A New Year!

(^^photo via pinterest)

I am tired after the holidays. So many late nights, so much rich food, so much fun with friends, and not enough sleep.

I'm signed up for the Boise 70.3 Half Ironman in June, so I have a good five month to train.  I'm having to start slowly. I, once upon a time, messed up my IT band so I stopped running completely. But this morning it was nice. The roads are busy and smelly (I don't like the exhaust), but it was drizzling which helped, and stretching my legs felt really good. I really need to make a habit out of rolling out of bed and into my running shoes. It might be the best way to start a day. Now if only I could come home and make a big breakfast and bake all day instead of rush to work. Oh, the lazy person in me!

I think those count as New Year's Resolutions. Signing up for a triathlon is going to force me to stick to my resolutions. Here are a few more:

- Hike more.
Summiting Mt. Rainier last summer was crazy. I'm not when or if I'm going to do it again, but I'm definitely interested in summiting other smaller peaks, and doing a lot more hikes through the woods. This is probably one of the more important resolutions I have. Being outside in nature is straight up therapeutic.

- Read more. 
I pick up The Hunger Games finally and read them in a week or so. It's been way too long since I've just picked up a fun book, and it felt so good. I need to do that more often.

- Learn how to cook. 
Every single day of the week I have work, dance, or church. I wish I just had one day that didn't have anything so I could experiment in the kitchen. I've been drooling over recipes for homemade pappardelle pasta and ragù alla bolognese. And THIS RECIPE for Bolognese Lasagne from Leite's Culinaria (which is my new favorite site to peruse, and twitter page, and facebook page...) I'm going to find some time and an occasion to make it anyway, though.

- Keep learning.
I'm halfway through my bachelors degree and 900 miles away from my school with no intention of moving back. So right now I'm trying to figure out how to keep going to school while working full time. The plan is to start with independent study classes, then probably transfer to a school in the area. And for fun, when I have some time, I hope on to Khan Academy, which is a really cool site run by a guy who really knows how to teach. He's all over youtube. I've heard that Bill Gates even hops on sometimes for a refresher when helping his kids with homework. Cool, no?

- Travel more.
I already have a few trips planned to go to Utah this year, I'm planning one to Texas to visit my aunt and uncle, San Jose to visit an old friend, and even maybe a trip to Europe to see my brother and other family in Germany. I basically cry just thinking about it.

- Blog more.
There is so much going on in my life that I hardly find time to blog, but I need to make time. I have things to say and pictures just sitting around to post!

- Learn more about photography.
Because I like it. Nuff said.

Oh, so many good things to do and look forward to! I hope your lists are just as lovely. Happy happy New Year!