12 Things I Want To Do Before 2012, The Wrap-Up

When I decided to do the 12 Things little challenge I kind of thought it would be a lot easier to knock things off my list than it was. I guess I didn't really plan for the craziness that was the first two weeks of my break and all of the holiday things I had going on. As I mentioned in my little update I posted a couple of days before the new year, I had already accomplished a few things but still had a ways to go. In the end I didn't get all 12 things done, but it was definitely a little fun to have something to work towards, even if it was a silly little list of things I wanted to do. There were a couple of things I ended up crossing off the list earlier this week even though technically my little "challenge" was over. So, here's a recap/update of what I ended up accomplishing and what didn't end up panning out so much.

1. Read 1-2 whole books. Check and mark! Thanks to Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me/ (And Other Concerns)" and Stieg Larson's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series, I've been in reading bliss the last couple of weeks. It's felt so great to read just to read!

2. Make a full dinner for my family. I finally accomplished this right at the end of the year. My mom and brothers were really pushing for chicken and noodles so I obliged. I made chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, corn and crescent rolls. Not my usual forte, but it was delicious none the less.

3. Spend a night driving around looking at Christmas lights. One night after dinner Joseph and I drove around looking at pretty neighborhoods all decked out for the season and he even surprised me by taking me to the Fantasy of Lights. 

4. Try a restaurant/dessert place that I've never been to. This didn't really happen until Tuesday of this week, unless you count the Chinese buffet Amy, Jeff, Joe and I had a marathon eating experience at. But, this week Amy and I tried Madeleines Bakehouse, a newer bakery in Fort Wayne. We not only had cupcakes, but also tried macaroons (macarons if you want to be French). The bakery also has a variety of other baked goods including scones, brownies, chocolate croissants and giant coffee cakes that look amazing. It's in a cute little space out at our outdoor shopping mall, Jefferson Pointe. I'd definitely go back, especially since Amy and I kept finding things we really wanted to try.

5. Try a new shade of lipstick. Surprisingly I didn't try this. I even made multiple trips to Target and Ulta and kept thinking that I needed to buy a new lipstick. I've been wearing my red a lot lately so I kind of just got in that mood. I definitely still want to try out a new shade and probably will soon!

6. Have a real, true, on purpose lazy day. I half did this and also didn't get to it until this week. I mentioned before that I love the idea of being lazy but that I often become antsy and restless. Monday was just about the first day since I've been home that I didn't have any plans. There weren't any holiday parties, lunches, family in town, nothing. So I figured it would be a great day to just kick back. I woke up, got some breakfast, watched some tv, put on a movie, scanned the internet, took a nap, read a little bit, skimmed an issue of Glamour, and then restlessness ensued. Before I knew it I was in the shower, doing my hair and putting real clothes on. Even after I did all that I tried to get back in lazy mode, but it wasn't working. By 6:30 I was out the door to meet Joe and a group of our friends for dinner. It was good while it lasted I suppose.

7. Make something off of my "DIY" board on Pinterest. I managed to make Olive a headband finally! I know, not the greatest effort but it's something. One of my resolutions or goals for this year is to DIY more and stop making exudes. There you have it, now let's see if I do it.

8. Explore a new town. This sadly didn't happen. I still have hope of doing this soon though, or at least by the summer! 

9. Complete half of my online math class. I haven't completed half, but I've definitely made some headway. I've still been dragging my feet about it but at least I've been trying! Now I really have to kick it into high gear and get it done. I have to have the class completed by next month already!

10. Complete my Christmas shopping without a trip to the mall. I'd say I completed about 90% of my shopping online which I was really happy about. I did make a couple of mall or mall-like trips. My brothers wanted video games and I got Cash and Olive toys and clothes, so it was easier and made more since to just go out and get those things. I was definitely turned on a lot more to the idea of utilizing Amazon for online shopping and even discovered some really neat smaller online shops and was able to get some unique gifts that everyone really loved!

11. Purchase a nice journal. Joseph took care of this one for me. I've already started writing down my thoughts almost every day. Now the challenge is to make journaling a daily occurrence. Much like I want to do with reading I might just make it something I make time for before bed rather than getting sucked into hours of mindless tv watching.

12. Make a real, legitimate, workout/food plan. I've already vowed to cook at least 3 times a week and my workout plan is coming along nicely. I'm not completely done with it because I think I'll need to get into the swing of my schedule next week to see what's going to be feasible, but it's definitely on its way!

Overall I crossed more things off my list than not. I wish I could have done everything, but I guess that's why I used the word "want to do" rather than "will do". 

