Happy New Year!

Happy 2012 to all of my family and friends!  I had an amazing Christmas break this year and I couldn't be more grateful for those I got to spend time with!!


I was able to spend a couple days in Michigan with my family celebrating my brother's birthday and Christmas, a couple days celebrating Christmas in Ohio, a few days at the Houseboat, and several days celebrating the new year with friends in Columbus.  I couldn't have asked for anything more.  I am excited for what this new year will bring, and I can't wait to share it with you!


Now I'm not a resolution making type of person, but I do have goals for every semester:
1. Work on maintaining balance in my life.  Saying no is not a bad thing.
2. Always be honest about expectations, desires, needs, and wants in professional and personal situations.
3. Enjoy every moment; don't wish away the months, days, hours.  Every breath is a gift.

4. Put my health as a priority.  Headaches need to be controlled! I need time to work out and time to eat. 
5. Do something I've never done before...like a 1/2 marathon in April...or something like that :)

#104: New experiences, new friends and new adventures.
#105: Watching my buckeyes lose in Columbus was sad.  But watching the game around hundreds of other buckeye lovers was amazing. 
#106: Planning for my first teaching semester is nerve wracking but exciting.  Appreciating all of the encouragement.
#107: Nothing better than friends being excited about my life.  I'm excited about my life.  I love my life.  And I couldn't be more grateful for that fact.

Columbus!

#108: Columbus is an awesome city.  Not only because everyone loves the buckeyes there, but also because family life is HUGE there and there are SO many adorable, happy families there.  It's such a blessing to see smiles on the faces of little rascals.

New Year Resolutions

To say I dislike New Year Resolutions would be putting it lightly.  I don't like them because they are cliche, people NEVER stick to them (sorry if you're one of few who does), and plus...it's saying (in my mind) that oh  I can do whatever in December because come January, that goes away and I get to re create myself.  I am all for re creating, but at the same time, don't pig out on Christmas dinner in order to have more weight to lose in January.  Idk...it's so bizarre!

You could say, however, that I have several goals for this year.  I love goals.  They motivate me, and I change them often.  I started my Allergen-free diet back in October, and I'm still going strong!!! I seriously have NOT broken the rules (minus one thing of cheesecake filling).  I have added chicken back into my diet...so now I eat veggies, fruit, chicken, red meat, pork, rice, potatoes.  Yay!  My goal is to keep working some new foods in, but to stay strict with gluten, corn and dairy. 

Exercise.  So I started this biggest loser DVD this summer, but then got in a car accident and couldn't finish the challenge.  Well I started it again (because I have lots of time).  It's SO hard but SO fun and I love it!  I am a week in, and have five more to go!

Relationships.  I am continuing to focus on my friendships...trying to pour more into them to solidify them.  It's always challenging..but so fun.

Fun.  I have resolved myself to dedicate this semester to fun.  I'm super excited about that.  And while I REALLY need to be making money (I have a job...but not enough) I am also trying to allow myself to have fun before I become a completely broke grad student next year.  Oh the joys!

Happy New Year!!

Wow...it's 2011.  What a crazy thing to think that I have now lived in 2 millenniums, 2 centuries and 4 decades.  So weird. 

This year will surely bring good things.  I will be graduating from U of M in April and will hopefully (if I get accepted) be going to grad school in the fall.  Also, my little brother is finishing up middle school in June, this is the first full year my sister has been on her own working in her own place, and we will all get to enjoy our houseboat SO SO much this summer.  I really am excited for 2011!!

To look forward to:  graduation, better health, continued friendships, a great summer

In Michigan...it's never too early to fantasize about summer!!!!!

Happy new year, friends.  May it be a great one for all of you!