Hopes for 2012 (I don't make resolutions because rarely are resolutions kept):
- I would like to speed up the weight loss! I would love to loose 50 lbs. this year but I would be happy with just loosing more than I did last year. Starting the year off right with a 9-day cleanse on January 1. As of the end of May I am well on my way to reaching this goal! I actually lost more weight in the first quarter of 2012 than I did in all of 2011.
- I hope to do 2 cleanses this year, at least. I'm thinking one at the beginning of the year and then one maybe mid-year. Did a cleanse for the first 9 days of the year, trying to plan another one during the month of July.
- Become physically stronger and more athletic. I really like this new side of my life and hope to keep it going and trying new physically challenging things. For sure done!
- Run at least a 5k this year. I could do that now but I would like to run it in under 40 minutes. If I could run a 10k that would be AWESOME! But I'm going to stay realistic and since I've never ran anything I'm going to keep my hopes low :) Something is better than nothing. First race (a 10k) completed on 6/3/12. Thinking half-marathon and several 5k's in the fall. It's way too hot to run in the summer outside but I will continue to train at the gym.
- Volunteer more! I did some volunteer work last year but hope to increase it this year. It really does make you feel good.
- Travel! This is always a hope for me. Past years we've been on the go constantly so in 2011 we kind of took a break and saved some money and stayed close to home. Hopefully 2012 will lead to the following trips:
- Tour of the North East! At the least we would like to go to Boston this year. But we are thinking about flying to Boston and then getting in as much as we can while we are north. We have some friends that moved to New Hampshire in May and seeing them is a priority this year! Probably this Fall
- Ireland. If we leave the country this year we will be going to Ireland, I think that is already decided. It's probably the one place I've wanted to visit my whole life, let's face it, I'll fit right in :) Won't happen this year as we chose to go to Jamaica and 100% unwind instead.
- California. Neither Nick nor I have been there and it's some place we would like to go.
- Canada. Montreal, Toronto...who cares. They love hockey and we want to be there!
- Let's follow the last bullet up by saying that it will be a priority to travel some where in 2012 with the specific purpose of seeing my 'Canes play an away game. Problem is; I don't like cold, hockey is played in winter and most of the hockey teams reside north of Raleigh.
- Nickell family reunion in July. Not sure where this is but I think the plan is for it to be in Bradenton. I would love to take Nick to where I was born and spent the first half of my childhood. Nickell reunion was scheduled for Ohio this year which we unfortunately won't make since they chose the 7th and I don't have the Thursday and Friday after the 4th off. I've got the Monday and Tuesday off and can't switch.
- I know all of this won't happen in the coming year as our purse strings (and time off work) won't allow it but if only 3 of the above mentioned trips happened I'll be happy!
- Blog more! I'm such a horrible blogger! I hope to better this in 2012. Done! I've blogged at least once a month all year!
- Oh! This has nothing to do with me but I would LOVE to become an aunt in 2012 :) No, I am not asking my brother, Chris to have a kid by any means. I have some very close friends who would love to be parents and becoming Auntie Laura to their baby in 2012 would be a dream come true for them (and me! I need a kid to spoil and I'm not having one). In process, Baby due around my birthday!
