Resolution 9?

"Positives: creative, talented, adventurous
Negatives: Bad with money, indecisive (specifically about career), bad at keeping in touch, self-centered, overweight/unhealthy, little follow-through, messy
     Yes, the negatives column is much longer than the positives, but hey, aren't we all our worst critics?And besides, the resolutions are in place to tip the scales, and without further ado, here (in no particular order) are the Resolutions 9:
1. Save $2,012 by 2012 (money)
2. Visit 4 friends or family members who don't live in Portland (stay in touch)
3. Be vegetarian for one year at least (overweight/unhealthy)
4. Re-do apartment and keep it clean (messy)
5. Mange this blog (creative)
6. Learn two new instruments (talented)
7. Volunteer for a charity (self-centered)
8. Visit 1 country I haven't visited before (adventurous)
9. Stay at current job and get promoted (indecisive)"

   Last year a friend of mine asked me about my ambitious 9 resolutions. He asked what would happen if I didn't complete them all. "What happens if you only complete 7?" he asked. "Well, then I will have completed 7 really cool things!" I replied.
     Above I posted some of the text from the inagural post of this blog. Now, I will sun of which of the tasks I completed, partially completed, and those I wasn't able to complete.

1*. I don't have $2012 in my bank currently, but I do have $1015, and tough this is not the exact amount, I consider this a great success. Last year at this time I had maybe $20!

2**. This one I did completely! Visited Bridget in Pasco, WA, visited "Chaz" in CA, visited my father and sisters in San Jose, CA, visited Andrew in Seattle, WA, met up with Angie in Leavenworth, WA. That was one of my favorite resolutions to work on. I have great family and friends!!

3**. I did it! Vegetarian for a year, and I didn't even shake from bacon withdrawls! :)

4*. I did re-do the apartment, I did keep it clean, most days. I'm counting this in the half full category. I think I still have room for improvement.

5**. Though there were some gaps and definite ups and downs, I kept this baby going! Winning!

6*. This was a difficult one. I bought a harmonica, those things are wicked-hard to learn. I fell in love with a little wooden dream; the ukulele. I can play 5 songs on it, and I'm learning more as we speak! So, one instrument = half accomplished!

7. Fail! I didn't volunteer this year.

8. Fail! I didn't visit a new country this year.

9**. This is the resolution I'm most proud of (veggie is second)!  I not only stayed with my fabulous company, I was chosen with what I call "an elite crew of champions" to pioneer a new facet of our company. I got promoted and relocated! I'm living my job, my co-workers, and my new life here in sunny California! One of the best things that has happened to me in a long time!

     So, there you have it! No, I didn't complete all 9, but I did complete 4 really awesome things, and partially completed 3, and only completely failed two. All in all, if shay this was an amazing year. Stayed tuned for next year. It will be even bigger and better.....!

(below are pics if wins from this year)

Clearance Sale

Getting rid of old stock. Baggage. Memories. Clothing. Numbers. Everything. Like new.

   I deleted all old boyfriend/hook up numbers from my phone. Even some that were epic. Feels sad but empowering. Going into the New Year fresh. No baggage, no drama, no tears, just me.

6 Reasons Being a Vegetarian Sucks!

Ball parks, restaurants, parties, fast food, bbqs, holidays.

