Post Christmas Splendor
So...the holidays are nearly over and this seems to be the official place to list off all the swag that you got for Christmas. Suffice to say, I got money, a gift certificate for a back massage, some home-made crafts from Etsy! and a manicure/pedicure at the local salon. Yes, this year is all about being pampered!
Yesterday, Kelly, my mom and I went to the Outlets in Wrentham, MA and I got a whole bunch of clothes with my Christmas money. I wasn't even really looking to shop, but some of my pants are too big and I just gave away about four bags of clothes last month, so I thought I'd look. The sales were AMAZING and I was surprised to find that I fit into clothes that are two sizes smaller than what I've been wearing. I have been going to the gym and eating relatively well, but it's still so awesome to be able to fit into this size again. I'd like to lose about 30-40 more pounds by summer and I'm optimisitic about it.
Christmas was relatively low key. I cooked most of the meals - veggie pizza, a course of appetizers and Christmas dinner. My aunt was actually beyond tolerable this year - not sure if it was being confined to a chair with her leg in a cast or what, but it was nice not to have another Christmas blow-out. We didn't do much except shop and watch movies and laze around the house reading books.
Kelly and I got in last night and stayed up late talking until about midnight. We talked about family and about feeling like we don't have one anymore. She wants to start her own family, but isn't sure if Greg is the right person or if she is just rushing into it because they've been together two years and she is at that age and she wants to start having kids before she is too old. I felt exactly the same way with James. Not so much external pressure to get married and have kids, but pressure from myself to start a family so I'd have one and so I'd have somewhere to belong. I'm not sure if those are all the wrong reasons or all the right ones...or a little bit of both.
On Christmas, we watched a special on CNN awarding Heroes around the world for different achievements in education, the medical field, environmental issues and community involvement. I found myself tearing up at nearly every speech that was made and at the end just feeling so inspired to do good and to make changes in the world around me. The site is here: CNN Heroes if anyone wants to read more about it.
One of my favorite speakers was a man who after losing a child moved to Kenya and started a program that feeds thousands of school-children and provides them with computers and the basic supplies they need to succeed. His name was Steve Peifer and his website is here: Steve Peifer He also has a book on Amazon.com compiled of different letters and e-mails he has written about the experience, titled "Your Pal, Steve".
I'm just so eager to start over new. I want to make a change in the world and an impact on people's lives. It feels so good to give back and I want to do more of it.
My resolutions for this year are to lose weight, travel more, move away from home, get into a happy, healthy relationship with someone, stay in better touch with family and friends and help others that are less fortunate than I am. I feel like I'm finally in a place where these goals seem not just within reach, but down-right achievable.
Yesterday, Kelly, my mom and I went to the Outlets in Wrentham, MA and I got a whole bunch of clothes with my Christmas money. I wasn't even really looking to shop, but some of my pants are too big and I just gave away about four bags of clothes last month, so I thought I'd look. The sales were AMAZING and I was surprised to find that I fit into clothes that are two sizes smaller than what I've been wearing. I have been going to the gym and eating relatively well, but it's still so awesome to be able to fit into this size again. I'd like to lose about 30-40 more pounds by summer and I'm optimisitic about it.
Christmas was relatively low key. I cooked most of the meals - veggie pizza, a course of appetizers and Christmas dinner. My aunt was actually beyond tolerable this year - not sure if it was being confined to a chair with her leg in a cast or what, but it was nice not to have another Christmas blow-out. We didn't do much except shop and watch movies and laze around the house reading books.
Kelly and I got in last night and stayed up late talking until about midnight. We talked about family and about feeling like we don't have one anymore. She wants to start her own family, but isn't sure if Greg is the right person or if she is just rushing into it because they've been together two years and she is at that age and she wants to start having kids before she is too old. I felt exactly the same way with James. Not so much external pressure to get married and have kids, but pressure from myself to start a family so I'd have one and so I'd have somewhere to belong. I'm not sure if those are all the wrong reasons or all the right ones...or a little bit of both.
On Christmas, we watched a special on CNN awarding Heroes around the world for different achievements in education, the medical field, environmental issues and community involvement. I found myself tearing up at nearly every speech that was made and at the end just feeling so inspired to do good and to make changes in the world around me. The site is here: CNN Heroes if anyone wants to read more about it.
One of my favorite speakers was a man who after losing a child moved to Kenya and started a program that feeds thousands of school-children and provides them with computers and the basic supplies they need to succeed. His name was Steve Peifer and his website is here: Steve Peifer He also has a book on Amazon.com compiled of different letters and e-mails he has written about the experience, titled "Your Pal, Steve".
I'm just so eager to start over new. I want to make a change in the world and an impact on people's lives. It feels so good to give back and I want to do more of it.
My resolutions for this year are to lose weight, travel more, move away from home, get into a happy, healthy relationship with someone, stay in better touch with family and friends and help others that are less fortunate than I am. I feel like I'm finally in a place where these goals seem not just within reach, but down-right achievable.