I tend not to be very good at keeping up with New Year's Resolutions - maybe I pick resolutions that are too big for me to realistically keep... But I feel like 2012 has big things in store and there are some changes I'd like to make to help them along! Nothing too big, just little tweaks to help me feel better about myself, mind, body and soul.
1. Blog/document more
Well, 2011 saw 6 posts for Make My Funk the Pea-Funk! As this is my second post, I'm already 1/3 of the way there : P I also want to keep track of all the books I read, and all the films I watch!
2. Detox January
Every January, Ronan and I give up booze for the month. It's a nice cleanse after the festive period! This year, we've gone a step further, and we're going proper vegetarian for the month. I want to try and document some of our yummy recipes (once my camera is fixed!)
3. Start up my exercise regime again
When I started my new job in late 2010, I got the added bonus of a 2 hour commute each way. Now I don't get home until about 7pm, so I've definitely slacked off on the exercise-front. While I get a 2 x 30 minute walks everyday, I want to try and start running again, at least twice a week - hopefully once on the weekend, and once during the week.
4. Learn new crafts
Last year, I did plenty of crochet projects, including numerous baby blankets, scarves, hats, etc. While I still have plenty of hooking to do this year, I really want to try and work on other skills. I'd like to try knitting again, get more use out of my sewing machine and finally learn how to make a quilt!
5. Finances in order
This is always an ongoing resolution, but I feel like I'm making headway on it! I've been good about my pension, been setting aside money into an ISA account and making significant payments on my credit card. This year will also be my 4th year of student loan repayments, and it feels good to know I'm almost half way done with paying them off! I would like to be debt-free (minus student loans) by December 2012, with a decent amount of dollars set aside for our potential move to the US in 2013!
6. Plan for the future
Ronan and I first moved to Brighton more than 4 years ago when he started his PhD. A lot has changed since then, including jobs and flats, but we have known that we'd be here for at least 4-5 years. Well, we're finally coming up to the end of our stay here. There's no immediately plan to leave yet of course, but Ronan's definitely gearing up to finish this bad boy, and it looks like he should be finishing up this year. This means we can finally start looking forward, and plan the next step of our lives! It depends on a lot of things, including where he can find work, where I can find work, etc, but it's exciting to think we might be in a new city 365 days from now : )
Monday, 2 January 2012
2011 - A Year in Review
All in all, 2011 was a pretty good year. No significant changes, but a nice slow and steady year. Both Ronan and I started new jobs in the end of 2010, and did pretty well for our first proper year. The rest of the year was spent enjoying friends' babies, travelling, not winning Olympic tickets, and thinking about our plans for the future.
Some travel highlights include:
Los Angeles
France
In early September, we went to France to visit Ronan's parents. His sister and her boyfriend were there too! Perfect sunny trip away, with lots of hikes and walks!
Cambridge
We also got the chance to go up to Cambridge a few times this year, to visit Ronan's brother and sister-in-law, and our adorable nephew Aodhan. I'm so happy we're able to see him getting so big! We spent Christmas-time in Cambridge, too.
Ronan had a pretty exciting 2011! In October, he ran his first ever half-marathon, in the Royal Parks Foundation race.
He also had an amazing month (or two!) of Movember, and raised over £350! Of course, it took more than 3 weeks for it to reach maturation, so it seemed like such a waste to get rid of it at the end of November. So Ronan decided to keep it for December as well. (Un)Fortunately, we have finally said goodbye to the 'tashe, and it was shaved off today! Here it is mid-December:
How was your 2011?
Some travel highlights include:
Los Angeles
Ronan and I enjoyed another trip to Los Angeles for my cousin's wedding
While there we also had a chance to visit Disneyland! First time for Ronan
In early September, we went to France to visit Ronan's parents. His sister and her boyfriend were there too! Perfect sunny trip away, with lots of hikes and walks!
We also went out for a lovely dinner for Ronan's 35th birthday while we were there!
Edinburgh
Ronan and I had a chance to go up to Edinburgh this year, just before Christmas, to visit some old friends!
Claudia and me
A castle of some sort outside North Berwick
Cambridge
We also got the chance to go up to Cambridge a few times this year, to visit Ronan's brother and sister-in-law, and our adorable nephew Aodhan. I'm so happy we're able to see him getting so big! We spent Christmas-time in Cambridge, too.
Ronan had a pretty exciting 2011! In October, he ran his first ever half-marathon, in the Royal Parks Foundation race.
He also had an amazing month (or two!) of Movember, and raised over £350! Of course, it took more than 3 weeks for it to reach maturation, so it seemed like such a waste to get rid of it at the end of November. So Ronan decided to keep it for December as well. (Un)Fortunately, we have finally said goodbye to the 'tashe, and it was shaved off today! Here it is mid-December:
How was your 2011?
