
I can hardly believe it’s a new year. I’m not entirely sure what happened to 2009, but there you have it. I took off work from the 23rd through the 1st, which was heavenly. Eric and I took a break from the gym and I got a break from work and school. I can’t begin to tell you how nice it was to spend so much time with Eric. We also spent some time with both our families, as you can see from my previous post about the Eggnog & Dessert Party.
But, now here it is Monday – back to work, back to the gym, back to school. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle what’s next for me. Eric and I have been watching Season 4 of The West Wing, and I just love this show. I never watched it when it was on tv, but I am loving watching the seasons on DVD. But, one of the things I love about the President, is he always says “what’s next?” and he says it with such enthusiasm and energy. I am going to add that attitude into my life in 2010 – to always be excited and enthusiastic about my next challenge. It keeps the momentum moving forward rather than allowing me to worry or analyze the past or stay stuck in whatever I’m stuck in.
The big things on my agenda for the beginning of the year are finishing school and ramping up my fitness and health program (ie – losing weight and getting healthy). Although I did lose weight both at Thanksgiving (2.4 pounds) and at Christmas (1 pound), I am now up from where I’d been hanging out. So, first things first is to get back to where I was before all the eggnog. I go to see my doctor next week and I’d like to have some progress to show.
I’d also like to see some greater attention to taking care of myself this year – that means taking care of my body, my skin, my stress levels, etc.
And as for reading and writing – both of which fall under the category of taking care of myself, I’d like to see more entries in my journal this year. And for reading, I made it to 20 books in 2009, so I’d like to challenge myself to 30 in 2010. I think that’s a reasonable goal, and it will be enjoyable getting there. Here’s a list of what I read in 2009:
The God of Small Things*
Two for the Dough
Giovanni and Lusanna*
Dead Until Dark
Pillars of the Earth
Three to Get Deadly
Old Masters: A Comedy*
Dark Lover
Bitter is the New Black
The Man Who Loved China*
Lover Eternal
The Elegance of the Hedgehog*
Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
Vampire Diaries: The Struggle
The Lovely Bones
The Host
Lover Awakened
Lover Revealed
The Leopard* (did not finish)
Drums of Autumn
The Hunger Games
*Read for Artful Readings Book Club.

So, although I kind of hesitate to make New Year’s Resolutions, because we all know the stigma attached to that, I’m going to go ahead and set my intentions for 2010.
1. Finish School
2. Recommit to my fitness and health program (resulting in reaching my goal weight)
3. Take care of my skin
4. Journal
5. Read 30 books
And of course, my mind this year will be focused on “What’s Next?”. Happy New Year!