february resolution

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Sigh. Where did the month of January go? I blinked a few times, and it's now time to flip that first page of the 2013 calendar. But oh, what a fun month it was! Blissfully enjoying the freedom of a lighter schedule at work, the weeks have been filled to to the brim with fun memory makers.

clockwise from upper left:
(1) You know that you and your friends are mature adults when a Saturday night of fun equals dinner out and then back to the house for a riveting game of Life. Even better, I won, handily. ;-)
(2) Despite getting the flu shot at the start of the season, I, like seemingly 98.9% of Americans, fell victim to the dreaded flu. Medicine of choice? Spicy homemade chili...in a Virginia Tech mug, of course.
(3) Highlight of the month = a whirlwind visit from one of my dearest friends. April and I went to med school together but 350 miles now tragically separate us. LOVED having her back in Virginia for a couple of days!
(4) Having April here called for some serious skying and Face Time with our circle of friends. Oh to have Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, and California closer together!
(5) One of the best aspects of living in Northern VA? The amazing diversity of cuisine. A delicious Afghan meal AND the company of great girlfriends? Sweet!
(6) My roommate is getting married in June, and our group of friends decided that a surprise bachelorette party was in order. Knowing her love for peanut butter and chocolate, deciding what to bake for dessert was not a difficult venture. P.S. Look for the recipe soon! :)

Not pictured: the treadmill. Oh yes, remember that pesky little January resolution to run at least four days a week? Well, I'm proud to say, "mission accomplished." Despite a week of the flu, blustery cold weather, and the predictably overwhelming gym crowds of the new year, I managed to put some serious miles in at least four days a week. (Hint: Motivation is never an issue when you have the anticipation of wearing a bikini on the Hawaiian beaches in just a few weeks AND the reward of some girl talk in the gym hot tub with your gym buddy/close friend at the end of every workout.) Now I'm not signing up for the NY marathon just yet (and any serious runner would surely laugh at my jogger's pace) but I am pleased say that both my speed and distance steadily increased over the past four weeks...which is no small accomplishment for a girl who would love to claim an allergy to running. In fact, I think I might just keep it up...it really is a bit addicting. :)

And alas, it's now time to welcome in February...and choose a new resolution. Oh, I tried to choose a really creative one on the heels of January's predictable, stereotypical one...but I'm sad to say I failed. Let's hope for creativity in March.

So, without further ado, February's resolution: drink 8 cups of water a day. I know, I know. So unoriginal. But, trust me, it's needed. Working in a hospital all day, it's not unusual for a twelve hour shift to end with me having drunk nothing more than mere sips all day. Oy vey. Time to change that! 28 days. 64 ounces of water. Game on.

january resolution

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"A new year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." - Author Unknown

Yes, it's that time of year again. That time when people around the world resolve to better themselves in defined ways - creating a list of ideals in which they currently fall short but will surely measure up to in the coming year. Oh, you know the common ones. Lose weight. Exercise more. Eat healthier. Spend less money. Invest more in family and friends. -- All noble pursuits, of course. Though quite often difficult to achieve for 365 days...

A few years back, my dearest friend Caitlyn and I resolved to address various shortcomings in our lives (that is, the precious few that she and I have ;-) and challenge ourselves to betterment in matters great and small. She was living in Boston at the time and I in Blacksburg, VA. One in the midst of a new job - the other beginning a new chapter of education. Eager to bridge the miles between and the differences in our worlds, we had the grand idea of creating monthly resolutions - a fresh goal on the first of every month to gallantly commit to achieving in the coming 30 days. They varied from month to month, ranging in significance but each unique and original.

Sadly, for whatever reason, the concept fizzled after a year. Ahhh, but this month, my friends, at the beginning of a fresh year, the time has come to bring the tradition back. Now living near each other in Northern Virginia, I'm not-so-secretly blissfully excited to let the fun begin. :)

But, alas, what resolution to choose for that import first month?? Such pressure to make it a good one - to set the bar high for expectations of future months! And oh, did I try to come up with that perfect choice.

Sigh. I dreamed of creativity and uniqueness, and instead I fell victim to stereotype. You see, like most January 1st resolution makers, I too feel the need to make better use of that ol' gym time. Oh, but I have an ulterior motive. You see, I'll be lounging on the beaches of Maui, HI in (gasp!) 42 days, and, like any gal, the vision of bikinis immediately comes to mind. Oh motivation, indeed.

So, resolution #1: run at least 4 days a week. Now this may not seem like much of a challenge to some people, but let me assure you, it is for me. An ever-enthusiastic walker, I hate running. When I walk, I enjoy every step and my mind wanders the gamut of imagination and to-do lists. When I run, I think about how much I hate what I'm doing at that moment. Oh my, am I setting myself up for a fun month. ;-)

And don't worry. I'll let you know how it turns out...