Saturday, January 21, 2012

... Finally!

SNOW!  It's January 21st and we finally got our first snow of the winter 2012 season!

I woke up at 9am hearing annoying noises outside my window, I looked out my window and this is what I saw....



And the noise was my super shoveling the sidewalks because it had finally SNOWED!  And according to my twitter feed this afternoon we had at least 3 inches in Central Park.

It finally looks like winter!!

Now, I'll be honest I haven't changed out of my PJs or left my couch today (but I've been very productive none the less).  Tomorrow I'll go enjoy a trek through the snow! 

Outside now looks like it feels, freezing!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 New Year's Aspirations

Besides having the feeling that I'm not going to let life happen, but make life happen this year.  I've sat down and compiled my aspirations for 2012.  In no particular order below are some things in my life I'd like to aspire to change in 2012.

 2012 New Year's Aspirations

1. Dedication to Dance
Stop skipping ballet or tap class because it's easy.  Make the commitment to go to class, don't let easy excuses get in the way of not attending.  Dance is something that I love and I shouldn't let other activities get in my way of dance.

2. Reduce Miscellaneous Expenses
Stay on track with my Quicken budget. Limit number of cab rides, dinner and drinks out, unnecessary shopping sprees, and salon services.

3. Launch the ACAC Mentoring Program
Finish all prep work for pilot program by February with Fadeff & Wadler.  Set a hard timeline with Boys to for launch of pilot, adding alumni mentors, publicity and official launch. 

4. Follow Weight Watchers More Religiously
Track points every day for every bite especially on weekends.  Try to stay within daily and weekly point allotment.  Make lunches and dinners that work within the points system and stop late night snacking.  Work towards hitting 1st goal weight.

5. Visit San Diego More
Make the effort to go home more to hang out with the parents and friends.

6. Move
Either find a new apartment to rent (that is not above the boiler room or on the 1st floor) or find a place to purchase.  Be ready to look at all options for both renting and buying.  If buying, do lots of research on locations, buildings, mortgages, layouts, etc before making any decisions. 

7. Read
I love reading, but caught up in some bad books in 2011 and lost interest.  If there is nothing on tv, stop watching crap and flipping channels and pick up my ipad and read a book.  If its a nice day, go outside and read.  Goal: Finish a book each month.

8. Buy Groceries Before the Fridge is Completely Empty
This one should be simple.  When the fridge starts to look a little empty and all I have left is tortillas and laughing cow cheese, its time to buy groceries so I'm not starving till I have the time to order on Fresh Direct or make it to Fairway.


I now have 12 months to make these aspirations reality to the best of my abilities.

Goodbye 2011

I have to say I'm really looking forward to 2012 and leaving 2011 behind.


2011 wasn't really my year, it had some great highs but also some huge lows.  It was just another year in my life and last night I really didn't feel like celebrating just another year.  So instead I broke open a bottle Rodney Strong Chardonnay made my favorite comfort food, Mac & Cheese, and watched the NCIS marathon on USA.  I passed out on my couch around 11:45pm and woke up at 12:15am just in time to acknowledge the New Year and then crawl into bed.  I may have missed being out celebrating with my friends, but it was actually a pretty good start to the New Year for me.


"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go." - Brooks Atkinson

So, Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012.  I foresee 2012 being a life positive life changing year.

2011 New Years Aspirations - Reality Check

Last Year I blogged about my 2011 New Year's Aspirations vs New Year's Resolutions and now that its officially 2012 I thought I would look back and see if I achieved any of them before I list my 2012 Aspirations.

2011 New Year's Aspirations:
1. Actually put money into my non-existent savings account.  (My Mother will scoff at this one because she knows this will be my hardest aspiration).  That means spending less money on whatever I spend money on, I don't know where it goes.  My American Express bill is always a surprise.

2011 Reality: Somewhat accomplished.  I've started spending more wisely and my American Express bill is less of a surprise every month (except for December, all those thoughtful Christmas Gifts and catch up dinner and drinks really add up).  My Savings account has increased, but not to a level I would want (or all those financial advisors would suggest, but I'm working on it).


2. Clean up my dirty mouth.  I have the innate ability to throw in a "dirty" word in almost every conversation and sometimes those words are not appropriate for the audience.  I need more than orbit gum to clean up this dirty mouth, I need a rubber-band around my wrist and sheer determination to keep my language cleaner.

2011 Reality: Yea, let's be honest.  It was a long shot.  I've cleaned up my mouth in business meetings, around my Granny (or I try to reduce the amount), and with company that I should know better, but if I'm not in a conference room or if I'm with friends I drop the f-bomb like it's hot. I did get props from my friends Mike & Jean Crooks "for displaying the best comedic timing with foul words. She's pretty much the Michael Jordan of f-bombs."


3. Limit the number of excuses.  I'm very good at coming up with multiple excuses to not do something.  I aspire to stop making so many excuses for any number of activities like: going to the gym, doing the dishes or laundry, participating in activities out of my comfort zone, etc. 

2011 Reality: I think I've improved at least 75%.  I'm still good at coming up with an excuse for not doing something when I know I should, but I've also come to realize I am who I am and there are times when I need to respect my own personal boundaries and it's OK to say no or not participate.  But I've done really well at making sure I go to pilates class when I sign up (dance is another situation), doing my laundry because its nice to have clean clothes and I'm still working on the activities portion.  That one is always a little harder for me. 


4. Dance, just dance.  I need to make a commitment to (1) sign-up for class and (2) show up to class.

2011 Reality:  I did it.  I took ballet all Summer and into the Fall.  Tap Winter into Spring.  I let myself lag and make excuses not to show up to classes.  I need to make a commitment to myself and not let other activities get in the way of something I've always loved.  We'll put this back on the list for 2012.


5. Cook Dinner a minimum 3 nights a week.  This aspiration can be looped into #1 and #3.  I like to cook but (#3) find an excuse not to and end up ordering from seamless web (#1).

2011 Reality:  Did it, Accomplished it & Kicked its Ass!  I made some awesome meals this year and continue to surprise myself with my amazing Top Chef skills.  The hard part is finding recipes to make each week.


I still have aspirations I need to work on, but I think I did pretty well in accomplishing my 2011 New Year's Aspirations.

Now on to 2012 ...