2010

The new year is upon us, finally. I love the holidays and I love all of the get togethers and family time, but there is always a part of me that is just so glad when it is all over. It seems that everything gets back to normal after the first of the year. I know that my motivations and eating habits are back to normal. I feel like I've gained a ton, but in reality, I didn't, so that's good. I am ready to re-prioritize, man.

List time! Here is my list of goals/resolutions/accomplishments I am hoping for in 2010:

• I struggled with this weight thing constantly in 2009. I would make headway and then get into the habit of ruining it all and blowing it. I am over that! I have clothes that I refuse to get rid of hanging in my closet collecting dust. I always tell myself that I WILL wear those clothes again, and this year I am going to work really hard to do it. I have this half marathon coming up in 13 days and I am ready for it! I've been good on the exercise, but the diet is what kills me. So, I plan on sticking with my running and getting to the gym more often, switch it up a bit. I really want to get into Spinning this year and maybe throw some Pilates in there as well. I hope the '10 will be more successful for me in the weight loss department than '09 was.
• Run more! I want to try to run at least 1 race per month. I like the 5k's, and would be happy to run a few more 10k's. Maybe even do another half-marathon. There are always tons of races to choose from, especially the closer we get to warmer weather. I really love this running thing.
• Save $$! I always told myself that I want to be a home owner by the time I was 30. Well, it's about that time. Yes, I got a little off track with my finances due to overwhelming debt, but I am in a much better place now and feel that I have better control of my credit/debt situation. I have worked up a nice little budget for both me and Max and hope to abide by it, religiously. I just feel that saving needs to be a priority for us and having a little one makes this goal the most important. I want to provide the best for my little one and being a homeowner makes me feel like I can make anything possible for her. Our goal is to save as much as possible, cutting out unnecessary expenses/extras, and accumulating enough by late 2010. With all of the help that is out there for first-time buyers, I think we will be able to become homeowners in late 2010 or early 2011.
• Job/Career. Make a decision about this company I am currently working for. It's a start-up and it seems to be going very well. We are very well funded and all, but there just seems to be something missing for me. I don't feel like there is anywhere to "move-up". There has been talk of some HR duties, but I'm not sure where that stands for now. I need to make a decision about getting my Masters. And if so, in what? History? Education? HR Management? It all depends on how this job goes. If I stick with it and there becomes a need for HR, then I am confident they will pay for at least half of my Masters. If not, then do I do the teaching thing, but get my Masters first and that way have an "in" to administration? Continue with my education in History and hope to one day become a professor? I just don't know. This one needs a lot of thought! It's in there, swirling around in my mind, though.
• Reconnect. I am going to try to make it a monthly thing, schedule permitting, to reconnect with old friends from my past. Whether it be a quick lunch or meeting for a drink or two, there are a few old friends that I hope to reconnect with and continue good friendships with.
• Stay connected with all of my gal pals. I am always a sucker for a game night, dinner, or drinks. I love all of my friends and I hope we get to hang out in the new year as much as we were able to in 2009.
• Make sure Lola is happy! We joined Gymboree yesterday. Went to the Play & Learn class and she absolutely loved it. It's a small group of toddlers aged 16-22 months and they have "lesson plans" that allows them to play with and learn certain activites. For instance, yesterday was Up & Down day. They got to climb, slide and bounce on ramps, slides, balance beams, etc. She had a blast. So they have weekly classes that we are enrolled in and every week we will go and play. I think this is good for her because 1) she's full of energy and it's a great way to expend some of that energy, 2) it's great for her development, and 3) it's just fun for her. I have been wanting to get her enrolled in something like this for the longest time, so I am glad I finally did it! As she gets older they offer additonal classes and I am really looking forward to starting a tumbling/gymnastics class!

Well, those are the only goals I can think of for now. I think, for the most part the majority of my attention will be on saving money. That means in order for hanging out with my ladies, there needs to be a lot of game nights! C'mon ladies, bring it!