Day 12.

It's already the 12th of January, and already I'm behind on my resolutions. Not so much the big ones, but mostly the little, day-to-day ones. And I say behind because I could always get caught up... 


Like blogging for example. 
I want to blog every day. And not always about the big stuff. I want to cherish the little stuff too. 

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Lie... this week our little lady has been sick. Her first 'real' sickness. She's had a cough, runny nose, an on-and-off fever, and has completely lost her voice. It makes me so sad. When she cries, tears roll down her face without much accompanying sound. Poor Adi. 

Today Ryan took her to the doctor, her absolute least favorite place. Ryan said she would be fine reading a book and then burst out crying. In fact, when I saw Adi later, she would start crying about every 10 minutes for no reason. I'm convinced she's traumatized. Oh boy. Maybe a child-sized stethoscope for her birthday? Maybe not. 

Anyway, they said her lungs look clear, and that we just need to continue monitoring her fever and giving her acetaminophen and liquids... we'll see how she does. I hope she gets better soon!

Let's hope I come out unscathed from this. Career Fair is t-minus two weeks and counting. 

2012 (Hopefully) Bucket List

Each year, when New Year's Resolutions roll around, I become a bit anxious. In fact, sometimes I tend to avoid them altogether. Ask those who know me well and you'll quickly learn that I am an all-or-nothin' kind of person. If I slip up once--just once--it's all over.

Last year, I only made one resolution. Something that was so important to me that it needed it's own, special attention. With as busy as life had become in 2010, I resolved that in 2011 I would keep all my commitments. Birthday parties, meetings, etc. I wouldn't bail on anyone and would work hard to live up to the expectations others had of me.

I am happy to announce that I made it through the whole year, and from my recallable memory, I actually lived up to it!

The best part? After a few months, it became natural, and by the end of the year I didn't even have to think about it.

Now that is what resolutions are for.

So, this year, forget resolution(s)... I'm only going for a single resolution and 2012 (Hopefully) Bucket List!

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My 2012 New Year's Resolution is... 

To find ways to serve wherever I go; simple or complex. 

My 2012 (Hopefully) Bucket List Includes 26 things for my 26th year.

1 - Read the Book of Mormon cover-to-cover

2 - Run a half marathon

3 - Reach my goal weight

4 - Visit one new state

5 - Brush up on my Spanish
6 - Read a book for pleasure each month
7 - Read a book for professional development each month
8 - Improve my photography skills
9 - Improve as a pianist
10 - Go to Disneyland!
11 - Blog daily for a whole month!
12 - Invite friends over for Sunday dinner at least once a month
13 - Have 100% visiting teaching success! 
14 - Help Adrielle master her ABC and learn to read simple words and phrases
15 - Attend the temple once a month
16 - Grow my hair out (again)
17 - Learn to style my hair differently 
18 - Throw a few good parties
19 - Go on a road trip
20 - Help Ryan get accepted to Medical School
21 - Save money. 
22 - Finish and implement "Dressing Your Truth"
23 - Become a better teacher
24 - Make chore charts; follow them. :)
25 - Become an educated constituent and VOTE. 
26 - Secret. 

Awesome? I think so. 

Thoughts on Self Disclosure

For the most part, I like my personality. In fact, I pride myself in my emotional intelligence, (in other words, my ability to read people, situations, and their emotions) and my ability to put people at ease. 

However, my personality is a two-edged sword. 

Have you ever been with a group of people, peers, that you may not know very well, and said something in jest that no one understood. Then, to make it worse, they think you're serious. 

Hmmmm, that's me, and in the awkward after silence, I am not at ease.

I'm not a private person; I tell it how it is. But, as life goes on, I realize that I should learn to observe, then speak. Maybe this will be a New Year's Resolution. Maybe.

New Year's Resolutions

You know how people say that goals are more attainable if they are realistic, have a timeline, and are openly supported by others? Well, this year as Ryan and I make our New Year's resolutions, we have decided that in order to achieve our goals, we will share them with others. Please ask us how our goals are coming along in the next few weeks and months. Hopefully with hard work, dedication, and support, we will be able to achieve our goals one day, week, and month at a time.

Our resolutions for January:

1. Daily Scripture Study
2. Daily Prayer
3. Weekly Temple Attendance
4. Memorize 1 scripture a week (Starting with Seminary Scripture Mastery)
5. (McKenzie's) Lose 5lbs by the end of January
6. Exercise 5 times a week