Monday, 11 April 2011
Celeb spotting in Brighton - of the A-list variety!
So last Sunday, I was at the gym, per usual, just minding my own business on the cross-trainer. I love me some people watching, and the gym is a great place to spy. As I was looking around, I noticed a slim blond woman, and thought to myself, "Ha, that woman looks like Renee Zellweger!" I didn't think much of it and carried on with my cross-trainer.
Hmmmm, let me take another look because it's Sunday and not very busy....
"Wow, she REALLY looks like Renee Zellweger...she's a total doppleganger!"
More cross training.
More looking.
"Dude...that IS Renee Zellweger..."
"What the hell is she doing in the LA Fitness at Brighton???"
So yes, I saw RZ at the gym last Sunday, with another woman (who I believe is her trainer) and it was very bizarre. But awesome to have a PROPER celeb spotting!
Hmmmm, let me take another look because it's Sunday and not very busy....
"Wow, she REALLY looks like Renee Zellweger...she's a total doppleganger!"
More cross training.
More looking.
"Dude...that IS Renee Zellweger..."
"What the hell is she doing in the LA Fitness at Brighton???"
So yes, I saw RZ at the gym last Sunday, with another woman (who I believe is her trainer) and it was very bizarre. But awesome to have a PROPER celeb spotting!
Sunday, 27 March 2011
I'm in the mood for....shoes
Spring is in the air, and this past week, it's actually been warm enough to kick off the boots and enjoy some bare legs in the sun! I'm itching for some new shoes, and found some cuties at Schuh. Better get my butt over there and pick them up before the sun goes away!
Now I just need some dresses, too!
Now I just need some dresses, too!
Monday, 21 March 2011
peeved
Number one pet peeve of commuting to work?
People who friggin READ when they're WALKING.
Is that really necessary? Can't you wait until, I don't know, you don't need to see where you're going?
Worst example of above pet peeve: A man pushing his baby...in a pram...crossing a busy London road...at rush-hour...while reading his Kindle. Oy vey.
/rant
People who friggin READ when they're WALKING.
Is that really necessary? Can't you wait until, I don't know, you don't need to see where you're going?
Worst example of above pet peeve: A man pushing his baby...in a pram...crossing a busy London road...at rush-hour...while reading his Kindle. Oy vey.
/rant
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Love is a mixture of desire and misunderstanding
I don't particularly like Valentine's Day and try my best to ignore it. This year we were going to get dirty Chinese takeaway and call it a night.
But to my surprise, I received this lovely card in the mail at work :) I was very excited indeed for dirty Chinese!
But to my even bigger surprise, as I was leaving work, who should I see but Ronan? Who travelled all the way up to London to surprise me!
We went to the pub, and then out for dim sum, and it was the loveliest Valentine's Day I've ever had!
And it only took me 3 weeks to blog about it, oopsies!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
London Triathlon - been there done that
So Monday was the last day to enter into the London Triathlon.
and I'm not on that list.
I'm a little sad about it, it's something I wanted to do every since I moved to the UK, and I've done it two years in a row (remember?)
I just honestly don't have the time or engery to put in the effort I would expect of myself. In fact, I don't think I'll be entering any races this year. Maybe 2012? Right now, my goal is just to make it to the gym, or go for a run, once or twice a week. I think once the weather improves, and the days are lighter longer, this will be easier to achieve.
But I have made it to the gym the past 2 Sundays for 2 hours each! I walk Ronan to the train station then head down, do 45 minutes on the cross trainer, 30 minutes doing weights, 20 minutes swimming and then relax in the hot tub/steam room. It's a good routine to get in, and I hope to carry on with it.
I'll also make it to the gym tomorrow after work, and will hopefuly schedule in a run next Thursday when I work from home (weather permitting, of course!)
How are your 2011 fitness resolutions coming along?
and I'm not on that list.
I'm a little sad about it, it's something I wanted to do every since I moved to the UK, and I've done it two years in a row (remember?)
I just honestly don't have the time or engery to put in the effort I would expect of myself. In fact, I don't think I'll be entering any races this year. Maybe 2012? Right now, my goal is just to make it to the gym, or go for a run, once or twice a week. I think once the weather improves, and the days are lighter longer, this will be easier to achieve.
But I have made it to the gym the past 2 Sundays for 2 hours each! I walk Ronan to the train station then head down, do 45 minutes on the cross trainer, 30 minutes doing weights, 20 minutes swimming and then relax in the hot tub/steam room. It's a good routine to get in, and I hope to carry on with it.
I'll also make it to the gym tomorrow after work, and will hopefuly schedule in a run next Thursday when I work from home (weather permitting, of course!)
How are your 2011 fitness resolutions coming along?
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