2010 Lifestyle Adaptations

With such a “Debbie Downer” post yesterday…thought I would publically (and therefore also hopefully adding accountability) announce my 2010 goals and action plan for meaningful living.

1. Fitness- college, holidays and excuses have gotten me out of shape and more cushy than I’d like to admit. I am making a commitment to fitness. I’d like to restart Bikram Yoga…however, due to a 8-5 work schedule, budget and dogs that need to see the light of day…it will probably have to be a weekend thing. So long walks and slowly, pick up running again. This also means saying goodbye to my Camels. Doctors appointment for Chantix.

2. Food- in general, less of it. This one clearly goes hand in hand with the fitness. Adam and I will be going back on a low carb, high veggie, high H2O diet. This will mean that we will have to cut out Little Caesar’s nights, Chinese Movie Nights, popcorn, cookie making and pretty much all of our fatty habits(we are both fat kids at heart). He and I have both done it before and we rise victorious again! I foresee a reset in my calorie calculator app on my iPhone.

3. Devil’s Water- putting it all away. Plain and simple. Time to find enriching ways to spend time…not destructive.

4. Intellectual- plans to invest in some graphic design classes. I’m tired of conception without creation. I have the $$ (thanks to graduation!) for a Mac. I want this one. New job offered to pay for some training. I just graduated but need to continue my skill set, so someday I can strike it rich (or at least strike it totally off of mom’s tab). More frequent blogs…to continue my online presence and keep me in the mix. Also, must play around with Google Wave. Reading! I have already, but must get back into books.

5. Spirituality- this one is a little more personal. I have been slowly searching of something to speak to my soul. I believe I am close but want to continue seeking.

Reflecting on the year was a downer. Looking at accomplishable goals makes me enthused and energized. New Year’s will go out with a bang up in the mountains…lots of friends, laughter, food, drink and fun. Then it’s business time literally and figuratively!

Swan Song:2009

With a New Year quickly approaching, it seems fitting to reflect upon the last year and oneself. I don’t believe that I am alone in saying that 2009 was a difficult, trying year.

Clearly, the economy was a huge downer. There were many that struggled far more than I and it was heartbreaking to hear the hardships of the people I know and love in addition to millions of Americans suffering.

I can’t say that I am really reflecting on the weight of the world right now…more of the weight of my world. It seems like such a long year, one that that has dragged on. Last winter seems like decades ago, even though it wasn’t. I feel as though I have been spending this whole year in limbo…waiting for my life to change. Waiting to graduate college, waiting to land a job, waiting for everything to fall into place.

In that time of limbo, I believe that I have settled, made excuses for myself and given myself contingencies… “ when this happens…then I will do that.” It is no way to spend a year. It is no way to spend a life. I do not look fondly upon this year in terms of my own action and growth. I have not grown as a person. There were certainly things beyond my control in 2009 but many within…

There were many positive things. I became a dog owner, I saw a close childhood friend get married, loved my family, made new friends, explored Greece, graduated college and found that job. However, I would like to feel overall positive instead of only being able to highlight positives.

I’m determined to change in 2010. I’ve spent all of December thinking of it. I am determined to regain control and live a life I’m proud of. Right now, I don’t feel like I’m living it right…and that is my greatest fear—to waste life away.

I’m scared. I’m terrified of failure. I just know, deep down inside, that I this is the year I become an adult. This is the year I take control.

Bah Humbug?!?

I cannot seem to find the holiday spirit. Don’t misunderstand me, I am definitely enjoying the perks of the holidays but I don’t feel that special, internal buzz.

I’m certainly no Grinch, but I can’t help but think that perhaps my heart has grown 3 sizes too small. I always am anxiously anticipating the arrival of December! I drink Peppermint Mochas in November. I make lists, I save, I plan, I bake…I am always the spirit of Christmas incarnate. This year is just different. I believe that the problem with all of the above is that there is too much “I” and too much expectation. Right?

2009 has been a difficult year for everyone. I think everyone is feeling a little roll over and go to sleep (if you catch my drift) Stepping back for perspective, I have nothing to feel ungrateful or sadness about. Guess the end of the year has caused me to become reflective. Perhaps I am not “Little Miss Christmas” this year. Through all of this Christmas strife, I’ve found that most people struggle through the holidays—and for better reasons than not just “being in the mood.”

Whole-ly Foods!

As a self proclaimed foodie, I jumped at the chance to do Thanksgiving Shopping at the Whole Foods headquarters in Austin.

I’ve been to the store before but had not had time previously to just get lost in whole foods heaven. Upon walking into a Whole Foods, it just reminds you of what you are missing when shopping at supermarkets. Don’t get me wrong, I love and can afford my neighborhood Publix; but, they don’t even hold a candle to something like this.

The store itself is a massive maze of the freshest and most delicious edibles you can imagine. They have three different sections for cheese! You can open a bottle of vino in the store and enjoy while shopping! They have fresh food bars, literally, everywhere. You can sit and eat fresh pasta, have sushi rolled before your eyes or drool in the dessert section (mental note: must put chocolate fountain on Christmas List). Not only is the food at the Whole Foods Austin incredible, the atmosphere is so energizing.

Everyone in that store is happy to be there. You have to park in an Ikea-esque deck and go up an escalator to enter…people are coming for a reason. Now, I enjoy dancing in the aisles of my local grocer, but never have I brought my iPod and rocked out while shopping. People do that there! Perhaps it is Austin, or perhaps everyone was just as jazzed about the food as me…but they have something infectious going on there.

Needless to say…but I’ll say it…Whole-ly Foods!!