"I need a light in the dark as I search for the resolution..."

When it comes to new year's resolutions, I prefer to start mine in February. Well, actually, I never even thought about it until this year. Each year, I make long lists of resolutions, but I never make it much further than the first week of January. I came to the conclusion that there is still a lot of stress and pressure throughout the month of December, so I couldn't just be ready to resolve things the first day of the new year. A hangover on the first day of January is not exactly kosher when creating a new aura. Instead, I gave myself a month to manage the stress, consider my resolutions, and breathe.

Now that the first (and almost second) week of February came and went, I think it's time to stop putting things off and actually make the life changes. It is now or never. I knew if I didn't just finally face it all, then summer would be here and I would be stuck in the same rut as 2010. I refuse to do this. I am determined to change my life in 2011. Although I have not officially started my resolutions, I have already made more positive changes in 2011 than I did in all of 2010. 

I have spent much more time focusing on my friends, trying to become healthier, and living an all around more balanced life. Now is the time to kick it into gear, though.

So, here they are. My 2011 New Year/New Me Resolutions:

My hand-written 2011 New Year's Resolution list.
I originally intended to begin crossing items off February 1.

1. Blog almost every day
2. Be a better daughter/Listen to my parents
3. Be a better friend
4. Go to mass more/Go to mass on each Holy Day of Obligation
5. Use classier language (in other words, stop swearing like a sailor)
6. Take better care of myself/Get healthy
7. Eat less fast food/Exercise more
8. Get organized and de-clutter the excess baggage from my life
9. Find a job or two
10. Graduate college
11. Volunteer more
12. Save money
13. Manage stress better
14. Work on my book
15. Read often

Although I have started living a healthier lifestyle, I am not ready to cross off number 6. If something on  a list is crossed off, I mentally note the task as completed. Taking care of myself and creating discipline will be an ongoing process, so the goal is nowhere near completed. So far, I can cross items 7, 8, and 9 off the list. I have eaten much less fast food, and I have exercised more in the past month than I have since I was a high school athlete. As for number 8, I decided to get rid of all the clutter in my personal space by having a personal liquidation sale. Although the sale will not take place for a few more days, I cleaned out my home and got rid of the excess. I have been suffocating in my material possessions for years, and I knew I could not better my soul unless I got rid of the clutter. 

As for the final accomplished goal, I did find (and get) a job! I will work 25-30 hours a week at a small insurance company called Insurance Solutions. The marketing/public relations job is a new position within the company, and I will be in charge of their grassroots marketing program. Since the job is weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., I am attempting to obtain one more part-time job. This job is at a local restaurant, so I must say I am somewhat nervous. I have never waited tables, but I am confident I can manage. Ultimately, I am a hard worker, I am good with people, and right now, I'll do just about anything for money... Except prostitution. I don't think an STD would be good for my new soul. Nevertheless, I have filled out my application, and will be submitting it to the restaurant early next week. Wish me luck!

Why, might you ask, am I trying to revitalize my life in 2011? The answer: To get out of here in 2012. I love my friends, my family, and my life, but I never saw myself settling down in Oklahoma. The goal is to save money this year, so I can move to London next January. I set a time-frame on London life for a period of one year, because everyone says they can picture me moving to London and never coming back. The truth is, I love the United States, and I know I'll miss my family, so I plan on coming back; however, I will not return to Oklahoma. When I return from Europe, the goal is to move to New York City. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of living in New York, because it is the perfect place for dreamers like me.

Of course, these are my goals for now. My dreams and goals change every day, so pay close attention and try to keep up! I am constantly searching for something more, and I never feel comfortable staying in one place too long. I am a girl who cannot commit, so my location could change as often as my shoes. Until then, I will spend this year finishing my last two college courses and working my (as the British say) bum off, with the hope that it will all pay off.

Be sure to follow my blog and keep up with my adventures as I navigate this road called life. 

Cheers to a new day... A new beginning.

-Kali