Merry (belated) Christmas!

I've been incredibly bad at blogging. Maybe that is something I should include in my New Years resolutions this year? Or perhaps I will use my blog to keep myself accountable to my resolutions?

I don't know...I've always sort of frowned on New Years' resolutions simply because it seems like an excuse to start anew only once a year instead of just trying to be and do your best all year, regardless of when you fall off the wagon. However, if it works, why rock the boat, right? Even if I feel this way, why shouldn't I start fresh on New Year's Day because, after all, it is just any other day isn't it?

Basically, my biggest goal this year is to get back to being healthy and in shape. I am sad to say I fell off the wagon this year, as in REALLY fell off the wagon, and I'd like to get back to looking and feeling better.

Other than that, I just want to continue to grow the relationships I have and love those around me as warmly and meaningfully as I can.

2012 was a great year, but it was also a year that brought many more challenges than I expected. I hope 2013 will be a year that is full of as much happiness as I can handle, but also allows me to continue to grow and move forward.

Another thing that has been on my mind is doing a "25 things to do before I am 25" type challenge. I've had a few friends who have, and really liked it. You only turn 25 once, right? Also, there was this really excellent Thought Catalog article about just this topic, and it published on my birthday. Serendipity, right? That means I should do this, right? :)

If you have any suggestions (though I doubt anyone reads this anyway), do let me know!

Summer is here!

It's been awhile since I posted. I've been keeping myself busy with many things: reading, movies, Joe, visiting home and friends, running/working out, and Town & Gown.

...what's Town & Gown you ask? It is a non-profit chamber music association in Ames that puts on five chamber music concerts a year, does community outreach events, and hosts an annual Musicale, a gala fundraising event featuring esteemed local musicians. I just joined their board of directors as the new secretary, and I couldn't be more excited. We had out first meeting last Thursday and I already feel at home.

I also just read a pair of REALLY excellent books by Chris Cleave: Little Bee and Incendiary. I would highly suggest you pick them up. If you don't believe me, here is a passage I thought was particularly striking from Indendiary:

"Before you bombed my boy Osama I always thought an explosion was such a quick thing but now I know better. The flash is over very fast but the fire catches hold inside you and the noise never stops. You can press your hands on your ears but you can never block it out. The fire keeps on roaring with incredible noise and fury. And the strangest thing is people can be sitting right next to you on the Central Line and not hear a sound. I live in an inferno where you could shiver with cold Osama. This life is a deafening roar but listen. You could hear a pin drop."

Cleave's writing style is very different in each novel, but has a beauty to it that makes them hard to put down.

The weather is really beautiful today, which means it is hot in my apartment. I have my fans going, though, because I refuse to put on the a/c just yet. It's not quite that hot.

I am looking forward to seeing Brooke next weekend for my birthday! I know I just saw her last weekend for her graduation party, but I always love having visitors in Ames. It makes things more exciting. AND I am excited for her to finally meet Joe. :)

I guess that's all for now - oh! I've recently been playing my violin with a little regularity! Huge shock, I know! It's been years and I was really rusty when I first picked it up, but it's amazing how quickly things come back. I'm really enjoying it!

Okay, that's really all. Besitos!

Happy Birthday F. Scott Fitzgerald!