WeVerb Day 13 - Read

WeVerb Day 13

#13: Read.

What article or book changed your outlook on an issue or life?

Hmmm...I don't really think I read anything in 2011 that was particularly earth shattering or life changing other than what I would normally read. I usually read something spiritually based in the mornings before I begin my day. Those are always helpful to me in focusing and making sure that my mind is right for that day. It's something that I've always done and that I'll continue to do.

I will say that I did start to read books again. I read a lot of blogs, magazines and so on, but I felt that books were missing in my life. After getting a Kindle last year, I've started to enjoy reading and exploring what's out there. I wrote a little about my Jane Austen book project for this past year here. I'm hoping to do another book reading project for 2012.

WeVerb Day 12 - Thrive

WeVerb Day 12

#12: Thrive.

What was your healthiest habit of 2011? What would you like to change or do differently in 2012?

I think there are a few things that I've started doing this year. I run now. I'm not going to finish the NYC Marathon in under four hours or anything, but I am glad that I now have this new aspect to my workout regimen. It's given me something that I can set goals for in terms of exercise.

I've actually started to take vitamins on a rather consistent basis. I hate taking vitamins, and I tend to forget to. One of my doctors pretty much got preachy on me/scared me a bit and told me that I am not getting enough iron. I am now at the Vitamin Shoppe at regular intervals and have even started taking an iron supplement.

Finally, I've been doing something called a Reset Week. For five days, I cut out meat or poultry, dairy, sweets, alcohol and probably a few other things that I can't remember. I know that there are people who eat like this all the time, but when you write a food blog that can be kinda hard. :) While it may not be a big deal, I think it helps me refocus on what I've been consuming and gets me back into a good mindset about my diet.

Nothing super ground breaking here, but good habits can be hard to establish. I get happy when I make an effort to be healthier.

For 2012, I'd like to increase my fitness levels and consistency even more.

WeVerb Day 11 - Try

WeVerb 11 - Day 11

Try.

What 12 new things do you want to do/accomplish in 2012?

I actually am hoping to start a 101 things in 1,001 days list, but here are a 12 things that I'd like to do or try in 2012.

1. Learn to knit

2. Learn Pilates technique and incorporate it into my workout

3. Write a handwritten letter to a friend just because

4. Travel internationally alone

5. Run a mile in under 10 minutes

6. Eat a meal in each of NYC's five boroughs

7. Start and run my own fantasy football league

8. Do a book reading project with at least 5 assigned books of a particular author

9. Do something special on 12/12/12

10. Go on a ski weekend

11. No internet for one weekend

12. Write a personal mission statement

If anyone's reading this :), what are you hoping to try in 2012? Anyone accomplish anything significant through a 101 in 1,001 days list?

WeVerb Day 10 - Create

WeVerb 11, Day 10 - Create

Share a creative project you undertook this year (art, writing, DIY, cooking, home decoration, crafts, photography … whatever comes to mind). How do you use your creativity to express yourself?

I think I failed this one. Can I fail a WeVerb prompt? I didn't have any particular creative project this year. I've been wanting to learn how to knit. I have been procrastinating for a whole year. I'd also like to learn how to bake as well as get back into dance. Those things are definitely on the list for next year. I did have a reading project for this year, but as for something that I created other than my other blog?

Wait a minute! I'm wrong! Well, I did have somewhat of a creative project this year. I learned how to edit video, and I did quite a few on-location vlogs for my blog. I really wanted to incorporate video to my blog to take it to a higher level and to verbally communicate more with my readers. While I am not ready for an Oscar, I know my way around IMovie now. You can check out some of my vlogs and edited video.

I have to admit that I feel a little better about myself now that I realize that I did do something "creative" this year. :)

Here's hoping for a more creative 2012!

WeVerb Day 9 - Appreciate

WeVerb Day 9

Appreciate.

In which moment did you find yourself flooded with gratitude? How will you rally around gratitude in 2012?

Honestly, I would not have gotten through this year without practicing gratitude. Amid much of the stress and much of the lows and questioning this year, I was still so thankful. I can't say that it was any one moment, but it was a continuous stream of being very appreciative of all that I do have. I appreciated my health, my marriage, all of the physical trappings and good things that I am fortunate to have. In a time, when so many people are struggling financially, we are not. I am muddling through life right now, but I muddle through a very good one.

A lot of this I attribute to my faith orientation. I personally believe that without it, I may not have been able to see the good I have around me. I am thankful and appreciative for that, too.

I hope that I will have an even deeper attitude of gratitude in 2012.

WeVerb Day 8 - Choice

WeVerb Day 8 - Choice

What was the biggest choice you made in 2011? What caused you to choose what you chose?

Oy! I don't like this prompt because it means that I have to get personal. :) I really racked my brain for this one, but I would say that the biggest decision might have been choosing not to try to have a child in 2011.

Lots of people on the internet like to tell me that I am old regarding children, pregnancy, etc.. I'm fine with that. However, they don't live in my world. In my world this year, we had to deal with major emotional and financial strains as it relates to other people in our lives. Supporting others AND possibly a baby just wasn't in the cards for us. I know the old adage that "There will never be a right time to have a child," but I assure you this wasn't the time for us.

Also I'm still working out some kinks career-wise in my camp, and I'd like to have those settled a bit more before we go down this road. How settled I need to be is really the question for 2012.

WeVerb Day 7 - Travel

Okay, it seems that the travel day was supposed to be today. Whatever I said yesterday for the WeVerb 11 prompt about travel gets a big ditto. :) I will say that my travel (and food) blog has been such a great part of my life this year. While I don't have this humungous following, I have enjoyed sharing my curiosity about the world and my experiences with others. My blog has given me a lot of joy. I'm not crafty or visually creative (I love to dance, which I guess you could share on a blog...sorta), so the blog is my outlet in that respect. It's also been my happy space where I can share the fun aspect of my life. I'm grateful that there are people out there who even want to read my stuff. I've also "met" some people (virtually and in person) who are really nice individuals and who I would I've enjoyed getting to know through their writing and blogging.

In yesterday's post, I didn't say where I'd like to go next. I am still gunning for India and a trip through Southeast Asia, but I don't know if and how that will happen. Jim, my husband (not his real name), and I will be hopefully going on a new adventure next spring. I'd also like to go a girls' trip with my BFF, who has been a travel partner in the past. I'd also like to visit my family in Toronto. I was supposed to visit them as part of my Buffalo trip. Who knows what the new year will bring?

Feel free to take a look at my travel adventures past and present on my blog, Try Anything Once.