Hi gobblers!
I hope you had a nice, stress-free, full-bellied Thanksgiving.
On the long weekend front, there’s not much for me to report. Instead of cramming eleventy billion “must do now” tasks into the three days I was in New Hampshire, I instead took The Route Frequently Less Traveled By Ali.
I did pretty much nothing.
For three days, I sat in my mom and dad’s living room and watched Tyler.
I had grand plans to “clean out my childhood bedroom” for my parents (I may have been somewhat of a high school hoarder — every trophy, medal, ribbon and love note is still proudly displayed in that mess of a room) and maybe even do some work. But instead, I watched Tyler. He makes me laugh, and maybe he’ll make you laugh, too.
I guess I’m a proud aunt or whatever. Try to ignore my obnoxious voice being way too close to the camera in these short films. I’m sorry.
I did run while I was home, so that almost balanced out the three-times-a-day bowls of ice cream topped with fudgey cake. Running in New Hampshire is hard. I promise to never refer to Harlem Hill as “a hill” again.
My runs were mostly slow, with the exception of the first two miles.
Once upon a time when I was in sixth grade, my parents decided to build a house at what I believe is the highest point in Contoocook, NH. That means starting to run from their house is a downhill blast. But getting home inevitably sucks. Each time I went running, I brought my phone and warned my dad that I would probably call him to come pick me up so I wouldn’t have to run uphill on my way home.
I know. I’m such a fighter. PR City, here I come.
So I ran just about every day, and on Friday morning Michaela and I joined my mom for a boot camp class at her little gym. The class reminded me how much I hate boot camp classes and how I think burpees are stupid, and by stupid I mean “too hard.”
But as Thanksgiving came to a close and America quickly moved onto the next big holiday season, it came to my attention that the year is just about over.
I’m thrilled.
As I’ve lamented before, I didn’t love 2012. At times, I hated it. Those are my fighting words.
Ultimately, of course, spectacular things came to fruition throughout the year. There was the marathon, there was the job promotion and there was the existence of Tyler.
There were also the lofty goals I set for myself back in January. Remember when I used to be so ambitious and also dumb?
Admittedly I didn’t spend much of my year focusing on these mighty resolutions. In fact, I apparently forgot about most of them, even since revisiting the goals in June. My bad.
So now we’re down to the wire, and if I don’t accomplish every resolution on my list by December 31, 2012, the world will end. I will die. To-Do lists everywhere will crumble.
Thus begins Operation Get My New Year’s Resolutions Done In The Next Month-ish.
Here are the goals I’ve already made happen:
Get a new doctor: Yes! This was a big one and I’m so glad I finally got around to making some crucial phone calls and getting a hot new doc. NAILED IT.
Take better care of my skin: I didn’t buy fancy products, but I do wash my face regularly and I never go to sleep with makeup on, and I use my Clairisonic scrubby thing when I feel like it. GOOD ENOUGH.
Go for a totally naked run: Boom! Let it be known that on the evening of Sunday, November 18, I went for a run in Central Park. I did not wear my Garmin. I did not carry a phone. I did not listen to music on any device. And I’m really glad I did this one, actually! I’ve been running without my watch more often since then, and I appreciate not caring what my pace is. I don’t need to know what mile I’m at, and I can just run and enjoy the scenery. I’M AWESOME AT RESOLUTIONS.
Hold a 5-minute plank: Please. I did this multiple times forever ago. So easy. Just kidding. I could never accomplish that now. But I’m glad I checked this one off months ago. I have no desire to play in plank pose for that long anymore. Still, GOT IT DONE.
Run over the Queensboro Bridge: I didn’t run the bridge during the New York City Marathon as planned, but I did take a running stroll over the QB during a very early 18-miler one Thursday morning. I loved it. I haven’t ventured back that way, but I’d like to add it into my weekly running routine once, you know, I actually have a weekly running routine again. NAILED IT!
Be a kickass aunt: If “being a kickass aunt” means buying Tyler presents and never letting anyone else hold him then yes, I am the best aunt ever.
I wish I saw Tyler more, but we do a pretty good job of visiting whenever possible and Skype-ing when we can. I don’t want Tyler to grow up not knowing who I am, which is why I send him photos of myself every single day.
No, just kidding. I don’t.
But maybe I should. AUNTIE ALI FOR THE WIN.
Cook one legitimate meal per month: I’ve never hated anything as much as I hate myself for making this awful resolution. I realize many of you cook dinner every night. Go pat yourselves on the backs.
