Oh my…look at that. It’s a new year. A clean slate. Let’s start over, people.
Although I usually run through my previous year’s wishes, I won’t be doing it this time around b/c unfortunately, they were very broad and the majority were not accomplished (le sad face). And it does nothing to focus on the past, right? We can only look forward, and this upcoming year looks to be very, very bright.
Image via weheartit.com
I hope you all had a great holiday season. Still bummed I haven’t been able to be more present! Pretty nuts to think that a new year is upon us once more – I feel as if 2011 was barely around, and now we are ready to welcome the infamous 2012. As always, I’ll start with my wishes for this year before listing off the new ones for the new year!
1. Learn to sew. – one of my amazing friends actually got me a sewing machine for my 30th birthday and I have yet to sit down with it. I have to admit: it terrifies me. However, once I’m done with my certification exams, I’m going to conquer my fears.
2. Continue attempting to cook at least one original meal a week. – Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to work on this goal. With my new, odd schedule, I often get home past 9pm, but I hope that will change in the months to come.
3. Take up spinning classes. If you survive, continue. If you don’t, try again. I bit the bullet and jumped on the spinning bandwagon. And who knew? I LOVED IT. Unfortunately, I had to cut it out of my life after several months. I chock this up to my schedule again. Drats.
4. Redesign the blog. Create new & fun features to keep people interested. The blog redesign was a success! & this blog continues to be a big part of my life.
5. Grow out your hair. Or chop it off. Go even blonder. Or maybe darker. It’s fun. I decided to grow out my hair in 2011, go blonder and then darker. It is fun, and who knows what is in store for ’12!
6. Embrace turning 30 with open arms. You are going to rock this decade. – This one is not crossed off because I am still having a hard time coming to terms with the big 3-0. It’s just a number, right? Good because I still consider myself a nice, ripe 21.
7. Take care of yourself. Make doctors’ appointments, eat healthier. 2011 is when I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance after forcing myself to make a doctor’s appointment. Although I am far from being gluten free on a consistent basis, I hope to continue finding the balance with this new lifestyle.
8. Look at your passions & move forward. Life is too short to not do what you love. I finally took a very big step in my life and decided to move on from mental health and pursue my love of behavior analysis and working with autistic children. Although it has not been easy, it has been the best decision I have ever made. I am so happy doing what I do. It gives my life meaning and is so rewarding and amazing.
9. Work on further home improvements: pool, shutters, garage. We completed the pool project over the summer and am just now starting on the garage revamp. We couldn’t squeeze the shutters into our budget this year, but luckily had another storm-free season.
10. Plan the most killer trip to Europe. As you all know, we had the most magnificent trip to Europe a couple of months ago. It met all my expectations and then some – those are memories I will keep with me forever.
Before listing my New Years wishes for the upcoming year, I’d like to revisit last year’s list because upon reading it last night, I realized that for once in history, almost all my wishes came true. Again, reasons I prefer to say wishes rather than resolutions. They represent something positive, something magical, rather than something that is seen more as a chore than a goal.
1. Continue “working on my fitness.” Do not get lazy. Both the hubs and I worked steadily with our personal trainer until last month, when we decided to terminate mainly due to finances. We have still remained very active and hope to continue to do so.
2. Own a house. Love it. Make it yours. We closed on our very first home in March of 2010.
3. Find something that makes you happy. This is the only wish that I continue to search for, but as I’ve said, I believe it will finally come true in 2011.
4. Raise more money for Autism Speaks than in 2008. I was able to raise over $1000 dollars for the cause and hope to do so again in 2011.
5. Make this blog a priority. Strive to be creative, inspiring & interesting. This blog has been my driving force in 2010, it’s what keeps me going in my darkest hours. And I only seeing it continue to grow and mature into something so much more in the next year.
6. Learn more recipes. I have been actively trying to cook and learn about the kitchen weekly. The new Cooking Channel has really helped inspire me.
7. Just learn more. Period. Although I feel as if I am losing more and more brain power as the years go by, I can also say I learn something new every day. Minor things, silly things, but every day is a new chance to grow.
8. Love without boundaries. I have practiced this every day and the results have been astonishing. My life is filled with so much love.
9. See Muse live. I saw Muse in Anaheim, CA in September. I don’t think I’ve ever been the same.
10. Have more adventures: big or small. 2010 was the year of the adventure.
11. Continue making memories worth remembering for a lifetime. I will remember so many beautiful moments in 2010, and hope to make just as many more in 2011.
12. Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I didn’t just visit it once, but twice! And the first time was grand opening day (see? MOMENTS and ADVENTURES).
But all this is old news, let’s get to the good stuff.
My wishes for the new year, for the much anticipated 2011: