Another one bites the dust

I'm still wondering how we've already said goodbye to 2008. I mean, sure, I started writing the right date (2009? what?) at work, and I counted down to midnight on the 31st, and I suppose somewhere in my head I can comprehend that it is now January, but I can hardly believe that 2008 passed by us so quickly.

It was a truly incredible year: a first year of an incredible marriage, a promotion at work accompanied by a year of living dangerously (ie- not having a clue at all of how to do my job, but yet, having some kind of success at it), several weddings, pregnancies, engagements, and heartbreaks among friends, a new (AMAZING- have I said it enough yet?) apartment, the end of torture/grad school, and another year counting my blessings for the health, support, and generosity of my family.

As I come down from the high of another perfect Christmas in Colorado, I'm trying to take time to reflect on what I accomplished last year, and what I want for myself in 2009. It's easy to fall into January's emotional rollercoaster- you know, where one moment you're excited and determined to really take on the world this year, and the next you're all crumpled up, wishing for nothing more than another glass of champagne and just one more night of frying bread and vegetables and meat and dipping them in cheese with your family (ok- could just be my family, but you get the idea...).

Eric and I talk all the time about all the things we want to do- travel, run a marathon, keep our apartment clean, to name only a few- but we tried on our loser New Year's Eve to come up with a few resolutions that we can really accomplish, and maybe change small parts of ourselves for good. First, I'd like to revisit my list of "rules" I posted several months ago:

1. It is what it is.
2. Think for yourself.
3. Show up (on time).
4. Finish what you start.
5. Play hard, play fair.
6. Clear your desk every day (editor's note- have you seen my desk??? this is going to be the hardest one I think...)
7. Don't complain (editor's note- even about grad school.)
8. Be brave, be bold, let not your heart grow old.
9. (editor's personal addition) Sing, dance, floss, travel.

So every now and then I think about these, and, you know, I think I'm doing ok! I'm the QUEEN of "It is what it is." No sense in freaking out about something that is done. Or happening. Or beyond my control. Try it sometime.

I've been flossing, traveling, singing to my ipod, and dancing in my living room like a fool. So that one's good to go.

I think I play hard and fair. And I think I'm at least a little brave and bold.

Now the rest? The rest leave room for continous work. Let's check in again next year. At least, it gives me something to strive for!

So now that I write those out, it turns out I don't need any more resolutions! That's enough to keep me busy forever! But, I promised the short list of the Vierhaus goals for 2009, so I must deliver (see rule #4.):

Here we go, 2009!
Be better friends (and son, daughter, and sister). You guys better get ready for us to actually answer the phone! And even call you sometimes!

Send cards and presents when we're supposed to.

Eat and drink (just a little) less. (We don't want to be lame-o's--- we just want to give our livers and tum tums a small break, to help us avoid feeling like crap. Seems simple enough.)

Find a new hobby. Now that we don't have to use our minds to survive grad school, we need to keep those things sharp. Any suggestions?


And that's that. Don't worry, this is not the official send off for 2008- you can still expect a good blog about the Hoerl/Strietelmeier/Vierhaus Christmas Escapades (as soon as I can figure out a way to effectively sum up the fun), but this is definitely the kick off for 2009. Which, hopefully, will be the most inspiring, interesting, and hilarious year yet.