2014 Resolutions

(Via Pinterest)

Let me start by saying I still can't believe it's 2014. That is crazy. 2013 went by SO fast! I know I've said that 100,000,000 times already, but it's true. 2013 taught me a lot about myself, the people around me and reminded me what's really important. I know, so cheesy you probably just threw up in your mouth. I don't care! 2013 was crazy difficult, crazy rewarding and just plain crazy all at the same time. I did things I never dreamed I would do and went through experiences I never imagined. Crazy is the only word I can find to describe it. Now I can't remember the resolutions I made last year, I don't know if I made any, but last night at dinner my boyfriend asked what I want to do this year. Thus prompting my 2014 resolutions.
1. Stop worrying & stress less! 
"Never worry about anything..." Phillippians 4:6 is one of my favorite reminder verses. I have it posted on my closet as a daily reminder. Now, I don't always listen to it, but I really need to remember this. I get stressed and worried so easily, it's really awful.
2. Travel more! 
I hate this one because it sounds so unoriginal, but my boyfriend and I discussed wanting to travel more. Taking day or weekend trips, staycations, etc. I really only see him on weekends so I treasure every moment together. Plus, day trips are the best.
3. Write more letters! 
Not to toot my own horn - or whatever that saying is - but I've actually been pretty good about this one. Since I moved to LA in May, I've written a lot of letters and have a few pen pals. Okay, those pen pals are my cousins and sister, but still. I think writing and receiving letters is just the best thing ever.
4. Quiet times! 
I suck at quiet times. I always get distracted and preoccupied by something else, usually my phone or computer, so this I really need to work on.
5. Sleep more! 
I definitely need to sleep more and wake up on time. Ha. The second part of that is just laughable, but hey, it's just a resolution...
6. Be on time! 
Because being fashionably late is so 2013. Right? Ugh I'm so bad at being on time it's embarrassing and something I'm really not proud of. Maybe I should've combined 5 & 6 into "time management." Oh well.
7. Spend more time with loved ones! 
I feel like I'm good at doing this during the weekends, but with 2 of my best friends in LA, my boyfriend almost in LA and one of my cousins 30 minutes away, I need to find time to see them during the weekdays too.
8. Save money! 
This has been a struggle since I moved, well actually since I got my first job (Hey Bath & Body Works!). My Mom gave some tips to help manage money, so let's see how that goes. On the bright side, being poor has made me lose weight, so that's nice and kind of concerning at the same time.
9. Stay positive! 
I go through my weekly, sometimes biweekly, "I'm so stressed and homesick" phases and hate it. I constantly have to remind myself that I am so freaking blessed, it's ridiculous.
10. Stay happy! 
This seems redundant and so stupid, but really necessary. 2013 had some low points, but I spent a large portion of the year so happy. I'd like to continue that, thanks.

Gosh, wish me luck.

D is for December 2013

The fact that I'm typing this in 2014 is CRAZY. Where on Earth did the year 2013 go? Honestly. More on my year in review later, because my year was ridiculous, but right now let's talk about the fact that December (My favorite month) is over. Until next year, December. You're the best, never change.

1. I finally set up my baby Christmas tree at my apartment! It took me forever to take my ornaments, decorations, etc. from my car to my apartment. There are a lot of steps in between, I swear. I also ran out of table tops to put it on, so it has been sitting on a stack of magazines. That's just how I do. 2. I attended a NYLON party for Demi Lovato. I KNOW. How is that sentence even coming out of my mouth? I still don't feel "cool" enough. It was hosted by McDonald's, so I let myself eat McDonald's french fries while mingling with famous people. I later found out Joe Jonas was at the party, which makes me cry a little inside each time I think about it. Le sigh. Next time, babes! 3. My monthly "I'm so homesick" was right on cue. To fix it, I drank Starbucks coffee, lit a candle, turned on my sparkly snowflake lights & watched "White Christmas," as one does. 4. My Mom & I had a gift wrapping extravaganza. A couple, actually. I just couldn't stop buying presents.//5. I went to Disneyland for the last time. I didn't know it would be my last time, I just never got to go after. So sad. I miss my Disneyland pass already. 6. During work my coworker & I got to run the greatest errand of buying a real wreath & garland. Dang, I miss Christmas already. 7. I was lucky enough to attend my step-niece's performance of "The Nutcracker." She played a mouse & an angel & she was seriously the cutest thing ever. 8. I bought the cutest Christmas postcards this year. Did I mention I miss Christmas already? ;)//9. BRADLEY COOPER FISH DIED. Ugh. I am so heartbroken. I walked into my room & he was unresponsive. He would've been 2 1/2 on December 30th. I saw him & immediately broke down in tears. I didn't think I'd react that way, I took it really hard, which is silly because he was just a fish but he was honestly the BEST fish. Boyf & sister have already offered to buy me a new fishy friend. 10. - 12. Christmas cookie time!! We missed last year & told ourselves we had to do it this year. The cousins & I had new cookie cutters & my Mom & Grandma made new colors of frosting. It was fantastic, we all went into cookie overload, for sure.//13. Not spending my Christmas Eve in retail this year is kind of the best thing ever. To celebrate, I watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol" with my Mom & stepdad. 14. Boyf came over on Christmas Eve to give me a gift. By "a gift" I mean one of the best presents I received. ONE DIRECTION CONCERT TICKETS. Oh, & a princess crown & a One Direction Barbie doll. You know, regular "I love you, Merry Christmas" gifts. 15. & 16. I received the pink Polaroid camera off my Christmas list & already put it to great use photographing way too many things on Christmas Day. I love my friends & family so much. I am seriously so dang blessed, it's silly.//17. Because I still can't get enough of my favorite cousins, we took a LA adventure. First to the Griffith Park Merry-go-round, who knew, right?! 18. Then we went to Pershing Square for some outdoor ice skating. We missed out on this last year too. I'm really glad we got to squeeze everything in. Christmas cousin traditions are my absolute favorite. 19. More cuteness with my Courtney. 20. My year in review! I'll talk more about that later because there are way too many pictures there, but it made this even & y'all know how weird I get about even numbers.

HAPPY 2014. I love you all. (By "all," I am probably only talking to my Mom & Aunt. Hi guys.)