Looking Backwards at 2009...

It's time to review last year's resolutions...

-drink less coffee: So didn’t happen, and probably never will considering the lovely coffee grinder, Bodum storage containers and green French press I acquired over the holiday season. I’m not disappointed about this one though. Here’s why: "Good News in the Daily Grind."
-drink more water: check
-read more fiction instead of just news: half check—I definitely picked up the fiction reading—joining a book club has aided this resolution—but I’m still not at the point that I want to be at. It takes me too long to finish a book and I’m still more likely to read the New Yorker or the newspaper on the train than a novel.
-yoga: I’m going to blame this one on the lack of an affordable studio in Hoboken and the loss of my yoga mat. Lame, I know.
-learn to cook: 1/4th check—This is still a huge challenge, but I’m headed in the right direction. In the last several months I’ve definitely started to eat out less and make my own meals, even if it’s just boiling some water for whole wheat pasta and broccoli.
-cook more: see above
-learn another language, preferably french: This is where I disappoint myself. Not only did I not even attempt to learn French, but I didn’t practice Italian as much as I should. I’m re-resolving this for 2010.
-organize: 1/3 check—I’ve started and stopped this process a few times. I’m definitely more organized than I was at this time last year, but it’s still an uphill battle.
-create a budget and stick to it: 1/3 check—I started using Quicken and am pretty aware of my finances and spending habits. Could I spend less and save more? Sure, who can’t? Do I refuse to waste my youth in New York City? Of course.
-exercise more: Well, I walked more for sure (moving to a part of town that doesn’t terrify you can do that) but I’m still without a gym membership. I plan to keep it that way though, no reason to waste the money. I’ll continue walking, maybe throw in some push ups and sit ups here and there, and consider working up to a jog. I’m removing this from my yearly resolution list though because it’s just dumb.
-declutter: 1/3 check—moving helped with this one. Moving again might help even more.
-laugh more: check
-take a trip on my own: check (San Francisco—next stop, Portugal?)
-write every day: 3/4 check—the nature of my job means that every day involves writing, but this resolution was more about non-work related musings which is why I didn’t give it a full check. If I only limited this to blog writing, I’d only get 1/16 of a check.
-start investing: check
-write more letters: 1/3 check—I’ve kept up on the birthday card and holiday card front, and even threw in a few just saying hi cards which warrants the 1/3 check. I could up the just saying hi quotient though.
-watch less TV: I wish I could say that I kept this one, but I definitely didn’t, especially when I factor in Netflix movies watched at home. Sure, it’s beyond wasteful to watch a marathon of America’s Next Top Model, especially if you’ve already seen every episode in that season. But what can I say? Sometimes I just can’t change the channel on Tyra.
-eat more whole grains and veggies: half check—I’ve definitely made improvements on eating less crap. Still have a ways to go though…

I'm working on the list for 2010...will post soon...

...Weekend Anna