2010

Credit: Unknown

So my 2009 felt really good overall, and I hope to make 2010 even better. I know it won't be perfect, because no year is ever perfect, but I'm excited for what it will bring.

My goals for the year involve:

Cutting way back on my pop intake. I don't drink it every day or even every other day, but when I do, I go overboard and that's not healthy.

Read. I bought, received, and stole from my mother a bunch of books to read, and I know it's not easy in school, but I'd like to read for pleasure as much as I can.

Write every single day. Much like I did in December, I want to journal, blog or take note of something every day. I was fairly successful with it in December too which makes me more excited for the coming year.

Learn to play a song[s] on the guitar. I wasn't able to bring my guitar home over the break, so I couldn't practice as much as I would have liked to. I told my uncle about how I was learning and he said that I just have to make friends with the instrument, and not think about being "good". He's been playing for 25 years and he doesn't consider himself "good". He's also in a famous Canadian band so he knows what he's talking about.

Take more photographs. I received an awesome new camera for Christmas. It takes great pictures.

That's what I have so far. In general I want to be more positive and outgoing. I'm getting better at not over-thinking mundane details and just doing. It's been working out so far.

With love and aspirations

Cathryn

2009

Credit: Unknown

So this year flew by so fast. It feels like I read all those "make 2009 the best year" lists yesterday. When I look back on the year, I can't help but have fond feelings for it.

This year I discovered that I have exceeding potential and that I'm brave enough to make huge changes in my life. I transferred to a different school, moved into a house full of strangers and broke up with my first love.

I also know that I'm brave enough to overcome my irrational neuroses, and can do things on my own. Like go to a party by myself.

I made a ton of new friends and reconnected with old ones. Worked at a job I loved.

I had a real first date, my first semi-walk of shame [it's not a walk of shame if he walks you home, right?] and my first taste of alcohol.

I learned to love myself, and realized I'm probably more attractive than I give myself credit for [I was referred to as hot for the first time ever].

I succeeded and I failed some times, but I learned a lot, especially about myself.

I laughed a lot as well.

I developed a more positive outlook on life. I realized I have to stop over thinking things and now I know I can do just about anything, and that makes me happy.

I remember something I said during my job interview in May, I want to have as many different experiences that I can. I think I did just that this year, and I hope to for many years to come.

So cheers to 2009 and whatever 2010 has in store for us.

“Make a radical change in your lifestyle & begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances & yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, & conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, & hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new & different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security & adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning & its incredible beauty.” — Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild. [Found on Gala Darling]

With love and noise makers

Cathryn

It is going to be your year

So here it is, the second last day of 2009.

For Christmas I received Sarah Von's "A Year in Yes" calendar. It is even more wonderful in person, so I suggest everyone snap one up while it's still available. I'm excited to put it up but I hear that's bad luck. I'm also not in my Toronto home yet. I think what I'd like to do with it as well is to invite other people to write down their own thing on the little lists on the side. This isn't any ordinary calendar, why should I keep it to myself?

I'm going to head back up to Toronto tomorrow for New Years. My house is having a party and I have my party dress

American Apparel Le Sac Dress

Except mine is red.

With love and champagne

Cathryn