Resolutions

After weeks of build-up and preparation, the holidays are officially over. Christmas has come and gone and it is now an entirely new year! I can't believe how fast it all has gone by and how quickly all of 2011 went. 2011 was quite an interesting year to say the least. It was full of ups and downs, self discovery, making new friends, losing old friends, going on adventures, pushing through school, spending time with the people that I love and so much more. It wasn't the best year of my life thus far, but it was memorable all the less.

As with each new year people tend to make resolutions. I've always been on the fence about New Years resolutions. They always seem so repetitive and not given much thought. I think it's good to have goals going into a new year, but i also think it's important to have solid and specific goals that you can achieve. I always tend to have thing I'm working on or towards, be it a new year or not. But, I have thought up a few resolutions to start with for 2012.

• Cook at least 3 healthy meals a week. I love cooking and really enjoy it. I'm usually pretty good about cooking when I'm down at school. However, in the dwindling last weeks of the semester I got really lax about it and turned to takeout and eating out more. Since I've been home for break I've been eating more unhealthy things and haven't had many home cooked meals. 
• Workout 4 days a week. My apartment complex is right by a YMCA and there is a rec. center on campus, I also have access to free workouts through my cable provider and have workout dvd's. So basically I have no excuse not to get myself to the gym. I lost nearly 20 pounds last year and have gained half of it back from not being diligent with my workouts. I've been working on a workout plan that will fit with my schedule. I think working out at least every other day is doable.
• Be less selfish. Many times over the last year, especially the last month, I have found myself in situations where I realize I am being selfish. It's so easy to slip into that mindset consciously, and even easier to do it without realizing it. I am just one small person in this world and am surrounded by so many other people. I am not the most important and I should not act like I am. I need to be more supportive of my friends and family and be happy for them no matter what my feelings are. I am not entitled to anything and need to keep that in mind when I start to feel that I am.
• Keep my car clean. When it comes to cleaning I do not win any prizes. I absolutely hate it. I tend to toss things in my backseat and then when I have people riding in my car I toss those things in my trunk. The last time I looked my trunk was nearly full to the brim with shoes, jackets, sweatshirts, papers, books, etc... I've been like this since I got my first car when I was 16. Car washes make me tense up and the thought of sweeping my car out makes me drag my feet. It's completely silly and lazy, I know. Starting today I'm cleaning my car completely and will do my best to keep it that way all year.
• Get all A's and B's. This past semester was the first time I've gotten all A's and B's in a year. I always tend to do really well in all my classes and then have one that I'm more careless with. It feels good to know that hard work pays off even when at the time you feel stressed and like it's not worth it. I'd like to continue with that good feeling.
• Be a better friend. This is always something I keep in mind every year. I've learned a lot about what i means to be a good friend and a bad friend over the last few months and it's given me a lot of insight. I always like to think of myself as someone who is there for her friends but I know I have my times where I fall behind in that aspect. I want to strengthen my friendships more, new and old. There's that line from the Tigers Jaw song people like to quote "I learned a lot about being a friend when I was alone". I can definitely relate to it. I strive to be a good friend and will strive for that even more this year.
• DIY more. I'm in love with diy and crafting. I just don't do it very often. I always have excuses for not doing it but in the interest of living on a college budget and being able to make things on my own, it's something I'm looking to do more. I have a slew of projects I'm wanting to do, most at the moment include making homemade cleaning supplies, and I've already gotten the ball rolling by buying supplies.
• Save more money. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't resist a good shopping excursion. But, lately I've been doing much better at refraining from making unnecessary purchases. I'd really love to have extra money around for when I'm in a pinch or even for extra fun. I really would like to go on a trip sometime this year for a 3 day weekend or so and with Joseph having family in Cincinnati and my best friend moving to New York this would be the perfect time to start saving up!
• Read a book at least every two weeks. I love reading, but I never have time during school it seems. Because of this I have just thrown my hands up and not found the time to read for fun. Part of my 12 things before 2012 was to read 1-2 books before the end of the year which I accomplished. I forgot how good it feels to read something you actually enjoy and how much joy and pleasure there is in that. Instead of plopping in front of the television when I'm done with all my work for the day I'm going to try and pull out a book and focus on squeezing in some prime reading time.

I'm sure I could think of more, but these are the goals I'll be focusing on for now. Happy new year everyone!

12 Things I Want To Do Before 2012, Update

2011 is quickly coming to an end. I seriously can't believe an entire year has gone by already! As I mentioned before I came up with 12 things I want to accomplish before 2012. With less than a week to go I still have a few things to do, but I've also knocked a few things off of my list.

1. Read 1-2 whole books. Before I left for break I picked out a couple of books I wanted to read. I got about half way through one of them and then Holiday craziness just kind of took over my life. Then on Christmas I received Mindy Kaling's book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)". It's a book I had really wanted and started reading immediately. Needless to say it was so good that I finished it in less than 24 hours. Seriously, it was hilarious and honest and full of Mindy Kaling awesomeness. I highly recommend it. One of my Christmas gifts from Joseph were the first two books in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. I'm going to start the first one tomorrow.

