Taken from The Joker:
January 2005 Archives
Since I am moving (and combining households with another person), I am giving away / selling a bunch of stuff. I currently have some more items on eBay if anyone is interested in bidding.
I also made a page for the items that didn't sell. I currently have 4 umbrellas - I only need one. I have furniture that I am getting rid of. Several of the items are small enough to fit in my car. If anyone is interested in any of the above, let me know - I will likely give them away for free.
A few other items I can think of offhand are a toaster oven, mixing bowl, and my old CPA, CIA, and CGAP study materials. There will be more, so stay tuned...
Taken from Froggie:
You scored as Intrapersonal. You prefer your own inner world, you like to be alone, and you are aware of your own strengths, weaknesses, and feelings. You learn best by engaging in independent study projects rather than working on group projects. People like you include entrepreneurs, philosophers and psychologists.
The Rogers Indicator of Multiple Intelligences created with QuizFarm.com |
I mentioned briefly that Mike and I are moving in together, but hadn't had a chance to dedicate an actual entry to it yet. So here it is. :) We're moving into a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house for rent with a 2 car garage and a hot tub in the back yard! I have some pictures up, but you need a username and password to view them, so if you are interested, send me an email and I'll hook you up. :) For those who have already looked at the pictures, I took about 20 more today and dispersed them throughout the album. All the new pictures have captions that begin with *new picture*.
Thanks for the link Julie!
I made mention before that I really want to get rid of my pack rat tendancies this year. Since getting sick really threw a wrench into finishing up that one weekend, I decided last week to not turn on my computer until at least 8pm on work days so that I'm not distracted by it and can actually be productive. Unfortunately, I haven't kept to that every day, but the days that I have, I've really felt good about myself and gotten stuff done. I even made a few phone calls to friends whom I had been neglecting.
I also decided to finally start reading the book that Mike had loaned me many, many months ago when I told him that I really did want to get rid of all the clutter. It's called Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More by Elaine St. James. He said that it really helped him when he decided to make that choice several years ago. For whatever reason, I never got around to reading it. So now, in waiting rooms, at laundry mats, etc. I read from it when I can. Today at the laundry mat, a passage really hit home:
In order to simplify, we have to start making choices, sometimes difficult choices. And often it means saying no, even to the things we want to do.Shortly after Gibbs and I began to take steps to simplify, we found ourselves having dinner with some friends who were into hang gliding.
We spent the entire evening listening to them rave bout the thrill of this fascinating sport. As we sat there being seduced by yet another activity, we imagined ourselves leaping off the cliff and soaring silently over the beautiful hills behind our home.
By the time the evening was over we'd promised our friends we'd meet them at six o'clock the next morning on a nearby peak to try out their gear and have or first lesson.
All the way home we talked about how wonderful it would be to start hang gliding.
Then we walked through the front door, looked at each other, and reality began to set in. We reminded ourselves of how little time we actually have available. We realized there was no way we'd be able to fit a new sport into our schedule, especially one as time and energy consuming as hang gliding. We knew that our short list would suffer if we did. And our short list had been suffering long enough.
When we analyzed it carefully, we realized hang gliding was not as high on our list as we'd originally thought.
Reluctantly, we called our friends and explained why we wouldn't be able to join them.
That sounds very much like my current situation with Snowboarding. Snowboarding was always something I vaguely wanted to do. However, it wasn't until I was offerred a free snowboard that I decided to make the effort. But, really, it's not a high priority on my list. I've just felt somewhat obligated now that I have a free snowboard and I've told my brother that I'm interested. However, I think I'm going to have to put this idea aside, at least until next season. I'm going back to school now, Mike & I are moving into a house for rent in just a couple weeks (yes, I know, I haven't blogged about that yet), and I really just want to get my life uncluttered. So I am going to say "no" now for the rest of this season so I don't have to feel guilty every time I'm asked to go.
Having said all that, it's time to get back to sorting and pitching...
Okay, I have more eBay items up. Check them out!
Just because a tsunami hit Thailand, doesn't mean tourists should stop going. Read a first hand account of a friend who is over there right now and talks about why it's important for tourists to still visit.
