Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2011 Resolutions and Goals

Alrighty everyone.. I have seen about 47 thousand of my fellow bloggers post about their Goals and resolutions for 2011 (the better be doozies too.. I hear its going to be the last year we have.) Its this time of the year that every regular gym goer dreads because whats the number 1 New Years Resolution in America? Losing weight. The sad truth is that only about 5% of those people that make the resolution to lose weight will keep with their plan past January.. but it does make getting a treadmill at the gym like a James Bond mission. It requires stealth, cunning and maybe shooting a few people along the way.

 Anyway.. I decided that I should come up with some goals for 2011. I think that 2011 is going to be a really stellar year for me (fingers crossed) because its going to be full of a bunch of new things! I have goals for my health, career, relationship, and future.

1. Finish my MBA on time (May 2011) and graduate with a 3.8 GPA or higher. Right now I have managed straight A's except for one class (Damn advertising B + BS) and so it is possible if I bust my butt for all the courses I have to finish. Its going to be really tough because I am going to be working full time and taking 4 Masters courses all at the same time. I forsee some all nighters, a lack of sleep and some stress enduced breakdowns in my future but I just have to always remember that its all for a goal!

2. Make the move to the South and stop being a gypsy! My goal for the last two years has been to finish my degree and move my life down to Charlotte NC to start a life with my special guy. (Long distance blows.. I dont want to do it any longer than I have to) and so right now I am trying to secure an apartment and a job. If anyone can help me with some information in either of those areas let me know. I want a career that will set me on the path for advancement and that I like to go to everday.. I want it to be a source of money but not my life. I have moved into a different apartment, dorm, house etc every year since moving to pittsburgh and to tell you the truth.. its exhausting and it makes you feel like theres no point in really making any place youre staying your "home" because youre just moving in 12 months anyway. So why would you buy nicknacks or bother to decorate very much? I want to build a home.. something that represents me, us and a place that I can feel comfortable that I will be staying in for longer than a year long lease.

3. Continue by healthy lifestyle even after the move
I think that too many couples end up moving in together, getting comfortable and gaining a little extra love around their midsections. I really want to make sure that I keep up my gym regimine and healthy eating even in Charlotte. I dont think anyone should ever want to stop looking attractive for their significant other..While I know that he would think I look beautiful in a hoodie and sweatpants as in formalwear.. I think its really important to keep trying to keep yourself healthy and happy and in turn youll feel better within your relationship.

4. I want to make connections and new friendships. Moving gives me the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in things that Pittsburgh doesnt have. There are running clubs, meet up groups, networking events everywhere you turn. The city is just so young that there is always something going on.

5. Keep in touch with my true friends from Pittsburgh. I am a real believer in that true friends are the ones you stay in touch with and every one else is just an acquaintance. I have best friends that I havent lived in the same city with for years but I see them often, talk to them for hours and appreciate them as people. I also have amazing friends in Pittsburgh that I will always want to remain friends with.. they've done so much for me and been there through a lot of situations. I am blessed for them and I dont want to let a few states distance make a difference in our friendships. I am really hoping that I have a lot of visitors and can make a trip to Pittsburgh every few months to see family and friends.

Well those are my goals for 2011. I think that its going to be a very happy and exciting year. I know that no one can know what the future holds.. all we can do is think positively and realize that I am in the home stretch to total adulthood.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Christmas has lost is luster

Good Morning everyone,

I took a break from blogging for the holidays.. mostly because I was traveling and didnt want to have to lug my computer onto on airplane or spend time that should be spent with loved ones in front of this screen. This holiday was definately one for the records books and not necessarily for good things. Christmas this year was basically ruined by family drama coming from all four corners..the kind that makes you wish you hadnt even bothered to drive home. It is funny to me now to think that I was worried about how I was going to resist the temptations of delicious foods on the way there and on the way back my plate was full with such craziness.

To make matters worse, I was supposed to spend the remainder of my vacation in Charlotte with my significant other which was only to be thwarted by a large snow storm hitting the east coast. I had to book a flight instead of driving which pushed my trip back two days. I was really upset because all I wanted was to get away and be in a new place and circumstances beyond my control were preventing me from getting there.

After a days waiting, a delayed flight and a 30 second layover in Cincinatti (i had to run from one terminal to the other bc of the delay) I was finally in Charlotte and decided to give myself a real vacation because I needed it. So I decided I was going to spend the week enjoying the company of my friends and my boyfriend.. eat and drink what I wanted..not overindulge but not really filter. If I wanted a beer or a piece of home made pizza while we were out then I was going to get one and not feel bad about it. I really needed to fully get away from anything about my old routine and I succeeded. It was wonderful.

Dwayne and I looked at apartments, ate good food, drank good wine, had some crazy bar experiences and laughed with good people. That my friends is the only cure for a disappointing and stressful Christmas.

We rang in the new year with a delicious meal (I had a shrimp rigatoni dish, ceasar salad and we shared a pecan tart) .. it was delicious and then danced the night away until 12 hit and we welcomed 2011. As you can see by our awesome dancing and singing..



I am optomistic for 2011.. I think it is going to bring around some really amazing changes in my life.. a new city, a new living situation, new friends, new climate, a new degree.. new everything and I am really excited.
I have to buckle down this semester and bust my butt to finish this Masters degree and then the world is open to me... and you better believe I am going to capitalize on it.