loves linkedin & all it's done for me

218/365 Year Two, originally uploaded by coreena.

Now, I would like you to "imagine one area in your life that you want to work on or make a change in. This could be your relationship, a friendship, work. Anything. Think about one specific change that you’d like to see happen in that area, and then you turn to a friend or your partner and you play the ‘Remembering Forward’ game. [It's now December] 2011 and that change you wanted to see happen? It did. Your dialogue with your friend or partner makes it come alive."
[via asweetspoon]

I imagine myself scrambling to do one of two things (maybe even both): to lesson plan the coming months before the break comes to a quick end or to shove as much fun as I possibly can into my remaining time before returning to MY classroom. I will probably be living in San Jose, but spend most of my vacation in San Francisco. I'll be a bit more frazzled, far more pressed for time, and looking for any chance to take a break. I know this. And yet I still want it? Yeah, as crazy as it may seem, it's the only thing I'm sure of right now.

Since this is the new year eve's post, I'm going to hit you hard with a review post of epic proportions! Let's start with music:

^{2007 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm
2008 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm
2009 Pop Music Mashup: DJ Earworm}
And the 2010 Pop Music Mashup:



My 11 resolutions in 2011 (to be revisited on July 1st):
<sub>1. leave only 1 tab open on my computer each night
2. drink 1 cup of water for each cup of coffee [realistic editing]
3. record at least 3 sentences on my blog each day
4. recap with pictures quarterly (4 photo recaps in 2011)
5. clean my room/house/car every 5 days (dates divisible by 5)
6. read at least 1 new job-related book each month
7. abstain from clothing purchases for a year (trading is ok)
8. eat, drink, learn, or try something new each month
9. throw out or give away unused items (avoid repurposing)
10. try a new recipe twice a month (on the 14th and 28th)
11. focus at least a half-hour a day on job-searching

2010 Recap by Month:
JAN: attended BFX and it changed my life!
FEB: snagged more work with I Love A Clean San Diego
MAR: reunited with the long-distance boy & made it official
APR: got environmental & danced as much as I worked
MAY: celebrated my birthday with friends in the Bay
JUN: work died down, but I got to attend the Blues Recess
JUL: began organizing & DJing SD blues events
AUG: quit my jobs, up & moved to SF without a plan
SEP: snagged a second job subbing for charters
OCT: received allergy tests & a final diagnosis
NOV: took a long-term position subbing at RLS
DEC: job interviews, holiday parties, & family time

It's been a crazy, but good year...

I'm excited for 2011.


Bring it!</sub>

making a resolution for a new year?

Now, originally uploaded by kkalyan.

_{Be deliberate
Resist the urge to impulsively make pledges for the upcoming year based on what's bothering you at a specific moment. Spend a week, or longer, evaluating your priorities for the new year and think about how your resolution fits with these objectives. This is a great conversation to have with a friend, "Could you see me doing this goal, this year?"
Leave the past behind
Refrain from adopting old resolutions to prevent past regrets from following you into the future. Instead, redefine failed goals. If "lose weight" didn't work last year, consider the new approaches of "eat healthier" or "exercise five days a week"
Stay positive
Swearing off bad habits such as "I will never bite my nails again" only emphasizes the forbidden behavior. For better results, cast resolutions in a flattering light and vow to "Take better care of my hands and nails"
Shorten the deadline
Recent research found 80 percent of people don't keep their resolution past Valentine's Day. Maintain yours until July 1 and you will have accomplished more than most. We're betting the buzz you get from successfully making reaching the six-month mark will carry you the rest of the year.
Define the obstacles
Acknowledging and preparing for the challenges upfront allows you to better navigate bumps in the road ahead.
Go public with your plans
Telling others about your goals helps you in a couple of ways. Writing the goals down and sharing them with others can increase your sense of responsibility to meet your objectives. It also gives others insight into what you are trying to accomplish and opens new doors for support.
[via Lia Steakley Dicker, of 43things]}

I'm trying to narrow down my resolutions into attainable goals for the new year. I like the ones that I have already posted below, but I have some that I need to work in about sleep, organization, learning Spanish, attaining a permanent job, environmental practices, and cooking. Get excited. I'm determined to make things happen!

by the light of the fire

gypsy, originally uploaded by Kristen Drozdowski..

Last night was simply magical.

I will never be able to sum it up in words and I am totally okay with that fact. Power outages, the Black Swan, steak dinner, Parks & Rec, and perfection. Mmm...

More, please.


Once I recover, of course.

and a sweet-tooth to boot

sweet lips, originally uploaded by gracelina..

These past few weeks have truly been amazing... my best holiday season yet. It's been filled with family and friends and good food. We just finished up the last of the holiday parties yesterday, with David's extended family on his dad's side. I'm scared for the coming week and the fact that my sleep cycle is complete crap now. I may need to pull another all-nighter to get it back on track, since that seems to be the easiest way for me to get that done.

The best/worst part of the holidays is the immense amount of candy that collects. Right now, I have six different sources in my immediate possession. I snack on them all day long and I have little to no motivation to remedy that. In somewhat related news, I have yet to find a diet that works for me... I'm either eating too much or simply eating the wrong things. I need to make some changes, but I haven't decided how to go about that just yet. And yes, I know that the candy would be a good start... Thanks.

time to turn some new leaves

bench, originally uploaded by H@Ru.

I know I need to straighten up and bring my life back into line a bit. I have several ideas already, but one that I'm less sure of is this blog and whether or not I should make a new one. It would be easier to ignore it and to continue writing here, but I feel like it may be beneficial to start from scratch, without the controversial posts of my past. While I ponder a bit more, here are a few more of my ideas for the new year:

<sub>1. leave only 1 tab open on my computer each night
2. drink 2 cups of water for each cup of coffee
3. record at least 3 sentences on my blog each day
4. clean my room/house/car every 4 days or so
5. read at least 1 new job-related book each month
6. abstain from clothing purchases for a year (trading ok)</sub>

I also want to figure out some realistic goals for exercising and pleasure reading. If you have suggestions or tips, they would be greatly appreciated.