2014: The Year of Possibilites

For the past several years I've been creating resolutions based on the '# year we're in. It was 13 for 2013, 12 for 2012, 11 for 2011...got it? Like many others, despite my resolutions varying in difficulty even the easy ones seemed to be unaccomplished by the end of the year. Many of my goals even crossed years. I get it- sometimes "fleeing Monterey" takes way more time than you'd think just to make sure it's where you're really supposed to be. Shoot. I'm still waiting for Prince Charming...have been since 2010. 

But then sometimes? Well sometimes I'm just slacking across multiple years and it's better to give up. Case in point? I've got t-rex arms. I've got it. I am accepting the fact that I will probably die before I ever complete 5 unassisted pull ups. Or 3. Or a single one.

Needless to say, I'm mixing it up in 2014. I figure this will be another big year for me so why not go crazy and mess with tradition? The mix-up? Rather than making 14 goals for this new year, I'm capping it at 12- one for each month. As in a set goal to have done at the conclusion of each month. A mere 28, 30, or 31 days rather than 365 to get something done. Maybe with a short fuse I can get more done?

Hey. It's a new approach. And yes, it's a new year. So right now, here's how my 2014 is looking to shape up in terms of goals/resolutions:

January: Re-Prioritizing My Time
February: Face to Face (Life's Too Short for Other's Drama)
March: Letting Go
April: Spotlight Katie O.

May: It's Okay to Ask for Help
June: Blog Time
July: For the Love of Food
August: It's Not About Me

September: Getting Crafty
October: Time to Go 'Sploring
November: A Picture a Day
December: Expanding Traditions

Within each month guidelines will be established prior to the first. So...I encourage you to support my goals where you can- hit the gym with me, don't let me skip Bible Study, give me volunteering info, or be a new recipe taster.

Ready or not, 2014 is here and I'm ready...are you?

Welcome 2013!

Every family has them.

You know, those stories that you just can't escape from hearing year after year. Typically the story that as you listen to its millionth telling, this time most likely to near strangers, you can't help but roll your eyes.

In my family we have more than our fair share of "famous stories." but like Disney, we have a vault and well, they've been locked up never to return. There are other stories though, the ones that are harmless in their retelling and last night I couldn't help but be reminded one that I've heard so many time that it makes up for the fact that I can't remember the actual event.

The story goes something like this-

When I was little (3 or 4), I was determined to stay up for New Years. My parents are still not sure what I thought was going to happen at midnight, apparently I had some idea and even at that young age, I wasn't going to miss out. Somehow I managed to stay awake. (Go figure, I can't do that now at 29!) At midnight, I ran out on the front porch with my pots, pans, and wooden spoon to wish our neighborhood a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Problem was, our neighbors were all in their houses. I was the only one out there greeting the new year. Disappointment? Confusion? Sadness? I'm going to go with yes, although again, I don't recall this 31 December disaster. Come to think of it, maybe this has permanently scared me when it comes to New Years? I mean, it's really just another day...but I digress.

Last night I witnessed what I think 4 year old Katie was searching for that New Years Eve 1980-something. Before the clock even got close to midnight explosions echoed through the alleys and off the hills,  smoke filled the air, and flashes of light filled the sky.

For a culture notorious for their laid back, time doesn't really exist culture, it made me laugh to get the pre-show fireworks starting a good 10 minutes early. And we're not talking sparklers, bottle rockets, and things that explode. We're talking better than an city or amusement park display here. For a few seconds I thought that I wasn't even going to know when it was midnight (even the church bells were drowned out) but then the night sky filled up with even more fireworks and I noticed neighbors all around me gathering on their roofs, patios, and balconies.

With the sky illuminated, the air heavy with the smell of "pyrotechnics", & my apartment experiencing the occasional shake the peninsula, the next bay over, and the islands all greeted 2013. Well, I think they were celebrating out on Capri, too much smoke in the air blocked my view! I'd seen video footage from previous years but nothing, no nothing, could have prepared me for the show I saw last night.

Here's my lame attempt to bring a little bit of New Years in Monte di Procida to you, but really? Let's just plan on spending December 31, 2013 on my rooftop. I've got the pots, pans, and fireworks- you bring the earplugs!

3...2...1...Buon Anno Nuovo!

Less than 24 hours remain in 2012. More than enough goals remain unchecked from 1 January. Actually, if I'm honest, a few still remain unchecked from 1 January 2011! (Damn pullups.)

Rather than wallow in defeat, I'm going to celebrate my 50% completion of my 12 for '12.

I....wrote my adorable girls (Caroline, Kiery, & Catherine) monthly, visited 3 new countries, completed level 4 of Italian, volunteered over 50 hours, ran a marathon, and learned to cook 3 new Italian dishes.

Not quite as satisfying as a few of my 2011 goals (flee Monterey & get a cat come to mind) but accomplishments none the less. Best part? In no way do these 6 completed goals (or the ones left waiting to be accomplished) even begin to define my year, let alone sum it up.

