The Ever-Popular Resolution Post

So I'm a sucker for resolutions. I know a lot of people say that they don't last after January second, but mine actually do. I don't know. I like lists. Can you blame me? So. Naturally. I've crafted a new list for 2012. Categorized to make it easier to accomplish. Maybe. If that's the sort of thing you like.

Life as We Know It

• Get a Job-I have to make the money to pay for that rent. And all the other fun stuff my life contains. Which is hopefully a lot.
• Do Exciting Things-WOW. So general. But oh well. It may or may not be known that I am an adrenaline junkie. I would like to keep that up. At the very least take a vacation. I'm going to be in school all year, so a nice weekend would be excellent. If it is something full of energy, I'll love it even more.

I would like to suit up again, please.

•  Make Time-My lucky apartment mate and I will both be extremely busy during the semester/year/etc. It would be excellent to take a day away from the week at the very least to cook something or go somewhere or something like that. I mean. He's a pretty important person. I live with him for pete's sake. If I can't keep in touch with him, there's no hope for anybody!

Socially Speaking  

•  Stay Friendly-I love my friends more than anything. I know that's really lame, but it's just the way I am. After a semester in Italy I cannot imagine missing out on another four months with them. I want to keep in contact with letters (more than once a semester) and would also like to take advantage of coffee/lunch/dinner/snack/dance breaks to not lose touch with my friends.

Mail of the snail variety. Heading your way. :)

•  Explore Philadelphia-Eating. Playing. Watching. Biking. Dancing. All of it. I want to take advantage of the city I live in. Because I really do love it. I probably want to get a job first. Probably.
• InMotion Dance Ensemble-I love these girls. I want to spend time with them especially. Also, I want to put my heart and soul into the team to make it as amazing as possible. Because I know we have a group of the most amazing girls on the planet.

I know you've never seen this picture before. Sorry it isn't updated!

Keeping it Healthy

• Run A Race-I would be really, really proud of myself if I could stick to a training plan and race my heart out. I am planning on the Broad Street Run and a Spartan Race. It would be really cool if I could get it done. :)

Thanks, website.

• Eat Vegetarian at Least One Day a Week-I already eat pretty well. My general goal for the year would be to keep that up, but I think one cool thing I'd like to try is doing meatless Mondays, or something to that effect. I'm armed and ready, I just don't know if my apartment mate is going to be as happy with it.
• EXERCISE-I love endorphins with my whole life. Let's keep this one up. I love it. It is the best feeling in the whole wide world. And that's why I've changed my major. I want to throw myself into this.

I think that's enough for now. But I can't promise you there won't be more. :)

BRING IT ON 2012.

Christmas and Beyond

While the post-Christmas blues are setting in, I figure it's time to write in this thing again. In typical Amanda fashion, I say that I'll keep up with the blog and then successfully not write for most of December. But that's okay. After Italy, I needed my break. I spent time with families and my friends, traipsed up to New York, celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas, and didn't sleep on a normal schedule at all. But my body is caught up, the holidays are winding down, and I'm kicking back into gear.

But I will show you some New York and Christmas pictures eventually. I just have to get some from a nice boy I know.

Look at this generic picture of Central Park in the meantime.

Today, I head back to work to start making some money to fill my poor little bank account. I also spent a good chunk of time at the gym today. Doing nothing planned out, just doing what I felt like. It was good to blow some energy off and I am definitely taking advantage of the endorphins before they wear off.

This also counts, I've decided.

I also went to Casey's and got my MJ on. As well as the inner Black Eyed Pea. I love dance games and I'm definitely not one of those dancers that stick their noses up at it. It's SO FUN and it's a great way to get everybody involved. Plus, chances are you have at least one hilarious dancer in your life. I love it.

I'm currently working on my list of New Year's Resolutions (note the capitalization for emphasis on importance). I get pretty excited about them and they're often very extensive. But naturally I'm going to post those later on this week. Maybe one will be to blog more often. Perhaps.

This is the Christmas tree in Epcot. It is beautiful.

Well. That's pretty much it. I just wanted to wish everybody a Merry Post-Christmas. And I hope you're all gearing up for New Year's. :)

Honey, I'm Home!

The last few days in Italy were crazy. They were filled with "OH MY GOD, I STILL HAVE TO DO THAT"s and lots and lots of walking. But they were also filled with sunsets. And goodbye hugs. And if you know me, you know I love goodbye hugs.

Hugging is the best.

From the tippity-top of St. Peter's.

So. Gelato was eaten. Bags were packed. Hugs were given (again). And all of a sudden, we were in the airport. Then we were on the plane. Then we were in the airport again, only in Philadelphia.

No more Rome. :(

And any of that sadness was gone. I saw some very, very happy people. Some of our friends showed up at the airport. And of course parents were ecstatic to see all of the travelers. It was amazing. And full of even bigger, tighter, happier hugs.

I've spent this week eating a lot of breakfast food and doing a lot of talking. I saw New Year's Eve with my sister when she was supposed to be in school. I've tied up any loose ends in terms of Christmas shopping. Steve the Apple Genius saved my computer. I got my ears pierced (I'm really five). And I've fallen asleep before eleven thirty every night.

Happy New Year's, Zac.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to Philly to reunite with some very special people. I'm super excited and I just want it to be tomorrow already.

FHOEIGNSOGOSDNVSGOHSDG.

We have lots of fun, you see.

This is my best friend, maybe you know her?

I'm actually wearing those pants right now.

So yeah, I'm doing pretty freaking brilliantly. Studying abroad was wonderful and I would never give up that experience. But I am so grateful to be home. So unbelievably grateful and beyond excited.

Also. The point of this specific blog was to let you know that I'm not stopping it. I know you're probably 43% less interested in me because I'm now in the United States. But give me a chance, you know? I try to live a very exciting life. Also, I very much need to get back in shape and gain my flexibility back. So if you're interested in that kind of stuff, I'm here for you! Also I bake. And cook. I'm funny too! I swear.

So thanks for sticking with me through Europe. But the fun doesn't have to stop there. Have a lovely day! :)