Write about something you’ve outgrown but still miss.

Response: Stuffed animals, I know that at a certain point in my life I have to declutter and let go of things I loved as a little kid, and every year it seems I end up donating more and more of my stuffed animals to goodwill. Occasionally I find myself looking for them in my room before I remember I got rid of them. 

Summary: We read through a portion of chapter 7 and answered 14 questions.

Reflection: Cheryl's journey navigating gender expectations out in the wild seems like such a freeing experience, to be able to let go and just be a person on a hike rather than a woman or a man on a hike.

Much of this section focuses on Cheryl’s physical exhaustion and discomfort. Describe a moment when your body limited what you could do, and explain what that experience taught you about your mental strength.

Prompt Response: When I was in elementary school, my mom was in charge of the annual used book sale. I volunteered to help but many of the boxes were filled to the brim with large books, still I was determined to help my mom and carry them to the tables. I was able to do a lot of the small boxes, but continued to get frustrated while trying to lift the heavier ones. The fact is those boxes were close to my own weight so unless I was a baby hulk there was so way I would be able to lift them myself. I was really disappointed I couldn't just do it.

Summary: We answered 6 questions relating to wild.

Reflection: I cant really think of anything to reflect on

In Wild, Cheryl Strayed writes about the difference between deciding to do something and actually committing to it: “There was the first, flip decision to do it, followed by the second, more serious decision to actually do it.” Reflect on a time in your own life when you made a quick or casual decision that later required a deeper commitment. Describe what changed between the first decision and the moment you realized you truly had to follow through. What fears, challenges, or responsibilities became real once the decision was no longer just an idea?

 Prompt Response: For me this decision was college, I had somewhat decided I would go to college, specifically a school in Denver, but I hadn't really committed to it for months. I kept telling myself and others that I would get it done and apply, but for 6 months I just kept saying I would instead of working on my application at all. I was nervous about college, scared it wasn't for me and that I wasn't ready. But after the holidays spending alot of time around my family, I realized how much I need to get away from everyone to be happy. My family is a large source of anxiety and turmoil for me so being reminded of their rudeness and bad habits pushed me to finally apply and get it done so I wouldn't be stuck with them forever.

Summary: We read chapter 1 of Wild

Reflection: I worry about my mom since she plans on going on a through hike once I move out.

In 2–3 well-developed sentences, reflect on how you spent your Holiday Break. Then, identify four personal you would like to achieve this year and briefly explain why each goal is important to you (Copy and paste your completed response from Writable into your blog).

 Prompt Response: My first goal for this year is losing 20 pounds. It's important to me to improve my body image and allow me to go into college feeling more confident and healthy. To accomplish this, I will do daily morning and evening workouts, even just simple things like minute-long planks or a few situps. I will also keep track of my weightloss journey and diet.

My next goal is to get and sustain a job. I want to have spending money going into college so I don't have to rely on my mom. To accomplish this, I have applied for 3 jobs and have been working on improving my resume.

My third goal is to finish a personal project I began during my freshman year. It holds a lot of significance to me, and getting it done would improve my career and help me feel fulfilled and proud of myself and my work. To do this, I need to make a schedule to work on it steadily so I can complete it by the end of the year.

My fourth goal is to begin gardening. Gardening has always been a good stress reliever for me, but I've always just gone and volunteered at community gardens or friends' gardens. I want to start my own and be able to eat vegetables I grew myself. I will do this by fixing one of the older planters in my yard and composting food scraps for fertilizer, and going to the farmers' market for veggie seeds.

Summary: We went over 2nd semester expectations.

Reflection: I turn 18 in 2 months, I will be a legal adult capable of voting, getting tattoos, getting an apartment etc, but I have to log in to pee? and my mommy has to know when I go potty? How trite