resolutions.

i am really good at making lists. and sticking to them. just something about completing a task and checking it off feels really good. so last year i had a lot of new years resolutions. i think i stuck to most of them (or i just forgot the ones i didn't like). h motivated me to make a list of my own.

2008 resolutions:

• learn how to blog: check - i started out on mac.com because it was so easy to post pictures, but difficult to update and change the layout. back when i had time to do such things (!) and then moved here, hence volume ii. unfortunately, it's the first thing to go when time gets busy.
• stop drinking soda: check - i drank 5 sodas in 2008. pretty proud of myself. i didn't count ginger beer (my weakness).
• volunteer more: check - i met five wonderful girls at comfort zone camp this year: c, a 12-year old with better musical taste than me; t, who've i've watched grow up and am so proud of her at 14; o, a crazy 7-year old who nicknamed h "harrypotomus;" e, an 18-year old who i nearly thought would never leave her car but ended up smiling at the end of the weekend; and k, a 17-year old more mature and more inspiring than an other little buddy i've had yet. these girls rocked my world.
• start dating again, nothing serious: check - oops. ( ;
• buy local: check - i started getting a bi-weekly community supported agriculture box from washington's green grocer and went to the courthouse farmers market. i can't wait to buy heirloom tomatoes again!
• try new wine: check, i guess - i think i kinda forgot about this one. i did start drinking (& loving) white wine in june, and h & i went to a vineyard over christmas.
• stop biting my nails: ehhhh - i am getting better i swear!
• be more flexible at work: double check - i traveled nearly all summer, although i did have a great time!
• VOTE! (i voted for the first time!)
• donate money to a worthy cause: check - my local npr station: wamu 88.5
• take more pictures: an ever aspiring goal... it's easier when you have a fancy d80 to play with!
• read more: check - i read a couple of the best books this year: the confessions by jonathan franken and the yiddish policeman's union by michael chabon and the glass castle by jeanette walls were 3 of my favorite.
  

so time for some new 2009 resolutions:

• make a budget.
• stick to budget.
• REALLY stick to budget!
• go to the gym/exercise at least once a week (i know, ambitious, but i have to be realistic).
• write more snail mail.
• get The Washington Post Sundays. read it. & clip coupons. lord knows you need them.
• donate blood. i've gotten enough blood taken in the last 6 months, i think i can handle it now.
• continue paying attention to politics even though the election is over. at least read the political cartoons in newsweek.
• take daily vitamins.
• stop eating products made with high fructose corn syrup. i don't care what the new commericals say.
• get back into running and back into yoga. run at least 2 races this year.
• continue volunteering at comfort zone camp and feeding the homeless. consider participating or supporting a new organization; maybe girls on the run or dc design house?
• spend lots of time with friends and go to weddings and parties and have lots of fun. ( :

ha.