Resolutions

I think the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions was made for me. Lists and goals are basically my two favorite things.

I stumbled upon my list from last year and loved reading my resolutions from a year ago. The funniest part was that the specific list was written 2 years prior, but I found the resolutions so fitting, I kept them for another year! Some were met, others never started, but I think I learned a few things from reflecting on how I wrote my resolutions.

This year, I wanted to make my resolutions measurable. Instead of resolving to “get healthy” I want to set a goal of exercising at least 2 times per week. Instead of saying that I want to learn more about photography, I resolve to complete a 365 project.

Since I’m in the habit of continually setting goals or mini-resolutions, I also wanted to focus my New Year’s Resolutions on items that would set the tone for the year. What do I want my entire year to center around?

For the last 6 years (or arguably 18…), I’ve had my nose buried in textbooks and have been all-consumed by school. Since graduation, I’ve looked back and looked forward and realized that I want balance to be a continuous goal I strive for. So with the theme of balance in mind, I’ve decided to set New Year’s resolutions that address all of me - the mind, body, and heart (“mind, body, and soul” sounded a bit cliché…not sure that the substitution of heart for soul really shakes things up, but it works for me J).

I’m so excited for a fresh list of intentions and a fresh start. I’m really looking forward to checking back on my list here and seeing how I am doing throughout the year.

• Complete a 365 project – I’ve become enamored with photography and for Christmas I was blessed to receive a DSLR camera! I love that I know so little about photography and that I have so much to learn! This year I want to participate in the 365 project in which you take 1 photo a day for a year. I’ve wanted to do this for years and I feel like this is a perfect time to get started! While the 365 project does not need to have a theme, I love the idea of having my own 365 project revolve around happiness. I’m excited to make it push me to pick up my camera each and every day for the next year.
• Make 50 new recipes – At the end of 2012, I finally started picking up some cookbooks and trying new and different recipes! I so enjoy cooking and baking, so this year I’d like to try at least 50 new recipes.
• Read 12 books – Once I graduated from grad school, I felt like I discovered reading for the first time. I was able to guiltlessly indulge in books and escape through the stories during a tough summer. This year, I’d like to read at least 12 books. 

• Exercise at least 2x weekly – I have fallen way out of the habit of working out and I feel really unfit. Although I would like to see myself exercise much more frequently, I’m resolving to exercise at least twice a week. Wish me luck!
• Learn where my nutrients are coming from – I want to eat more healthfully and part of that involves making sure that my body is getting what it needs. This year I want to learn what foods supply which nutrients, how much my body needs of each, and how my diet is supplying it. I’m starting with this book.

• Find a church community – I resolve to find a church in Baltimore that feels like home. 
• Volunteer – Throughout this year, I want to find a volunteer somewhere often (maybe here or here or here).

2012 in Review

New Year's Eve last year - ringing in 2012!

2012 was good to me. A challenging year, but a year so full of blessings. I turned 24, graduated from graduate school with a master’s degree, moved out of Pittsburgh, spent a summer soaking in time with my nieces and nephew, experienced overwhelming joy as my best friend Heather welcomed her baby boy into this world, I accepted my first job, moved to Baltimore, celebrated 3 wonderful years with Scott, celebrated 3 years of being vegan, helped my mom fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the Pennsylvania Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker, and rang in the New Year with the love of my life and good friends. Here’s to 2013! I’m so looking forward to what it has in store!

357 Days until Christmas

It has been so silent on here! This month was so full of Christmassing and work! Work was busy in December wrapping up loose ends before the Christmas break. In between the workdays, I found time to enjoy the season. Ever since I was a little girl, I looked for ways to soak in every second of December and make the spirit of the Christmas season as tangible and present as possible. I always searched for ways to make it feel MORE like Christmas and to enjoy each moment more. My favorite example is the year I thought it’d be a great idea to celebrate the Christmas season by going on a “Christmas Diet” the entire month of December in which I’d eat nothing but candy canes, Christmas sweets, and hot chocolate. Things really haven’t changed all that much..

