The One with the 2011 Resolutions.

I'm a copycat. So... this next little quip was an idea inspired by/stolen from Emily's latest post. The truth and fact of the matter is, she's just too cool to not copy.

Seeing a calendar hang on my wall that reads "2011" is a little freaky. Because I feel like things are soaring by. This year, I will turn 25 years old; I can't believe that. That being said, I think it is important to recount the last year's blessings. So, like Emily, I have compiled a list - some things obvious, others cryptic - of things that have helped to mold my year and, ultimately, who I am.

Dear 2010, thank you for:

• Bringing my family closer than ever
  
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee experience, cast and production team
• The remount and, eventually, performance at ACTF of Sleepy Hollow
• A performance at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts
• Getting rid of a particular poison
• Testing a friendship to the utmost degree
• Victoria's Secret
  
• Annie Get Your Gun
• The Drowsy Chaperone
• Meeting new, dear friends
• Positive, positive, positive theatre experiences
  
• A new job - a good new job
• LOST and Biggest Loser
  
• Audra freakin' McDonald changing my life
• (I can't believe I'm going to say this...) The 3-month-long funk
• Testing another friendship
• ROSS
  
• Five Carols for Christmas
• Losing 30 pounds
• Subway
• Opportunities
  
• Getting out of the funk
• Knitting (stolen from Emily's list - except she mentioned crocheting)
• A Tale of Two Cities and a dream role
• Yogurt Creme cookies from Texas
• Long and much-needed conversations with wonderful people
  
• Letting some of my new friends become potential best friends
• Size 4
• Honesty
  
• Mom

My last post focused on one specific goal that I am aiming for with my weight loss. I am going to take this opportunity and use this post to join the thousands of other bloggers out there that publicize their resolutions for the new year.

I used to think things like this were a joke. And sometimes, let's be honest, they are. But only because the goals are either 1) unreachable and unrealistic and 2) all talk and never actually worked on by the person. I have thought through each of these goals and thoroughly worked through how they will be achieved. Having such success so far with my weight loss goal really motivates me to actually follow through with each and every one of these.

Lose 18 more pounds.
Yep. It only seems fair to talk about it again and include it in THE LIST. I have moved from the 30 pounds lost point, which is good, but I still have a long way to go. My stubborn little mind and heart want and are convinced that I can reach my goal weight by mid-February; we'll see if my body will let my mind and heart have their way. A more materialistic goal within this one is to wear a size 2 in pants. When all of this began in September, I was wearing a size 12. Right now, I am sitting in the awkward in-between of a 6 and a 4, and while that progress has been one of the extra little excitements in this journey, I do want to eventually comfortably fit into a size 2.

Work out.
While I was in Texas, I went to the gym a couple of times. I have always hated exercise; my excuses consist of the time it takes, my busy schedule, how tired it makes me, how little progress I see, etc. But in all actuality, there really is nothing like walking away from a good work-out. I, therefore, aim to work out at least four times a week. I am very busy everyday, but I can take at least 30 minutes somewhere in my day for my body's well being, even if it's just a jog in the neighborhood.

Get A's.
Last semester kicked my butt. My GPA suffered immensely from the overload on my schedule with work, school, and two shows. This semester needs to be different. I have so little time left, I need my grades to reflect what I have learned in my years at college. So, this semester and next, my grades will not only improve, they will be as perfect as I can make them be.

Make new friends.

I seem to say it so often: I have been lucky enough to have some of the most incredible people come into my life - this year, even. I value these relationships, along with the ones that I have had for years, so much. This is going to sound a bit harsh: I fully intend on weeding out the bad in order to plant and nurture the good.

Improve as a performer.

As I mentioned in a couple of blogs previous, I have been given the unbelievable opportunity to be in the west coast regional premiere of the musical, A Tale of Two Cities. The role, Madame Defarge, is one that I have been dying to play for the last six months. Now that I have the chance to do so sitting in the palm of my hand, I have to mold it. This role is going to do a number on the performer in me, I have a feeling, but all in a good way. This truly will be the toughest role I have ever played in my whole life. I have so many goals set within the boundaries of A Tale of Two Cities alone. I won't go into every single one of those (yet), but I can certainly summarize them. I want to fully grasp every aspect of this character and understand her as best I can. Until I push myself to do so, I cannot be happy with the product that I put onto that stage. I refuse to come to a standstill with her; I will continue to grow and push myself until the show closes. This will take wit, confidence, trust, healthiness, gratefulness, and humility. Along with Tale, I also have specific shows that I am extremely interested in, however, for the professionality of it all, I will leave those goals private. Just know there's always something ahead that I am working for and crossing my fingers for.

Graduate.
Right? August 2011. I will be done with my five-year journey. I have decided that I won't be "walking" at the graduation ceremony, because all that I am focused on receiving out of this is a piece of paper that tells me that I made it through and that it was all worth it.

Move to Salt Lake.
This one kind of freaked me out to type, and honestly, this is one that could easily bleed into 2012 depending on a lot of things like my job here in Ogden, my financial situation, etc. But this is definitely something that I will be shooting for the second I finish school.

Bring more positivity into my life. Redefine friendships.
Pretty self-explanatory. It's about taking care of myself and becoming a better person.

So there they are. In black and white.

The truth is, my life never has been this sweet. I have never had more confidence and positivity in my life. I am unbelievably grateful for the experiences that 2010 brought. I have no doubt 2011 will bring just as many for me to learn and grow from. And so it begins.