2013

I left my job of five years.

I nannied lots of cute children, in Seattle and New York.

I was a bridesmaid in my best friend Laura's wedding... In Hawaii!

 I cried happy tears when Josh gave me a ring and asked me to marry him.

When Josh got into not one but two type design programs for the summer and the school year, we packed up our life in Seattle and moved... 

First to New York, where we sweated our butts off...

Then to Den Haag, in the Netherlands. Canals, castles, a language barrier. But it was a nice change after a crazy summer in a crazy city. 

 I cut my hair off!

And at the very end of the year, lost my Grandma Phyllis. Which brought me back to the States to my family, with whom I'll celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.

It's been one of the most crazy years of my life! So eventful. So exciting. Quite a roller-coaster. Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!

Should We Talk About New Year's Resolutions?

just two of my favorite people: Lady Gaga and Alan Carr


Yes, everyone, we do need to talk about resolutions, because that's what the month of January is all about: setting slightly unrealistic but ever-hopeful goals for yourself. I mean, who knows if I actually stuck with my 2011 resolutions; good thing I don't have evidence of them or anything. That was a whole year ago! Things have changed.

My boyfriend Josh has unknowingly helped me form a few of these resolutions, and will hopefully keep me accountable as we spend 2012 together... Have I told you lately that I'm sort of mad about him? Sorry to gushy.

But in all seriousness, I really want 2012 to be an unforgettable year. No, I'm not worried about the world ending. But lately I've been reminded of how fleeting life is and how fast everything goes. So without further ado...

#1. Get my financial ass in gear. I am a bit horrible with money. But I am ready to make some improvements. I have a book that I'm going to read about how to get into financial "shape," and Josh has offered to help me with some sort of retirement mutual fund thingy (I'm effing clueless about these things). It's going to be tough, because I like to live well -- nice meals, nice clothes, etc. -- but I can do this!

#2. Have fun. I stole this one from Josh. This is his new year's resolution. Simple and perfect. The thing about us is that we are very happy not doing anything. Except lying in bed and watching this or that show. And as much "fun" as that can be, we've promised to push each other to be more adventurous, more outgoing, and more spontaneous. What did we do last night? We got Vietnamese takeout and watched this show in my bed. But it's only the fourth day so give us a break!

#3. Regularly attend dance class. I sound like such a broken record when I say that I really want to start dancing again. I did a lot of dancing when I was younger, whether I was taking classes or in school performances, and I've been really missing that form of art, expression, and exercise.

#4. Learn how to play the ukulele. Josh got me a ukulele for Christmas!!!!!!! It's beautiful. I want to play the ukulele because it's a pretty simple instrument and I am not gifted in the world of musical instruments. I've already discovered that I'm horrible at the simple task of strumming, so I feel like this is going to take awhile :) But Leslie has volunteered to "jam" with me, and before you know it we'll be You Tube stars.

#5. Improve my Etsy business and art. I'm astounded at the positive response I've received since I opened my Etsy shop. And very thankful for the opportunities that have popped up. In fact, **something really exciting pertaining to my art is happening and I'm very excited to share it with you tomorrow.** I'm looking forward to adding new things to the shop, improving my artistic skills, and just seeing what opportunities will come my way!

#6. Read more. Pretty self-explanatory. I just feel like I haven't been reading enough, and that's a very important source of inspiration and comfort for me.

Goodbye, 2011

There were delicious dinners...

New friends...



Birthdays...



Spontaneity...



Weekends away...



The ever-constant Dot...



Meeting him...



National holidays...



A mother/daughter vacation...



Saying goodbye...



Successes...



Road trips...



Shenanigans...



...2011 was a very good year.

So this is the new year...

Last year's resolutions didn't go quite as planned (but what resolutions ever do?).

I think I have lost a little bit of weight actually, which might have to do with the fact that I kind of sort of run now. Awesome!

I think I made a total of three recipes from Julia Child's main cookbook. Oh well; more this year, I suppose.

"Eat more vegetables." Who knows if I accomplished this. Who knows....

And lastly, I definitely have NOT begun writing any sort of memoir. Bahahaha. MAJOR FAIL.

But this is what I did accomplish in 2010... I began painting again. I sang in public. Twice. I ended a relationship and am still very happy with that decision. And most of all, I had fun! 2010 was a fun year, no?

Ok, so resolutions for 2011....

Open an Etsy shop to sell my paintings in

Seriously consider (and take all the appropriate steps toward) becoming a teacher (yeah, I know, right?!)

Go somewhere I've never been before

Become an even BETTER runner (Any running coaches out there want to help me out?)

Continue singing... just for fun. I don't want a music career or anything. :)


Wish me luck!

Do the Pretty Girl Rock

New Year's Eve: ritual gettin-ready photos at B & A's house

Practicing dance moves

We had so. much. fun.

I love my friends.

A Note From the Universe on a New Year

Soon the new year starts, so now's a great time to:

1. Wipe the slate clean.
2. Focus upon what you really want.
3. Chart your course.

Right?

Well... only if you want to risk having to repeat these steps for the same wishes next year! Maybe this is splitting hairs, but here's an adventurous alternative:

1. Give thanks that life is... just as it is (and that it's been... just as it's been). Because of it, you're now "READY."

2. Define what you want in terms of the end result. Don't worry about the hows, or even the course. KNOW that what you want is ALREADY yours in spirit, by divine LAW, just focus on the certainty of this ownership, understand it, claim it, and "it will be on earth, as it is in heaven (spirit)."

3. LET THE UNIVERSE show you the way via your impulses and instincts that appear as you take inspired action. Don't worry that your first steps seem silly or futile. And if you don't know what to do, do anything! Go! Get busy! Do not insist on intermediary successes, only upon the end result.

2011 is going to be your year (it already is),

The Universe