New Year, New Post (channeling the carrie collection!)

After a much needed therapeutic holiday vacation, I feel rejuvinated! I feel ready to conquer! My teeth are sinking into 2008 and I'm really looking forward to a fresh start. 2007 was a growing year for me. Every year that passes, I honestly feel like I experienced the most growth of my life--which I see as a good thing. Change is scary, but very good and necessary.

Top Ten Highlights of 2007:
1. getting a "real job" {real meaning I have health insurance and a retirement plan}
2. becoming a DC resident and living with my bff, Iggy {although I'm beginning to rethink the high costs outweighing the good location. eeek.}
3. preparing for grad schools {actually taking the time to study for the GRE and make good contacts within the universities.}
4. increasing my cooking and baking skills {namely acquiring a pesto recipe and perfecting my scones recipe.}
5. summer reunion with my family and all the babies {i miss you guys!}
6. camping trip in shenandoah's {hiking, backpacking and using my new stove!}
7. becoming a car-less citizen and increasing my knowledge of local public transport.
8. visiting new mexico and learning how to contra-dance under the light of the moon.
9. becoming a regular at my shoe place and having a "shoe guy" who keeps me in the shoe loop {and who is also quite attractive}.
10. running 4.5 miles just for the hell of it.

So...those were my highlights. And I'm pretty sure I left out some major happenings, but give me a break. It's January 2nd and I am still trying to recooperate from the long vacation I just had.

My new years goals/resolutions were created last night, whilst I was falling asleep. My friend told me how she is interested in making attainable goals - short term and long term. I like her style, and so I'm partially copying her, but these are definitely things I'm interested in doing this year. And I hope these all happen.

1. Use my passport.
2. In partership with goal #1, go to Turkey, Greece, or Morocco.
3. Solidify my spanish. Become fluent.
4. Also in partnership with goal #1 and goal #3 - go to south america for a month or so to soak up the culture and brush up on my language skills.
5. Start grad school in the Fall.
6. redevelop my healthy eating habits {i.e. no more nacho cheese dorito binges and settle down with all the chocolate truffles}
7. use my gym membership, even if it is only $17 a year - it's still important to be physically fit and preserve this rock hard body.
8. develop my photography skills and re-organize my photos.
9. learn how to make good curry
10. work on my knitting - learn how to do a cable stitch

Already this year is shaping up to be great. I said all my swears at midnight to induct those into 2008 and went on a shopping spree at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Oh and the last 2 nights have been spent with loved ones and friends, and that will continue into tonight, when I see my friends band, The Nunchucks at the Black Cat!