New Year's Resolutions

With the 2012 right around the corner, I've been thinking a lot about my past resolutions. (See all the way at the bottom of this post).  In 2010, I was able to complete 6 out of 10 resolutions.  This past year...well...I haven't really thought of how to really sum how well (or not well) I did.  So...mini recap of the past year.  

January: Stress, school, work

February: Visit family for Mom's birthday, stress, school, work

March: Spring break with Christie and Ryan, stress, school, work

April: quit job, random get-away-from-it-all trip with my best friend, 23rd birthday, stress, school, work

May: graduated with certificate, applied for jobs, look for change in the sofa, went home, stress (different than from above because no more work and MBA schooling)

June: start new job, stress (from new job and MBA school balancing act)

July: still at awesome new job, less stress

August: work, little stress because of school starting for fall semester

September: Mom and Dad's 25th wedding anniversary (super weekend of fun that included 300 cupcakes), Daddy's birthday, Ryan's birthday, school, work

October: school, work

November: school, work, Christie's birthday, Thanksgiving in the mountains of NC

December: school ends for the semester, PAID HOLIDAY VACAY (I'm currently home for the holidays), Christmas, awesome family time!!!!

So, if you couldn't tell from the mini recap, this past year has been soooooo crazy.  I can cross off at least four of the items on my resolutions list that I couldn't accomplish simply because too many major life events happened to even think about accomplishing them.  What I can say is that I am truly happier than I was a year ago and obviously happier than who I was two years ago.  Here's where the mushy personal feelings stuff comes out in my blog post.  Feel free to skip to the line break (if I can figure out how to put one in seamlessly).  Anyway...I feel as though this was the year to show who I have become, who I am, and who I plan to be.  That's kind of a vague statement, but if you asked me back in January 2010 how I've grown over the year, who I was, or where I was going, I would have told you, "I don't know and I don't care to know."  The sad reality is that it's true!

Obvisouly, I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately...probably more so this past week because I've gotten to rest a lot and have done quite a bit of yoga.  Anyway...I feel like I've matured so much over the last year.  I know what I want to do with my life or really at least the direction I want to go in.  I have friends around me who support me, not just me, but my goals in life, my dreams of what I could do with my life.  Now, I cannot discredit those who were close friends of mine earlier in the year that I have grown apart from simply due to logistics.  They have played a lot of how I've grown, especially in the past six months.  

Now, how do I know that I've matured and that my life is headed in the right direction?  1)  I'm happy!  I have never been more excited to go to work everyday.  I've never been so interested in learning something that I'm getting my degree in.  I'm not just learning, but I'm applying that new found knowledge into everyday!  I have been able to spend time with family and friends more than ever since I started college.  2) I'm doing grown up things.  I currently have that personal  and emergency savings account that I've always said I would work toward.  The only debt to my name is a small amount of student loans (I say small, because it is incredibly small for someone who have a 4 year BS degree, a certificate, and already two summer terms and a semester into a graduate program under their belt.)  I've thought about investing and retirement (I know...what has business school done to me).  3)  I seriously began drawing up some plans for a future business venture.  Thanks to some fabulous Christmas gifts, I already have some supplies to add to the business's assets.  :)  I have even thought about an investment opportunity...more details hopefully to come.

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So now what...you ask what are my resolutions for 2012.  Well, to be honest, I don't know.  I have learned that in the past writing down (or really typing up) some resolutions can be helpful in keeping them.  It offers a sense of accountability, even if there isn't anyone reading this blog.  However, in the past, sometimes resolutions have to be just erased from being major priorities when major life events occur, like a job change.  So...I leave it to you,the reader.  Should I make a list of resolutions?  If so, should I have ten like I have had in the past two years?  Or should I just list as many as I think necessary?  Should I be specific or general?  You tell me.  One thing I do want to do is blog more, but I want to know that I have some sort of an audience because it would be peace of mind that I'm not just blogging to blog.  I read a blog a couple of days ago (she probably doesn't even know that I read it) and I loved it because I got to know her better  (The author is a new friend that I met early in the semester.).  Originally, the idea of my blog was so that I could inform family and friends what I was doing all the way out in Johnson City.  Since now it is mostly, work, school, sleep...I need something else to write about.  Tell me what you want to hear from me.  I want it to be a little more like a conversation. If you want, you can submit a comment anonymously or use formspring to ask me a question.  But, please comment on the questions at the beginning of this paragraph!  Thanks for reading!

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New Year's Resolutions 2010:

1.) Try not to get upset when life has a few unexpected bumps.

2.) Realize that plan b or c or d may work out for the best. 

3.) Lose at least 35 lbs. before graduation by eating better and exercising.  

4.) Make all A's this semester. 

5.) Take more pictures. 

6.) Call my parents more often. 

7.) Send birthday cards.

8.) Have more laughs and smiles than "grr" moments.

9.) Save some money. 

10.) Blog more. 

New Year's Resolutions 2011:

1. Keep up the good work on all of the successful New Year's Resolutions from 2010.  

2. Don't let too many things go to the back burner.  Keep making progress on dwindling down the to-do lists.  

3. Become a healthier me.  

4. Call my parents more and visit more than just holidays.  

5. Send cards.  

6.Quit smoking.

7.Go to church more often.  

8.Go Camping!  

9. Finish my craft projects.

10. Continue to blog about life.