New Years Resolutions Update

Well, its the middle of February. Time for an update on how I'm getting along with my New Years Resolutions.

Good news...

1. Went to my first opera this past week at the Chicago Opera House, called "The Elixir of Love" by Donzetti. What a great experience! Never having been to the opera before, I didn't realize that they have a screen above the stage with subtitles to explain what all the singing is about. This was a very funny and light-hearted opera and I enjoyed it very much.

2. Went to two dance performances already. Saw my daughter compete with her UIC dance team at Nationals in Orlando and they came in 2nd in the nation in hip-hop and 12th in jazz! That was awesome.! Last night went to see River North Dance Company perform at the Harris Theatre in Chicago. The last number made me and everyone seated around me cry. The theme was basically that the only thing that's holding us all back is ourselves. Very emotional and beautifully danced. I absolutely love River North!

Bad news...

1. Hurt the back of my knee badly over a month ago and haven't been very good about exercising my 30 days per day. Need to at least do strength training even if I can't jog on the treadmill. Will help me with my upcoming abdominal surgery.

2. Haven't been all that good about my diet either (and by that I mean what I'm eating--NOT that I'm ON a diet--I don't believe in "diets" because they give the impression that they're only temporary and once a goal has been met I will go back to eating the same crappy food I was eating prior to reaching my goal). Need to refocus on making the most nutrient-dense food choices at every meal (and cut out some of the Starbucks drinks - 500 calories per drink. YIKES!).

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New Year, New Focus

Well, the beginning of a new year always brings out the urge to create resolutions. This year mine are going to be extremely specific. I find that the more specific they are the more likely I am to achieve them. Here is a short list of my 2010 resolutions:

1. Eat the most nutritiously-dense foods that I can at each meal.

2. Exercise each day for at least 30 minutes.

3. Participate in at least three 5k races.

4. Concentrate on my schoolwork and finishing my final project to remove the "incomplete" from last semester's grades.

5. Reconnect with two specific friends who I've lost touch with over the past couple of years.

6. Go to at least 2 musical productions/plays.

7. Go to at least 4 dance performances (professional or otherwise).

8. Go see/hear an opera.

9. Go to at least one rock concert.

10. Go skydiving.

11. Get my passport renewed so I can take my kids to a fabulous vacation outside of the U.S. I think they want to go someplace tropical.

12. Get a massage.

13. Make at least five new friends.

The focus of these resolutions is improving my mind, body, and soul. I know, sounds really esoteric and "far out" but I believe that the only person we can change is ourselves. I want to be the best person that I can be and I know that what I do can encourage those around me to do the same.

Sometimes technology sucks

Well, I did my presentation in class last night on ooVoo. Had some problems: the "Share my Desktop" didn't work and there was a terrible lag between the conference participants (me and my two kids). Don't think I sold anyone on ooVoo, but that wasn't my purpose anyway. As prepared as I was, there's no telling how technology will work when you need it, I guess. Thinking about doing my second presentation on privacy issues relating to Web 2.0 and/or new privacy software. Have one in mind, but its so new that there's very little information available about it.

Benefits of Exercise -- Worth the Time

Well, I've decided that I need to get back to exercising everyday like I used to do before I started grad school. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Last night I helped my son with his homework ,after coming home from a full day of work and evening class, said "good night" to him and hopped on the treadmill for a four mile jog at 11:00pm. Afterwards, I felt happy, relaxed, and ready for bed (late-night exercise doesn't keep me from falling asleep). This morning, I woke up about 1/2 hour earlier than normal and jogged for three miles. Again I felt happy, relaxed, and ready for the day at work. This is why exercise is so important for me:
(1) improves my health
(2) helps me maintain a healthy weight
(3) helps strengthen my muscles (I do floor exercises too)
(4) increases endorphins and makes me feel much happier and relaxed
(5) no more aches and pains in my knees and hips
(6) increases my self-esteem due to the first five items on my list
(7) helps my mind stay focused
(8) decreases my appetite
My goal is to exercise everyday from now on. If I don't have time for a full workout, I will get in as much as I can and not worry about it.

Crazy for Grad School