Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Year

I'm not one to write resolutions because they always seem incredibly hard to obtain.... like when people say they are going to cut out sugar from their diet or they are going to work out.  It's like huh?  That already sounds like a fail.  Sorry to be a pessimist.  Resolutions sound so final and it is hard to say that I'm never going to do anything again like I am never going to eat sugar again.  Yeah... sounds like even more of a fail when I put that into context.  I try to set little goals throughout the year and for me, I like that idea much better.  I am not one to sit still because I am always moving around doing something!

2011 Highlights
Got married to my best friend

Traveled to 6 different countries and got to experience it through my husband's eyes.  It was his first time in Europe.

Gracie learned how to swim.

I quit my job.

I read 20+ books.  I can't actually say read because I listened to them. I'm totally into audiobooks which allows me to multitask when I'm listening to a book like driving through horrible LA/OC traffic or washing dishes.  My husband caught me crying last night in the kitchen after going through one of my favorite books on my ipod.  Haha!  I am quite the dork.  These were my favorite books this year some of which I have gone through twice already..... Hunger Games (fyi, the 3rd book was my least favorite), The Kitchen House, World Without End, Unbroken, and The Help.  I am always looking for new books to read so please share if you have a good one.  It will be much appreciated!!!

Got a new car which is my favorite.  It is so functional and I've made up my mind that I'm sticking to mini-SUV's forever.

Learned how to use my dslr camera quite a bit through this blog and found my favorite lens so far.

2012 Goals in Process
I'm leaving corporate finance and running far FAR away.

Drink less wine, drink more water.

Read more books including the Bible.  I'm currently on Baby Proof which is totally fitting for me if you know me well.  I want to read through the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series this year too.

Learn how to edit film and make videos.  I took a free Apple workshop this week for iMovie and already getting started on this goal.  I couldn't pass up a free class!  I want to take more of them.

Learn graphic design.  I already got started on Adobe Illustrator and watched youtube tutorials this past weekend.  Knowing how to use this tool will be perfect for thoughtful gifts for friends and family.  I can make customized stationary, calendars, whatever!  Love it already.

Set up an art corner in my new office to paint.  Loving the idea of creating abstract art from here.

Go to Hawaii for the first time.

Embrace turning 3-0 and love every minute of it.

Pay more attention to my husband and be a better wife.  I get easily distracted by all my interests that I sometimes forget that I should be including him in my list of interests.  Whoopsie!  I know I need to be better about this.

This is a totally random collage but I thought this post needed some sort of visuals.  This is where my mind is at today =) All over the place as usual!  That is the norm. 

 
image source (left to right):  1/2/3/4/5/6/7

9 comments:

Didi said...

some books that i enjoyed: a thousand splendid suns (awesome book from the same author of kite runner), sarah's key (i know the movie is out and i haven't seen it but the book is great), one day (ditto the comment directly above), the art of racing in the rain (you might love this one because of gracie!), game change (if you like politics), nefertiti (historical fiction).

i also really enjoyed unbroken which you've already read.

currently on my nightstand: the help, flags of our fathers, and steve jobs.

i'm always taking suggestions too so feel free to send me some! :)

The Peak of Tres Chic said...

Wow, you have some great resolutions! I agree with you- it can be hard to keep resolutions when they are so grandiose . I like all of yours- great goals that will keep you challenged, but not overwhelming. Great post, dear!

XO,

Sam
www.ThePeakofTresChic.com

Oh Sweet Escape said...

didi, thank you SO much for your suggestions! i didn't know you read so much! i absolutely love a good book. i read kite runner so i'm definitely going to check out a thousand splendid suns along with the rest of your list. also if you haven't read pillars of earth, it is one of my favorite books. it's a long but awesome read. great, great story. i also really enjoy emily giffin books for a fun light-hearted read. she wrote several books that i have all read except baby proof.

DrunkOnShoes said...

those are great goals!

i think i only have one resolution this year... well besides all the random stuff i want to do. and this one is definite must do for me in 2012.

volunteering. i feel like i def do not give back to the universe enough. =D

here's to achieving our goals! cheers!

Karista's Kitchen said...

Monica, Wishing you the healthiest, happiest and most adventurous New Year!

Donna said...

Good luck with 2012!
Kathy introduced me to your blog and I can't wait to read more!

Oh and be patient with The Girl with Dragon Tattoo. It literally took me a month to get through the first 100 pages but after that I couldn't put it down

MAGNOLIA said...

WE LOVE YOUR BLOG HUN! WE ARE FOLLOWING YOU!

MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE
www.magnoliamag.com

kyleen said...

I'm a huge bookworm, so one of the resolutions on my list is to read less books and say, I don't know, do homework instead.

Good luck with your resolutions!

Best panini press said...

Awesome and interesting article. Great things you've always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post.
best ice shaver

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...