bonjour 2011!

hello 2011,

nice to meet you.

before we have a chance to get off on the wrong foot, let's set some ground rules...

for starters, i would like to go to paris.  it's been 5 years since the last trip and that is just way too long in my book.  i promise i'll come back, even though i know i'm going to want to stay forever, but i pinky swear...please?!  i'm thinking april or may, so how about you make the weather nice and the airfare cheap.

really the list could stop there, but humor me...

there should be lots of bikram yoga.  and maybe even a 30 day challenge...but i'm not going to let it get in the way of living, it will only be allowed to destressify my life, not add to it.  got it?

possibly another triathlon can fit into the mix...amica 19.7 in september in newport sounds nice, with the snazzy new course map so the ocean doesn't swallow me whole...but it won't be allowed to be a burden, just a fun goal that gets me fit and gets my bike out of the garage...and gets that wetsuit off the hanger finally!

and now on to the less calendarable (but definitely not less important) items...

more time will need to be spent with family and friends...and this time around let's focus on not just being near them, but truly spending WITH them.  and enjoy them.  easy enough right?

the dinner table is to be used at least once a month.  sounds simple, but you're underestimating my ability to act like a grown up once the fire's blazing, my sweats are on and the couch/tv are looking so enticing.

if you can't find me being lazy in my house it's because i'll be out exploring and finding new adventures...something as easy as wandering the streets of philly...getting to know it like i actually live nearby and not just always as a tourist stopping in to visit a restaurant or shop.  cam will most likely be in hand because i want to far exceed my picture count from last year with quality photos...who knows, they might even make it to the printer this time around.  oh and the greece photo book is a must on the agenda.

hmm, let's see...what else do you need to know before you throw a whole world of surprises at me over the next 12 months...

i'd like to do a lot more cooking and baking...and maybe some more of that cooking in enormous quantities and then stocking the freezer stuff.  and eating at more fabulous restaurants.  so if you could send a note to the dryer to ensure that my pants don't suddenly start 'shrinking' it would be greatly appreciated.

don't get frustrated by the beads that will most likely be spilling all over the place from time to time, i hope to drum up some more business and take that venture a little more seriously.  as long as it remains a point of pleasure and doesn't become like real work.

if you could make the bridgeport churches that are within walking distance a little less horrendous i will try even harder to make the effort to put my faith first...or i will at least remember that church is not really a convenience thing and drive over to villanova...fiiiiine, you're right i'll work on that one myself.

let's make sure there's more laughing...and more crazy memories...and more making up random words as exhibited above...and more reading, probably some concerts...ya know, the stuff that made 2010 fun (don't get jealous, you have so much potential).  and less stress, that was pretty sucktastic.  and more appreciation for the little things and less caring about the stupid stuff.

okay, ready? go!!

xo,

L

ps...more blogging too. duh.