13 Goals in 2013

This New Year's Eve was spent with friends, bonding outside by the fire, and eventually family, eating and laughing playing the Minute to Win It Game, as well as Apples to Apples. Prior to, I was able to get in a quick workout -  my friend and I tried to go to a Tabata class, not realizing they cancelled all classes on New Year's Eve - instead, I came home and did a quick cardio circuit, which I found on Pinterest [10 push ups, 20 sit ups, 25 squats, 20 lunges (10 each leg), 80 jumping jacks, and 60 second wall sit... repeat x3] and a 2 minute plank - I was drenched when I finished. When the night ended, I knew I had at least two goals in mind for 2013 - stay fit and spend time with family!

Sal and I always try and make resolutions each new year, but we always end up reaching goals and moving on or forgetting about them. This year we both decided that it was time to write them down and really strive for this year to be memorable, to say the least. We even went over them and noticed that we had similar goals in mind for our relationship, which was a great thing because we know we're both headed in the right direction. While Sal chose to list more than 13 goals, I chose 13 - this way it went with the year and wasn't too much or too little to accomplish.

13 Goals in 2013

1. Travel to multiple states, maybe even abroad. [We've already been to Canada this month, so I can't wait to travel more this year!]
2. Land a Child Life Specialist job.
3. Take and pass the GREs. [if necessary for graduate school]
4. Apply to graduate school and begin Masters/Doctorate Program. [still debating on what program]
5. Run more than 2 5Ks and start training for a 10K.
6. Start writing my book, at least the first draft.
7. Keep my body fit and toned with the help of Tone It Up, CKO, and running.
8. Read at least 30 books.
9. Learn a language.
10. Write more snail mail.
11. Spend more time with family.
12. Start a wedding/house fund with Salvatore.
13. Get engaged to Salvatore

So as you can see I have some pretty big goals - I always set my goals high because I know they can be accomplished if I put my mind to it!

What are you goals for 2013? 

NYE & the Resolutions of 2012

Last New Year's Eve, we invited some friends and family over to enjoy the countdown, but this year was quite different. My mother suddenly felt sick the morning of, so she spent a majority of the day in bed [after we bought snacks and food, of course]. My father, brother and I spent the day watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, until about 11:00 when we thought it would be a good time to change the channel and put on Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve. We opened up a bottle of Champagne for the three of us, and poured it in little champagne glasses.

[I just noticed in the first picture from NYE last year, I have my thumbs up too!]

We counted down and that's when my mom appeared on the stairs. We counted down together, as a family, as one unit. No matter what the year brings us, I love to be able to say that I rang in the New Year with my family, because even though we've been through hell and back, we did it together.

Through the fights, the losses, and the financial worries, we made it through 2011. Here's to hoping that 2012 brings pure happiness and joy. My mom has quit smoking since that night. I couldn't be more proud of her. It's been 10 days since she has touched a cigarette. How amazing!? My brother and I have been pushing her to quit for years now, but I guess she needed to do it on her own.

As for me, I've decided to choose my resolutions quite differently than last year. In 2011, I wanted to exercise more, which aside from taking a Tennis class, I didn't do much of; blog more, which I started to do more towards the end of the year or when I didn't have to worry about classes; volunteer more, which I did in the hospital under the supervision of a Child Life specialist; begin writing my own book, which I started by getting ideas down on paper; travel, which I did here and here; bake more, which I did and can be seen here; and laugh and smile more often, which was probably my most successful resolution.

This year I want to set achievable goals for myself:

I want to always look at the small things in life and enjoy them...
I want to spend time with those I love, and only surround myself with positive people...
I want to always keep my mind open to learning new things...
I want to be healthier and happier....
I want to write more and keep track of every day that passes...
I want to love more than I've ever loved before...
and I want to live...

Happy New Year! What are your resolutions?

New Year, New Resolutions

New Year's Eve was spent very low key with my family, relatives, and of course Sal. I figured we had so much alcohol left over from Christmas Eve, it would just make sense to stay home. Plus the prices to actually go out to a bar or a club were atrocious. While I baked [using my new BabyCakes maker!!], my mom set up the games that we would play. Once everyone arrived we enjoyed some desserts, drinks, and board games like Apples to Apples, Scattegories, and even card games like 'Screw Your Neighbor.' We tried playing Scene It: Comedy Movies, but by then everyone was having too good of a time to want to sit there and play games. 

Using My BabyCakes Maker - Cupcakes from the Box

&

Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles - Recipe soon found on my Baking Blog

So we went downstairs, and were ready to watch the ball drop. Before we knew it we were counting down.. 10... 9... 

8... 7...

 6... 5...

 4... 3...

 2... 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 

We all screamed and shared our love, as we participated in good luck traditions. Hopefully this year will be a much better year for my family, than last year. It's quite personal, but my family in fact went through tough times. I'm actually thankful though, because we grew extremely close because of it. 


