Happy New Year!

Well, 2011 was a great year and I am sad to see it go; however, I am excited for all that 2012 has to bring. As cliche as it is, I think that I will dedicate my first post of the new year to my resolutions for 2012. I am always obsessed with lists (see here) and so the resolution list is a favorite. While my goal list has something like 30 goals on it for this year, the following are a sampling of the list for this year (in no particular order):
1. Finish my degree and apply for the next one...
Anyone who knows me knows that I have sort of an obsession with learning. I read constantly and love being in school. I am currently studying Human Rights with a focus in women and gender and I think I am ready to finish up...if not this year, then next. I think that I am also ready to apply for PhD. Though, after witnessing my partner struggle for the past million years with his, that goal may be on hold for a bit.
2. Eat healthier...
My best friend is all about eating things that are organic, sustainable, local, etc. While I tend to make fun of her, I completely agree with her philosophy and feel that I should aim to emulate her eating style. Living in New York City is conducive to eating out extensively. Small kitchens + perpetually busy people + an amazing array of cuisine choices makes it difficult not to eat out constantly. That said, sometimes I think that both my waistline and my wallet would appreciate eating in and eating better, so I am going to give it a shot. At least on weekdays...
3. Get back into yoga...
Last May I had a crazy experience with vertigo and couldn't do yoga for a while. The doctor that I saw told me that yoga would be my "final exam" and that it would probably be a while before I would feel normal and ready to stand on my head again! On Christmas Eve morning, my mom, sisters and I went to a yoga class at a yoga studio in my home state of Connecticut, which was actually pretty awesome (shout out to yoga studio in Simsbury--it was early so, sadly, I have no clue of its name). I just renewed my Yoga Works membership and am excited to get back into my downward dogs...
4. Travel...
This is on my list every year and I think that I have done an excellent job fulfilling my travel goals over the years. While I am not entirely sure where this year will take me in regards to travel, right now the following have been discussed: Trip Idea # 1: Chile, Peru, Bolivia (I was supposed to go to Peru with friends  two years ago, but, sadly, my poppop died the night before I was leaving and I had to back out.) I have decided that at some point in the next couple of years, I want to make that trip happen and I want to add a few places onto the original itinerary--hellooooo Bolivia!  Trip Idea # 2: Spain, Portugal: I have a friend who is working abroad in Spain and, in addition to visiting her, I would love to get to Spain. For some reason, when I travelled around Europe, I skipped Spain to go to Italy. Italy was incredible, so, believe me, I am not complaining, but I would still like to get to Spain...Trip Idea # 3: Guatemala: There is a language school down there that I am dying to go to! Trip Idea # 4: The friends that I travel with every year (said Peru trip, two trips to Costa Rica, and a trip to Thailand) are pushing for a trip within the country this year. While I am skeptical as, for me, travel means a passport, I do have to say that their trip ideas look pretty cool. Therefore, trip possibility number 4 could be anything from a trip to a farm in Tennessee to a trip to a "dude ranch" in Montana. We'll see... I think I may still need some more convincing...
5. Something different...
I am not exactly sure how to explain or define this goal, but what I do know, is that I am ready for, well, "something different!" While I changed jobs just a year and half ago, I have been teaching in New York City for almost eight years and it is time for a change. I would still love to move abroad for a year and teach or, perhaps, start a new program in New York City. So, while I am still not sure how this goal will manifest, I think I am ready for some type of...something different.

This has been a great year. Apart from all the amazing people who I feel blessed to have in my life, here are some of my favorite memories from 2011...

Ringing in the 2011 New Year with friends I have had since middle school when we all wore glasses, had bad haircuts, braces, and a decidedly different fashion style...On that same night, I learned that one of my closest friends was pregnant with an adorable little boy (born in July) who I just adore!

Road Tripping to LA with my best friend: One of the people who I am most grateful for in my life is my closest friend. I am pretty sure that we have talked almost every day since the fateful day that I met her when I was in ninth grade English class. She was stylish and cool, I was yelling at my 4 foot 11 English teacher about the validity of socialism as a form of governance...not much has changed. Last February, on my annual visit out to San Diego to send some time with her, we took a road trip to Los Angeles. We shopped, we ate, we caught up...all in all a great memory!

Newport in April: My mom turned 60 in 2011 and to celebrate, my sisters and I took her to Newport Rhode Island. We stayed at the Viking, ate great food, visited some vineyards (on what turned out to be an unseasonably warm April weekend) and all in all had a great time!

Breakfast(s) with M: When I think back over the year, I have a million and one great memories with M, who is as my nana still calls him, "my special friend." This endearing phrase means a lot to me, as one of the most powerful relationships that I try to emulate in my own life is the one that my nana had with my poppop. M and I had another great year, and, while the showy standout memories are things like biking around Vancouver and amazing meals at great restaurants, fabulous nights out together in New York City, trips to Maine where we stayed at the most romantic bed and breakfast and hiked at the beautiful Laudholm Farm, for me, the most poignant and important memories always seem to surround breakfast. Those that say it's the little moments in relationships that matter are so right. For me, the best moments with M are the routine ones. We have breakfast together every morning before I go to work and on weekends, when we have more time, it is those walks to get coffee or egg and cheese sandwiches that stand out most over the course of the year. Here's to a million more breakfasts with M in 2012...

The Year of the Dog: Part of what has made this year so great has also been the new addition to our family. He whines when the covers don't cover him correctly, he refuses to walk well until he gets to the park whereupon he transforms into the greatest dog in the world, he manages to take up half the bed (though he weighs a mere 16 pounds)...that aside, having a dog has made this year so much fun. There is nothing I look forward to more than walking home from work through Central Park and looking up at M and I's meeting place to see M and Frenchie meandering along to meet me!

Adventures in Thailand: After last year's trip to South East Asia, I told myself that there was no way that I was getting on a plane again for that long for at least a few years, which is why I was surprised to find myself booking a second year in a row trip to Asia with my friends. From the cooking class in Chiang Mai to bathing elephants at Elephant Nature Park to an adventurous day spent climbing ropes over a rocky edifice in order to find ourselves on the most beautiful beach I have ever seen, I feel lucky that I have such adventurous friends...

Apartment Switching: A mere week later (and a very fun wedding in between--shout out to Jenny!) M and I headed to Vancouver for a trip that was another 2011 highlight. You can read all about our adventures here and here, but it was so much fun and a great memory.

Yes, all in all, 2011 was a great year and I feel super lucky...
Here's to 2012...may you be all that 2011 was and more...

New book updates tomorrow, promise.