Resolutions

I have never been one for resolutions. Yet this year, I felt compelled to make a few promises to myself.  As the sands of time ended for 2011, I felt a nostalgia wash over me. The year had been so good. My niece was born, traveling occurred, professional growth, and a marriage are some of the marks of the year. It was bittersweet bidding au revoir to 2011.  However, I know 2012 will be equally special (minus the fabulous wedding celebrating my love for my husband and his for me). Paris is on the horizon, along with further travels to family across the country, and who else knows! So to ensure that I am prepared for this coming year, and prepared most importantly to pamper myself, here are my promises: Be fit, be positive, and get stuff done.  So how am I doing so far a mere 5 days in....

Be fit:  I have gone to the gym twice and have every intention of heading there again this weekend.  David and I have a renewed appreciation for home-cooked dinners.  Healthy, simple meals during the weekday and no cheating at work have made these first five days accomplished.

Be positive:  The students at school can be quite demanding. After two full weeks of only talking to at most four people in a day, I am catapulted into a room of 17 voices each with their own needs, demands, and constant questions.  However, I am keeping my cool and reminding myself to be present, kind, and interested in all of them and all that they do.  By being their cheerleader, I find that they are very receptive to later more critical feedback. At home, I am out and about and working on finding/making the time to be personally fulfilled. Tonight, I will be reading a book for pleasure, a true luxury.

Get stuff done: Paris is 65 days away.  In response to this fabulous event, I have started taking classes through an adult education program to learn French and each night I am working on French skills, grammar, vocabulary, and lots and lots of flash-cards on quizlet. Lastly, I am cultivating my pipe-dream of attending a graduate program at Stanford and preparing to take my GREs this year.

Now that it is out on this blog being read by, my hope is, someone other than myself these promises will have to stick!

Happy 2012 everyone.  May this be a positive year in your life too!