Report Card

I think I will try to post an 11 in ’11 update each month, report card style, to keep myself on track. So here goes:

• Keep saving $100 a month: A-, because I did save the $100, but I had some extra I could have saved this month and did not, so that extra was whittled away, spent on silly little things (but also some good things, like dinners out with friends)
  
• Start an Etsy store: B, because I have begun the process but really could have done more
  
• Try a new recipe every month: N/A yet, because I have the new recipe and all of the ingredients. I plan to make it tomorrow night
  
• Send birthday cards: A+, because I sent birthday cards to the 2 friends with January birthdays
  
• Finish every project: C, because out of two projects I began in January, one is complete and the other is about 75% complete, staring at me from a prominent spot in the living room
  
• Read 12 books: A, because I finished one book and will have another finished before this month is over
  
• Spend more time outside: D, because I need to do better, but it’s cooooold!
  
• Keep one houseplant alive: N/A, because I haven’t yet found The One
  
• Walk 365 miles: F, because I have walked on the treadmill exactly twice this month, ugh
  
• Throw a party: N/A, because, not yet. But I have definitely put a lot of thought into exactly what kind of party I want to throw this year
  
• Date night every month: A+, because we had Date DAY Sunday, and it was such a great day, and I can’t wait to have the next one!

Areas to improve:

• I definitely need to make more of an effort to get time on the treadmill. The days that I did it, I just came home and immediately changed into walking clothes. I didn’t give myself time to sit down or try to talk myself out of it, so I think that’s the key. I think 365 miles is still doable, because while I am only walking .5-1 mile at a time right now, I am hoping to build up my stamina and be able to walk much longer distances. I know, I am beyond out of shape. It’s pathetic.
  
• I need to get outside more, I know this. I really will, once it gets a little warmer outside. I do love sitting outside on the porch swing, just not when it’s 30-40 degrees outside.
  
• I need to begin the search for The Houseplant. The One I am going to keep alive all year. Such a lofty goal.

So there you have it. I think overall I’d give myself a C+/B-. Anyone else make goals for 2011 that you want to report on? Make me feel better about my less than stellar grades!

flickr favorites

Some of my recent flickr favorites. Love.

1. {5/365}, 2. Don't Jump!, 3. Waiter, Check Please!, 4. Room with a view, 5. hello winter, 6. New Mantle Artwork, 7. waking dream, 8. 005, 9. 2011, 10. [3/31] Book., 11. Untitled, 12. Untitled, 13. 神光之女, 14. LOVE, 15. wishing you a bright new year...., 16. In Love

11 in '11

I mentioned Saturday that I have 11 goals for 2011. I came up with this idea last month, and I shared it with a couple of my friends, who also decided to come up with 11 goals for this year. One of those friends shared her goals with me, and I created a journal for her to keep track of her goals. In turn, she gave me a journal for Christmas to keep track of my own goals. I spent some time today altering the journal, and I'm really pleased with how it looks so far. There are still a couple of things I want to do with it, including creating a place to keep track of books/movies/favorite quotes throughout the year.

Here are the pages for my goals. Click to see it bigger.

And here is my list of goals:

• Keep saving $100 a month
• Start an Etsy store
• Try a new recipe every month
• Send birthday cards
• Finish every project
• Read 12 books
• Spend more time outside
• Keep one houseplant alive
• Walk 365 miles
• Throw a party
• Date night every month

a new year

the boy and i, and our sad attempt at a sparkler heart

Over here, Leah mentioned that her dad posed two questions:

What is different for you from one year ago?

and

How do you want to be different one year from now?

I love it, so I'm stealing it!

At first thought, it doesn't seem like much is different for me from one year ago. But when I started thinking a little harder, I realized that quite a few things have changed.

I've now spent a whole year living with a boy after never living with a boy before (okay, I had a male housemate, but he's my best friend and doesn't count for these purposes.). I've also now been in a serious relationship for almost two years, the longest for me.

I have a Master's degree, where I didn't have one a year ago.

I have a "grown-up" job, meaning I am working in the field for which I went to school for an eternity.

As for how I want to be different one year from now, I think my answers are probably pretty cliche.

I want to have more money saved.

I want to feel healthier.

And I want to have a successful etsy shop. This is one of my goals for 2011: to open an etsy store. I really want this to work out, and I'm going to work hard toward this goal.

I actually have 11 goals for 2011. I feel like if I call them resolutions, I am setting myself up for failure. I'll be back soon, with my little list of goals, and perhaps a peek at a journal to keep track of my goals.