy to think that I lost what she currently weighs (~60lbs)! She was very amused by the unexpected piggy back rides while I got a nice reminder of how far I've come over the last 4 years.

 

That paints an adorable mental picture, and 60 lbs is an impressive distance to have come. How's the bodyweight stuff? What does the Academy have you doing? One of the things I love about weights, whether bodyweight or external weights, is that you can always sub/ modify/ find a way around things that don't work for you yet. 

[raptron]

I love the weighted carries with your daughter! And congrats on finishing your coding project.

[courtneyc]

13 hours ago, Manarelle said:

That paints an adorable mental picture, and 60 lbs is an impressive distance to have come. How's the bodyweight stuff? What does the Academy have you doing? One of the things I love about weights, whether bodyweight or external weights, is that you can always sub/ modify/ find a way around things that don't work for you yet. 

 

Thanks! I've kept the weight off for several years now...long enough that I forget sometimes.

 

The bodyweight workouts are a nice mixture of movements and so far easily completed in 30 minutes. Push ups, side planks, jump squats, assisted chin ups, one leg romanian deadlifts, etc. are all on the menu. I think it'd be a challenge to do the program without a bar for timed hangs and pull/chin ups, but most of the other movements can be worked around if you're creative.

 

12 hours ago, raptron said:

I love the weighted carries with your daughter! And congrats on finishing your coding project.

 

Thanks! 

 

Day 9:

• Complete Strings and Modules sections in Python - completed a good portion but not all of the strings section
• Watching Learning how to Learn videos on Procrastination
• Morning Routine
• Healthy breakfast and healthy snack - did great with breakfast, but unless we're counting a chocolate chip cookie as a healthy snack I missed the mark here 

I think I need to shift my planning with the Python studies from complete sections x,y,z to focused Pomodoros. I'm making solid progress, but it is impossible to tell in advance just how time intensive a section might be. Some pieces are quick and easy, some are unpacking more complex ideas that need time. Focusing on getting a certain amount done is creating unnecessary stress when the goal is simply to learn at a steady pace.

 

Day 10

• Morning routine
• Complete at least 3 pomodoros of Python learning
• Watch Learning videos on Memory
• 2 pomodoros for funk book

[Suzaqu]

Congrats on finishing your coding project!

 

I like your shift from sections to pomodoros! I think is so individual which sections will be hard and which will be easy, this is a better way to gauge effort and feel successful! How is it going so far?

[courtneyc]

16 hours ago, Suzaqu said:

Congrats on finishing your coding project!

 

I like your shift from sections to pomodoros! I think is so individual which sections will be hard and which will be easy, this is a better way to gauge effort and feel successful! How is it going so far?

 

Thanks! Making the change to focused blocks of time was a good call. I was able to focus solely on learning during my time without any artificial deadline stress.

 

Day 10

• Morning routine
• Complete at least 3 pomodoros of Python learning
• Watch Learning videos on Memory
• 2 pomodoros for funk book

Friday was an incredibly productive day for me. I'm so glad I made the switch to process focused learning vs product focused. I'm currently enrolled in a 4 week class through Coursera called Learning How to Learn (highly recommend it!). I've picked up a lot of great tips from it, like switching my end goal for study time, and discovered why certain activities I already engage in make my life a little easier. For example, the way I structured this particular challenge by scheduling my important tasks for the day the night before apparently sets up my brain's expectations for the next day making it easier to settle into those activities than if I were to make the same list the morning of. 

 

Struggling with yet another migraine. It started yesterday and only now is easing up. My sleep schedule was already a mess and resting through the worst of the migraines is making it even worse.  Really hoping I can kick this latest one and get back to normal life. 

 

Day 13 a.k.a The Day of Errands

• Take dog for nail trim
• Pick up books from school
• Get school supplies
• Pay parking ticket
• Grocery shop
• 2 Python pomodoros

[Manarelle]

18 hours ago, courtneyc said:

Struggling with yet another migraine. It started yesterday and only now is easing up. My sleep schedule was already a mess and resting through the worst of the migraines is making it even worse.  Really hoping I can kick this latest one and get back to normal life. 

 

Boo, hope you're feeling better today. 

 

18 hours ago, courtneyc said:

Friday was an incredibly productive day for me. I'm so glad I made the switch to process focused learning vs product focused. I'm currently enrolled in a 4 week class through Coursera called Learning How to Learn (highly recommend it!). I've picked up a lot of great tips from it, like switching my end goal for study time, and discovered why certain activities I already engage in make my life a little easier. For example, the way I structured this particular challenge by scheduling my important tasks for the day the night before apparently sets up my brain's expectations for the next day making it easier to settle into those activities than if I were to make the same list the morning of. 

 

Coursera is amazing, I've taken several just for funsies courses and one certification through them. Sounds like you've found a great course. 

[courtneyc]

Day 13 a.k.a The Day of Errands

• Take dog for nail trim
• Pick up books from school
• Get school supplies
• Pay parking ticket
• Grocery shop
• 2 Python pomodoros

Day 14

• First day of classes?
• Pick up school books
• Morning routine
• Matlab Class 2 pomodoros
• Python 1 pomodoro

Not really sure what to expect from tomorrow with snow in the forecast. Day could look totally different depending on various schools being closed or dismissed early.

 

[courtneyc]

Day 14

• First day of classes?
• Pick up school books
• Morning routine
• Matlab Class 2 pomodoros
• Python 1 pomodoro

I am so incredibly ready for a "normal" day. The run of teacher work days, holidays, and partial snow days is killing my productivity. It doesn't help that my daughter is quite literally bouncing off the walls with energy. Meanwhile I'm trying to make it more than two days without a migraine, get my first semester back to school off to a decent start, and prep for this new job that starts in a couple days. Someone please call the wham-bulance. 

 

I struggle mentally/emotionally when my routine gets upset, which has been happening a lot the last week. Thankfully, I have a few days to myself coming up. Hopefully I'll be able to get a little breathing space while I adjust to adding in school and the new job. 

 

Day 15

• Morning Routine
• Meeting for new job
• 2 videos and q&a for Matlab class
• 1 pomodoro organizing for calc2
• 2 Python pomodoros
• **Do something nice for yourself**

[Manarelle]

12 hours ago, courtneyc said:

I am so incredibly ready for a "normal" day. The run of teacher work days, holidays, and partial snow days is killing my productivity. It doesn't help that my daughter is quite literally bouncing off the walls with energy. Meanwhile I'm trying to make it more than two days without a migraine, get my first semester back to school off to a decent start, and prep for this new job that starts in a couple days. Someone please call the wham-bulance. 

 

Personal opinion, I would not call that indicative of needing a wham-bulance; it sounds like you've got a lot going on there, all at once. I'm in the same boat where routine helps keep things stable, can't imagine dealing with migraines and a bored little one with everything else going on. Please do make "do something nice for yourself" a priority - mental health is just as important as physical health. 

[courtneyc]

3 hours ago, Manarelle said:

 

Personal opinion, I would not call that indicative of needing a wham-bulance; it sounds like you've got a lot going on there, all at once. I'm in the same boat where routine helps keep things stable, can't imagine dealing with migraines and a bored little one with everything else going on. Please do make "do something nice for yourself" a priority - mental health is just as important as physical health. 

 

You're right. I try so hard to stay positive that it can turn on me when I'm truly struggling and feel anything but positive. Thanks for the reminder to be kind to myself