12.31.2010

2011...Here I Come

I'd say this year was pretty much a 50/50 split of what I wished had happened. I can honestly say I enjoyed January-July much more than August-December. I was with spending time with family, friends, loving life, and making big plans.

As of today, I've lived here in Florida for 142 days. I know that this experience was different than anything I've ever done and ever will do. That does not mean I had the time of my life here or would wish it on anyone. I'm happy I did this internship. I learned a lot while I was here about myself, work, living alone, etc. That being said, I can't wait to go home and never come back to Florida to live here ever again. Vacation? Yes please. Living here permanently? Hell no.

In her blog, my friend Lauren talks about how our hometown isn't a good fit for her and it makes sense. She and a small town in New Jersey make no sense when put together. That girl belongs in a big city along with lots of people with big plans. Honestly, where we come from doesn't have too much of that. I respect her for that and I agree.

Lauren - if you think Jersey is bad, never come to Central Florida. This place is more boring and small minded than any place I've ever lived. So many people just seem to be so okay with just living life in this one place for their whole life and never changing. It makes me crazy. I'm counting the days to go home and see my friends. I want this year to make up for everything I feel like I missed out on this year while I spent this much time in Florida. So this is my goal.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I feel like people rarely stick to them and it's not hard to see why. At least for me, it's way too difficult to say something cliche like "This year, I'm going to blah blah blah" whatever, and stick to it. Let's be honest. Life gets in the way and you start to slip on your resolution. I feel like most people don't make it longer than a couple of months.

One year (now bear with me, I forget if this was a New Year's resolution or just a change I wanted to make in general..it's the same concept) I tried to stop saying "like" so much in the wrong context. You know..."I was talking to her and I was like 'no way!' and she was like 'yep. better believe it.'" I even recruited my friends to remind me when I had misspoken and guess what? It still didn't work out.

So this year, I'm more motivated than ever to do a New Year's resolution my way. The concept is a combination of a bucket list, the '101 things to do before you graduate' list that I hang in my dorm room every year, and inspiration from my friend Hana's blog. Basically what I'm going to do is make a list of things I want to accomplish in 2011. Some will be serious, some will be fun, but basically what I want to accomplish is to enjoy 2011 as much as I possibly can and make sure I can look back on it a year from today and think that I made the most of my time.

I'm going to be reaching out to my friends & family in the next couple days to formulate my list and then I'll put it up here once I have a least a couple solid ideas.

So here goes nothing. 2011, here I come.

2011 list (so far):
1. read a book i would normally have no interest in
2. make a craft that uses more than paper, glue, and 20 minutes
3. volunteer more
4. learn spanish
5. learn guitar
6. eat at at least 3 restuarants featured on diners, drive ins, and dives
7. live by this mantra
8. finish a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle with friends. (i know i already started this one and i'm just now adding it...i don't care. still a goal)