Jess's Shiny New Year

One of these new years, I'd like to resolve to have NO resolutions for the new year. As usual, however, a number of things have been blipping on my mental radar lately that need to be handled. Here is, in essence, my mental accounting of my life to date:

I'm pretty happy with who I am and where I am in my life. Last year was truly a year to grow and learn-- a time for a lot of firsts, personally and professionally. I struggled some, but mostly with trying to balance all that life has offered and pushed me to do. Consequently, keeping that balance in check will be a big resolution for me this year.

My first day back at work after the holidays made the "things to do in the new year" list a little longer. First, the woman who took over my office assistant duties decided to quit. She'd been with us for less than three months and just finished taking a nice week-long paid vacation with us. Her first day back she tells us she's got another job that starts Friday. Needless to say it was a shock. With our production on the less busy end, they decided to let her go early. Consequently, I'm back up front handling office duties. Luckily we found a great candidate to replace her in my good friend Amanda (we went to college together at the Academy of Art, in good ol' foggy SF). I just know she's going to be a good fit around here. All this shifting of duties, however, has made me realize how much I want to keep making art. I have enjoyed learning and developing my skills so much this past year, and want to make sure I continue to make progress towards my artistic goals. Hopefully, this will include picking up some more freelance this coming year as well as taking some art classes to stay loose.

I had another shock on my first day back-- my car was involved in a hit and run. Thankfully neither I nor anyone else was in the vehicle. But, unfortunately, nobody saw it happen either. Broad daylight, in front of my office, it looks as though a semi truck ran into the front of my car while making a turn out of the Recycling Center (which happens to be located directly across the street from our front door). Even though my car was a ways down the street, those trucks are so huge that it still couldn't manage making the wide turn without running over something in the process. It blew a tire and dented the front, but thankfully it looks like superficial damage overall. The damage and my car's continued aging leads me to resolve to be more responsible with my car overall. Wash it when it gets grimy, bring it in for all of its necessary check-ups, park it where it won't get smashed. You know, that sort of thing.

As my car ages and needs more care and attention, I'm also grudgingly realizing my body does too. I've proven yet again this year how easy it is for me to become "extra squishy" during the holidays. Danielle and I have already resolved to start weekly walks again to fight our impending donut-like waists. Mike and I have started a better regimen of cooking at home more often as opposed to our end of the year habit of going out and eating junk.

The list continues, but at least these, the most important, I have in writing with witnesses. No getting away from it now!