As for me? I hate this. And do you know why? It’s because I loathe grocery shopping. All those aisles and lists and crowds…it’s terrible.
And also, at night, I’m tired and I want someone else to cook for me while I lay on the couch and watch “Full House.” I actually do enjoy the act of cooking. I can follow a recipe and I’m OCD enough that I like to measure stuff out. With the exception of August, when I was in the hospital, I have managed to cook something every month. Usually it’s a casserole coated in various cheeses. Tomorrow I’m planning to make a roast chicken. I don’t know. I don’t even care. The only person who likes this resolution is Brian, though I think it really just reminds him of how little I cook to begin with. Blah. WORK IN PROGRESS. MISERABLE.
Don’t let people make me feel badly about my life decisions: Easy. I love this resolution and I’m not giving up on it once the year is over. This was important for me to focus on this year and I’m glad I’ve distanced myself from crap people. It just makes life easier. LOVED IT, DID IT, STILL DOING IT. Integrity, baby. Live with it.
Run a sub-4 hour marathon: NAILED IT. Hard.
As you may recall, Brian had a few resolutions for me as well. His were mostly dumb, but I attempted a few of them. One of his goals for me was to go sub-4 in the marathon, so BOOM, in your face, Brian.
Bike a 40-mile ride: Sure, no problem. Why don’t I also buy a bike and ride a century while I’m at it? Oh, OK. See you out there. EASY.
Replace the words “stressed” and “overwhelmed” with “excitingly busy: How easy was this one? It started as a way to mock Brian, but then I just got used to my new vocabulary and it stuck. CHECK!
And here are the remaining goals that require a bit of extra attention:
Do a handstand: Dumbest resolution of all-time. I don’t even know where to begin with this one. And the goal is to do an unsupported, unassisted handstand. No up-against-the-wall shit, no Brian-hold-my-legs cheating. Just me, balancing on my hands with my legs in the air and my toes pointed. MASSIVE FAIL.
Take a trampoline class: I’m going to have to let this one go for 2012. I still really want to do it, but I can’t because the trampoline place isn’t open in the winter. I procrastinated, and therefore I suck. SAD FAIL.
Run on a track: I still want to do this one, too! I may not be training for anything right now, but I can still make my way over to an official oval for some cruising. REFUSE TO FAIL.
Take a dance class: I’m going to do this. This week. Eh, maybe next week. GOING TO HAPPEN.
Try out Yoga to the People: I’m not excited about it, but this was a resolution from 2011, so it’s clearly imperative in this game of life we play. ON IT.
And here are the Goals Assigned By Brian that I really didn’t care to accomplish…
Cook saffron risotto: Fine. This will be my December dish. It’ll probably be disgusting. You asked for it, Bri. I WILL DO IT.
Take a knife skills class: Nope. I’d really rather end the year with 10 fingers all still in tact. PROBABLY NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY.
Ski out west: We went to Mexico instead. FINE WITH IT.
So I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied for the next few weeks. I’ll be yoga-ing, dancing, handstanding and sawing my stumpy fingers off in a knife skills class maybe. Try to hold back your excitement.
I know I will.
HOW ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS COMING ALONG? Are you kicking ass or sucking? Either way, enlighten me so I don’t feel quite so badly about the fact that I gave up on many of the things I thought were “fun and important” just 11 months ago. Thanks.
50 Responses
I’m pretty sure the only resolution I made good on this year was breaking 4:30 for my marathon. Maybe I should have made resolutions like: eat ice cream every day and play with every puppy I see on the sidewalk. Instead I made dumb resolutions like: figure out what I’m doing with my life and read a book every month (I wish I’d had time for that one). Uber failure, but pretty damn excited about that marathon PR!
5 minute plank????? rock star 🙂
I’m so impressed that you made so many resolutions! I make only one per year; I feel like such a slacker. 🙂 This year I set a goal of running 20-12milers in 2012. It could be a training run or a race but it had to be 12 consecutive miles and any extra miles didn’t carry over. I finished the week before Thanksgiving!! Not sure what 2013’s resolution will be…try every Blizzard of the month at Dairy Queen?
Actually, I forgot until you asked that my resolution was to run at least 2x per week. I accomplished it most of the year (I don’t like running when I am sick so there were a few times when I couldn’t) but more importantly, I actually enjoy running so much now that I don’t need to give myself strict rules because I know I will always have a next run. Your blog helps motivate me too, so thanks!
