New Year Goal Review, Part One

For me, the start of a new year always marks a time for reflecting on goals: what has transpired in the past year and what are my hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the new year.  Every year I always pick a theme.  One word or short phrase as an easy reminder of the direction I'm headed.  For 2011, my theme was Celebrate & Sparkle.  It was a year about reaping the benefits of all the hard work from 2010, enjoying life, and wearing sequins.

So did I do it?  Did I manifest my theme for 2011?  Did I celebrate and sparkle?  I can answer that with a resounding yes!  2011 was a really good year for me.  A year I saw a lot of dreams come to fruition and I feel truly blessed with the abundance that 2011 bestowed upon me.

In review, here's how my theme played out for the year:

The REALLY big things…

• After four and a half years in my current relationship, I got engaged!
• I spent almost three weeks soaking up art, history, and culture in Italy
• I was promoted to management in my day job, which came with an office and a raise
• Made the cut as a regular house dancer at Spiro's in Kent
• Helped one of my best friends celebrate her nuptials as a bridesmaid in her wedding
• Celebrated turning 30 with friends, food, and champagne

And the rest....

• Booked more private belly dance parties than ever before
• Started teaching at Fresh Fitness and Dance, in addition to LA Fitness.
• Wore loads of sequins, including the purchase of four new designer costumes (the four designers being Eman Zaki, Joharah, Mumtaz, and Pharonics of Egypt) that make me giddy like a five-year-old when I look at them
• Treated myself to a monthly massage and facial
• Indulged in regular, if not almost weekly, fresh flowers
• Rocked some feather extensions
• Wore new lingerie each month
• Became a subscriber at the 5th Avenue (as a side note, the new production of Les Miserable is beyond words fantastic)
• Tried out an aerial skills class and flew through the air on the flying trapeze
• Spent a weekend relaxing in Oregon wine-country

There is great power in intention.  What are your dreams?  Write them down, tell a friend, shout them to the universe.  Each journey begins with one step, so take your first one today.

What are my goals for 2012 you ask?  You'll have to stay tuned for New Year Goal Review, Part Two!

La Dolce Vita

Last month I returned from an amazing three week vacation in Italy where I savored the sweet life. They say a picture's worth a thousand words. So without further ado, I give you this month's pictorial blog post.

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

Il dolce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing

Just a week ago, I got back from a 19 day Italy vacation and more than once along the way I said this phrase this myself. Now don't get me wrong, there was plenty of running about from one tourist sight to the next and hopping on and off of trains. But there was also the sweetness of doing nothing.

There was watching the sunset over the Mediterranean in the Cinque Terre.

Lingering over pasta-filled lunches.

Napping at the beach in Levanto.

Drinking a bottle of wine on the Spanish Steps.

People watching from a balcony overlooking Il Campo in Siena.

Indulging in gelato.

Wine tasting before noon.

Meandering through medieval streets.

Getting lost in the romance of the Venice canals.

Ah yes, the sweetness of doing nothing. I think the Italians are on to something here. Generally, as Americans, our culture is predominately about doing and achieving. And far too often I've bought into this mentality hook, line, and sinker. Allowing myself to get caught up in the repetitiveness of daily life, checking tasks off lists, and then rushing onto the next thing. But this trip to Italy just reinforced to me my theme for the year, which is all about being in the moment and celebrating life in all its glorious, imperfect messiness. So as a reminder to myself and the other Type-A overachievers out there, sometimes it's okay to do nothing. In fact, it's more than okay, because what is life without joy and amazement, pleasure and curiosity, beauty and laughter? Slow down and savor the sweetness.