bonne annee.

January 13, 2009

 

Literally translated to “Good Year,” which is the French greeting after a new year.

Since I am no longer doing a photo a day, there is less pressure to post personal stuff on here, but after talking with so many people about it, you guys actually miss my daily photos and musings (!) — so I’m going to try and post some personal stuff once a week – try being the operative word! I’ve got a lot lined up this upcoming week in terms of blog and shoots, but at the same time I do want to pace my posts. :)

Something I’ve been thinking a lot about is the new year, and for a lot of people, that means resolutions, turning over a new leaf, etc etc. I admit, I’ve always been one for goals for the year, like my last year photo a day. This year I tried to rack my brain with what I wanted to accomplish – so many things have been popping into my head – many of which I LOVE but I know at the same time I probably won’t be able to carry out the entire year simply because life will probably take a hold of me!

I do have [more than] a few goals though, despite the fact that it’s already been more than a few days into the new year, and there are a few I haven’t really started yet. So here’s what I’m hoping for the new year :)

* Not buy anything NOT business or food/necessity (toiletries, medicine, pet care) related for a month.
This means no more shopping for cute things, book buying (my weakness) and things like that. Right now I’m trying it only for a month, but if I decide, I may extend it longer depending on how I feel. So far I really enjoy it in a way – it’s liberating because it forces me to use and enjoy what I already have, rather than thinking that I need something cuter/better/trendier/new.

* Go through the book The Artist’s Way & do the morning pages every morning.
I actually started this last month, but I got way to busy to keep up with it, so I decided to pick it back up after the new year. It’s quite an interesting journey so far, and I’m intrigued on how I will come out after the next 9 weeks. As well as how the morning pages will affect me over the course of the year.

* Ride my bike everyday.
Zach got me a bike (yay!) for Christmas. I picked a pink one, simply because I was too impatient to wait for another one to come in. But now I’m sort of wishing I had a red one. Either way, I’ve been riding it everyday since I got it, and my favorite ride is right at the top of an overlook by my house. I circle that area quite a bit when I’m there. :)

* Make a 27 things to do before I’m 28.
To be done :)

*Polaroid a Day.
Now this isn’t something I started yet, but it’s something I want to do for 356 days.. maybe I will start today! I may also post it everyday on a separate blog, but I will keep you all posted on that one. :)

*Plan a trip to France.
Now this is the biggie and something that I’ve been dreaming about since high school. The travel bug has been biting me harder and harder in the past year, and in the last couple of months, it seems that all I want to do is visit France (luckily Zach has the same huge desire). It may not happen this year, but the goal is to have things BOOKED by the end of the year. Exciting!!!

So those are my goals – my large continuous ones throughout the year at least. I know people don’t like to make goals/resolutions because they end up breaking it, but I always enjoy seeing where life took me over the course of the year. :)

Any goals that you may have this year?

10 Responses to “bonne annee.”

  1. lizsong says:

    i got a red bike recently. :-) her name is claire…and such a beauty.

    good luck with artists’ way — what a journey!!

  2. apryl says:

    Yay a blog.

    I like not buying anything new for a month. I may try that sometime this year. It really is too easy to waste money on things you don’t need. I have a weakness for paper products.

    My resolutions and stuff:

    1) Tim and I are going to buy American made products during the month of Feb.
    2) Go to the gym 3-4 times a week -Typical
    Fit back into my size 4 clothes
    Run the La Jolla Half Marathon on Apr 27, 2009
    Complete the Rock n Roll Marathon May 31, 2009 I initially wanted to run this but I will see how I do with the La Jolla Half Marathon
    3) Blog everyday for a year
    4) Read more books and write more.
    5) Complete my Graduate Gemology program at GIA in Carlsbad
    6) Save the planet a little at a time

    That is it for now.

  3. serena says:

    A while back, Jer & I resolved to not buy anything besides necessities for a month. It was a really good experience! Really forced me to evaluate what I needed vs. what I merely wanted. Realized I buy a lot of things I don’t need.

  4. Great goals!

    Well, you know mine. We have talked about them already. But, I want to go to Australia. I have lots of other ones, I’m just not going to bore everyone :)
    You need to post a picture of your bike. I would LOVE to see it!
    xoxo

  5. FRANCE! Ah yeah, I’ve never actually been, but my sister went and spend a good chunk of time there a few years back and still raves about it. Enjoy all of the pâtisseries!

  6. iris says:

    Love the polaroids ! Good luck with all your goals. Looking forward to seeing pictures of France on your blog one day :) And btw, love your first blog… that’s good to be content with the blessing we already have.

  7. Tanya Plonka says:

    I hope you continue to post as many photos as possible, because I’m always so happy to see updates from you!

    I haven’t made any specific goals this year, but more generally I am trying to be less wasteful (reusable bags, trying not to buy food I won’t eat, etc) and also to make more effort to learn more about my art!

  8. mel says:

    I’ve learned that the older I get, the more I realize that I need to just pick one large thing to work on all year. Smaller to-do lists will always be a part of my routine, but I want to make sure one big thing gets more long-term attention and effort. This year, I really want to work on not filling up my schedule so much. I also don’t want to feel guilty about saying no to something (even if I really want to do it) just because I know a night vegging at home will be good for me.

    And I want to be able to do a no-hand cartwheel by my 31st birthday in April. I was able to do it six years ago, but I’ve been out of practice. :)

  9. emily says:

    Ooh, I’m excited for everything you have planned for the coming year…especially your to-be-scheduled France trip! :) Make good use of that Paris guidebook!

  10. susan.. this is probably one of my fave polaroids. EVER. i love it. i’m excited for this year too…