2009 resolutions revisited for 2010

Happy New Year everyone! After a couple months of blog neglect, I'm back with a vengeance. It's a new year and I'm filled with a fresh sense of excitement and renewal. Just writing new numbers when typing the date makes me feel like I'm starting over. In a way it inspires me to change and grow...for the better of course; and ultimately record the goals and dreams that will help me with that growth. The organizer in me also jumps for joy because I get the chance to clean out closets, my room and my head - getting rid of the old and the useless and the clutter. Then I look at a clean daily planner and fantasize....ahh, to begin again.

I decided to go back to last years' resolution post and edit/revise. Since that IS where I am with my novel -revisions- I figured it would be appropriate.
2010 - New Year Resolutions

1) Publish my novel.

Last year I wanted to publish the trilogy, but I got ahead of myself. Especially with some new things I'm adding to my plate this year. One at a time...One at a time. I plan to continue with my revisions and write every day. I need to keep the momentum going.

2) Exercise.

Waiting for the weight bench Mark keeps mentioning he'll get for me. (wink wink) I joke. Its up to ME and only me. The plan with the bench is already there. I have the exercises and the schedule. Now to just do it! My body screams at me at times to move and though I hate to run, I find myself aching to do just that. Odd, huh? But other than that I want to start Yoga. I think it would benefit me in so many ways...with my stress, my flexibility, the knots and kinks in my back and neck, and with my writing of course (thanks for that spark of an idea, Matt!). I have videos galore and with YouTube and the internet, I'm sure I can get a program going for 3 to 4 times a week.

3) Eat better and drink more water.

I went back to pescatarianism (vegetarian who eats fish and/or shellfish) about 8 months ago and am still going strong. My previous foray into not eating meat lasted about a year and then I began having strange dreams about meat that stressed me out so much I finally caved and went back to my carnivore ways. Unfortunately, I gained 25 pounds eating meat and especially fast food. Add unhappiness to the equation and you have the potential for disaster. I started exercising right before the move out of my ex's house. That helped, but after the move I began researching vegetarianism and veganism again. I read more books (check out Skinny Bitch, it will kick you in the butt and open your eyes to some horrors going on in the world of food) and became more aware and knowledgeable about what really goes on in the meat industry. I realized I wanted to stop eating meat for health reasons, to make a stand about commericialized slaughtering and processing of animals, and to help the environment. I'm hoping to eat less fish and shellfish as well and adopt a near-vegan lifestyle, limiting the animal products I use and consume. I lost the weight I gained 8 months ago and feel better in general, but I find I still get stuck in ruts when it comes to meatless food. I miss variety and when it comes down to it, it's unnecessary because there are a TON of meatless dishes to partake in. So part of the eating better goal is to cook more vegetarian meals and experiment with spices and flavors. Also, I have to give Mark props for being incredibly supportive of my vegetarianism even though he eats meat. He's always concerned about what I can eat and takes an active interest in vegetarianism and the meals I make. I sometimes get emotional over certain things and make snide or sarcastic comments but he takes them in stride and it makes me respect him even more! Oh and I should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day, minimum.

4) Drink more wine.

Still stands.

5) Get finances in order.

I'm not doing badly. But Im not doing well either. I exist. Barely. This is in part because I don't make much at my job. Dont get me wrong. I love that I even HAVE a job, one that I don't mind going to everyday, and one that gives me benefits and vacation days, and a stable work history. But I could be doing so much better. I have a degree and I'm damn smart. One of my later resolutions will show you one of the ways I plan to fix this *could be doing better* issue, but for now I need to get back to getting the debt gone and gone for good. A while ago I thought about buying a home but was told to get the debt down or else I'd have a home with no money to do anything else. Then I was thinking of moving back East, but still wanted to get myself in a good financial position. I still want to get myself up to speed and I'm still working on it. A friend gave me Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover last year and I keep coming back to it because it's an awesome no-nonsense system. I'm taking it one step at a time and hope to be debt free one day. It takes time, but I'm confident. Even with all my student loans! :-)

6) Travel.

Mark and I are planning a small trip this month either to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle or over to Colorado Springs. Both would be fun considering I love to travel and want to do more of it. Eventually (and hopefully in conjunction with my last resolution) I'll be able to go to Europe or overseas this or next year. I will be getting my passport in the next two months, too. I would also like to journal my travels, in the written word AND photographically. And maybe one day I'll get the scrapbooks done for my Rhode Island trips.

7) Learn to knit.

I'd like to have a tangible, practical skill. When the end of the world comes and I'm left in the countryside to rebuild the human species and society, what the heck could I provide for my fellow survivors? How about a sweater? It gets damn cold in the aftermath.
Actually, I think it would just be nice to knit a scarf, some socks, or a hat.

8) Go to Grad School.

Ok, so this is the BIG one. I'm hungry for intellectual stimulation. I'm sure Vegas has something to do with it because it's severely lacking in this department. Not that there isn't any here. You can find it...in the small corners of the city, at the college, or in certain people....but it's not the city's main focus. And it isn't prevalent at my job. Luckily I have Mark, my family and my friends, who consider it vastly important. But I'd always hoped to do something more with myself and my career. Writing helps that, but I'd like to get involved in something that could become steady work and a chance to give back, teach, inspire... I mentioned that I was interested in history and the Regency period more specifically, but I'm also interested in what it takes to become involved in curation at museums, art galleries, etc. I found that Public History is the way toward that and at UNLV you can tack that on to your area of study. Perfect! I plan on setting up a meeting with the graduate coordinator for this month to go over how it all works and what I need to do financially, mentally, and professionally to prepare and get in for the Fall. Its all very exciting.

So that's it. Those are my resolutions for 2010. And what of the others from 2009.

I have a primary doctor now. She is Mark's doctor and she was on my insurance plan. I had a

couple heart issues and after a bunch of tests, she found out I had a mitrovalve prolapse. In layman's terms that's a floppy valve. I means my heart has funky beats evert so often, but its still strong and there isn't any problem beginning a rigorous exercise regimene. My blood tests came back great except for a high amount of iron. I had a test done for Hemochromotosis, a rare blood disease, but I am just a carrier and don't have the matching gene that allows the disease to express itself. Phew...

I also have a gynocologist now. I'm clean of all disease and am on birth control again.

I still have to find another dentist.

Of learning one language a year - I plan to refresh my French since I'll need it in grad school for my area of study and work on Welsh when I can.

Of getting rid of things I don't need - I'm doing it!

I'm working on taking care of my skin, I'm looking into laser hair removal, and Mark has helped me experiment with make-up like I never have before! Can you believe I wore false eyelashes to my company Christmas party?

I got the tattoo and am looking into what I'd like next and where :-)

I've taken more photos and will try to take even more!

I'll be refraining from moving back East. I've got too much here to stay for now. Sorry Ariana. But with school and better finances I'll be able to visit more often.

And don't think I've forgotten my best writing buddies in the world. Maura and Shae, I'm heading over to both of your blogs right now to comment.

Watch out world! Here I come.