Happy New Year: Reflections & Resolutions

     I wish I could say my 2012 is off to a great start, but I ended up going to bed New Year's Eve at 9:30pm with a fever, chills and a migraine. A real bummer because I had planned to watch Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve with my hubby and enjoy shrimp cocktail, sushi and champagne while my daughter had a couple of girlfriends over for a slumber party. Didn't get to enjoy any good food or spirits - bleh. I did feel a little better on New Year's day, but I still had the residual headache and my voice sounded like I smoked 20 cigars last night. Some guys like the sound of a husky voice on a woman, but it didn't feel sexy to me. Felt much better today, returning to work. I don't let a silly illness get in the way of my writing, so I have listed my top 2011 picks below:
    
MY TOP 5 FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2011:

1. The Rise of the Planet of Apes - I was rooting for the apes.
2. Paranormal Activity III - The scariest of the series!
3. Bridesmaids - Brilliant - I laughed so hard, I cried.
4. X-Men: First Class - I'm a huge fan of this franchise - the actors were superb.
5. The Help - One word - AMAZING.

MY TOP 5 BOOKS OF 2011:

1. Bossypants - Tina Fey
2. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
3. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
4. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
5. A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness 

MY TOP 5 TV SHOWS OF 2011:

1. Modern Family
2. The Middle
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. American Idol
5. The X Factor

MY TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2011:

1. 21 - Adele
2. Get Closer - Keith Urban
3. Born This Way - Lady Gaga
4. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
5. Here and Now - Nickelback

MY TOP 5 SINGLES OF 2011:

1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele
2. Someone Like You - Adele
3. Marry the Night - Lady Gaga
4. Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban
5. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

     As you can see above, my taste spans across genres.  2011 has been a fulfilling year for me. I started writing my book and started my first on-line blog. I also started something new by taking fiddle lessons, which has been fun. The kids have grown and matured, getting involved with more activities and their social circles. My husband's business is thriving and his clientele is expanding. My career has become more challenging yet interesting as I learn more about the oncology field. We finally moved into a brand new cancer center on the hospital's campus and I have grown internally with my love for being a part of something big for the Western NC region.

     I hope 2012 will continue to prosper for us as well as for my friends and loved ones.  I typically don't do new resolutions. In the past, I would attempt to promise to lose weight, cut down on my cussing (this will never work, LOL - outside of work, I have a potty-mouth, but I try to limit it around my kids), or work-out more. Too much pressure on myself. What I can promise to do for 2012 is live better than I did the year before and try something new. I'm looking forward to my third trip to Ireland in May.  My "try something new" will be when I get my first (and probably only) tattoo while I'm in Ireland. I've already been in touch with the owner of the parlor in Galway via e-mail and have everything planned out. I haven't told my mother yet, who is flying there with me - I'm sure she'll think I've lost my mind - but I wanted to do something to commemorate this trip. My husband is not thrilled - he's afraid I'll contract hepatitis (he doesn't have any tattoos) - but I assured him this place is very reputable and I did my research. I'm excited for what 2012 will bring!