I have put up several things on eBay. Please check them out. Currently it's mostly back issues of magazines - National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Jane, and Health. I hope to put some more items up in a few days.
In case you missed number 12 of my 2004 End of Year Survey, I am really proud of my friend Erik. He told me that my weight loss actually inspired him to go public with a fitday journal to document his progress with his weight. Then he decided to take it up a notch. He's going to make 2005 a year of change...lose weight, get healthy, get out of debt, and most of all concentrate on things that will make him happy. And he's going to publicly document it. He's going to "try everything" and let the world know how it turned out so that you (yes YOU) may benefit from his mistakes and achievements. So, everyone, please check out The 365 Day Turnaround blog, and spread the word.
BTW, you may noticed that I never once said he is "trying" or "planning", but rather that he IS "going" to do it. I have every confidence in him. I KNOW that it can be done. In October 2003, I decided I wanted to change my whole outlook on life; I wanted to stop having low self esteem and start being happy and becoming a better person. In December 2003, I really decided to attack my weight...I've gone from a size 16 to a size 9 or so (and I'm not done). In March 2004, I changed my spending habits, and I have a plan set in motion to get out of debt. Most of all, I am *happy*. Truly and sincerely HAPPY. Erik is one of the neatest people I know and am so thankful to call a good friend. He can do this. I have no doubt.
Update: You're quite welcome, Erik. :)
I hate being sick. I had so much I wanted to do this weekend and I feel like crap, so none of it's getting done. I'm bored. I don't really want to sit at the computer. I guess I could read, but then I'd feel guilty because I'm not doing something productive. Grr...I hate being sick.
Seeing as how I'm sick and don't feel like cleaning, I've decided to sit at the computer and finally make some changes to the blog. I'm now happy with the individual entry pages and monthly & category archive pages. However, I don't know about the main page. I thought I had way too much stuff on my right sidebar, so I thought I'd create a left sidebar and move all the blog archive stuff over there. But now I feel like it looks cluttered. Please, I'm open to opinions about the new look and suggestions for any changes.
Update: Actually, as soon as I posted this message, I realized it looks a little cleaner. I think it looked so cluttered because of the white block in the Randomly Generated Resolution below.
Stolen from Froggie:
In the year 2005 I resolve to: |
I did one of these last year and thought it was pretty neat...a nice way to catch up with people. So I was already planning on getting the 2004 version out today, but it looks like Tim beat me to the punch.
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Lost 34 pounds.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Mostly. I haven't reached my ideal weight yet, but I did lose 34 pounds, which is quite a feat. In 2005, I will continue to work on that and also to kick my pack rat tendencies.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, although I only saw her once this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no, thankfully
5. What countries did you visit?
no countries this year, but I took my yearly drive to Texas for the 4th of July and I've been all over California. I don't think I even made it to Vegas in 2004 unless you count waking up there the morning of the 1st (I went there for 2003-4 New Year's)
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
2004 was pretty darn good, I don't feel anything was lacking. In 2005 I just want things to continue going in that direction.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 21st, September 29th, and October 4th -- dates SpaceShipOne flew to space
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
completely changing my eating and exercising habits, thus losing 34 pounds and passing the CGAP and CIA exams!
9. What was your biggest failure?
2004 was a really good year, I don't really feel like I failed at anything
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
well, I have a wrist issue that the doctors have diagnosed as "nonspecific pain" rather than carpal tunnel syndrome
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmm....Dreamweaver? I'm sure there must be something else, but it's alluding me at the moment.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Because I accomplished so much this year and succeeded at making true lifestyle changes, I'd have to say my own. Also, Erik for the changes he is about to make.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one important to me.
14. Where did most of your money go?
paying off debt
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Mike...especially the incredibly sweet Christmas card he gave me
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
Can't think of anything.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner (by 34 pounds!!)
iii. richer or poorer? technically richer, although how much debt I'm in finally caught up to me so a lot of my money has been put toward that, thus decreasing my spendable income. However, my last check of 2004 did have a nice raise on it, so I'm going to allow for a little more spendable income, but the majority of the raise will go toward continuing to pay off debt.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
unpacking (can you believe I've lived here a year and a half and I'm *still* not completely unpacked?!) and traveling (because you can never have too much travel in your life!)
