Redefine Vanity

I have a friend who, at the beginning of every year, defines the theme for the year ahead. One year she deemed it "The Year of Adventure," where she promised herself to try new and unexpected things. One year it was "The Year of Joy," where she promised to do things that brought herself joy.

As 2011 came to a close I took a page from her book and decided that 2012 would be (for me) "The Year of Vanity." I didn't care what vanity meant, officially. I just thought that, after assessment, I needed to make some changes.

I wasn't taking very good of myself. I was noticing that more and more mornings included a mental conversation/smack down with myself that went something like this:

"Well, you obviously didn't get enough sleep last night, you still look tired. And once again, you didn't wash your make up off before you went to bed...and you wonder why your skin looks dull and you're starting to see little wrinkles pop up. Hmmmm, still a little puffy from yesterday...that's because you didn't eat dinner before going to class and came home ravenous and ate orange sherbet for dinner. Good work! Why don't you deep condition your hair this morning and try to tame the fuzziness? Oh, right...you're running late AGAIN."

And so, in December I committed to myself that 2012 would be my Year of Vanity. I would do what I needed to do to regain control and care of myself. I would get more sleep. I'd wash my face at night and use all the serums, creams, and potions I'd invested in. I would start wearing mascara again. I'd plan out my meals so I wouldn't end up eating cheese slices and toast for dinner. I'd use some of the dozen of so bottles of hand lotion, foot lotion, and body lotion. (Just to name a few)

So it's February and while I can't say that I'm batting 1000, I can say that the effects of my efforts are reaching farther than just myself and my appearance, mood, and puffiness. Taking care of myself is investing in myself. It's acknowleding to myself that I am worth the time and effort it takes to look and feel good. And when I've invested in myself I feel more present at work, in the classroom, and with George. I can tell that I'm more on top of my game. I'm more confident. I'm prepared.

Vanity officially means "excessively proud of one's appearance and accomplishments." Not to me. I'm redefining vanity to mean "positive changes, beginning--most importantly--with yourself."

My Mom Has Great Taste

Over Christmas I was reminded that--indeed--I am completely my mother's daughter.

I've expressed my love for Neil Diamond before on the bloggy blog, on Facebook, and in multiple variations of interpretative dance. And I've also seen the Neil Diamond Greatest Hits double CD at my mom's house. But sometimes, I just have a problem of putting two and two together.

At Christmas we were cooking and chatting and enjoying each other's company when my mom told me to go into the living room and put on some Christmas music. The next thing my mom heard was "Coming to America." Merry Christmas to all and to all a Hot August Night!

I relived my dance recital when I got to gallop around the stage to "Coming to America" waving a mini American flag...one of my fondest memories. I was galloping around the kitchen, filled with American/Christmas pride when my mom tells me (and I KNOW she's told me this before but I just never made the profound connection) "I saw Neil Diamond in concert."

Me: When?!?!?!?!

Mom: In the 70s.

Me: What did he wear? Did he wear a sequin shirt???
Mom: No, but he was very sexy. He wore a jacket with fringe.
Me: No way!!!!!
Mom: Yes way.

We then talked about some of Neil's lyrics, my mom enlightening me that there are some R-rated themes in Neil's songs. I never knew. I figured he just really liked blue jeans and red wine and Shiloh.

All Over the Map

Did people JUST discover Nutella or something? Why am I seeing Nutella recipes all over the place?

Yesterday on the news there was a local story about a bridal shop that was mysteriously shut down, with a sign on the window saying they'd reopen in a month or something. They interviewed a bride who was unsure of the status of her wedding dress she ordered. She said "I'm devastated! You search and you search and you search and you search...it's your wedding dress! It was the first dress I tried on." 
--Quite the exhausting search, huh?

My life right now consists of work, gym, income tax rules, bonds, equity issues, convertible securities, hair-pulling, and sleep. Wake up. Repeat.

I've entered to win the HGTV dream home in Park City, UT. I've got a good feeling.

I came home the other day to find that Roni had opened up the cupboard underneath the sink and dragged the bottle of 409 into the middle of the kitchen. Point taken, Roni.