Resolutions? No, thanks.

So I decided against making any new year resolutions. I have a couple of alternatives up my sleeve instead...

Firstly, I plan to continue with my 27 things aged 27 list and tick things off of that regularly.

And secondly, I have been inspired by the very talented and creative Ali Edwards. She picks a word at the start of each year to become her focus. You can read more about her thoughts on one little word here.

The word I have chosen for 2009 is GROW.

I have chosen this word because it seems to cover everything I hope to achieve this year. I want to grow healthier, fitter, stronger, slimmer and wiser. I want to grow creatively, grow personally and grow my relationships.

And I'm sure I'll think of a few other things to grow as the year moves on.

So I am collecting things that will work as inspiration for my growth this year and I've set up an inspiration board above the computer to display my collection. I've also been doing some brain-storming (or is it thought-showering?!) and research into the word GROW to see what other ideas emerge.

I hope to post fairly regular updates on how I'm doing at both my 27 things list and my 2009 word.

The List...

Here it is in all it's glory...27 frivolous, fun, serious and life changing things...

27 things to do at 27

1. Buy a wedding dress DONE
2. Write my 2nd 50k novel
3. Paint something ceramic DONE
4. Scrapbook (at least) 27 photos DONE
5. Read (at least) 27 books DONE
6. Get to 70kg or less
7. Spend a day watching movies DONE
8. Try out a spray/fake tan
9. Curl/colour my hair DONE (colour)
10. Write a letter to my future self DONE
11. Take 365 photos (at least 1 each day) DONE
12. Walk Rhett (at least) 52 times DONE
13. Make tiramisu DONE
14. Eat (at least) 365 pieces of fruit
15. Be a good Samaritan DONE
16. Write a poem DONE
17. Choose 1 song per month for my 27 compilation album DONE
18. Read a classic DONE
19. Blog (at least) 52 times DONE
20. Kiss Graeme (at least) 3 x 365 times (1,095) DONE
21. Lay on the warm grass & make up stories from the cloud ‘pictures’ DONE
22. Incorporate rainbows into my life DONE
23. Document my time with Graeme ready to celebrate 10 years together DONE
24. Moisturise my overworked hands every single day DONE
25. Vote (after careful consideration) for Prime Minister DONE
26. Develop & maintain a sensible house cleaning routine
27. Choose a wedding ring & an inscription DONE

2007 Ta Da List!

Hong Kong at Night, taken from The Peak

Following on from a similar post last year, I decided once again to write a list of what I/We have achieved in 2007 and post it for public viewing. I think the 2006 version will drop off the front page soon so here is a link to the month it was posted. I haven't quite worked out how to link to a specific post yet!

So here we go...

• I wrote a novel...50,000 words in 30 days during the month of November


• I got a new job (at GAP and will have been there a year come the 1st of Feb 08)


• Graeme became self employed and started his own business


• We went to Melbourne, Australia and saw our first Grand Prix


• We visited the UK and saw friends and family (our 1st visit since we got to NZ in June 2005)


• I became a stepdaughter when my Dad remarried


• I joined Curves and got over 50 workouts


• I did a 12.9km walk (& felt it afterwards! must do more this year!)


• I had chickenpox (which I believe is quite an accomplishment, aged 25!)


• I completed my Certificate in Freelance Journalism


• I learnt how to be a book-keeper for work (thanks to Graeme for answering countless accounting questions!)


• I went away on business and talked to large groups of people (I'm really not keen on public speaking so this was HUGE for me) as well as driving and finding my way around towns and cities in New Zealand I had never been to before


• I went to the cinema all on my lonesome (to watch Music & Lyric's whilst in Melbourne by myself for work...I felt grown up enough to go on my own!)


• I had my colours 'done' - I'm a summer apparently


• We went horse trekking which was awesome (Graeme's first time on a horse and I hadn't been on one for donkeys!)


• We made out wills (a little morbid but it's good to be prepared!)


• We saw 2 sets of my great aunt and uncles when they were travelling around New Zealand

I wonder if there is anything I have forgotten! I am pleased with what I/we achieved in 2007 and the start of 2008 has already been busy and filled with new experiences. I am going to write down some goals for 2008 over the weekend and may post them on here as well.

I think it will be good fun in years to come to look back on these lists and see what I achieved at certain times in my life.

And now, I am going to go and enjoy the weekend! I didn't make it to the gym this morning (there's a surprise!) so need to try and get there twice next week before going away on Thursday. We didn't get to make tattie scones last night either as we were both too knackered after 4 days back at work and still fighting with our sleeping patterns! I have the ingredients at the ready though so will get to them!