A New Year

As a new year begins, it is customary to start it with some resolutions in mind. I have often thought about some and decided that I would persue some of them, but nothing has even been that successful. A companion of mine taught me that it isn't a goal until you write it down, so this is my attempt to keep myself in check this next year. You are also welcome to ask me about these goals and how they are coming throughout the year. It is harder to flake out on something when you have to answer for it.
I have spent the last couple of days deciding what exactly it was that I wanted to focus on this year. Many things have come to mind like: perfecting my already incredible beat boxing skills, finally learning to properly cut a bonsai tree, and my all time favorite, pick up casual swearing (thanks for the idea, Anne). While all of these are good, sound goals, I am not sure that they are the ones for me this year. Here is what I have decided to help me be just a little bit better.....


1. Get in shape.....and I am not talking about round being a shape. This has been something diffucult for me troughout my life and it is time that I get it under control. I worked out on my mission because it was a rule and I had a great motivating companion (remind me to tell you about Christmas Marathon 2004). I had never felt so good than I did when I came home from my mission except the whole not being able to understand english thing. So my specific goal is to workout five days a week. Some days may only be fifteen minutes, but I must make time for it everyday!

and we all know how poor I am.

2. Study the scriptures everyday........this is a continuing goal. I try to read the scriptures everyday even if it just a few verses. I have recently switched to reading my scriptures in english. It has been a whole new experience since I have read it in spanish for the last four years. Its incredible to learn something new when you translate it. Daily study of the scriptures and not falling asleep while doing it and not being afraid to take time to look something up for fear of not finishing a chapter.

3. Temple Attendance.....needs to increase. While on my mission I promised that I would never take advantage of the temple when I got home...oops! I need to be better and go to any and all temples that are accessible. With the opening of the Draper Temple this year, I should have even less excuses.

4. Look for new experiences.....and don't be afraid to take advantages of them. Most of my best memories is when I have attempted something new, travel to a new place, or just got out of my comfort zone. It is easier to just do the same thing all the time, but what do I learn from that? Whatever comes this next year I must take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves even if it seems scary at the beginning.

seriously something I want to do yet freaks me out.

5. Follow a generous thought.....I often think of something nice that I could do for someone else, but second guess myself for fear of looking stupid. I need to follow those thoughts and not supress an act of kindness. Take action and stop being scared that others with think I am crazy.

6. Respond to emails......I have this weird thing that once something goes into my inbox, it gets lost and never attended to. So it is now my goal to respond to my emails when they are recieved. Attached to this goal is the need for me to follow up with emails. I often tell people that I will send them something (mainly pictures) or check on something else and let them know. For some reason, I get distracted and never follow through with this. If I have promised you something and have yet to deliver, please remind me of it and I will get it taken care of. These next pictures are for my sister whom I promised that I would post these. this is my new amazing haircut and highlights
we made this for my parents this year and the texans haven't seen it yet
7. Follow this motto:.... "You can't do everything, all the time, but you can do most things, most of the time. But whatever you do, make sure you do nothing, none of the time." This motto has continued to grow and progress over the course of a couple of years and with a few different friends. Throughout different circumstances and times, I believe that this is how I want to live my life. I went through a time period when I thought I could do everything and that I was Super Woman. After a few stubborn years, I have come to realize that it isn't possible and I need to relax just a little bit more. It can't be perfect, so learn to roll with it. But no matter how crazy life gets, don't give up! This post has ended up being a little longer than I had planned, but it made me put it all into words so that these goals can be accomplished. Some are more simple while others will be a lifelong quest. I hope that all of your new year has already started off well and that it may continue. Hopefully, I will become so great at accomplishing these goals that I will find sometime to perfect the ones I mentioned at the beginning. Anyone know a good recording artist for beat boxers?