Fill-in

1. If I weren't a boarding school faculty member I'd love to be a travel writer.

2. When I'm super upset I like to work out or call my mom.

3. My favorite thing about myself is that I never give up.

4. If I found a $100 in the pocket of last winter's coat I'd spend it on my getaway with college friends next weekend.

5. Even though some people might consider this a flaw, I love my height. I will never be taller than any guy!

6. I love the way I feel right after a good workout.

7. I love my hair most when it's away from my face.

2009--Did I do it?

- Finish the Master's degree
NO
My thesis advisor never got back to me, so I am taking three courses instead. I took one in Summer 2009 and god-willing will finish the last two this summer.
- Continue to stay in shape and eat healthy meals
YES
I am currently at my lowest weight since freshman year of high school. I am not sure how I lost weight through the holidays... but I am not complaining. I have taken a ton of Les Mills classes and have made some great friends from the gym. I need to learn how to cook more meals, does eating healthy at the school dining hall count?
- Develop my relationship with Consultant Boy
MAJOR NO
Wow, I realize this is one of my most failed goals for 2009. On a positive note, I have clarified more of what I want in a relationship and am glad for going through that process.
- Learn how to minimize stress/ people pleasing
MAYBE
I think anyone working in this type of economy would not accomplish this goal. I do get stressed out still, but I am not as much of a perfectionist as I used to be. However, I am majorly focused on impressing my superiors at school. I have let go of pleasing my colleagues--a liberating feeling.
- Slowly start to update things in my life- for example, I just bought a new sheet set/ duvet/ comforter because the one I had was a $30 bed in bag from Filenes...
YES
My update has not been buying MORE stuff. I have actually sorted my things so I do not have all my clothes since high school and things I do not need.
- Take some trips- Tahoe is on the radar for March and somewhere in the summer...
YES
I went to San Francisco and Tahoe to visit my sister. I also went to CT/ Maine frequently this summer. Labor Day Weekend was in Cape May for a wedding. In November, I went to Gettysburg to see the Cyclorama and go camping.

Online Dating

I was "single and loving it" until about December. With my busy boarding school lifestyle, I have met two of my last three boyfriends online. I met Consultant Boy on Chemistry.com and Mr. Fix-it on Match.com. My match subscription is still active, so I have been working away at searching/ contacting guys of interest. I like the search feature... I have searched things such as preppy, skiing, teacher, hiking, and even grammar! I would love to find a guy who values all five qualities! However, I am being contacted by guys who are unemployed, cannot drive because of DUIs, have kids by multiple women, too young (sorry I can't be a cougar at 27 with a 19 year old!), or openly admit to needing a green card. Needless to say, this most recent online dating search experience has been frustrating. Do you all have experience with the online dating world? Advice, please?

LL Bean signature line

I was online chatting with a customer service rep from LL Bean about my dear sweatshirt. The zipper pull came off and, of course, they sent me a new one right away and I sent the old one back to them. I did not have to live without it even for a day. I also got other good news from LL Bean...
1) The skirt I have been looking at is available by phone order. I think I will order the regular size because the reviews say it is very short.

2) I told her how much I love that skirt and how I want to see LL Bean make more clothes like that skirt. She said that in March LL Bean is coming out with an uber preppy line called "LL Bean Signature" and if I like preppy... I will LOVE their new line... I can't wait for March!