New year, new me?

Nah, not really.

I am glad that 2008 is over though. I couldn't help agreeing with Wall Street on this and on the 31st at midnight I was the probably the person yelling "2008, Good riddance!!!" the loudest.

It's not like the year wasn't good, I know I should be grateful that Hubby and I got to do some neat traveling, spend time with friends and loved ones and basically have a nice and peaceful life. (I actually compiled a little slideshow with pics of some of the highlights of the year. I warn you though, there's 75 photos, so you can go ahead and skip it if you have better things to do today).

But still, I can't shake the feeling that 2008 was a "numb" year for me. I feel like I didn't grow during this year. I didn't evolve. I don't feel like this year taught me anything nor did it change anything in me. Often, I felt like I was stuck living in a big constant black-hole from which I did not come out any wiser.

I guess that explains in a way my grumpiness during the holidays and my ZERO postings during the Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's festivities even though we did have a nice celebration of these with family and friends.

I was chatting with one of my best friends last night and I told him how I was just glad the year was over. He agreed with me but said he had a feeling that 2009 was going to be a "Bon Cru"". This coming from a man that lost his father and his job in 2008. It hit home. For me, the worst thing that happened last year was I burned my hand with soup. But for so many, so much more was lost. I felt even angrier with 2008. And then my friend proceeded to tell me all the good things he sees coming in 2009 and without even knowing it he lifted my spirits. I suddenly felt hopeful and happy with the New Year. It hasn't yet had a chance to screw us over (okay, that was grumpy Fned writing that last part).

So I made a promise to myself. I'm not going to wait for 2009 to become a Bon Cru year. I am going out there and am going to make it one myself.

How, you ask?

Well, I do owe Clare and ResidentExpat a Resolutions Post, although mine aren't really all that interesting nor original. Still, here goes:

1. In 2008 I became a vegetarian and I don't regret that choice one bit. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't cheat once or twice (but only when absolutely necessary -like in Japan where sometimes we couldn't tell a veggie from a meat-).
Still, last year was more about resisting temptation and "not eating meat" more than about "making the right choices of what to eat". A bowl of quatre fromaggio pasta was better than a grilled chicken and salad dish.

This year, it's going to be about learning to take care of myself and of what I put in my body. I want to learn to cook (was that a lighting bolt?). Okay, let's be more realistic then: I want to get into the habit of looking up, shopping for and preparing healthy and tasty vegetarian dishes on a regular basis.


2. I recently read an article about how even during the grueling schedule of campaigning for President of the United States, Barack Obama kept putting in 45mins workouts 6 days a week. I mean, okay, so in reality it was his staff that worked them into the complicated daily agenda and sorted out all the logistical details, but still. He kept to them. He did it. And if he can do it under those conditions, why the heck wouldn't I be able to with our gym literally sitting across the street from our place?
Last year, was about getting back into the habit of exercising and although I wasn't exactly regular in my workouts, I did rekindle with the idea of breaking a sweat, making those muscles move and working out at a gym (something I'd never done before).

So this year, it's going to be about making it a habit. A regular thing I have to do in my day. Like brush my teeth. Or tie my shoelaces.


3. Ever since traveling to Japan last year I have developed a somewhat obsessive attraction to anything Japanese. I can't explain it. It just attracts me like a moth to a light bulb. Hubby and I are planning on going back to Japan soon and in the meantime we've hit all the Japanese expositions we've been able to see here in Paris. I've previously written about my obsession with the Hana Yori Dango novela/manga but it hasn't stopped there. I've already moved on to others (Gokusen, Nana....)

I know one cannot learn a language out of sheer will and from watching downloaded translated youtube clips. And I'm sure signing up for Japanese lessons is not the way to go for me (just look at my failed attempt at German last year) as I am not an academically oriented language student (all three languages I currently speak I learned by talking, not by taking lessons).

I'm not naive, I seriously doubt I'll be "talking" in a year, but I'd love to be able to say a few phrases and maybe even understand some stuff in the shows I watch (I already get a few sentences simply because they are repeated so often in the doramas). So this year I intend to carry out an experiment. I'm going to offer exchanging English conversation classes for Japanese ones.

4. Seeing more of this world is a perpetual New Year's Resolution for Hubby and me and one we've been fortunate enough to be able to stick to every year. 2009 will be no different, if even more packed. There is of course Argentina and Chile just around the corner (and which can't come soon enough!!) but there are a few other trips in the making sprinkled throughout the year which I wont talk about just yet (I believe in the "not jinxing it" thing) but that definitely make 2009 seem like a Bon Cru.


So there you have it.

My 2009 resolutions are about ME and about CHANGE. A change in my behavior. In my lifestyle. In my routine. In my quest for a better, happier, healthier me.

I guess I'm being a bit too ambitious, but 2009 will also be the year I turn 30 and a milestone is a milestone. So, so be it.

Sorry for the long, somewhat awkward post, and I sincerely wish you all a very Happy New Year. May 2009 be a Bon Cru..... no wait, strike that, may it be a Grand Cru, for you all and may we make it to 2010 as better, wiser, healthier, peaceful people.

Love,
Fned.

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Countdown song to Arg/Chile trip:

Musica Ligera - Soda Stereo.

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