WeVerb 11, Days 19-22

I answered Day 18 in the last post.

Day 19

Laugh.

Tell us about your biggest belly laugh in 2011.

Uhhh..I don't think I can recall this one. It was probably something that Jim, my husband (not his real name) said. He makes me laugh all the time.

Day 20

Plug In/Unplug.

How has technology affected your life (positively or negatively) in 2011? Do you want this to continue for 2012?

Technology has definitely been great to me. Blogging has been one of the highlights of my year. I've gotten a lot of great opportunities from blogging this year, and I hope that they will only continue to grow. One of my career possibilities for the future may include a social media element. I'm not sure yet.

While my relationship to technology has been good overall, I also feel like I've wasted a lot of time on technology this year. By spending too much time on certain sites, I feel like I waste valuable time that I could spend in a more productive way. I'm hoping that my online time will produce more fruit for me instead of just being something that I occasionally do passively.

Day 21

Ripple.

The butterfly effect posits that a small change can ripple across whole ecosystems. Who do you credit for the small action that made all the difference in your life this year?

Is this bad that I can't think of anyone? Ouch! Perhaps it was Jim's continued love and support?Perhaps it was my friends rallying to help me with professional contacts? In general, I don't think there has really been anyone that made a specific difference (for the better anyway) in my life this year other than these people (but especially Jim).

Day 22

#22: Accomplish

What is one thing you want to do before you bid adieu to 2011? How will you make it happen?

Planning. I want to go into 2012 with some semblance of a plan. I waffle a lot this year. I don't want to do that next year. Next week will be about planning and organizing for 2012.

WeVerb 11 - Days 15-17

Catching up with WeVerb....

WeVerb, Day 15

Surprise.

What event of 2011 affected you in an unexpected way?

Yeah. I think when I saw this WeVerb prompt, I clammed up. I was recently surprised by a family member's news and decisions about their future. It's been a really crazy year in terms of my relationship with that person, and this news will change our relationship going forward. I've been trying to come to terms, and it has been very hard. This "surprise" angered me, then frustrated me. Yet in the past week, I've let go. People in your life are not always going to make the decisions that you think they should. They will ultimately have to make peace with the consequences of their actions.

WeVerb, Day 16

Persevere.

Describe something that disappointed you in 2011 and how you persevered.

Well, the continued search for my new professional space is continually frustrating. At the same time, I am considering the fact that this may be partly my own fault. I'll get into in the coming weeks. It's been a major form of stress for me, but I have no choice but to keep going. When opportunities don't work out, I just say that it wasn't where I was supposed to be. That's all that I can do really.

WeVerb, Day 17

Discover.

What did you discover (big or small) in 2011?

That my professional space that I need may come from something that I might need to create. That people can really surprise you. The Highline. The Staten Island Ferry. Robicelli's Cupcakes.

WeVerb, Day 18

Teach.

What lesson or advice were you able to pass on to others this year? Why was it important to share this information? (Or… what lesson would you like to pass on to others that read this?)

I've been waxing poetic about the power of Twitter. I've gotten so many opportunities through it in the past year, and I've been helping folks understand how it can help them. I've also taught my BFF that she deserves to be where she is right now. I'm proud of her.

WeVerb Day 14 - Breathe

WeVerb Day 14

#14: Breathe.

How did you make space + peace for yourself in 2011?

As much as I am not always thankful for it, I am in a space right now in my life where I can reflect and be alone quite often. I will say that sometimes I felt as if I let technology enter into my space a little too much this year. When you blog or are into social media in any way, it can be hard to not have it be ever-present. I am hoping that I can cut out more TV and also be more strategic about my computer usage. I am hoping that I will continue to take advantage of the fact that I do have time for myself even more next year. I am hoping to be reflective in a more purposeful way in 2012.

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!