I've been a vegetarian for 11 months now, and I've come to the conclusion that it kind of sucks. It doesn't always suck, though, but there are very distinct times when it does. The afore mentioned occasions make me feel like like being veggie is the same a being an alien.
As many of you know, I'm a huge Timbers soccer fan. I love going to the staduim to see games. However, the foood selection at ball parks is VERY limited for me. Don't get me wrong, I love veggie dogs, and Portland does a good job of having them as an option for veggie people, but other than that (and maybe cheese pizza), I'm stuck. On the other hand it is saving me from spending a fortune on ball park food... hmmm maybe that doesn't suck.
Restaurants are a challenge if you're not going to a vegetarian or vegan place. People are like, oh, you're a vegetarian, is it ok that we eat here? Yes, I can always ready salad or pasta, but there is only so much you can take before you get sick of lettuce! On the other hand, it's a lot easier to choose what to eat. And most of my friends have been very supportive.
Parties are acutally kind of difficult at times. Most people throwing parties will have a veggie plate of some kind, but that's usually about it! I walk around eating chips and pretending that I'm not starving, while everyone else chows down on meatballs and chili-cheese dip! And then if people know I'm a vegetarian they go out of their way to make (or buy) me something special; which makes me feel bad. So, I've learned to just eat before I go to a shin dig.
When I lived in Portland I loved Burgerville! They were the only place I could eat veggie fast food. And of course, their food is delicious (and local)! But as I learned on the road trip down to California, there really aren't many fast should options for vegetarians. On the plus side, that keeps new from eating a lot of junk that I would otherwise, but man it's inconvenient!! Not gonna lie, I sometimes miss a good burger or a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from McDonald's. But I'm sure my arteries didn't miss them!
A friends of mine had a BBQ at his house this summer. Everyone brought burgers and ribs and steaks galore. I had some veggie dogs and potato salad, but man, that meat smelled amazing!!! It was incredibly hard not to grab a rib and go crazy on it. But I reminded myself of the about of space and resources it took to raiser that cow, of the crappy conditions it probably endured during its life, and the terrible manner in which it died. Then I was very satisfied with my soy products fruits, and vegetables.
Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was lovely. But again I feel like I was an inconvenience for my hosts. They did make me a wonderful vegan stuffing, and I ate the veggies, but I felt weird that I needed special accommodation. And the turkey did look amazing! With Christmas next week, I will be home with my mom and will cook with her, soi that will berth much easier. But know I'm going to smell that ham and want to break down and eat it!! Maybe if we get an organiclly, locally raised little pig I won't feel as bad.
I have to say being vegetarian has been a fun, sometimes difficult, and educational adventure this year. I will probably add some meat (fish, poultry) back into my diet on occasion next year, but I've definitely learned a lot about the food industry, sustainability, and my heath. I'm in much better shape than I was last year at this time, plus I feel better, and have more energy!
So, being a vegetarian doesn't really suck, it just takes work and discipline. It made me more contentious about what I put in my body and where it came from. Plus, it made me think of the world around me and the impact that I have on it. Yes, it was a bit inconvient at times, but overall I'm very glad I did it! I've created habits and gathered knowledge I'll have for life. And hopefully I've added a few years to it too!!

Family

(I started writing this back in October after the visit. FYI)

    My final visit to complete the "visit 4 friends/family members who don't live in the Portland area" was a half visit/half scout where to live in California. I stayed with my dad in Saratoga and visited quoth him anas my sisters. For those of you who don't know, I grew up from the age of 6 with my mom, stepdad and brother in Aloha, OR. The last time I'd seen my father (before I met my sisters in 2008) as when I was 5. I didn't ev seen know I had sisters until I was 20! So, visiting wasn't as simple as it would seem.
     The trip went well. Spending time getting to know my father and sisters haas been great. It's strange to meet a parent as an adult; there's so much they don't know about you, and vice versa. There's an awkward politeness that isn't there with someone you've known your while life. And thoughthe tro went well and I'm glad to be getting to know my California Family, I feel sad that this awkwardness is there.
     I'm sad that I missed out on my sisters being babies and school kids. I'm sad that I don't know what foods my dad doesn't like or what jobs he's gone through. And though these are things I can find out, there are still all those experiences that I will never get to have! And of course, they missed out on knowing me as well. Seeing me become who I am.
    Since the trip, I've not stopped thinking about family. What is family and why is it important? What happens to our minds and hearts when a family is broken? And can those pot holes ever be filled?
     What I know is that so blessed to have a mom and brother who mean everything to me! That family is not just biology, but connections you make with people you love. And I've realized that family can ever changing and growing if you want it to be. And if you're lucky like me, you'll be able to not necessarily fill the pot holes left by past absences or wounds, but just pave new roads. I'm so excited to live so close to my father and sisters and to get to know then and have them in my life. I'm so happy to have let go of the wondering about what might have been. I'm ready for the future, and the roads ahead with my amazing family!