3. Spend a night driving around looking at Christmas lights. A couple of weekends ago I was in town spending some time with Joe. We got dinner and went to a show his brother had some work featured in and then just drove around. Suddenly we were at the Fantasy of Lights (a big Christmas light show at the park by our zoo that you drive around through. It even has it's own Christmas music channel!). We drove through and looked at all of the lights and when we left we drove around some of the neighborhoods and took in those lights as well. It was really great.

10. Complete all of my Christmas shopping without a trip to the mall. I did this pretty successfully! With the exception of my brothers (who really wanted video games) and Cash and Olive (Toys R Us is easier to shop for a 2 year old and H&M had some of the cutest baby clothes!) I got everyone else's gifts without going to the mall. Originally I wanted to do it all online, but that ended up not being very probable so I went to some non-mall stores as well. By doing this I was able to find some really unique and cool gifts that people may not have gotten otherwise.

11. Purchase a nice journal. Joseph must have read my mind (or my blog) because one of my gifts from him was a nice journal. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to have a different outlet to write down some of my thoughts!

12 (ish). Make a real, legitimate, workout/food plan. I say ish because I'm not all the way done with it, but I'll still put it on this list. I have a food plan down for the most part. And honestly, when I'm not at home home for breaks or the weekend I eat pretty healthy when I'm at school. So, I really don't think I'll have a problem. The only issue I'm having is a workout plan. I think I'm going to look into how much a membership at the YMCA by my apartment is. It's much closer to me than driving to campus to workout and I feel more self-conscious when I workout around more of my peers. I'm weird, I know.

I still have a long way to go and January 1st is on Sunday! I'm hoping I can get a few more things crossed off in the next few days!

12 Things I Want To Do Before 2012

Somehow December is already here and if this month is anything like the 11 before it, it's sure to fly by! I feel like I just got used to dating everything with "2011" and just got into my groove with the year, but a whole new year is almost upon us! Originally I wanted to do something each of the 25 days before Christmas, but after thinking about it I decided it might be a little much with the end of the semester and holiday craziness, so I settled for 12 before 2012. That seems more doable right?

1. Read 1-2 whole books. I can't remember the last time I read out of pure pleasure and actually had the chance to finish what I was reading. It was probably over the summer and even then that feels like so long ago that I can't pinpoint exactly what I read. I really wish I could read a book every week like I used to in high school. I used to kill novels like it was my job and I also was one of those nerdy kids who got in trouble for reading during class. I'd love to read 2+ books in the next month, but I know time probably won't allow that to happen. So, I'll settle for one or two. I have a bag of books I bought over the summer before Borders went out of business so I have a lot to choose from!

2. Make a full dinner for my family. Over the summer I did a lot of cooking while I was home. I was pretty much in charge of meal planning and cooking every week, it's how I earned my keep! Since school started the only time we've all sat down together for a meal that wasn't at a restaurant when I've been home has been Thanksgiving. I have tons of recipes I want to try out on them.

3. Spend a night driving around looking at Christmas lights. I'm a sucker for good Christmas decorating. Not that tacky looking, put every inflatable you can find in your front yard kind of thing (it happens too often in the Midwest), but the classic, beautiful Christmas lights that make you feel the magic of the holidays. There are so many neat neighborhoods that are beautiful this time of year. Not mention I'd love to go downtown to take in the Christmas lights again at a more leisurely pace. I love the Christmas lighting festivities but there's just something about walking around and taking the nostalgia in with one other person as opposed to hundreds.

4. Try a restaurant/dessert place that I've never been to. Muncie does't have too much to offer in the way of original cuisine, but Fort Wayne is full of restaurants. I'm pretty sure that's what the city is known for, churches and restaurants. Even with all those eateries I'm a creature of habit. Anytime anyone wants to go anywhere I suggest my favorite spots: Pint & Slice, Yum Mees Bakery, Acme, Cebolla's, Firefly, etc... I want to branch out and find another great place to eat!

5. Try a new shade of lipstick. I don't wear lipstick all the time by any means. In fact, I only break out my favorite shade of red once cooler weather comes around and even then I wear it only when I feel it is perfect to do so. There's just something about fall/winter that screams red lips to me. I don't have a particular brand that I go for but whatever brand it is I always get something along the lines of a "fire" red or "bright" red. I've always been really curious about trying out an orange-red, burgundy, or even hot pink hue!

