pop champagne ...or tarts.

some days, i forget i have a blog, in effect keeping my incoherent ramblings to myself. you lucky bastards. (while other days it seems like writing posts is the only thing on my agenda, to which i would still like to apply "you lucky bastards.")

so here's my new year post, in which i describe to you the many things i say i will do during the new year, when you all suspect that a week into 2o12 i will have given up on them all together, aka my "new years resolutions." to save you from the 2 part post (the first describing my resolutions, the second confessing that i broke them in a mere 24 hours), i had decided to omit the usual new years post. but seeing as how i am still going strong, an odd feat, i suppose i can divulge slightly into my pride at having adhered vehemently to my new years resolutions thus far. i realize, that yes, it is still only january, but this is the best i have honestly ever done. my will power rivals only that of my Lenten determination. in fact, i think it surpasses it. actually, i can safely say it surpassed it. in years past i was pretty good at keeping up my Lenten promises. however last year, i inevitably broke them. two of the things i had given up were sweets and fast food. but since the world decided i shouldn't stand a chance, both 3 spoons (a yogurt place) and a campus wendy's opened in the same week. and it was the same week that Lent started I believe. I was set up for failure from the get go.

so, before i go off on other tangents, here are my new years resolutions...(if you see me breaking these, i give you full permission to call me out while simultaneously back hand slapping me):

• become a video vixen. new career path. jk. that's not on my list of new years resolutions. let's try again shall we.
• go to church more often. this includes going to church, giving what i can in tithes, spending a little more time in the word at the end of the day, and strengthening my relationship with christ. even when times are good, i shouldn't forget to be in constant communication with my Lord in my walk with Him
• donate money to some foundation or charity. i've always found great joy in giving to others. i would like to broaden what change i can bring about in the world, no matter how large or small. specifically to causes i support and people in need of help. yea i buy toms. partly because of its mission, but let's be honest. those are some cool shoes. so what am i really getting them for. as i am blessed, i would like to play a part in blessing others.
• budget more effectively. i have always been horrible at keeping track of what i spend. and buying random crap. thank you ebay and amazon, i completely need to spend money on this totally cool and useless thing! and paypal, you allow me to do it with a few simple clicks of the mouse! huzzah convenience!!! ...but really. i need to get that under control and be more financially responsible.
• work out at least 4-5 times a week. yes, bikini season is around the corner, and though i'd love to have a rockin body by then (already practicing my "you mean, it's that way?" ::and flex as points in direction::) , i just really wanna be fit. and be more disciplined and work on my will power. i've always been an active person, but i really want to commit to hitting the gym. and so far, even though i have to be up before the buttcrack of dawn to get to the gym, i have been religious about going every day but sundays! look at me now. most days i go twice ::gasp::. if the 60 year old ladies i see at the gym can do it, then so can i!! also, props to> myfitnesspal.com < !you should check it out.
• eat healthier. as anyone who's been in my presence knows, i eat. like all the time. everything and anything. but i need to be more conscious about what is going into my body. i haven't been treating it very well for the past 23 years. it's really a wonder to me, along with the general public, that i am not morbidly obese.
• volunteer at least once a month. for as much as i wreak havoc in society, i ought to make sure i give back to the community every once in a while.
• call parents daily. i don't tell my parents enough how much i love them and how amazing they are. and just how supportive they are for dealing with a kid like me. i turned out alright tho :) all thanks to them. for as much as we've been through, we can get through anything. on a sort of related note. i have learned anew not to doubt the fighting spirit that runs in the Vera Cruz veins. My grandpa, at 93, became deathly ill towards the end of 2011. The doctors said that they are surprised at his will and resolve to survive. Anyone in his condition would have died weeks ago, they said. But not grandpa, he fought through it, and is recovering and becoming healthier every day. I have never been more proud to be a VC. I adore everything that my grandpa is. His legacy is so full of life. I witnessed my father praying with him over the phone when we feared for the worst. Even in the face of death, he proclaimed Jesus as His lord and savior and thanked Him for his full life and for everything he has brought into this world. i mean come on, look at the vera cruz clan. we are pretty amazing i think. even in his old age, he biked every morning. what a stud ey. if i can accomplish even half of what he has in my lifetime or become even half the person he is, i would consider myself lucky.
• read more. im not sure i could be more literature savvy, but im willing to try
• spend 1 hour away from technology at the end of the day. this needs no explanation. our world is way too dependent on technology.
• make headway in my book. or really just keep up with writing. it's a wonderful creative outlet for me. i have also seen how God has used it to touch others and it is awesome that I can play any part in His plan to help others. i really do think it is something He is wanting me to keep using to strike up wonder, inspiration, and curiosity in others. and so i will endeavor to become better at it. at the same time i want to spend more time in the arts. there is so much beauty in the world. capturing it in pencil, brush, music, words, photographs, whatever is at your fingertips...is lovely in conception, process, and result. it is lovely throughout.
• read the paper/watch the news. i need to be more knowledgeable about what's going on in the world. though a lot of it is just downright depressing.
• keep in touch with friends better. one of the things i value most in life is genuine and authentic friendships with people of the same caliber as the words i just used to describe those friendships. i have a mental list of people who have always been concerned with my wellbeing and the going ons in my life, and who have made efforts to keep in touch. they deserve the same kind of effort on my part to keep my ties with them as strong and frequent. so whether by phone, by letter, by message or pigeon, i vow to keep in touch with you amazing people :)

this might be my longest post. and if u read through it....get a life! ;)

and shout out to > Katie Law's new blog <