So, on the eve of another year...the one in which I turn 3-0...here are my goals partially to motivate, but mostly to keep me honest once the next 365 days have past. 

1. Obtain and maintain a weight in (classified) range.
2. Streamline rent payments
3. Running of the bulls
4. Monthly trip (3+ hours away)
5. Finish bedroom decorating by 31 January
6. Be social once a month
7. Blog more
8. Run a sub 2 hour half marathon
9. Learn to drive manual transmission (roll over from 2012)
10. Not ignore Ravi's illuminated dashboard lights
11. Write the CI girls monthly
12. 3 Unassisted pullups (3rd year on the list)
13. *Classified*

Yeah, this has gotten a little more sophisticated from the night Lindsay and I sat at the Brit writing our 10 for '10 goals on Sierra Nevada coasters! Same rules apply though- some of my goals are "classified" but rather than blocking them out I'm counting on the fact that our brains are not wired the same way and you can't decipher the visual I've picked for the goal.

Wishing you a fabulous sparkly 2013!

<3 Katie & Neeks

Arrivederci 2011, Ciao 2012!

Few things are for sure- 2011 has been a fabulous year and I really don't know how 2012 can beat it. It's ridiculous to think that a decade has passed since I stood in the Custom House Plaza counting down to 2001, excited that that meant high school graduation, going to college, and a million other plans, some that haven't happened- but you know what? That's okay.

The 17 year old version of me had a much different idea of what I'd be doing at 28 but you know what? That's because that Katie had no freaking idea how things would play out. Never in a million years would I have believed that this would be my life...Italy? Training for marathons? Breakfast in the Kenyan Savannah? Touring Navy ships? Stomping grapes? Amazing how that works out and amazing how a little patience (cause we all know that's all I have) can all of a sudden allow you to cross off a goal of 2 years! 

Speaking of goals- my 11 for 2011 I did alright. In the 365 days that have followed my waking up on the streets of Pasadena, half frozen, to watch the 2011 Rose Parade I was able to accomplish 6 of my goals. No, not exactly a passing grade there is it? 

What Got Accomplished

• Flee Monterey: This has been my #1 goal for 2 years running so the fact that it was actually completed this year made headline news! Everything played out fabulously and really, Naples Italy is really not a bad place to flee to. Turns out I really did just have to keep sending that resume out...weekly to various postings. 
• Adopt a Kitty: It was amazing just how easy this was to do once moving to Italy. It's even more amazing just how much more fun it is to have a pet in the house again. Signore Nico is his name and yes, you've seen his picture plenty. 
• Attend Fan Fest: My dad and I braved Fan Fest for the San Franscico Giants. I say braved because there were so many people the gates were actually shut for a while so we just ate pizza and walked along the water. Not wanting to give up, we game it one last shot and got in...or stormed the gate. 
• Dominate the 5K: Okay, so domination did not occur but I did participate in 4 5K events. I also managed to get several 10Ks in and even a few "longer than 10Ks." In the running department I also participated in my first trail run and joined a running club in Italy.  
• Read a Book a Month...Just Because: So maybe it wasn't one per month...I don't do well with reading deadlines, but I definitely read 12 books. Non fiction seemed to be my thing this year- blame it on my trip to Kenya. 
• Defend Cookie Queen Title: I don't have the 2011 crown on my head, but I was there to compete so I'm happy. Besides, I passed the title to one of my favorite people and it turned out to be a cookie collaboration of a bunch of my other favorite people. Speaking of which, if you're interested in the cookie entries for this year use this link to find them. 

What Got Put on Hold

• Finish Cal Poly @ Sea Scrapbook: With all the time already put into this, the last thing I was going to do it put it in a container to join me in Italy by sea. Well, somehow it just never made it to Italy to join me with all of my scrapbooking stuff. 
• Create & Stick to a Monthly Budget: Again, blaming the move to Italy. Hey- you try to build a budget when you still don't have real bills coming in, were being reimbursed for living expenses for 3 months, & dealing in two currencies?
• Learn to Cut Apart Chicken: I mean, this really shouldn't be that tough but I just need to practice...should I start looking into chicken recipes? 

What Just Didn't Happen

• Visit Nina in Texas: I tried, I really did! But this whole move to another country thing sort of made it difficult. 
• Do a pull-up. A Real One: I was so good working on this over the summer, but then I got lazy. My T-Rex arms live to see 2012. 

 
That's the funny thing- I can make all the plans I want, set goals ranging from easy to lofty, and even cross them off but, at the end of the year there are so many other things that I just couldn't anticipate or even fathom. It does drive me crazy, but in the end, it beats the alternative of not being alive to experience this thing I call the Life of Katie O.

I hope that 2011 has been a fabulous year and if it hasn't- 2012 is here with 366 days to make things happen. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get enough of those goals completed to "pass."

Hope to see you all sometime during 2012- my summer is promising to be filled with visitors at this rate but you know what? Skype also proves to be a fabulous (and budget saving) method for me to still see your face.

Felice Anno Nuovo!

~Katie~