January goals

I'm not into making broad-sweeping annual resolutions (considering only 8% of people even keep them), but I like to set little monthly, hopefully attainable goals. I write them down on the side of my planner as a daily reminder (yes I still use a planner, I like tangible things).

 January's goals were:

1. Visit NAAM and Henry Art Gallery
2. Stop saying "like"
3. Read at least one book per month


Well, looking back, goals 2. and 3. were actually broad-sweeping annual resolutions that I made this year; to read more and to stop saying "like". I was having a casual conversation with a friend a few weeks back and took pause at the number of times I said "like" during it.
He agreed that I said it A LOT. Why should I stop using "like" you ask?

While there are many grammatically appropriate ways to use "like" in a sentence, many young people, and a few older ones as well, use the word as filler in sentences, cluttering up their speech and making them sound unsure and possible even uneducated.
If you're a habitual "like" user, you're not alone. Even the President is known to use a few "likes" in his everyday speech. Yet helping to curb your habit and refining your speech patterns can be a big benefit when you're looking for work, giving presentations in your college classes, or even just out on a date. Read on to find some methods, tips, and tricks that can help you make short work of getting all those unnecessary "likes" out of your speech.

I've been working on it the past couple weeks and have noticed some improvement. I sometimes find myself awkwardly pausing to think of a better word, but that's ok.

I want to see the James Baldwin exhibition at NAAM and just visit The Henry in general. If I don't make it to them this month they will go on next month's to-do list.

I'm re-reading Stumbling on Happiness after watching the documentary Happy a couple weeks ago, and finishing The Jane Austen Book Club. Clearly I'm still into light reads.

Earlier this month I saw "The Book of Mormon" in Seattle and had mixed feelings about it. I binged on movie going last weekend with Barbara at SIFF, Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook—all excellent.  I've still been hittin' the gym regularly and going to Zumba. I made salmon chowder for a long overdue dinner with a friend last night. We both remarked at how refreshing it was to take our time and just sit and chat and not feel the pressure of a restaurant setting. I played Cannonball Adderley and we talked at the dinner table for over an hour; our love language is quality time.

Hi, I'm Alive

I have been consumed with Maiplace—also known as my new little apartment. Movers, unsuccessful mattress hunting, hauling stuff up many, many stairs. This is what I've been up to. That said, things are good.

Some best girlfriends came over last night for an unofficial housewarming of sorts (probably the only one I'll have to be honest) and rearranged all the furniture, which resulted in a laundry list of furniture recommendations to make the place complete. Mirrors, rugs, bookshelves, console tables, art. Funny how you think you are downsizing but wind up having to buy a bunch more shit. Although, my old place left much to be desired in terms of any real style, so a part of me is happy to upgrade things. However, I am really going to try and keep the fact that I want simplify my life and possessions in mind when looking for stuff the fill the space.

My latest obsessions have switched from fashion to home decor and DIY sites. Pinterest and Apartment Therapy, anyone? I've become more familiar with The Home Depot than I've ever wanted to, tackled painting half the apartment, and now I have a bunch of ideas swirling around in my head. My very handy friend L said she'd help me make a couple of console tables out of a bookshelf I'm not using. I also scored a great find on cl —two Sam Avedon Alladin Plastic Chairs for a rehab project, similar to this.

Not sure what color to paint them!

So that's what I've been up to. Getting settled. I've had a lot of changes happen this past year, mostly for the better, but change for me is always tough. I'm glad I have great friends, a loving family and I'm doing something I care about to make it all worthwhile though.

I hope everyone is off to a good week. I'm seeing Cinderella at The 5th Ave on Thursday with this lovely lady, and I have a date (a very cute date I might add) to my work holiday part on Friday. Life is good.