NYC and ME, 2011: My year in review...

Notes: 1 / 1 year ago
2011: My year in review...
2011 has been my best year ever! I will probably say this about every year hereafter as this is what I have learned from insightful people like Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Michael Neill and the like… Your thoughts create your life!

Your actions and emotions are all created from your perceptions, your philosophies about what life is, and what you choose to do with it. Life is all about choices after all… And ultimately, choice starts with thought. Therefore, I choose to make each day the best day of my life. Woo-Hoo! haha.

So anyways, upon review I’d say I pretty much kick ass at life right now. I have created a world for myself to thrive in, that’s all mine; where I can be creative, kind, resilient, generous, crafty, compelling, intelligent in design and thought, and loving…everything good. I just want to always be everything that’s good.

I’ve probably read the most books I’ve ever read this year too. Partly because of my hour and a half commute on the subway 5 days a week from my house in Gowanus/Park Slope to Rockefeller Center, but honestly, it’s my time and it’s time well spent. I love getting my coffee from Cafe 474, then actually getting a seat on the subway, and reading my book in the morning. (I never thought I’d say that. I was never a “morning person” before.) If I had to count, I’d say I’ve read 27 books this year, mostly metaphysical or philosophical books about life, but also some teen novels because I work in children’s/teens publishing now.

Well, they call them YA novels = “Young Adult.” My favorite YA novels have been from Carrie Ryan’s, The Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy. It’s weird how every single idea for a teen book has to become a trilogy, but I really enjoyed these. It’s about a zombie apocalypse. And it’s weird that I would like that, I’m not really into horror movies or books, but I really enjoy her writing. AND I created my first mobile phone site which promoted her third book in the trilogy, The Dark and Hollow Places. I love Random House Children’s YA books, specifically their imprint, Delacorte Press.

I also love all of Random House Children’s Books cover designs. They are so intelligently designed. And I really enjoyed working for them earlier this year. I was a freelancer for the children’s and teens online marketing team for 5 months from December 2010 to April 2011. It changed my life. I learned so much about html coding, ad coordinating, and creating marketing language for the web. And I really do miss all of the wonderful people that I met there. They are fantastic at what they do and really great people all around - very kind, appreciative, and intelligent.

And it was from this job that I was able to get the job I have now as a Freelance Graphic Designer in the digital department of HarperCollins Children’s Books. It’s seriously the best job I’ve ever had! (I’ve had a lot of awful, crappy jobs in the past, so I’m really grateful for this one!) I like all of the people in my group, and I absolutely love designing websites, animated gifs, and creating thoughtful advertising for authors and illustrators…I am just totally blessed :] I never thought I would use that term, I always thought it was silly, but it’s so true. My job is so cool!

I love being able to work with children’s illustrations and designing for teens…I feel like this job was made for me. And I’ve learned so much! I have really elevated myself to a completely new level of success and joy, a love of my work/craft, and positive thoughts about what is possible for me in my life. I love children’s books! And I love finally having some money! Seriously, I was SO broke for soooooooo long! It’s a welcomed change.

I’ve also started going to the gym. I never thought I would be one of those “gym people,” but I really love it! I get such a feeling of serenity and accomplishment from just one hour in the gym. I use all of the machines and really, my body feels like a machine! I am in the best shape of my life and I run miles on the treadmill with ease. I actually enjoy running. Before I started going to the gym I would run up the slope to Prospect Park, then through the park in the wooded area along with the lightning bugs in the Summer, then down the slope again home. I got such a surge of power from it. I love the feeling. Of course, it’s still hard sometimes to get started, but once I am 10 minutes in, I feel such a release. I love my body in motion!

I also bought a vintage bike this Summer and rode all around the park and South Brooklyn. It’s so much fun! Riding a bike feels like being a kid again. It just gives me this carefree feeling = excitement. I will always be a kid a heart! If you are ever feeling down…just go for a bike ride and you will feel better. Trust :]

I’ve also been cutting a lot of foods out of my diet. Like bread, gluten, sugars, and anything that has additives, that is not from the Earth, is not humanely treated or is given artificial hormones. Gross! Seriously, why do they make such crap for Americans to eat? I’m trying to cut down on milk too, but I just love it in my coffee and tea so I’m not sure I can get it out all together. I don’t like soy milk or rice milk. I really tried to like them. But, yuck! I heard hemp milk is good. I’m going to try that next.

The point is…be good to your body, it’s all you have here on Earth this time around! Be mindful of what you put in it and how you treat it. Use it wisely! After all, your body is your temple. It is your minds devoted servant. It wants to work for you. It’s up to you to feed it right and make it sing!

This year I have also come to the conclusion that it’s ok to be alone (without friends, family, or a great love). Frankly, I like it sometimes. I like peace and to be able to work on my music and art projects, go to the gym, and do whatever I want to do w/out people getting on my case about it. I mean, I would love to be in love; it’s my holy grail, what I’ve always wanted, but never had. But I have everything I need; I take care of myself really well, and I provide for myself all by myself. I know what is best for me; and I know what I need to do to keep my mind agile, my body fit, and my heart fulfilled. I am my own best friend and I’m a pretty kick ass friend :]

Today, I am sitting here in my Mom’s kitchen in Florida. She is so sweet and I’ve missed her so much…but now I am missing NYC and I can’t wait to get back home. I’m looking forward to creating more cool stuff, writing more songs, recording my new album - I’ve just come up with a really cool name for it and I’m so excited to get the songs down in the recording studio.

There are many things to look forward to, so I’ve found that it’s important to look back so that you can appreciate where you are now and where you are going. I wish you all the most awesome year ever! Make 2012 your best year yet. Fill it up with good stuff :]
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