My resolutions are half and half. Done the ones I wanted to do, haven’t done the ones I thought I OUGHT to do in January. I still possess no abs, nor do I speak Spanish but I DID PR at the half marathon and I DID watch some foreign movies. I think you did okay!!!
Hahaha, first…lolz to Nicole’s comment. But seriously…Tyler is a really cute baby. There are some mediocre-cute or just downright not-cute kids out there, but it looks like Mr. Tyler won the genetic lottery.
Was that a weird comment? Haha, sorry.
I like your resolution recap! It seems like you got the important ones done….you know, like that huge marathon PR. 🙂
Totally normal I just watched all the Tyler videos at work. I didn’t even try to hide it! Tyler’s age falls right between my two nieces, 2 and 0.5. Does he like older or younger women?
Love this! Can’t believe how fast this year went by. I feel like I was just reading your resolutions from LAST YEAR yesterday. I didn’t make any of my own..too afraid to fail maybe? I think this year I should give it a try. Oh and I’m 100% sure I could teach you to do that handstand 🙂
I just recently found your blog, it’s fun, thanks for writing it;) also, I find it delightfully fun that you say “out West” cuz I always say “back East” (as if I’m a pioneer woman who left her sensible New England life behind to go west…)
I’m just as obsessed with my nieces!
I took a knife skills class and it was life changing. Because never again in my life will I have to write “take a knife skills class” on any new years, resolution, or bucket list.
HAHAHAHA. That is amazing. I want to hug you.
Yup, definitely interpreted “go for a totally naked run” as “run without any clothing on”…and then proceeded to be REALLY confused (and semi concerned) when you said you did it. Good thing I kept reading, hahaha.
I’m pretty impressed with the amount of things you’ve accomplished, especially since you’ve had such a hell of a year. You should get a gold star. Crack a bottle (not literally) of wine when you make the risotto. It’ll help.
Haha. Thanks, friend. The risotto is going to be disastrous. I think Brian will need the wine, not me. I’ll be secretly eating a pizza somewhere.
You’re doing WAY better on your resolutions than I am on mine! And I’m glad your naked run happened on my birthday 🙂
You are the BEST aunt!!! Tyler is so lucky to have you as an aunt.
I had a list of 40 things to do before my 40th birthday last week and I failed. That is OK. I am still planning to do all of those things one day.
No resolutions here, but I’m planning on a big one for 2013. Running a marathon on my birthday! I have been meaning to take a dance class too – there definitely isn’t a shortage of classes to select from in NYC, just haven’t made the effort.
That is one cute llama (alpaca?) I should know the difference – I am looking forward to meeting my parent’s alpaca herd in December.
Stopped making resolutions years ago. So I win?!
Congratulations! Hehe.
Is it bad if I don’t remember if I made any resolutions? Shit.
I LOL’ed! This was hilarious!
2012 was awesome for me in almost every way. My only hard resolution was to run a kickass first marathon, and I happen to believe I knocked that one out of the park.
I think my 2013 resolution is going to be to get a new goddamned job. Uhghghgh
Yes!!! Love it! Congratulations on the “kickass first marathon!” (And good luck in advance with the job search.)
Hibernating. Be back in February.
I don’t really make resolutions… mostly because I can’t fail if I don’t make them… perhaps a character flaw… oh well. Roll with it. For my extreme type A personality, I surprisingly don’t set goals either.
I am kinda sorta also to say bye to 2012. 2013, ready, set, go!!!
Not sure that I have ever seen one of your video’s before and I thought your voice sounded different!! Is that weird?
Tyler is sooo sweet!
Haha. I get that a lot. Do you mean you didn’t expect me to sound like a man?
I only had like 2 resolutions this year…which in and of itself I think was a win.
1. Try hot yoga. I did in January and got hooked and stayed with it till July when my uber good newbie deal ended and my budget dug in its heels and refused to go back.
2. Eat at least 3 servings of veggies every weekday. I tracked it on my workout spreadsheet (accountant nerd alert) and pretty much nailed this one. A few days here and there got missed…but I didn’t freakout which was a win, too.
Love your “run on a track” goal!
Nailed it! Nice job, Meghan!
What are resolutions again? I right all that stuff I was going to do before I got busy. Hmmmmmmm, maybe I will take a look at it.
