2010

I thought 2008 was hard. I was certain that 2009 would bring resolution but all all all it has brought is more of the same holding pattern.
2009 was hard.

One year ago today I wrote of dreams for 2009. I had magnificent plans to backpack around Europe on my way to living in London again, of spending a white christmas in London and then New Years in Edinburgh.
Instead Craig and I are still holding on and waiting to hear about our last chance hope to live in London, we didn't backpack around Europe, our Christmas was most definitely not white, and we are in Auckland, New Zealand for New Years.

We did, however, manage to save a lot of money this year, money which will make either moving back to London or a longlong backpacking trip much more attainable, we moved into Park Place and while it is furnished with seconds and old old bits and pieces, I think it looks lovely. We have bought a car, the first car Craig has ever really properly purchased (the two cars he has driven have been hand-me-downs and then there was the project car but that one doesn't really count) and it is little and red and has a turbo and Craig adores it. Which is completely adorable in and of itself. We have jobs which we do not abhor and mine (WHICH I DO NOT DISCUSS ON THE INTERNET) is taking an interesting and potential career type path. And we did manage to travel. There were trips to Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch, as well as (of course) Japan.

2009 Resolution Roundup
x Project 365 lives anew! - Success! 364 photos taken
x Project 52, take 2, electric boogaloo. - Success! - 52 self portraits taken
x Celebrate my wedding anniversary. - Success! Picnic in the park where our wedding photos were taken.
x Acquire at least two new tattoos before June 15th 2009 and hopefully 3 by December 31st 2009. - Hmm. 1 in March, 1 in August (not before June!), and 1 in December. So sort of a success.
x PhotoBooks! - Oops. Forgot completely about this one.
x Dress up more! - Success! I love the way I dressed in the second half of this year.
x Quality over quantity. - Success!
x (as always ...) Try to be happier. - Hard to gauge.

It's funny, this was the first year where I did not include some allusion to weight loss or being healthier in my resolutions. And, know what? I've lost 16kg (35lbs) this year, I no longer add salt to my food (this should startle my family), and I exercise regularly.
I have gone from a size 14-16 to a size 8-10-12 (depending on the store & clothing) and I feel 110% better about myself.
Suffice it to say that I will not be including it in my 2010 resolutions either.

And so, I'm not going to make sweeping or specific declarations about what 2010 will hold.
It will hopefully include travel, hopefully a decision about London, hopefully much happiness. Hopefully hopefully hopefully.
Perhaps next Christmas will be white. Perhaps it will be in New Zealand with a my-mother's-side-of-the-family reunion. Perhaps perhaps perhaps.



2010 Resolutions
x Project 365 continues (and aim for 365 this year)
x Project 52 again. Try to be more adventurous/imaginative with self-portraiture
x Wear lipstick more often
x Budget to make it to the movies, in an actual theatre, at least once a month.
x Be nicer to my hair & skin
x PhotoBooks - starting with 365 in 2009.
x Pay off my credit card.
x Quality over quantity. - Save for and purchase the B for Boleyn necklace by Wendy Brandes.
x (as always ...) Try to be happier.

The future is still a wonderful thing.