2009 Resolutions...or, things I'd like to do before I'm 30.

**So I realize today is January 9th. I don't care. I put a lot of thought into these resolutions/goals and am just now posting them.

1. Take more risks - at work, with my personal life, fashion, etc. Not the "get yourself fired" kind of risks or anything, but try to push the envelope and encourage progressive thinking at work as much as I can. And, life is too short not to take risks that could result in happiness!

2. WORK OUT! I've been on quite a bit of a slump since I ran my 5K in September. Between the crunch of midterms through the end of the semester and the typical holiday sloth, it's time to kick it back into gear. I'd like to run a half marathon sometime before the end of the year and generally, be in as good, if not better shape than I was in September.
(*As of this posting I've been to the gym everyday this week.)
2(a). If you have any ideas, suggestions, races to run, etc. please pass those along. :)

3. Curb procrastination! Do homework and readings when assigned instead of at the last minute. Stay ahead of the game if possible.

3. Keep track of finances using (shameless plug) mint. com. So far, I love it.
3(a). Pay off car payment. Should be done this year!!!
3(b). Start an IRA.

4. Read the remaining unread books on my shelves and read 15 new, preferably some classics.

5. Say NO! Sometimes you just have to prioritize and say no to some things.

6. Learn to play guitar and/or piano. (Not sure when or how I will accomplish this just yet. Summer project?)

7. Take my lunch to work. Or, don't waste gas driving less than a mile home for lunch. It's nice to get out of the office during the day, but it's just as easy to make something ahead of time and take time to read the newspaper at the office instead. I will miss my guilty pleasure of "Days of Our Lives" though. :(

8. Visit friends more often. Travel more.

9. Entertain friends new and old at home.

10. Get my apartment more organized, purge things/clothes/items/paperwork I don't need, and simplify.

Need some fun ideas for your own resolutions/future plans? Check out this fun list:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/new-year-resolutions-you-can-keep?cat=11678

**EDIT: 11. Buckle down, sign up for the June 2009 LSAT, study, and get the darn thing over with so part II of my 5-year plan can begin.

NY Resolutions...

...aaaand I'm still working on them. Can't get motivated to finish. Is that a bad omen?

On the up side, I've worked out every day this week (I know, it's only Tuesday, but I'm on a roll people), I'm going shopping (for a bridal shower gift), ice skating, and hanging out with a new friend this weekend!

Here's to leaving 2008 behind and welcoming 2009!

2009 Races

Since I've set a goal of running a half-marathon before the end of the year, I've decided to track down a few races (5K) that I could use as motivation and training until then, and my options for half-marathons. So far, these are the options I find most intriguing:

3/7/09 - Miller Park Stampede, Bloomington IL
3/14/09* - Run to LSB 3K, Decatur IL (beer at the end...bonus)
(*Usually on St. Patrick's Day weekend, kicking off the Decatur parade.)
3/28/09 - Penguin in the Park, Decatur IL
4/11/09 - Illinois Marathon (and 5K), Champaign IL
4/11/09 - Lake Sara Dam Run, Effingham IL

5/2/09 - Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon, Indianapolis IN
9/13/09 - Chicago Half Marathon, Chicago IL


So, who is coming with me??

A long December, and there's reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last...

2008 - The Good


Spent NYE 2007 with a group of good friends from home, dressed as a pirate.

I had the pleasure and honor of attending the weddings of: Katie (Strejc) & Sean Fischer, Aimee (Showers) & Shine Lin, and Caleb & Kim Judy

Spent a wonderful weekend visiting awesome college friends in Findlay, OH. The bad: puked on twice by Baby Alex.

Shared good times with friends in Decatur.

Learned to trust my instincts, see red flags, listen to and trust my friends' and family's instincts (even after the fact), and really figure out what I want and deserve.

Lake of the Ozarks - almost dying in a potentially capsized pontoon boat, but meeting new friends :)

Visited old college friends in Chicago while taking an LSAT prep course. (Still trying to decide when to actually take the exam.)

Spent a weekend in Tennessee with college friends, went whitewater rafting and learned of Baby Minton!

Deciding to return to grad school and getting an A and a B!!!

Ran my first EVER 5K!!!

Helped to plan and host an extremely successful 10-year high school reunion

Jamby Crawl 2008 - 80's Hollywood (Flashdance baby!)

Home for the holidays, always good.

Celebrating the impending arrival of Baby Jacob and learning about Peanut Weber-Johnson!

