Happy New Year!

I am amazed that 2011 is officially over. Wow. What a year it was. So many wonderful things happened this year. I got married. I got to go to New York on my honeymoon. I got my first 4.0 since, like, elementary school. I chose my major. We got a puppy. There are so many awesome things I cannot even write them all. But I just have to point out, 2011 was a good year for me. And now I am thrilled that 2012 has arrived.
I like new beginnings. It's nice knowing that I have a clean slate and still get to keep all my great memories from last year. I get to start over without forgetting. What a blessing that is.
Before I start writing about all my hopes for this year, I have to finish up last year. Christmas was so fantastic. I love that I got to wake up with Brad and Christmas morning before anything else happened and have some time to ourselves to open our gifts to one another. He spoils me. I love him more than anything and am so blessed he is my husband. We got to spend time with all of our loved ones. Sometimes I feel like we are spread so thin, trying to make the rounds to see everyone. But I am grateful that we were able to see everyone and enjoy the Christmas spirit with our family. It was a great way to end the year.
I have a lot of plans for this year, although I admit that some of them are half-formed or still just ideas. I want to keep going with some of my goals from last year, such as being healthy, peaceful, writing in my journal (I am still working on this one... it's hard). I discovered Zumba a couple of months ago and am loving that form of exercise. I actually got a Zumba program for the Wii with some Christmas money and am really excited to begin using that, too. I am also working on being peaceful and calm. I think I more fully realize how rash and impatient I can be (especially with other people) and I know that I still need to work on it. It's difficult, but I am trying. I think I have done pretty well with blogging more, but still not as often as I would like. Another goal to keep working on.
One thing I would like to do with this year is spend more time on myself. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and stressed out that I forgot I need to spend some time developing myself. I need to remember to take time to breath, read a good book, listen to some music, watch one of my fave shows, or do the things I really neglect like draw or play the piano. I would really love to rekindle my love for my sketchbook and playing the piano.
Another thing I would like to do this year is take more photos! It is really hard for me because not only do I have a husband who hates cameras, but I often lose track of both of mine. But even if there aren't many pictures of me or any of Brad, I want to document as much as I can through photos because I am tired of regretting that I don't have any. I love photography and even though I am not talented or profess to be a photographer of any sort, I am going to try my hardest to at least capture as many things that make me smile as I can.
I am going to make myself the goal again to read at least two books a month, hopefully more. I have always loved reading, my problem is making time to read. I have a million books (possibly an exaggeration) on my to-read list, so the next part of this goal is that I need to read the books I already own before I buy any more. That is certainly a challenge for me, since I seem to be addicted to buying books!
This isn't a complete list of my goals for this year, but the good thing about life is I get to create mine as I go, so when I think of more I will write them down also. I am really excited for this year and I just I hope I can hold myself to my own standards!
Yours,
Cait