Wednesday, December 3, 2008

New Year's Resolutions

Every year I make resolutions (like most people) and I actually do a fairly decent job of accomplishing them, or at the very least trying my darndest to accomplish them. I even like to revisit my previous year's resolutions to "evaluate" myself prior to writing my new set. Yeah, I'm cool like that. So here are my unofficial resolutions, keeping in mind that most of these I've been trying to make a solid effort at accomplishing for the past 3 to 6 months.

1. Start writing more (ie: anything. at all.) I've never been an amazing writer, but it's something that I actual enjoy doing. At the very least, it's just nice to get thoughts down on paper, and be able to revisit them in the future. That is the one downfall of the new j-o-b. No writing. At all. Except signing my name on paperwork. Hopefully having this blog will get some of my creativity a-flowing yet again. Maybe my mind will be able to generate new music again, because it's been a long while before I've written anything new. Which brings me to my next resolution...

2. Play music more. Luckily for me, my madre passed along the musical gene to me, and music has always been a pretty big part of my life. Unfortunately, once I entered college, most of my playing ceased. Now that I have my very own apartment, and no roommate to annoy/bother with my singing and guitar playing, I have no excuse not to get strummin'. Also, I bought myself a harmonica as my graduation gift almost 3 years ago, and still can't play the darn thing. Maybe by the start of 2010 I'll be a regular one (wo)man band.

3. Continue to read. Since graduating I've been on reading over-drive. There were 4 years worth of books that I hadn't read because I was busy reading (or not reading) textbooks, so of course many of these books have been pretty "fluffy." I try to read something of substance every 5th or 6th book, but oftentimes it ends up being every 10 or 15.

4. Practicing yoga. I've had an on again off again relationship with yoga, and am currently in the on again stage. I have found myself doing it very regularly for the past 3 or 4 months and love how it makes me feel. I think yoga is the anaerobic version of prozac. Plus I'm starting to get some intense guns. Look out!

5. Run Jeri Run. This is on my list every year, and it's the one I suck the most at. I usually give myself a yearly mileage goal, and then get annoyed when I'm no where near it. I think for this year, I'm going to concentrate on doing a lot more 5ks and 10ks. I was reminded after my half marathon this fall that I'm actually a fairly quick runner, so I think it would be good to actually train for one of the shorter races, rather then using them as training runs for my 1/2. Plus my pal Matty is going to be my running buddy, and I have to run a bit faster to keep up with him. PLUS one of these days I will convince Taylor to do a race with me, and I refuse to let him beat me. :)

6. Lead more of a vegetarian-esque lifestyle. Being the tree hugger that I am, I can't help but read all the reasons to ditch meat, dairy, eggs, etc. from your diet. Although I don't think I'd be able to eliminate everything, I do see the benefits for the environment, animals, and your body. Ironically the one item I would have the hardest time giving up to be a true vegan would be dairy. This is ironic because I'm lactose intolerant and usually get violently ill after I eat my favorite foods (ie: cheese, ice cream). Seriously. Why would you continue to eat something that makes you sick? I'm an idiot.

7. Cook more. Strangely cooking has become one of my new favorite hobbies. I love looking for a new recipe. I love shopping for the ingredients to make the recipe. I love making the item. And more importantly I love eating it. Of course this goes pretty hand in hand with #6 because it's hard to be conscious of what goes in your food unless you're the one making it.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year



I've been saying that I'm going to start a blog for the last 2 to 3 months and have held out in my procrastination efforts long enough. One of my goals for 2009 is to start writing again. So TECHNICALLY I've gotten a head start on that goal by starting this now. Ah-ha! Winner.

Since I haven't written anything for so so long, I will begin this one with an update. Maybe I'll upload a picture of me in some green and red attire and dub this my holiday greeter card/letter. Heck, I might as well fish out an old Elf halloween costume photo. Nothing says happy holidays like Elf. God bless will ferrell.

I started a new job in July, and am finally doing something I feel passionate about. No more working my butt off to line the pockets of some boss who sits on their butt all day, for something I don't believe in. I work for a non-profit credit counseling agency and I love it. Everyday I know I'm making a difference in the lives of people, and it's such a great feeling to help people, or to give people the tools they need to help themselves. I work with some really great people who are equally passionate about what they do. Even though it's crazy stressful somedays, it's great.

I just moved to my very first single bedroom apartment this last week, and I'm pretty darn excited about it. I'm excited to decorate it and to give it a fun and quirky style to reflect my own strange style. I'm also excited to walk around in my underoos every chance I can get without freaking out Mel's fiance Barry. :) Unfortunately I do not see said apartment being unpacked and put together any time soon. The location is probably the best part, 2 blocks from my favorite library, across the street from a great park, and less then a quarter mile from the SF bike trails. Hopefully living that close will reinvigorate me to get back into running.

Taylor and I are still together. It'll be 2 years in February (collectively now...Awwwww). He's a pretty swell guy, and I think we mesh really well. With the exception of when we both have one drink too many. :) He has a lot really great qualities that I aspire to have and hope will rub off on me. He's such a laid back guy who everyone loves to be around. I'd like to think that I'm more laidback then I was two years ago, but then again how could I be more high strung? Hah.

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Tonight was the perfect start to the holiday season, hense the blog title. Sushi (very Christmassy, wouldn't you say?) followed by a drive through Falls Park to see the xmas lights to come home and watch Elf. Seriously. Heaven. Oh and I did Xmas shopping today too. Tis the season. I think it's really entertaining that I can always tell when Elf is playing on tv because I end up with about 10 quote text messages from pals.