New Years Resolutions

I think I started 2011 off right, for once in my life. In the past, I've gone into celebrating new years with high hopes - the search for "the" dress, fancy clubs with expensive covers, and some small part of me secretly hoping to magically meet a super hot guy from which I will elicit the most perfect new years kiss.

In my years of celebration, this has NEVER happened. Far from it actually -- I generally go home the first day of the new year dearly disappointed. And maybe that's why the past few years have been tainted with disappointment, let-downs and broken expectations. From the lies and deceit, being betrayed by the closest person to me this past year, and learning to forgive someone who never deserved my trust to begin with a year before, I've definitely been doing something wrong.

This year will be different though. I think I've evolved as a person and learned not to overly-invest myself -- you know, keep it simple. This New Years Eve was indeed simple and unplanned. I went to lunch with my parents Friday afternoon, then went to a bar on Polk street with my closest friends at night. I wasn't even sure if I was going to go out at night, I was truly content with staying home and relaxing. Although, I am glad that I did go out because I ended up having a good time. The night was short, and I did not have enough to drink -- and even though it doesn't sound like the best New Years celebration, it really was.

Because I started off the New Year with Alex and Andy, the Al Pals who always have my back and I care about soooo much. Because I wasn't plastered and didn't NEED to go home early. Because I didn't care who I met or where I was. Because the dress I wore to the bar I found when I was looking for something else. Because nothing was planned, nothing at all was certain. Because there were no expectations and no false promises culminating in my subconscious. Because even though I wasn't expecting it, I ended up getting a new years kiss.

Because of all of these things, my New Years celebration was ab-so-lutely perfect. I couldn't have had a better time and if this is ANY indication of what the next year will be like I am VERY excited for what is to come. Over the past years, I've learned how to appreciate the most important things in life. And not only have I FINALLY learned to be genuinely happy alone, I've also learned how to gauge who I can trust and who should truly matter.

Consequently, I don't really have any specific New Years resolutions this year. For 2011 I know that I must better myself and expand my horizons on all fronts. I will take life each day at a time and push myself in my career and social life. I've already signed up for community service events in the coming months, so I'm well on my way to helping others. If I continue to try my best at everything I do I know that everything else will fall into place.

And to be thorough, my resolutions from last years post:
1. Read more
2. Drink, and go out, less
3. Take more pictures
4. Eat healthier and stay in shape
5. Be less of a flaker for social events

I can proudly say that I've made significant progress in all 5 areas through 2010. To all of my friends and anyone who is reading this, I wish you all the best for the new year and success in any and many endeavors. Here's to 2011 --