New Years Resolutions

I realize that we are more than half way through the month, but I never got around to sharing my resolutions. I don't have many, but I think that makes my chances for success much higher. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

1. Communicate better. I am a "communications professional", yet sometimes I don't have quality communications with people enough. Maybe try calling more than texting? Or sending a quick "hello" email to people, just for fun.
2. Mix up the workout routine. I usually only run. Run, run, run. But I want to throw in a hip hop or yoga class here and there. It's fun, so why not?
3. Strategically use my vacation days. I don't think this will be a problem if we do end up going to Sweden, but the fact that I've put myself into a 'use them or lose them' situation this year means that I didn't take enough time off. But thinking back, I was often too busy to take time off. It's a vicious cycle, but it's ending in 2011: the year of using my given vacation days.
4. Continue to try new recipes. In the last year, I've never cooked so much in my life and I loved all of the experimentation. Let's keep it up, Petes.
5. Host more parties. They don't have to be fancy and elaborate, but a game night here and a wine night there is always a good idea. Maybe even a wine & chocolate tasting party? Who is in?
6. Don't get so caught up with what's happening tomorrow. Focus on the now and enjoy it. It's in my nature to always look ahead, but sometimes I find myself doing that way too much. I need to enjoy the moment I'm in too.

I'm sure more "resolutions" or goals will come to mind, but I'll start with this list. It's challenging, yet not unattainable.

What are your resolutions?

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Goal Project: Clean

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My apartment isn't messy, but I think it's due for a deep cleaning -

sweep, shake out rugs, dust, wipe down windows/mirrors and the such.

Goal: Do a little housework, while dancing and singing.

[The second part is only because dancing and singing makes cleaning a lot more fun. Who doesn't like a little Whitney when wiping down a windowsill?]

P.S. Last week's goal, running - I didn't run every day,

but I did put in a good 21 miles!

Goal Accomplished

This week I set out to use alternative forms of transportation all week. Despite the fact that I had no other option, I still feel like I accomplished something.

Monday: I ran. In a big giant loop. The tour de hoods. So technically, I wasn't going anywhere, but it is an alternate form of transportation, right?

Tuesday: Bus. And carpool with Maddie to kickball.

Wednesday: Bus. And carpool with Scott home. Then ran again with Autumn.

Thursday: Bike. Wait, never mind. I attempted to bike. Packed my bag with my work clothes, had on workout clothes, strapped on my helmet and pedaled away. For 2 feet. Flat tire. Seriously?! Too bad my bus was already long gone. So Plan C, make desperate call to Olita for a ride. Hooray! And hooray again for ride home from Scott again!

I mixed it up and walked to Autumn's birthday party. A good 25 blocks. Good thing James drove me home; walking in the daylight - fine. Late and dark - not so fine.

Friday: Bus. Almost walking again. I was headed down to my bus stop and I see the bus sailing past me a street away. Crap! I start running full-speed across 8th (which is rather trafficky) and toward the bus. It starts going and I have a moment of defeat. BUT, my friends, some bus patron must have seen my frazzled attempt to catch it and asked the driver to stop. Thank you, friendly bus rider. And to my friendly bus driver, you have a splendid weekend as well!

This evening, carpooling with Kathryn.

Thanks for the rides everyone! And Susie, thanks for offering your dad's mechanic services!

Goal Project

Maddie thinks that my weekly goal should be having a near death experience on a daily basis because so far I'm 2 for 2*, but I don't think I'm willing to give that a shot.

(*Sunday: Car situation. Monday: Maddie and I were within inches of being hit by a car that sped through a red light at an intersection. She screamed. I nearly peed my pants. The intersection was at a standstill. Yikes.)

But instead, since this was somewhat decided for me by the fates of the car gods:

Goal: Use alternate means of transportation all week.

So far, so good. I ran yesterday. Today I rode the bus. Tomorrow I'm thinking about biking to work. Then Thursday, maybe even walk the 2.5 miles to work. Friday - maybe I'll hitch hike? I look intimidating enough to ward off the weirdos, right?

I'm so green.

On another topic, remember Superman?

Well, he managed to make me snort from laughing so hard yesterday. (Which, I guess, isn't too difficult to do.) He read my post about his galiant efforts and followed-up with an amazing picture message.

The text read: "My secret is out."

The picture is too hard to put into words. So for your viewing pleasure, I present to you: Superman.

The Goal Project

So I've decided that I am going to set a weekly goal. Not necessarily a daunting task of sorts, but something that I can tangibly achieve by Sunday at sunset.

I've always been a planner/to-do list/goal-setting kind of gal and I think this would add some excitement and challenge to those sometimes mundane weeks. (As a matter of fact, Carol recently posted about these lovely lists and I'm thinking I might have to get my hands on these.)

So if you have any ideas of goals and/or challenges, send 'em my way! I'm thinking other possibilities could be: bringing lunch to work everyday, making a call to a different, far away friend every night, cooking my way through the Joy of Cooking in a week (I'll show Julie Powell who's boss!), etc.

But for this week... Since we've already made it to hump day and I've accomplished this feat so far, I've decided on this...

Goal: Wear a dress/skirt everyday to work this week.

I wore this beautiful dress on Monday. I fell in love with it at first sight and realized that if I didn't buy it before my vacation, I would definitely convince myself out of it after I see my credit card bill post-vacay.

Isn't it lovely? It looks much better on. I was thinking later into the fall I could pair it with tights and these shoes I picked up at the Nordy's sale.