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!

Mid-Year Goal Check-In, Part One

We are already half-way through 2011! Can you believe it! My, my this year is whizzing by. At this mid-year point, it seems like the perfect time to do a goal check-in.

Back in January I wrote about my theme for the new year, "Celebrate and Sparkle", and what that theme meant to me in tangible terms. In fact, the picture above is a collage I put together of my theme; a visible reminder that I keep on my fridge as a daily mental nudge of what I want to manifest in my life. Drum roll please, let's see how this year is measuring up:

Goal #1: Wear more sequins.

Check! In addition to two new belly dance costume purchases, I've purchased some glittering garb appropriate for everyday attire. 

Goal #2: Buy more lingerie.

Check!! Actually, I really overindulged here and had to make some returns to Victoria Secret. Going for celebrate and sparkle, but not at the expense of credit card debt.

Goal #3: Dance with abandon.

In Progress. Definitely getting better. However, this is something that I probably will never check off as done, as developing one's expression with any creative or artistic endeavor is really a life-long process that's constantly evolving with changes in skill, age, circumstances, and experiences. I am however, currently working on my piece de resistance. Okay, maybe it's not that spectacular. But I will be debuting new choreography at this year's upcoming Med Fest. See my world premier at the Hiawatha Community Center on Saturday, July 16th at 3:30pm on the indoor stage!

Goal #4: Get a monthly facial and massage.

So far so good. And I've only paid full-price for one of my facials, thank you to Groupon, Living Social, and the other 20-something deal emails clogging my inbox daily.

Goal #5: Travel to England.

Check - with a twist. As my boyfriend and I missed booking tickets in time to use our miles for England, we are instead headed to Italy for two and a half weeks this fall. Itinerary is set to include Rome, Venice, Verona, Florence, Cinque Terra, Pisa, Siena, Assisi, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Pompeii. Ciao bella! Sleeping may not fit into the itinerary until we return.  

Goal #6: Get feather extensions.

Check. Got these back in January and wore proudly for about two months until I snagged it with my hair brush.

Goal #7: Indulge in fresh flowers.

Mostly a check. I've been averaging two-ish bouquets of flowers per month. I usually just snag the cheap-o bouquets from Trader Joe's. However, lucky girl that I am, my boyfriend did surprise me with having this beautiful bouquet delivered to my work. The picture doesn't even do it justice. The whole thing was so dang big I couldn't get it all in the lens!

So yes, things are off to a good start. How about you sugarpop? How has 2011 been treating you?

P.S. Stay tuned for Part Two....