A new look for 2011

I know what you're thinking... "oh great, she's going to go all 'new look, new me' on us..." I won't! Promise!

But it is, at least, appropriate to reflect on last year's new year's resolutions, twist logic to convince myself i've accomplished them, and then forget about them and make some new ones. As I look back through old blog posts, though, lucky for me (and you) I didn't write down any resolutions for 2010. Whatever they might have been, I can say with confidence that they probably did not come to fruition. For me, 2010 was the year of playing catch-up. Just trying to keep up with all of the changes in my life without losing my sense of self. It was my first year in about 19 that I didn't go to school. I moved into a new apartment in a new area of the city. I officially began my career. And with all the change, i reluctantly allowed my passions to subside (party at least). Less running, less reading, less afternoon coffee shop frolicking. And as I begin a new year and think of what changes for the better I recommend for myself over the next 12 months, I realize the importance of the parts of my life that I had written off as optional - the hobbies that have sunk to the bottom of the priority list to make way for longer hours (and happy hours). They don't define me as a person, but I can't fully be me each day without them. So here they are:

1. 1) lead a healthier lifestyle - running, spinning, yoga, fruits and veg, more sleep, less alcohol
2. read more for pleasure - yes, it's important to read The Economist, but if i want to skip it and read A Tale of Two Cities (again)... no big deal! (at least 1 novel per month, preferably 2)

*side note: i'm deathly afraid of losing all conversational skills and becoming mind-numbingly boring, so the aim of this resolution is twofold.

I also hope to travel more, but that's always on the list! Here's my book list for the near future:

1. The Tipping Point -- almost done, LOVE it. Thanks Ash!
2. Why We Need Love -- from a local West Village book shop - spotted by Kaila, so it must be good.
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- my friend Em swears by it, so I figure I'll give it a go. And any book as popular as this one deserves a read, regardless of whether I enjoy it - there's something about it that appeals to millions of people, and I want to know what that is!
4. That book by the NYU guy that everyone loves but I don't remember the name.
5. Something random that I would not usually read. Any thoughts?
6. Sarah Palin - Going Rogue. OH WAIT. THAT'S A JOKE.

On that note, here's to 2011 and a new decade. May it bring us all more happiness and good fortune than the last.