When the school year ended, I had sort of a big Summer To Do list:
- bleach stuff
- mend tears
- clean out gmail inbox
- pick/print pictures
- schedule artsbridge interviews
- quit anthro
- clean jewelry
- book covers
- Artsbridge doc

It may not seem like much, but at the time I was working a few jobs and trying to finish a documentary, so getting anything done was a miracle. Well, I'm happy to say that with the exception of cleaning my jewelry (which is on the schedule for this afternoon) I got everything done!

Now, as for my goals for the summer, I wasn't quite as successful:
-eat healthier
-read more
-find a way to enjoy working out
-take more pictures
-make a movie
-write a short script
-learn guitar

I did start learning guitar, read a whole lot more, ate a little bit better, and took many many pictures. However, I didn't make a movie (although some friends and I did make a photomotion that I haven't posted here yet) and I didn't write a short script. As for enjoying working out, I went hiking a bunch this summer, and I really loved it. I hope to do more in the fall and next spring. I really want to hike Mount Timpanogos, but I'm not sure if I can make that happen before it gets too cold.

So there you have it. Maybe documenting all this will motivate me for my Fall goals....we'll see.

School starts again tomorrow. I have a feeling my schedule this semester (between work and school and TAing) is going to kick my trash.

Even though summer doesn't officially end yet, it feels like it's already gone. And there is a lot I'm going to miss about it:

Below, TED Talk about trying something for 30 days. Needless to say, I love it.

Warning: I'm about to pat my own back for an entire post.

I decided at the beginning of the summer that this would finally be the summer I did all the things I've intended to for a long time. Try new things, learn guitar, cook more, read more, etc...

I've had this sticky note on my computer for the past month or so, reminding myself of the things I want to do.

summer goals:
-eat healthier
-read more
-find a way to enjoy working out
-take more pictures
-make a movie
-write a short script
-learn guitar

What I've noticed, as I'm trying to do these things, is that I'm doing lots of new things...boating, camping, playing frisbee, learning to longboard. And I'm loving it. I love feeling like I've accomplished something, even if I haven't. I love feeling like I can conquer challenges and become somehow more than I am.

If that makes any sense. Which it probably doesn't.

My point is (if I have own) that I'm awesome. And summer is great. And sometimes, changing your life is really as easy as deciding to do just that.

I mentioned A Fine Frenzy. And my friend Melissa. I was listening to the album quite a bit, and mentioned that "Happier" is one of my favorite songs.

I made a joke that it would help me get over a non-breakup with someone I'm not dating (what? I'm complicated...) and she said: "Oh, I was thinking ***** (guy I was sort of dating but shouldn't be)....'you go on and i'll go on and i'll be happier'"

The song is about a breakup, and the singer is unhappy about it, but Mel was seeing it as a good thing to be moving on...'you'll be gone and I'll be happier'

Why is it so hard to let go of things, even when we know they aren't good for us? For me, I think part of it is the idea of getting rid of a sure thing to take a risk that might not pan out. I'm not so good at risks, you see. I often feel there is this inevitability that things will turn out badly, and to protect myself I do the easy thing, or the stupid thing, or the numbing thing, instead of facing the uncertainty.

In a way, it is just as scary when things turn out the way you want them to.

But, I am letting go of the things that aren't good for me. Scratch that, I have let go of them.

Does anyone else think Bridget Jones' Diary is the perfect New Years movie? No? Just me? Well, I like it a lot. But I could talk about that movie forever, and that is not the point of this post. The point is another New Years resolution.

I'm going on a fast. Not one of those juice/water/maple syrup fasts. A fashion fast. Kristy is doing it with me. We've decided not to buy clothing for the whole year. I have plenty of things to wear, but I buy new clothes anyway, and it's just unnecessary. This year I'd like to learn to live more simply, and the fashion fast is part of that.

I'm clearly not the first person to try it. The internet is full of people limiting their closet, or their kitchen, or what have you. My friend Mindy let me know about a friend of hers who did a fashion fast for a year, so I googled her blog and read over how it went for her. (It's here, if you want to check it out.) She had rules, and had actually prepared for it by stocking up on wardrobe staples, but since I feel like I have more than enough to get me through a year, I'm starting cold turkey (is that a thing? it is now).

Just a couple guidelines I've set for myself:
1. Underthings don't count.
2. Necessities that wear out can be replaced (pajamas, basic tanks, tights, etc)
3. If a special occasion comes up, I'll try to shop my closet first, but if I need something special, I'm not going to limit myself.
4. For fun occasions (like a costume party or something) I can only thrift, or buy things that cost under $10.

So, that's the plan. Wish me luck.

First Monday of the New Year!

I like to think I'm not too sappy a person, but sometimes, well, I am. For me, this is one of the most romantic songs, ever.



Resolution #1 for the New Year: find my satellite. Or at least look for him.