A Post About Nothing

Random thoughts:

• I am feeling super duper lazy tonight.
• Going non-stop from time you wake up to right about now will do that to you
• Must. Join. Gym.
• Really should work on a Marketing case review. Told partner I would have my half done by tomorrow night. (If you're reading this Katie, I will totes get my half to to you tomorrow, it just might be at 11:59 PM). 
• WTF was I thinking assigning myself a homework deadline for a Friday night?
• I really have no desire to do homework any more. 5 more months, 5 more months, 5 more months...
• I wish I'd had the spicy tuna roll in stead of the spicy salmon roll, but I read somewhere salmon is better for your with the Omega 3s and what nots.
• I wish my skin wouldn't get so damn dry during the winter. TMI? 
• Must resist urge to shop online.
• Must be a responsible almost-24-year-old and save money so I can move out of parent's house one day (soon).
• I have 3 shiny brand new magazines just waiting to be read.
• I'm going to read how Katy Perry and Russell Brand's marriage imploded now.

I thought I would never ever say this....

...but I wish I was that man.

...and this baby. Puppies!!!

Dailyfeats.com

I just found the most amazing website. www.Dailyfeats.com. You earn points for completing healthy daily habits from flossing your teeth to yoga to eating smaller portion sizes. And get this, after reaching a certain amount of points, you earn a gift card. So you literally get paid for making healthier choices.

This is what I have selected now, and below are just some of the other suggested goals.

2012 Resolutions

So now that I've given myself and everyone a little kick in the ass with the pep talk below here are my 2012 goals:

1. Graduate from Graduate School (without becoming a stressed-out crazy person no one wants to be around). This one is a bit of a no brainer, I will be walking in Commencement come May, but guys, working full time and going to grad school is. so. hard. My job is stressful. I work as a Care Coordinator (AKA admissions counselor) at a Residential Treatment Center (Google it if you don't know what that is). The two literally suck the life and money right out of you. So dear friends, please understand that I am not purposely alienating myself from you because I cannot go out to the bar every Saturday night like I use to, I'm just really really tired and have about 107 more pages to read in my Research Methods text. Dear J, please don't break up with me when I get super stressed and snap when you ask what movie I'd like to watch tonight. I don't mean it, and just tell me to relax. Dear Mom & Dad, please don't kick me out of the house when I become so miserable and sleep deprived between weeks 6 and 11 of the quarter. I will become your loving daughter once more when the quarter ends. That being said, I only have 5 more months of classes!!! aldkfja;dslkfj! The thought of this makes me so happy I could almost cry. I will have my thesis paper left to write after that, but psh, not thinking about that yet. 
2. Lose the damn weight. My goal is to lose 40 lbs this year. But not just lose the weight, but to gain stress coping skills through exercise. More to come on this subject.
3. Keep up with this blog. But that sort of goes hand-in-hand with the above goal. This is a weight loss/what ever the hell I want to talk about blog after all. I know, kinda hard to tell with the absence of weight loss huh?
4. See more of the US of A. This may be a bit far reaching, depending on if I can get the time off from work, but J and I are planning a cross-country road trip for 2012. I am ridiculously excited about this!

Get Off Your Bum and Just Do It

With a new year, comes new beginnings. There is a renewed sense of hope that you can do what you couldn't last year, what you failed at last year, what you never tried last year. I hate to make resolutions. I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure. But there is something to be said about mapping out your objectives, goals and ultimately your dreams. This is the perfect, albeit cliched, time of the year to reorganize and revitalize your life. We are not just insignificant beings aimlessly wandering around this Earth of ours without direction or meaning. What we do matters, not just for our own happiness and health, but to those around us. When trying something scary or reaching for something (whether it be a dream school, job, or even just talking to the cute stranger in line at the grocery store) that you may believe to be beyond your reach, is just not worth it. What if someone sees me struggling with this? What if I fail?

This has been a struggle of mine; the fear of success (or non-success rather). That may sound absolutely ridiculous to you, but this has been a very real fear throughout my life, and unfortunately I can look back with some regrets because of it. It is scary to put yourself out there for others to see and judge what you do. It can be absolutely terrifying, but in my almost 24-years, I'm starting to wise up to this; without risk there is no success. Without discomfort and challenge, there is no gain. And you may have people try to discourage you on your path, but guess what? They're jealous. Jealous that you are fearless enough to take a risk they are too scared to take themselves. Jealous that you are doing what they believe they cannot do for themselves. And yes, you might fail, but at least you can say you  tried. So here is my challenge for you dear readers, is to dream at least one crazy/terrifying/amazing thing that you want in your life, and start doing it. I dare you to think astronomical and extraordinary thoughts. Then be brave and start planning the little baby steps that will help you reach your goal.  Because I can guarantee that no one else is going to come along and do it for you. YOU have to make it happen. This is not a challenge that I am extending just to you, but also to myself.

Took a New Year's Day walk at the park with Annie the Golden Doodle and Mom.

And if you made it all the way to the end of this photo bomb, here's a video of Annie freaking out by a garbage can and seagulls struggling against the wind:

Get ready 2012, because you're about to get owned. 

Picture Source