Hellooooooooo 2009!

I know it's so cliche to have "new year's resolutions", but I'm going to post mine anyways. :) Believe it or not, I've actually never written resolutions before....so at 28 years old, this is a first for me! (am I a dork for being excited about this?!? lol)

In order of importance to me (for the most part):

1. Hang tight to my Quit.
Over 3 months so far of no smoking after 11 years of smoking and 8+ years struggling to find the motivation & courage to quit. My Quit means the world to me and I am hanging on for dear life! :)

2. Learn to have more patience and not hold grudges.
Growing up with a wonderful family and a best friend of 20+ years, I had just assumed the entire world was filled with people like them - honest, dependable, loyal, loving, giving, etc. Call me naive. :) I don't want to lower my expecations of what I want in friendships, but I do realize I have to cut people some slack -- no one's perfect. And just because someone makes a mistake, doesn't mean I should hold a grudge forever! I will improve on this....

3. Free myself from the cubicle!
I have been looking forward to the day when I can escape the office environment and work from home, supporting myself solely through freelance design work (and a few pet-sitting jobs on the side of course!) That day seems to be getting closer and my goal for 2009 is to make my dream a reality. First, just need to pay off remaining debt and work my butt off networking and finding more clients!

4. Take my nonprofit to the next level.
I have to admit, I've been completely slacking when it comes to my responsibilities for my nonprofit (Saving Shelter Pets, Inc). I just don't seem to have the energy now that I'm working so many hours. So after I escape my cubicle this year, I vow to dive right back in 1 million percent and make SSP the nonprofit that I know it can be! :) (with the help of all our wonderful BOD members & volunteers of course!)

5. Create a website for my freelance work.
I currently have a basic webpage built through GooglePages.... it's actually pretty embarrassing as a graphic designer, but it has done its job for the time being. I have done many sketches on how I want my portfolio site to look, but it's just a matter of finding the time to do it (especially since I'm website-challenged. lol) But 2009 is the year I commit to this project!