Resolutions, 2018

Time to check in on resolutions from last year! I had four, which were:

1. More maxi dresses!

2. More Cuban food!

3. Read all of the unread books in my bookcase before buying any new ones.

4. Spend at least 1 hour per week opposing hateful acts that threaten equality, education, or the environment and inspire others to do the same. (You'll note that I'm not naming any political names here, because I think it's important to evaluate all ideas from an individual/agency/government body/etc. instead of issuing a blanket NO.)

So, how'd I do? Let's take 'em one by one.

1. More maxi dresses!

This resolution was borne out of wanting to depart a bit from my HR-Lady-meets-Baptist-choir-girl aesthetic. I did indeed wear some maxi dresses on vacation this year. And I broke out of the "black patent pumps with a neutral a-line dress" mold this year with red work pants!  And kelly green work pants!  And leopard print errything! And those fierce shoes I wore at Christmas! So let's call this one done.

"This girl is on FI-IRE!"

2. More Cuban food!

This went on the list because I love, love, love the Cuban food that we get while traveling in Florida.  And I have accepted that I'm never going to be able to make Cuban food to that standard.  So I'll just enjoy it a little extra when I get it.  (And maybe I will smuggle the homemade hot sauce out in my purse.)

"Come to me, My Precious."

3. Read all of the unread books in my bookcase before buying any new ones.

I did pretty well with this, and only bought one new book for myself, and that's because a friend wrote it!  (And I'm packing it to read on my next plane trip, I promise, Greg!  Also, if you're not Greg, but you do like sci fi/fantasy, check out his first book.)

• On the bookshelf, I finally joined the rest of humanity and read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling. 
• I also read Furiously Happy and Let's Pretend Like this Never Happened, both by Jenny Lawson, who is a quirky, hilarious HR Lady. (And of course, that begs the question: why am I not writing these books?! Because I wouldn't want to read whatever dumb comments people on the internet have, that's why.) 
• I got caught up with my David Sedaris reading, specifically Theft by Finding and Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls. 
• If you're interested in history and/or the British Monarchy, you'll enjoy Counting One's Blessings: the Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. It's easy, unique reading after you finish watching The Crown.  And it's quite a large volume, so it doubles as a weapon should you have home intruders.

But the most fascinating books I read were The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, as well as Spark Joy: the Japanese Art of Organizing and Tyding Up. Both are by Marie Kondo, who is both precious and impressive.

When I read the first book, even I was thought "this might be a little too hippie, even for me." And keep in mind that I own three yoga mats.  But!  The more I read, the more her methods made sense.  So far, I have Konmari-ed allllll of my clothes, and now I'm moving on to books and then papers.  (There is a specific order to the Konmari-ing.)  

Suffice it to say that this topic alone could be its own blog post, so I'll save it for later.  But!  If you want a better way of finally organizing so that it sticks, I'd recommend you pick her books up from Amazon or the library.

4. Spend at least 1 hour per week opposing hateful acts that threaten equality, education, or the environment and inspire others to do the same.

This is the one I was really committed to.  If you read this post about my thoughts on how to respond to what happened in Charlottesville this year, you have an inkling of what I've been up to.  Here's what I was doing for an hour (or more) each week:

• Writing postcards and calling my Congressional House Rep and two Senators to thank them for positive votes cast, statements made, and actions taken.
• Also writing them, calling them, and going to their offices to talk to them about votes, statements, and actions that I didn't feel like represented me as their constituent.
• Talking to registered voters in Virginia about the 2017 governor/house of delegates election, as well as the special election for the PWC Clerk of the Court, and helping them make a plan to vote.  
• Helping people register to vote (or update their registration) if they hadn't registered yet.
• Attending candidate forums and meet & greets to understand their positions, ask questions, and articulate concerns.
• Writing postcards to voters in other states to remind them of local elections.
• Reading.  SO much reading.  Not just taking talking points from one news source or one candidate, but also reading opposing viewpoints to try to make an informed view.

So, what are the new resolutions for 2018?

1. Konmari the entire house.  Before and after pictures (and obviously a whole lot more explanations) forthcoming!

2. Spend at least TWO hours per week opposing hateful acts that threaten equality, education, or the environment and inspire others to do the same. Time to double down!

3. Co-lead a group at work that focuses on healthy eating and exercise.  (Note: work has been stressful, and I have been eating my feelings.  They were delicious!  But now it's time to get rid of some of the side effects.)

That's it, that's everything (for now).  Happy 2018, errybody!