{Resolution Time: January 2010 Edition}

Happy New Year!!
A new decade. A totally fresh slate. How great is that?

My life took some decidedly large turns in 2009. I'm genuinely happy with the direction I'm now headed, and I'm excited for what this new year will bring. What a great feeling that is!!

It's resolution time.
What have you resolved to do in 2010?
I'd love to hear what resolutions you've committed to or are thinking about.


In 2009, I made a resolution that I actually followed through with for twelve months. It felt so good! It was by far the most successful new year's resolution I've ever made, and it was to make three goals for myself each month. Every thirty days, I was used my blog to reevaluate how I did on my goals from the month before -- an effective way to hold myself accountable -- and I mindfully established a plan for the upcoming month based on what I needed to keep myself on track. It kept me engaged in the idea of moving forward and bettering my quality of life.

I'm going to keep it up in 2010!


I've been thinking about the nature of my monthly resolutions though. I want them to be a tool in helping me achieve and maintain balance and enjoyability of my life; rather then just being a to do list. I want them to motivate me to do things that make me happy, feel complete and excited. I won't restrict the kind of goals I can set completely because sometimes accomplishing things on my to do list is what I need to feel happy and balanced. It's just something I'm thinking about.


Also, I'm really excited about the resolution David and I made together! To go on one date a month. We both say we want to hang out, do more together and spend more time having meaningful conversations; however, it's so easy to let other things get in the way, putting our relationship on the back burner. I think this is a great goal for us, and I'm thrilled we're both committed to making it a priority in 2010.

The new month means it's time for me to:
~ review how I did with my December goals
~ make new January goals




December Resolution Review:

1. Have a strong finish at school -- wrap up all projects and finals
* This worked out! I got an A in NewsWatch, a B in French (woo hoo!), and a B in Online Media (because I elected to skip an assignment). I was happy with that because I learned and grew a lot in my last semester, and I had a fabulous time doing it. This was my best semester yet many levels -- an awesome way to end the semester! I completed 15 packages for NW and improved my pace and quality in the second half of the semester. My last day of reporting was amazing, (more on that later). My finals for OM and French went well. It was a great finish to my time at ASU, and it feels amazing to be DONE.

2. Do what I need to do to feel ready and relaxed for company (tree, bathroom, shopping, wrapping, meal plans, bathe the dogs, grocery shop, clean, etc.)
* Everything worked out, as it always does. It was hectic, and I was stressed at the beginning. Alas, school, company, graduation, and Christmas all came and went ... ready or not, right? The day after I finished finals, round one of company arrived and David and I went out of town for a quick weekend so he could do his half marathon. The scheduling of it all was a little over-whelming, especially considering the bathroom remodel was still very much underway. It was a busy time, and I didn't get to it all as planned. Fortunately, before everyone arrived -- the tree was up, lit and decorated -- as was the house -- inside and out. Holiday shopping was mostly done with the exception of one last thing for Jim and David and gifts to get for the pets kids. I boxed, wrap and sent everything that had to be delivered in plenty of time for them to arrive by Christmas. I wrapped about half the gifts that were going under our tree -- all the ones for company. Time just didn't allow me to get to the grocery store, plan meals, etc. But the house was clean and the guest room was ready just in the nick of time. We figured the rest out on the fly. The dogs have yet to be bathed. That might be a good plan for this weekend! As for the bathroom, which I know you're all just dying to know about -- the shower and toilet were ready for use the morning after the second leg of company arrived. The first several days David's parents were here, I was dealing with tile guys, making runs to Home Depot, and we were all sharing the guest bath. I could have done without that, and I can't wait until the bathroom is finished and I can get everything back in its place!

3. Thoroughly enjoy two weeks of company, graduation and Christmas spirit.
* Ahhh. The holidays! I did enjoy those two weeks. I didn't feel prepared -- which I hate -- but it's life. It doesn't usually all come together in perfect order, and that's part of what makes it great. Everything was pretty packed together. I felt myself take a big sigh of relief and begin to enjoy the moment once we got the tile in the bathroom done, and we finished the last of our Christmas shopping. I feel thankful for that time and for the chance to share it with family. We had a nice holiday that made some great memories.

And now ... it's onto a NEW DECADE!!



January Resolutions:

1. Operation Start My Career! Make my resume tape. Finish my resume. Write a cover letter. Get my online profile up. Make some decisions about my game plan and begin moving forward with this first big step into my career.

2. Go on two adventures -- one in and one out of the valley. It's time to get out of Phoenix and see something NEW, camera in hand. For my other adventure, I'll go somewhere local that I've never been or haven't been to in a long time.

3. Find and try some new healthy, meatless recipes. Experiment with a couple meat substitute products.