Spending a fun NYE 2008 with pals in Memphis, TN!



2008 - The Bad & Ugly

Continued family drama over the death of Great-G'ma

The break-up and, I'm not too ashamed to admit it, lingering hostility and a little pleasant vindication for myself.

My friends' family health issues

Co-workers' family health issues/deaths


All in all, I give 2008 a B-. It could have been worse I suppose and I am truly thankful for the many, many, many blessings I do have. Not the least of which have been my friends near and far that have listened to me cry, complain, speak in triplicate when inebriated, put up with whatever I throw down. I hope I've done the same for them and will continue to work toward that end in the coming year.

Speaking of...resolutions coming shortly.

2008 in Review

I've been thinking of a "Year In Review" type post for the last few days and just happened upon this meme instead. Stay tuned for a similar post though after the New Year!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Rolled down a hill in a plastic bubble (Zorb)

Traveled to Arizona, California, and North Carolina for work.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I'll have to find them, but I think I did pretty well considering an interesting (shiteous) first third of the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Sarah A., Sarah B. and learned Lindsay M. was pregnant!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year.

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

More time to spend with friends and family.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Honestly? For better or worse, March 10.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Maintaining my sanity while working full-time and attending graduate school part-time.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I've come full circle, but I'd say trying, and usually failing, to think positively in painful situations. Additionally, not thinking really hateful things about some people who crossed my path this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing more than a cold or two. Oooh, and some hangovers. Yikes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My new laptop in February!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Tough one! I'm sure I couldn't narrow it down to just one.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Fortunately, it occurred early in the year (thus not spoiling the rest of my time!) and anyone who knows me, knows who I am referring to.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, car payment, then credit card debt.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

New Kids on the freakin' Block!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

"Wanted Dead or Alive" - Tennessee trip

"I'm Yours" - just for fun

"Stupid Boy" - on repeat

"So What" - also on repeat

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

• i. happier or sadder? Happier!
  
• ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner!
  
• iii. richer or poorer? Richer!
  

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Work out, practice my trumpet, study for the LSAT (still have a while though), play with Hunter

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Surfing the internet, doubting/blaming myself, being angry

20. How will you be spending New Year’s?

Celebrating on Beale St. in Memphis with Kathy, Lydia, Mike, Ben and Chuck

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Delusion might better describe it.

23. How many one-night stands?

Hmm...hey! I'm a good girl!

24. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I'm stealing this comment: "I resent certain peoples' behaviors and I make conscious choices to minimize my exposure to these behaviors...I just hate peoples' choices at times." I tend to agree, but I kinda hated on some folks. Meh.

26. What was the best book you read?

Before I had to read a pile of journals for class, I read "Dreams of My Father" by the President-Elect. Starting on the "Audacity of Hope" now.

27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?

Thunder Road - The Boss

28. What did you want and get?

A speaker dock for my glorious iPod

29. What did you want and not get?

Nothing much really. Pretty darn satisfied.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

I'm going with "The Dark Knight" or "Juno."

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Hm, not much really. I turned 28.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Studying for, taking and rocking the LSAT. February (or June) or bust!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Work clothes or jeans and t-shirts.

34. What kept you sane?

Facebook

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

David Gergen

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Seriously? This is a question? The election of President-Elect Barack Obama. DUH!

37. Who did you miss?

Family and friends I don't get to see often. Decatur friends, Weller friends, Southern Illinois friends.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I can't narrow that down!!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:

To not reflect too much on the past, but learn from it.

Forgive (sort of), but don't forget.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

Home for the Holidays!

After a trip that normally takes two hours took almost four, I made it home. The St. Louis area is pretty much covered in ice and is super slick. I just heard on the TV that Interstate 70 has been shut down (where, I don't know) for a crash, so thank goodness I left when I did.

Here's what I'm excited about for week and coming weekend:

• One "A" and one "B" in my graduate classes this semester! Not entirely surprised about the B, but pleasantly surprised about the A!
• Going to see some old friends at Fast Eddie's
• Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's and bagnacalda
• Christmas lights, luminaries, and Midnight Mass
• After-Christmas shopping
• Seeing the college gang for the baby shower on Sunday
  
• Family, friends and FOOD!
  

No Edgar

No Edgar
Originally uploaded by mitch.surprenant

Wow!
A. That's a really old sticker

B. It's paid for by my former "seasonal" employers, classic.

C. It was found in the MLK Jr. University Union at EIU where Jim Edgar is pretty much still regarded as a God

Hilarious.