Resolved

In the belated New Years spirit ...

There's always so much pressure to come up with a good New Year's resolution.  I always forget to start brainstorming until around December 30, and by the time midnight on the 31st, I just have to scramble to think of something so I can start.  And, how many times have I actually kept a New Years Resolution?  Zip.  It always seems that we are so ready to start anew and we do really well the first month (or maybe two, if they we are really good), but once March rolls around new goals have faded into the background.  And, at least for me, by April I have forgotten what resolution I made in the first place.  But how to get the most out of life if there isn't a challenge to be accepted? (<-- to be read in a Barney Stinson-esque voice).

Thus, I was thrilled when my good friend Travis told me of a new take on resolutions that he was doing.  I don't know if it was the spirit of New Years Day in New York City or the magically delicious salsa we were sharing at Jalapeno (what was in that salsa?!  I must find out!) , but I was inspired and pledged to begin immediately:  Monthly resolutions.  Yes, a new life resolution for every month.  This is makes so much more sense than a full year resolution, I don't know why I hadn't heard of or tried it before.  And the cool thing about this is if one is going well, you can keep it up and add another one, or just extend it into another month.  You could keep this going for years!

For example, I chose to give up the crispy, greasy, breakfasty- and burger-y goodness of bacon for the month of January.  And, with 6 days to go, I can say I have succeeded.  (We are going to ignore that very small but decadent slice of quiche I had at a wedding a couple weeks ago ...  hey, no one's perfect.)

Here is my brainstorm for options to take on in the coming months.    I welcome any additions and encourage any fellow resolution non-keepers to start your own list!:

• Read a book all the way through
• Write a pen-and-paper letters to my friends and family
• Limit dessert to once a week
• Blog at least 2 times a week
• Take at least one photo a day (and post it?)
• Try new foods--order something I usually wouldn't when I go out, and wander into a new aisle at the grocery store
• Eat all organic
• Watch/rent only foreign films
• Try 5 news recipes
• Read the newspaper/online news fully every day
• Go to community events/museum events/exhibits at least twice
• Find a volunteer opportunity for the weekends
• Eat vegetarian
• Do an art project, like a T-Shirt blanket or scrapbook
• Call and update the grandparents
• Go to a religious service of a different religion
• Buy a homeless person a meal
• Blog about the resolution completed (or not completed) at the end of each month!

What are your resolutions?

Tanti Auguri

To my long-time-no-blog-buddy in the Netherlands ... 

Happy birthday, Tim!  As a present, I give you a shout out on my blog, a link to your website, and the full-hearted effort to start blog-swapping with you again.   And this:

Baci from New York!

And the world spins madly on

There's been a lot going on these days.

Since I last wrote, I've gotten my first pedicure, taken two weekend trips to the Big Apple, gotten my nose pierced, had my first ever experience shopping at TJMaxx, and been offered an internship in Washington, DC.  Talk about life changes!

For the curious: Besides the few moments of excruciating ticklishness that I tried my hardest to mask with a face of relaxation, my pedicure was lovely and I am thrilled with the color I picked-- a deep, beautiful "Catherine the Grape" purple by OPI.

NYC was a blast, I enjoyed using public transportation (what can I say?  I'm a suburban gal), stopping to take photos like a first-time tourist, Central Park, meeting and taking a photo with Cookie Monster on the street (the best dollar we spent), and walking hand-in-hand with a handsome fellow.  Teehehe.

My nose is a little numb from the piercing, which I hope is normal ... I'm liking the new style.  However, I'm constantly feeling like the left side of my face doesn't get completely dry because I have to avoid my left nose with my towel so it doesn't get snagged.  Left nose?  Yeah.

I scored at TJMaxx and am confused as how I've never shopped there before. 3 colorful satiny, ruffly tops, work pants from The Limited, sweater dress.  $85!  I have no shame.

And for the biggest piece of news, that whole moving to DC thing.  Yeah.  I'm excited and terrified all at the same time, since I know nothing about DC, besides the fact that my many friends who live there already love it.  That's been encouraging. However, I'm at appx. T-8 days to moving and have yet to have a definite place to live.  Eek.  To live on the edge ... Once I get my living situation figured out,  I will stop freaking out, which is something my friends and family have been experiencing from me quite a lot these days.  But DC will be an adventure, and I'm excited to start this new phase in my life that could launch me into something even more exciting!  Imagine that!  And I get to live the city lifestyle (I get to ride a bus!  And a metro!).

I also feel compelled to share an incredible piece of art discovered on Youtube.  Oh, 'tubey, how you have been a friend to me.  From mindless entertainment to full Disney movies (in 10 parts!) and moving pieces, you will never cease to have a place in my bookmarks bar.  But this 3-minute video may be my favorite thing, like, ever.  It is music meets choreography meets dance meets drawing meets animation.  I think what I love so much about this is that it's a wonderful example of collaboration.  I'm really curious what people's interpretations of the piece are.  I've read the comments on youtube and discussed it with friends, but there is so much there.  Every time I watch it, I find something new to help me understand it more deeply-- tiny little details in every movement and every frame.  I'm going to wait a few days to give my share-- I hope you watch it first, and I would love to hear thoughts.

And here's a link to the making of in the description which is worth watching, too.

And the world spins madly on ...