How You Doin' 2010?!

... spoken in my best Joey voice!

Well, we've said: Peace Out 2009 and it's time to say, Hello to 2010! Two thousand and nine wasn't the best year ever, but I did learn some very valuable lessons. In the words of Rhianna- Live your life, heeeeyyyyayyyaaaa. Cough.

We've all got that "live life to the fullest" mentality lately. None of us want to let one little second go by. I think this is a pretty great way to trot through life with if you're willing to be realistic. I can't tell you how many boys I've dated or chicks I've run into that feel that "living your life to the fullest" means you can't plan anything. Um... how do you have goals if you don't *plan* anything? No, I have no flipping clue what tomorrow or next weekend will bring me, if it brings me anywhere, but I can certainly plan a spa weekend away with my girlfriends. Don't be ridiculous people! I can understand not wanting to plan a trip to Europe 4 years from now with your new girlfriend, but plans for next weekend look pretty safe, Dude. Let's not confuse being a commit-a-phobic with someone who is trying to live their life out right.

Okay, Okay! ....stepping off and backing away from my soap box...

I try to live my life like Linus on the Peanuts Gang. He's an inspiring little thing. He's got no problem being insightful and truly enjoying his life. He's always confident, driven, and got an answer- if not- he finds one. And he's probably a damn good snuggler with that blanket. Just sayin'. With that said I've made a list of things I hope to aim for and accomplish in 2010! Call them goals, call them dreams, call them resolutions, or call it a bucket list. I'm already in full swing!

1) Make my bed everyday. This is harder than I thought. My friend, Suzanne, always makes her damn bed. I can't tell you how awesome it is to climb into tight sheets. GREAT Resolution.

2) Buy a house in 2010! I'm already off and running on this one. I've gotten pre-approved, various agents helping me, and lots of houses to do "drive bys" with. It's both exciting and scary. It's probably about time I officially make Charleston my home. Perhaps I'll allow myself to drop a few "y'alls" every now and then!

3) Private Practice. Not the TV show. I've decided that someday I'd like to have my own practice. Now I'm not saying tomorrow, but in the future somewhere. If you know me personally, you know I don't like to get bossed around nor do I love rules. Doing my own thang is right up my alley!

4) Bust out my painting skills. I've started to dive into acrylic painting and I'd really like to branch out with that.

5) Expand my photography hobby. I've just purchased a badass camera, Canon T1i Rebel. That doesn't include all the lenses, software, books, and tripod I've recently collected. Move the F over Ashton Kutcher.

6) Last year I worked towards expanding my taste buds. In the past year I've eaten some AMAZING dishes. Not gonna lie- I had my napkin ready to eject some questionable meals but I was always pleasantly surprised. I plan on expanding my cooking skills with these yummy excursions. I love to cook but would like to see more adventure in my frying pan!

7) No Maybes. I repeat- NO MAYBES! This is something I started towards the end of 2009. No Fucking Maybes. My poor friend Allison has to hear me say this all the time. I am NOT. Will NOT. Choose NOT to pursue anything that is a "maybe." That goes for a house purchase. Car purchase. Job choice. And especially when it comes to MEN. (Although if you could purchase those it might be easier!) So, Goodbye Mr. Maybe. Hello, Awesome Job. Nice to meet ya Perfect House!

8) Travel. Travel. Travel. I've started this interest in traveling about a year ago and have really started to buckle down and try to plan out a few trips. Barcelona, Tuscany, Rome, Madrid, Paris, Greek Isles, London, Dublin, Australia, New Zealand, and Vegas. Haha. I have a pretty significant list for both abroad and national trips. Thanks to a friend, Boyd, I have a book of 1000 Places to Visit before you Die. Who's coming with me?!

9) Explore my own backyard. There is so much to do where I live! I've lived here 3 years and I've still yet to see everything! I've always been one of those people who wanted to soak up everything. I always want to know everything about everyone and every place. Any chance to soak up more of where I call home sounds good to me!

10) Chop. Chop. Chop!! I'm donating my hair for Valentine's Day. VDay (or D-Day to some) isn't just for couples. It's a day to show love to everyone! So, I've been growing out my hair since August in hopes of Donating it to a charity that will turn it into a wig for a Cancer Patient. I've yet to pick which Charity I want to donate to, which could mean I have to wait longer to donate depending on length requirements. But I tell myself I'm doing it "for Valentine's Day."

My New Year's Resolution: To make a new resolution or change with every significant event that occurs. As you know, last year was quite an emotional year. Looking back- I wish I had done something for myself after each event.

I want the hard times I face to inspire me to grow more and help me to appreciate the few seconds of Life I have left. In the big picture, all we've got are just a few moments together. So, toss out your "maybes" and start laughing and smiling more. Get out there. Go on!

"Everybody is just a stranger.

But that's the danger in going my own way.

I guess that's the price I'm going to pay, everyday.

Still everything happens for a reason. It's no reason not to ask myself:

Am I living it right?!"

- "Why Georgia?" John Mayer