Scott and I spent a weekend going to the Symphony of Lights at the Merriweather Post Pavilion and Zoolights in DC. We also celebrated Christmas a bit early this year before his family left for vacation. We had our own Christmas morning together with Scott even checking to see if Santa came before he let me see the presents under my (very tiny 2 ft tall) Christmas tree. We opened gifts together in our pajamas and had a delicious breakfast of tofu scramble and cinnamon buns. We forgot to take pictures while wrapped up in the moment but I promise that Santa treated us both very well.

Christmas with Scott was followed by Christmas in NJ with the family. All of my brothers, nieces, and nephew were there; having everyone together was amazing. I wish we could have slowed the whole day down and stretched it out even longer. I have a feeling that I’ll be wishing that every Christmas. The day (and the season) just can’t last long enough.

Monumental

If you want Christmas shot through your veins, if you want to be surrounded by people bundled in mittens and scarves, if you want to be engulfed in the scent of crepes (crepes!), hot chocolate, and cider, if you want  to sing Christmas carols in chorus with strangers and choirs, if you want to get teary-eyed from the most beautiful fireworks display ever (EVER), go to Mt. Vernon next December, dress warmly, and watch the mayor light the Washington Monument like a Christmas tree. Dear Baltimore, I'm falling for you.

Beirut

The song "Elephant Gun" by Beirut is amazing. I first heard it in December, so I always find myself listening to it around this time of year. I love everything about this song and video. Try to not watch it more than once; I dare you.

Christmas in Bawlmer

Baltimore loves Christmas. Its wonderful to see the city embrace this time of year with open arms. This weekend, one of my very best friends, Liz, came to visit and do some exploring. We caught up over dinner and French Pear Martinis at a beautiful French restaurant called Marie Louise Bistro. Although not typically very vegan-friendly, I have a huge soft spot for French restaurants partially because of my dreams to travel there and partially due to my short stint at Paris 66 in Pittsburgh. It was a perfect, low-key night.

We spent most of the day on Saturday in Hampden. Hampden is a unique and quirky part of Baltimore that has quickly become my favorite area of this city (Its a tough choice, though! This city has a lot to offer!). We found tons of antique and thrift stores, small businesses, and coffee shops. We crossed a few Christmas gifts off our lists and bought a thing or two for ourselves (I got 2 beautiful maps to frame and hang on my wall!).

We then headed over to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for the Annual Parade of Lighted Boats. We sat with our hands warmed by peppermint mochas and watched as dozens of ships of all sizes sailed by covered in Christmas lights! Each boat had its own personality: some were witty, others were clearly party boats, many were traditional in style, some were huge, others embraced how small they were. It was amazing! My favorite was a pair of ships that carried flying lighted reindeers with Rudolph leading the pack. On the back of the ship was the nativity scene as a reminder of the reason for the season! It was so exciting to see so many different people get involved in a city tradition. The parade was followed by a Christmas light show on the Power Plant with fireworks and flames. Our night ended with cheap mexican food and classy martinis. Another perfect evening with a great friend.

I'm looking forward to continuing to experience how this city celebrates the season! The Lighting of the Monument is this Thursday and I'm hoping to see the "Miracle on 34th Street" in Hampden in the next few weeks!

Happy December!

Catching up

My goodness, time flies. Just yesterday, on October 5, I posted my first blog post here before heading to a Walkmen concert with Scott. Now, its nearly December.

The last two months were very full. I moved to Baltimore, started a new job, and spent 3 days waiting for a hurricane to pass.  I was a bridesmaid in a wedding, caught the bouquet, and danced my toosh off the whole night with Scott. I received my first paycheck, furnished my apartment, and made my first student loan payment (of many). I went from a 7ish-hours-by-car-or-more-by-bus long distance relationship to a 45-minute-by-train long distance relationship and celebrated a 3 year anniversary with a wonderful man. I started a cooking project, started a new book (or 2), and started (and finished!) a few crafts. I watched Halloween sneak past me and celebrated Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. I strengthened old friendships and made a few new ones. I set new goals and abandoned old ones.

…And all this in less than 2 months.

I started this blog in October because I anticipated an exciting, new beginning, full of many things to write about and remember. My new beginning was full, indeed, but it was best to process it and live it the way I did, without documenting each step along the way.

Now that I’m a little more settled, I’m feeling ready to jump in. I’m excited to use this tiny corner of the internet as a creative outlet and as a place to document my life as it is.