Sometimes I'm a little late to the game - even when the game is just rolling over into the next calendar year - it takes me a couple weeks to adjust. Have you all made your New Year Resolutions? Since I typically fail at keeping resolutions, I decided to try something different in Twenty Twelve, and instead of making a lengthy list of minor things to change, I set 4 big goals for myself - and I'm very happy to say that I achieved 3 out of 4 of these 1-year goals. I can't share all of them here (two are career-related), but I will say that starting this blog (and maintaining it) was one of them!
I'm so excited for what 2013 is going to bring, but in the meantime I've also been reflecting back on 2012. Between working hard, practicing a lot of Bikram, and keeping various commitments, I had a lot of FUN in between....
I Got Outdoorsy...Taz and I had a Winter getaway in Woodstock...we picked apples and went hiking at Mohonk Mountain in the Fall...and during the Summer we camped, we white-water-rafted, we dashed, and we saw some really beautiful waterfalls. We slept in a tent by a river, in an air-conditioned cabin, and in tents on two different campgrounds. And when a storm came in one day, we stayed at this charming place.
I Got Behind the Lens...documenting my meanderings around my favorite borough, Brooklyn.
I Got Physical...completing a 30-Day Bikram Challenge (another one of my big 2012 goals!), taking assorted vinyasa classes, and celebrating the Summer Solstice with a mass yoga class in Times Square. I ran, I swam, and I biked for the first time since I was a kid.
I Got Cooking...my Italian family was impressed by my pizza and pasta recipes, but I kept it healthy too. Of course, there was always room for dessert.
I Got Crafty...giving my living room an update with a new coat of paint and some new paintings (with help from Taz!) And then I curated my bookshelves.
I Got Cultural...making the museum rounds at the Met, the Whitney, and the Guggenheim. I checked out the DUMBO arts festival and Photoville in Brooklyn, and I was fortunate to attend the opera, a ballet, and be a guest at a Chinese New Year celebration (parade included).
I Got Older...I turned 28 and celebrated with friends, family, food, wine, and a swingle.
I Got asked to be a Maid of Honor...Actually that happened at the end of 2011, but I was there in 2012 when my sister Kim picked out her wedding dress, and now bridesmaids dresses have been picked, and Save the Dates (that I designed) are soon to be on the way!
I Got into the Christmas Spirit... Taz and I hosted our third, and favorite holiday party by far...Photobooth included.
I Got Social...online and in real-life. Yeah, I started this blog, and joined Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram. These are fun tools to share little parts of my life. But besides sharing this stuff, I actually just enjoy living my life, surrounded by the people I love. I spent more time with family and friends (and of course, Taz)...they all made this year extra joyful for me. I hung out with lots of inspiring people, made some new friends, and re-connected with a few old ones. And I thought a lot about how lucky I am.
I tried new foods, read some really good books, took long walks, attended my first Kirtan, went to my littlest sister's Quinceanera, played a ridiculous game of Taboo, went to see live bands, had a picnic in the park, bbq'd, and saw some really beautiful sunsets.
2012 is going to be hard to beat, but I'm counting on 2013 to be just one great continuation. But instead of watching sunsets this year, I've decided to be on the lookout for some really beautiful sunrises.