Your nephew is so cute!!! I have 3 right now and another due in March! Man I can’t wait 🙂 I can’t even remember if I made resolutions much less what they were. I might want to work on that.
Don’t worry about skiing out west, the snow is terrible here. I think the east coast has more of a base than we do right now 🙁
I don’t really make resolutions, but I guess I am doing ok at the whole eating healthy and working out thing. I decided to do the Runner’s World streak from Thanksgiving to New Years so mayeb that will turn into more running in 2013 for me. But eating healthy is extremely hard to do when you travel to the South a lot. I mean they fry EVERYTHING. Work in progress?
Ali,
You may be interested to know that your voice sounds very different than the way I imagined it in my head!!!
Glad you had a great family weekend!!
E
Haha! I do have a rather deep voice. I hate hate hate hearing myself on camera/video.
I didn’t even realized that it’s almost 2013. I am so not ready. I failed at all racing goals (that is probably what 4 month of almost no running and an injury will do to you).
He is too cute! As someone who danced for 18+ years and lives in NYC if you want a “friend” to take a dance class with let me know! I would also love to take a dance class!
I’m thinking of doing a hip hop class one night at the Ailey Extension. BEGINNER level, or like, pre-beginner or perhaps “adolescent child that cannot yet crawl let alone walk or dance” level. It’s going to be awful…but hopefully fun? And then once I get my moves down I’ll invite you to join me the next time 😉
Your nephew is so cute! 🙂
My new years resolutions were: to stop drinking soda. CHECK. Take yoga classes. CHECK. Try acupuncture. CHECK. And cut back on caffeine. FAIL. Apparently I look forward to waking up and having coffee every morning!!
And you should take some dance classes! I started taking tap classes again this year and love it! 🙂
One of my resolutions was to take a tap class, and I took one at Steps about a month ago, but I want to make it to one more before the year’s over. If you’re up for tapping at Steps or BDC let me know!
A failed resolution was to finally read The Little Prince in French. Over it.
I took a tap class last year as one of my resolutions! This year I want to do something non-tap. I’m thinking an easy hip hop class at the Ailey Extension. I’d tell you to come with me, but I’m embarrassed by my white-girl moves. Also, I approve of scrapping that resolution. Seems intense.
You’re way farther along on your resolutions than I am on mine….way to make good headway!
I’m a huge fan of Yoga to the People….you should definitely try it out. I like the studio on 38th Street.
Yeah, that’s the one I looked into because it’s near my office! I just get nervous because whenever I walk by there’s a line out the door. I know the classes are crowded, which is fine, but I don’t want to wait in line and then not get in. Thoughts? Advice? Take me with you?
As long as you’re not too far out the doorway, you should get in. I usually get there 20-25 minutes early, maybe a little earlier than that after the holidays when it gets crazy busy. Waiting in the line is the perfect time to catch up on email, FB, Twitter. It’s not as crowded on the weekend. I’m making an early resolution to go at least once a week…..you should definitely come with me sometime!!
You regularily make me literally laugh out loud while reading your blog. Today was one of those days. Love Tyler, and LOVE your resolution descriptions. 🙂
Great that you achieved lots of your new years resolutions!!
I distinctly remember setting some duds myself (I lost my “official” new years resolution list with the death of my ipod touch….) including “make homemade sushi”. wtf was I thinking?? Definitely not doing that.
Hahaha that’s so ambitious and hilarious. New resolution for you: “Eat sushi at restaurant often.” You made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that.
I love this post! so cool to reflect on the year sometimes. I can’t say I had as many resolutions but I did accomplish one by doing 3 duathlons this year and a handful of 5k’s! Next years tasks will be a little more testing for me.. but looking forward to it 🙂 (half marathon say whattttt?!)
3 duathlons?! Dang, girl. Teach me how to duathlon. I am semi-interested in doing one, but then I picture myself falling off my bike while still clipped in and attempting to crawl to the finish line attached to my bike…and then I think, “Meh, better not.”
I love love loveee them. I love biking, love running, (and hate swimming) so duathlons it is! I have also don’t them without clipping in so its definitely an option too. Once I started clipping in tho I practiced like crazy and now I don’t have any problems getting out of them. Falling at the finish line was definitely my fear too cause I’ve seen it happen! You would kick ass at them so you should try one in the spring for sure! and I’ll teach you duathlons if you teach me half marathons. Deal? 😉
ZOMG Alpacas everywhere. I’m in love.