Cut from the same cloth

Don't get me wrong, my mother is a wonderful woman- she's intelligent, goofy/fun loving and creative. But I take pride in the fact that I differentiate from her in certain characteristics- I'm way more laid back and able to go with the flow. However there are situations that arise in which I realize I am more like her than I care to admit.

I realized today that my newspaper subscription has continually increased over the past couple of months and so I called the circulation desk. Upon discovering my sign up deal had expired (no big deal) I asked to change to only weekends only to be told it would cost me even more! Won't lie, I got the paper for the coupons in the first place, so icily said I would prefer to cancel my subscription. The person then came back to offer a better deal. Anywho, the whole point is that I could see my mom saying the words "Well I'll just cancel then" in a snippy tone with a tense facial expression, but in this case it was me.

In times of stubbornness, snippy moods, and the desire to be introverted I am my mother's daughter. I don't mean to focus on the negative by any means, I know I am lucky to be blessed with some of her great characteristics, but as time passes I realize I am getting more like her (and my grandma). Just an interesting recognition to be aware of...

January Goals

As in the previous post I mentioned I am setting monthly goals as well as yearly goals. Some have no influence on the yearly goals while others help break down the larger goals into more obtainable ones. I've come to realize you have to be made accountable not just to yourself but to everyone around you to truly be successful, so each month I'll be sharing the goals I've set.

Month #1....

• Visit the gym 20 times
• Take Gordie to the Vet
• Write 4 notes
• Sustain from alcohol, and if I do drink can only drink red wine

As you might have inferred my body/health took a backseat during the holidays. Drank too much, ate too much and exercised not enough. Trying to turn things around and get a head start on being in the best shape ever by the time my 30th rolls around in November.

2012 Goals

While this is late in posting I figured I'd better do it now before it slipped my mind. In my last post I reflected on my 2011, and now it's time to look forward into 2012. Last year I set goals for myself, and while I wasn't wonderful about meeting them I am taking another stab at it. I think I've set more realistic goals, and have monthly goals to help me obtain the yearly ones. So without further ado...

• Read 85 books
• Run in at least 5Ks/races
• Travel! Places I hope to see include Europe, the Caribbean and Vegas
• Donate $200 to charities/foundations
• Blog once a week (so far not meeting this yet, ha!)
• Write 52 Thank You/Thinking of you Notes
• See 1 movie at the theatre a month
• Try one new restaurant a month
• Write 25,000 words on my novel
• Find myself in a relationship that is healthy, fun and passionate
• Take Kyle to the 2013 Winter Classic

To help myself obtain these I made posters that I glued (yes glued, don't ask) to my closet door so I see them every single day. I really think that with perseverance and dedication I can make all my goals this year. Good luck to me!

Keely's 2011 in Review

It's always interesting to look back on the previous year and see all the things you saw, experienced and lived. I've decided to recap my year in a couple of ways- first to do a breakdown by the numbers, and second to go over some of the high (and low) points of the year.

By The Numbers

Trips to Michigan: 5

Trips not including Michigan: 5 (Puerto Rico, NC 2, Charleston, OC)

Books read: 85

Concerts Attended: 8 (GirlTalk, U2, Christina Perri, Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists, Rachael Yamagata, G Love, Matisyahu)

Boys Slept with: 6 (plus 1 repeat from years past)

Boys Slept with that looked like celebrities: 2 (Heath Ledger and Andy Samberg)

Bridal Showers Attended: 2

Bachelorette Parties: 2

Weddings: 4

5Ks ran: 3

Dogs Fostered: 2

Hangovers: too many

Best Of

Best Concerts: Girl Talk & Mumford & Sons

Highlight of 2011: Trip to Puerto Rico with Jessi, specifically swimming in the bio-phosphorescent bay

Best 3 Books: Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson, Unbroken by Elin Hillenbrand, Red Garden by Alice Hoffman --this was extremely hard to decide!

Best Book Series: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Trilogy

Best Movies: Horrible Bosses & Bridesmaids

Best Albums: Black Keys "El Caminos", Rachael Yamagata "Chesapeake" & Christina Perri "LoveStrong"

Best Food: the mallorca at La Bombonera in PR ::sigh::

Favorite New Person: Stef Williams of Chasing the Jersey

Craziest Things I did: Polar Bear Plunge, hooked up in a 16th century fortress

Scariest moments: getting caught in a riptide in PR & getting caught in a current while rock sliding in NC (interesting they both involve dangerous water situations!)

Proudest moment: standing up at Jessi & Biff's wedding and being a witness for their marriage license

Funniest Moment: first day of Danica's Bach Party in Charleston with Crick, Betz & Mort- my dress flying up and 4 loco shots in a bodega with a cat

All in all 2011 was a whirlwind adventurous year. Here's to hoping 2012 brings more traveling, laughter and love. Cheers!

Thoughts and Observations after watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show

Just some things that ran through my head while watching the VS Fashion Show last night. Just a heads up, this was at 1 am after a couple of glasses of wine...

-None of the VS Angel's have very big boobs. All average-smaller cup sizes

-Being a VS Angel is kind of like the respectable version of a Playboy Playmate. You wouldn't be scared to tell your grandma, you aren't as likely to marry a skeezy celebrity, you get to keep your clothes on, and you don't have to sleep with an 80 yr old man.

-Many of the Angels are married or in committed relationships. Obv they are doing something right!

-There needs to be an MTV Real Life "I want to be a VS Angel" of which I can be apart of. I don't necessarily want to be an Angel, just have their body. Love the legs...

-That being said, I know I will never look like an Angel, but I should would like to give it a shot. Where can I find their diet and workout plans?

-Adam Levine may be one of the sexiest men ever. I seem to have 2 types- burly outdoorsy/athletic manly men, and then skinny tattooed dudes who look like bad news. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum...

-If I were to pick one celebrity couple with which to have a threesome, it would definitely be Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom. I'm sure there are others in the running, but right now they top my list.

-I should have gone to see JayZ and Kanye West in concert last month.

Water Water everywhere

I've always had an extremely active dream life (as seen in my other blog, the Dream Life of KeeKat). I remember at least 1 dream a night, and sometimes up to 5. But lately almost all of my dreams have encompassed water in some capacity.

According to www.dreammoods.com,

To see water in your dream, symbolizes your unconscious and your emotional state of mind. Water is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It is also symbolic of spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment.

This seems rather funny to me as I feel rather the opposite of flowing these days. It's more antsy or stuck and unsure of what to do and where to go. I have always loved to travel, but all my trips recently have worn me out. Last night I was so appreciative of my apartment- my own bed and belongings in one place. Not having to live out of a suitcase. The ability to walk around half dressed, eat whatever I want and not do the dishes, sleep naked. But I digress.

I've been ready for change for the past 3 years on and off. I go through periods where I am happy (content?) and others where I would give nothing more than to pack up and take off somewhere. Start afresh. This year it seems to be even worse, and I vow to make it happen. I just can't decide what to do, or where to go. Michigan, North Carolina, or somewhere entirely different where I don't know a single soul? Ideally I want to go to school for my masters and PhD, but money stands in the way. Money. Money is always the issue. But that's a whole other post...

To see and hear rain falling, symbolizes forgiveness and grace. Falling rain is also a metaphor for tears, crying and sadness. Alternatively, rain symbolizes fertility and renewal. If you get wet from the rain, then it indicates cleaning from your troubles and problems.

Last night the water in dream took the shape of rain (perhaps because I got caught in a downpour yesterday! Maybe its just a reminder to say Fuck it! and not worry about things. Everything will take care of itself in good time, and to just enjoy the moment.