Looking Forward to 2013 and a Look Back

Starting off the new year right is important to me. I've read a few different people's approaches to setting goals and resolutions and I've taken advice from a few different people I admire. Step one was to look at 2012 and see what I've accomplished. I called out 4 important things i did each month.

It's important to look at all you've accomplished before setting goals for the new year because it's positive reinforcement for yourself. Lets be honest, when do you really give yourself much praise? Last year my main accomplishments included starting to date my wonderful boyfriend and moving in with him, completing over 30 freelance design projects and getting a new full time job. I traveled to Crested Butte, CO, Las Vegas, NV, Tahoe, Maui, Hawaii, Santa Barbra, CA, Portland, OR, Lyndon Center, VT and Yosemite National Park. I sold my first 2 greeting cards! I learned how to wakeboard and started running.

I need to cut out some of the things in my life that are taking up my time that I don't enjoy or feel obligated to do. The biggest thing in my life that I can think of is my freelance work. From this point forward I am not taking on any freelance work because it's "extra money." I don't need the money, I have a full time job. I will only take on freelance work if it will be an asset to my portfolio in my quest to become an art director. Or if I truly enjoy the work and client. Other things that take up my time that I don't like doing are laundry, fixing/setting up computers, going to the post office, writing contracts and invoicing.

2012 was full of fun relationship things, it's been awesome. In 2013 I want to reintroduce more of the things I love into my life while still doing fun relationship things. I want to attend art shows and museum exhibits, I will run a half marathon in September. I also want to travel internationally this year.

My main goals for 2013 are:
- Save for a downpayment on a house
- Create and sell more greeting card designs
- Extend my brand and work towards becoming an art director

 My phrase for 2013 is "Spend less, Create more."

Vacation Time | Las Vegas, NV - Crested Butte, CO

I started a new job about 8 months ago at Flip Video after working at Gladstone a Biomedical Research Company for nearly four years. Very unexpectedly Flip Video was downsized into nonexistence on May 19, 2011. This was sad news because I loved my job as a Graphic Designer and Online Merchandiser, but with every ending comes a new beginning. I soon found a new job for Recurly as their "Manager of Design and Creative Goodness." I'm very excited to start my new job and was lucky enough to take a few weeks off in-between jobs.

I took a one week staycation in San Francisco tying up loose ends, doing some freelance work, hanging out with friends, flying over San Francisco with a new coworker . . .

This flight was amazing. I have never been in such a small plane before, so I was a little nervous but once we took off the flight was really relaxing and beautiful. I got to see San Francisco from a new angle. My favorite views were of Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. Thanks Tim!

I also attended one of my good friend's baby showers. Everything was so cute. I can't wait for her to have her baby so I can play with her (it's a girl).

My staycation was pretty hectic so I was glad to leave the Bay Area and make my first stop in Las Vegas for one of my best friend's bachelorette party.

We stayed at the Mirage which is right on the strip. Highlights of our trip were hanging out a the pool, shopping, clubbing, and seeing Zoomanity. There were 8 girls and we all had a bachelorette induced good time.

After a few event filled days in Vegas, I boarded a plane to Denver, CO. I got in my rental car and drove for about 5 hours to Crested Butte, CO where my little brother and his girlfriend live with their new baby River Wilson. My mom had also been staying in Crested Butte to visit and help with the new baby. More on this leg of the trip later. . . for now bed time.