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
procrastinating (maybe I'd be done unpacking by now)
20. How did you spend your holiday?
Christmas: with my mom, step-dad, brother, and brother's fiance at my mom's place
New Years: with my brother, his fiance, and a couple friends. We went out for Japanese food, watched Meet the Parents at the friends' house, and then off to the theater for Meet the Fockers.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
my mom
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
yup
23. How many one-night stands?
none
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Gilmore Girls, and Smallville (I turned off my cable this year to save money, but I've been getting the first 3 shows listed from Netflix)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
nope, can't say that I hate anyone at all
26. What was the best book you read?
what did I read this year? Maybe Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
sadly, I didn't discover anyone new this year. I haven't really been that much into music lately...mostly just turning on the radio
28. What did you want and get?
are we talking for Christmas or for the year in general?
For Christmas...a racquetball racquet (Thanks Marc!), Talisman (Thanks Erik!), and my mom is working on getting me some stuff from my wish list due to some complications with her original present.
For the year in general...Mike - he's everything I've ever wanted in a relationship
29. What did you want and not get?
Christmas...I was pretty happy with my gifts.
Year...my ideal weight, but I'm working on it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn't watch a lot of movies this year, but I did really enjoy Mona Lisa Smile and I, Robot
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Mike took me to the Nutcracker two days before my birthday, the 3D IMAX version of Polar Express the day before my birthday, and we had dim sum for lunch and an elegant dinner at Cafe Rustica on my birthday. I turned 27.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I guess having finished unpacking much, much sooner
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
much cuter now that I'm able to fit into smaller clothes!!
34. What kept you sane?
Mike...he's so mellow that it rubs off on me.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Johnny Depp again I suppose
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
election?
37. Who did you miss?
my dad (always)...and Mike when we're apart for too long (like right now)
38. Who was the best new person you met?
A lot of Mike's friends and family...Oliver, Bruce & Gay, his aunt Jazz
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Eating and exercise habits are very important...and they can be changed!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Again, I didn't really listen to much music this year, so I can't think of any.
First, let me just wish everyone a very happy new year! I spent mine with my brother Marc, his fiance Jaimee, his groomsman Mike, and Mike's girlfriend Becky (talk about weird since I'm part of my own Mike & Becky couple!). We went out to eat at place called Tokyo Kitchen and had some good food. Then we watched Meet the Parents at Mike & Becky's and then to the theater for Meet the Fockers. It was a very mellow evening and with exception of the shot of sake I had with dinner, I didn't have any alcohol. It was exactly the kind of evening I wanted to spend for New Year's (minus the boyfriend, of course, who won't be back until Monday).
I've had a couple downers today, but I still fully expect 2005 to be a wonderful year. First, I woke up with a head cold...I had a sore throat earlier in the week, but that went away. The cold sat back in the sidelines Thurs and Fri, but decided to migrate to my head this morning. However, Marc to the rescue with Tylenol Cold...popped one pill and the nose and eyes stopped running! Thanks Marc!
Then, when I went out to my car this morning, I discovered that it had been egged. However, it was raining last night / this morning, so the egg didn't have a chance to dry and I was able to wipe it right off!
Lastly, on my way home, I got a speeding ticket. :( I was so close to home too...I was tired, it had been a long drive, and I really just wanted to be home and lay down with my cats. I saw the cop and slowed down, but not in enough time to avoid his radar. He caught me going 87 about 5 feet (actually, I have no concept of distance, so I really don't know how many feet, but it was close) away from a 70 zone. Apparently I was in a 65 zone...I actually thought it was 70 for that whole stretch, but now I know...and either way, I was still speeding. So that's a bummer (and a waste of money!), but at least it's been long enough since my last speeding ticket that I should be able to take traffic school with no problems and continue to have a clean record.
All in all, these downers weren't really that bad, so I am still very optimistic about 2005...I am bound and determined to cure my disease of being a pack rat!
Have a great 2005 everyone!
