2013 Resolution Wrap Up

I've learned through the years that if I make the cliche "eat healthier," "work out more" type of resolutions, they never ever work out.  For 2013 I decided to do something different and do a more general life goal as a resolution -  I resolved to do 12 new things.


1. Took a pole dancing class with three of my girlfriends.  If the studio wasn't so far away - or I had someone to go with me regularly - I'd do this all the time; it's a super good workout.

I'm on the far right in the top photo.

2. J and I both got our first professional massages for Valentine's Day.

3. Volunteered at SXSW.  I actually wound up working Artist Check-in and got to meet Of Mice and Men, Asher Roth, Scout LaRue Willis, and a bunch of other awesome musicians.  One of my fellow volunteers outed me as a Texas Hippie Coalition fan - they were super amazing and had me take a picture with them.

4. Attended SXSW Interactive.  I've gone to the music part before, but I decided to branch out and try the interactive portion.  I enjoyed it way more than I expected to!

5.  Dental work.  Yeah...not the most fun, but in 9 years the only time I saw a dentist was for a referral to get my wisdom teeth out.  I have a massive fear of dentists, but I finally sucked it up and went in and...it wasn't horrible.  I also managed to take a selfie while I was heavily sedated and since I was too drugged to remember it, I didn't find it until a week later.

This is why I don't do drugs.

6. Ate Indian food.  I don't know how I went 25 years without putting such deliciousness into my mouth.

7. Went to a midnight release.  It was for a video game, but it still counts.

8.  Got my hair colored (bleached?) professionally.  I'm no stranger to switching up hair colors, but I've always been more of a DIY type.

9. Went to Hawaii.  One more knocked off of my "Visit every state" life goal. :)

If anyone wants to pay for me to go back, I'm open to it.

10. Rented a Car.  I mean, my parents used to rent cars when we'd go on family vacations but this was the first time I'd ever rented one by myself.  

11. Dove with Sharks.  I have a tremendous fear of deep water, but I was determined to do this.  We did a cage dive and not a scuba dive, obviously.  

[Insert Jaws theme]

12. Became an "early adopter."  I'm usually the type to wait a few months after something shiny and new comes out before finally getting it, but I actually got a Day One Xbox One.  

I also did other little "firsts" like flying without checking a bag, getting my eyebrows waxed, going to (and working) a plastic surgery trade show, and so on.  Some of my firsts were obviously much better than others, but having that extra push to step outside my comfort zone was surprisingly motivating.  Shark diving was easily the highlight of my year and I don't think I ever would have done it otherwise.  J said it was an awesome resolution for me to make since it benefited him too.  I'll definitely have to reuse this resolution a couple years from now.