Hope everyone is having a happy new year so far. Boy am I happy to see 2012 go - good riddance! I always do better in odd number years and since it's 2013, I have a feeling that I will have a very lucky year!
I'm not a big fan of resolutions. Resolutions put too much pressure on myself to be the kind of person that I'm not. And around February, when I've broken most of my resolutions, I feel like a complete loser. Why set yourself up for failure? I think this is why I love bucket lists. They encourage you to live in the moment and to help manifest what it is your really want out of your life. Here are some of the things I would like to accomplish in 2013....
In high school, French was my best subject. I spoke beautiful French. My knowledge of this romantic language came in handy when I travelled to Paris, Monaco, Montreal etc. But then I spent 6 months in Italy and it all when to merde! Because of my husband, I speak more Italian in my home than I speak French. I speak Fritalian! And sometimes my wires get crossed. I will hear something in Italian and answer in French. 'Cazzo di Merde! *Sigh* There's no reason why I shouldn't be able to find a group of francophiles to help improve mon francais. For crying out loud, I live in the Upper East Side - it's practically Little Paris!
In addition to improving my French, I want to learn Chinese. These days, I hear more Chinese spoken than I hear Spanish. I know it's a very challenging language but because I live in an city where my daily interactions are with people who speak Chinese, I should be able to pick it up quickly simply by practice. Perhaps after that, I'll tackle Russian...or perhaps put Russian on my 2014 list!
When it comes to my personal style, I want 2013 to be the 'Year of Oomph!' I'm usally pretty savvy when it comes to trends but last year, I feel I just let my style fall to the sideline. Working as a freelancer has it's perks - such as you get to wear whatever you want. But when the people in your building start to recognize you by the sweats you wear - that's a problem.
For 2013, I just want to be a better, more refined version of myself. I don't want to give myself a drastic makeover, or go on a $5,000 shopping spree (although that would be nice) - I just want to look more polished. Add a little oomph to my beauty regimen. Indulge in a new nail color. Add some shine to my hair. I've already started to play around with false eyelashes - what a drastic difference they add to your face. I look like I'm awake! So be on the look out for some fun HPT beauty posts to come in the near future!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Season is OVER! Over the holiday season, I overdosed on PSL. The idea of drinking another cup of coffee from Starbucks just makes my insides hurl. We even won't talk about the calories - just only the fact that I'm dried out and bloated. There has to be another way to get my energery back up in the afternoons....how about tea! I don't take advantage of wonderful tea shops in my neighborhood. Tea is great! Tea is cleansing! Tea is for me! I'm going to be a Tea Snob in 2013 - pinkies up!
I need to do more volunteer work. You know what, so does my dog. For awhile I've been thinking about turning Rocco into a Therapy Dog. It became evidently clear over our last visit from the park. I realized that he doesn't really care for other dogs, he loves people - and sticks. The next day, he threw up 10 sticks and that's when I realized that I wasn't using my pet to his potential. I think Rocco would make an excellent therapy dog. And the time bringing joy to elderly people or terminally sick children would be better spent than watching my animal run up the vet bill by eating more sticks!
2012 was the year of Staycation. My husband switched careers so we had to scale back on expesnes which meant no vacation and we are in desperate need of one. I want 2013 being the year of travel. If I travel to at least 3 roadtrip destinations, 1 west coast city and 1 international city - I will be an amazing year. Here is where I want to go go...
Roadtrips: Boston, D.C., Montreal, Florida (to visit Grandma and Disney - I'm overdue!)
West Coast Trips: Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, Hawaii
International Trips: Barcelona, Stockholm, Sydney, Paris, Rome (Joey's never been!) Shanghai, Tokyo, but most likely...London (this one's a given. My sister is in a relationship with a wonderul Brit and is planning to move there by the end of the year. She's going to need someone to help her unpack!)
I hate working out but I love to dance. Why do a ballet barre workout when I can just do ballet! In my "past-life" I was a performer I used to take dance classes at least 3 times a week. It wasn't fun because I was training for a show, or had to be in shape to audition. I hated auditions! Still do... But now that I've switched careers, taking a tap or jazz class can be fun again - mainly because my life won't depend on it!
As an illustrator, I have two goals for 2013. Get my work in the New Yorker and get my cards into Papyrus. Everytime I flip through the New Yorker, I am in awe the incredible illutrators such as Bob Staake. Everytime I walk into Papyrus, I get frustrated because I know that my illustrated cards deserve to be on their shelves. Now that I've proven that I can sustain a career as an artist, I want to be more serious about accomplishing these dreams.
So that's my 2013 Bucket List! What are some things you plan to accomplish this year? I would love to know - let's open the dialogue below and help inspire each other!
these are all great resolutions! I like that you're so into languages, and dancing is on my bucket list as well :) happy new year!
Posted by: Stephanie@Henry Happened | 01/02/2013 at 06:34 AM
- Good luck on all your bucket list goals! Happy New Year!
- tianna :)
Posted by: tianna @ suffocated bliss | 01/02/2013 at 07:01 AM
Great list, good luck with your goals this year! I'll be reading to see all that you're accomplishing.
Posted by: Bekuh | 01/02/2013 at 08:08 AM
Awesome list! I'd love to travel more this year, and brush up on my Chinese as well :-) Happy new year!
Posted by: Gloria | 01/02/2013 at 08:45 AM
Great list! and good luck with all of it :)
Cat
www.catgotdressed.blogspot.com
Posted by: Cat | 01/02/2013 at 09:14 AM
Great goals. Good luck!
Posted by: Nicole @ Treasure Tromp | 01/02/2013 at 11:12 AM
great list!
i took french all through out high school and sadly i've forgotten most of it :( i would love to brush up on that too!
Posted by: jess (creative index) | 01/03/2013 at 07:03 PM
I do have a list that i'm planning to accomplish for 2013... I made it in to a link up called 12 Things... So excited to get it starteeeddd...
I want to learn French so baddd
Posted by: Rima | 01/03/2013 at 10:02 PM
Nicole, you are so right about resolutions, but I decided to give it a go this year! Love your bucket list! I think it's impressive that you want to learn Chinese and I do need to drink more tea as well! -Jessica L
Posted by: Jessica L | 01/05/2013 at 07:16 AM