If I learned one thing in 2010 it's this ... it's not about where you are, what you're doing, or the amount of time you spend... it's about being with, and surrounding yourself with those who you love, and love you in return. Nothing can ever compare to being with loved ones, and enjoying oneself. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything. 


Last year, I set goals for myself ... I wanted to become a more organized person, as well as a more productive one. I also wanted to get more in shape, and volunteer more often. Now although I haven't gotten in shape [I can't believe a year has gone by and I haven't flattened my stomach! ugh], I have attended the gym, took kickboxing, and jogged a couple of times throughout the year. I have become more organized, and also extremely productive. I not only volunteer for the March of Dimes Organization, still, I also just recently became a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I'm also going to begin volunteering at a local hospital in the Child Life Department. So overall I had an extremely productive year.


This year I hope to:

• Exercise Daily
• Blog More
• Volunteer More
• Begin Writing My Book
• Travel
• Bake
• Laugh & Smile More Often

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Kickin' It.

Time for Change! This picture is so enlightening and exciting. Perfect for this time in my life.

What an amazing picture from - Shannonpix's Shop - Check it out.

Recently I signed up at CKO Kickboxing for a free week trial. 

CKO KICKBOXING!

Let me just tell you, that even after only taking three classes, I am now ADDICTED to kickboxing. I haven't worked out that hard or sweated that much ever! I used to go to the gym on campus and didn't work out half as much as I do kickboxing. I love the whole instructor telling you exactly what to do, always keeping you moving. At the gym I'd end up taking more water breaks and wondering what I should do, than doing the actual working out. During kickboxing, depending on the instructor, you take a minimum amount of breaks for a few seconds each. The instructors keep you busy by having you punch/kick the bag, push-ups, crunches, sit-ups, jumping jacks, jump rope, and any other exercise to tone not only your arms and legs, but your stomach too! 

I swear by kickboxing. It is the most intense workout I have ever experienced. Although I am extremely sore, I want to keep going! I never went to the gym by myself, but with kickboxing I am all for going by myself. I cannot wait to see my toned body, even after just a week. You're supposed to burn at least 800 calories in the hour long class. 

I intend to sign up for kickboxing when my week is through. Although it's quite expensive at $699.00 a year, there are other packages for three months, each month, 10 weeks, etc. I am willing to spend money on something I know will work. 

I'm also eating healthier!

My New Year's Resolutions # 3. work out more often & eat healthier = more toned & fit .. can be crossed off.

The #6. be more charitable ... is also being worked on. 

Like I've previously said, I will be walking in the March for Dimes [March for Babies]. In April, I will be walking to raise money to support programs in my community that will help mothers not only have healthy, but also full-term pregnancies. For some reason, I feel the need to fundraise, as well as walk for this organization. I just told my family, as well as friends and my boyfriend, and they are backing me up 100%. I'm so thankful. This is going to be a whole new experience for me because I have never ran a marathon or walked for a charity. This is an exciting new chapter in my life, and I feel so very lucky to share this with all of you. 

I also have been signing petitions for animal protection as well as for people, including children. 

This is the website you can use if you want to sign petitions to help too! - The Animal Rescue Site

This is the website you can use if you'd like to donate to the March for Dimes [March for Babies] - MARCH FOR BABIES - DONATE PLEASE! :] 

Please help these great causes, it will be greatly appreciated! 

New Year, New Beginnings

So this year I've decided to change my whole outlook on life. I want to not only become a more organized person, but also a more productive one. I'm setting goals to myself and reaching them as fast as possible.

I recently joined March of Dimes, or March for Babies, which is a America's favorite walking event. In April, I will be walking to raise money to support programs in my community that will help mothers not only have healthy, but also full-term pregnancies. For some reason, I feel the need to fundraise, as well as walk for this organization. I just told my family, as well as friends and my boyfriend, and they are backing me up 100%. I'm so thankful. This is going to be a whole new experience for me because I have never ran a marathon or walked for a charity. This is an exciting new chapter in my life, and I feel so very lucky to share this with all of you.

Another "new year's resolution," if you will, is to be more in shape. I've always been rather skinny my whole life, but now I want to take that and become more fit and toned. I've been getting up early every morning to exercise, and I've been eating healthier than I've ever eaten before. I've been walking a mile on the TreadClimber and then going on my Wii Fit for about a half hour. I haven't seen any improvement, other than my energy is extremely higher. I only started this past week so I didn't intend to see any great improvements, but that is what keeps me motivated. I've recently looked into buying the Wii Active, but I'm not sure because it is quite expensive ($50.00) and I don't want to waste money if it's the same as the Wii Fit or if it doesn't work. Any suggestions?

I also want to be happier, so I intend on doing things I've never done before and buying little gifts for myself randomly to congratulate myself on school, work, etc. Recently I bought myself a Central Perk Coffee Cup (from Friends)! I was extremely happy with my purchase! It's the little things that make me smile :]

picture from: farm3.static.flickr.com/