6. Have a real, true, on purpose lazy day. Maybe this sounds silly and may be a waste of a perfectly good "thing to do before the new year" but I'm really incapable of having a lazy day and enjoying it. On days that inadvertently end up being boring I make myself go do something even if it's just going to Target to mindlessly look around. Even when I plan a "lazy" day I always end up frantically looking for something to do when I get restless. And lately I've wanted nothing more than to relax but no such luck. Wouldn't it be nice to just spend an entire day lounging around in comfy clothes, watching movies/tv series on dvd, sipping on hot chocolate and making an easy dinner or getting takeout?! Maybe I'm boring but right now this sounds fantastic.

7. Make at least one thing off of my "DIY" board on Pinterest. I'm addicted to pinning and always find the neatest things I want to make. But, as I've heavily documented, I have yet to do much in the way of creating. I've made a few things here and there, but nothing to write home about. On this note I also want to make some headbands I have supplies for. I've made headbands before so they won't be too crazy to do. But I definitely, definitely want to make something new!

8. Explore a new town. Amy and I used to do this occasionally as did my friend Liz and I. I can't remember the last time this happened though. It's probably been over a year now. We would just start driving and end up somewhere new and eat and/or explore around. Indiana and Ohio have such neat small towns that I'd love to poke around in. I want to pick somewhere I've never been and go and see what it has to offer.

9. Complete half of my online math class. I hate math so I have avoided it at all costs throughout my college career. However, in order to graduate I need one basic math class. I signed up for a 9 month online class thinking it would give me more time to focus on the chapters, this started in June. Fast forward to today (6 months in) and I've done ONE assignment, oops! I still have until February to finish it all, but I should probably get the ball rolling.

10. Complete my Christmas shopping without a trip to the mall. This will be difficult, but I'm really trying to go a little off the beaten path. Every year I either get frustrated about not being able to think of a good gift or wait until the last second to do my shopping. This usually results in a frazzled, frustrating, trip to the mall. This year I'm trying to be on top of it all and have been scouring the internet and my mind for fresh ideas and more original gifts. It may not be completely doable, but I'm going to try my hardest!

11. Purchase a nice journal. Does journaling with paper and pen sound outdated? Because I totally don't think it is. I used to journal a lot but as with most things, time and other road blocks took over and it kind of fell by the wayside. I would really like to start doing it again. I like to be able to look back on my thoughts, ideas, troubles, happiness, etc... and be able to have something to hold on to. They say what you put on the internet lasts forever, but I really don't want to have my someday children, or even myself, want to take a peak back at what I was like when I was 22 and have to say "Oh just google me".

12. Make a real, legitimate, workout/food plan. I try to eat healthy and I try to workout as often as I can but I am subject to being lazy and enjoying a good cupcake. My goal for this next year is to have a workout schedule of sorts that I can follow easily with my schedule. I think if I actually take the time to write out and plan what I want to do as well as make a list of all of the recipes and food I want to try it will be much easier. I've tried this in the past but never made a physical copy of it. I'm thinking a big wall calendar or something along those lines.

New Projects

Or should I say just simply projects, since I've never actually started any true crafty/diy/projects. I'm bound and determined to put my two giant boxes of craft supplies to good use this summer and have actual finished projects.

A lot of these revolve around baby ideas. Joeseph's brother and sister in-law are having a baby girl in September so I'd love to make a few things for her. I'm trying to find things that are more beginner friendly. I don't want to get myself in too deep with projects that may turn out to be more work than I anticipated.

One thing I know I HAVE to make is a tutu! I've seen tons of them in the stores and I'm sure I'll end up buying a couple for the baby anyway, but this easy diy tutorial has me convinced I can turn one out with no problems. I'll probably add a little bow or something to jazz it up and I'm hoping it turns out!

I was browsing Pinterest and came accross the adorable diaper cover. The tutorial makes it seem easy enough and should be pretty affordable as far as cost goes. The only thing I'm worried about is all the sewing! But, I'm determined to at least try it and if all else fails I'm sure I can get my mom to lend me her awesome sewing skills.

One thing that I know will for sure be at least semi-easy is headbands. I have a ton of headband making supplies from all the times Amy and I have vowed to make our own. This calls for the use of nylons rather than elastic and a little sewing. I love the idea on this particular style of switching out the flowers. I may buy a few and gift them as well. I also plan on making a couple of elastic headbands either for myself or the baby.

As far as non baby related crafts go, I'm completely loving these painted votives.

Seriously, just swoosh some pretty paints on the inside and voila! I'd probably put them in my bedroom or on my entertainment center in my living room.

I have a letter "K" just itching to get prettied up from another Hobby Lobby adventure of my and Amy's. This will be super simple as well, as you can pretty much use whatever you want to decorate.

Now I just need to get out to the craft/fabric store to get more supplies and get crafting away, finally!