Happy New Year!

The definition of “resolution” is quite in depth. For most people’s purposes, they are simple or major changes, or goals, we have to do at the end of every year in which something good should be the result. To many of us that might include lose weight, stop smoking, eat better, exercise more, etc. There are those too, who decide that perhaps they need to better themselves in other ways. For example, there are some who feel they need to call mom more, spend more time helping make money for charity, learn to play chess, etc. Consequently resolutions vary.

The common thread for all resolutions is that they typically are broken. Oh sure, we decided that diet was a must and that we finally felt ready to tackle that extra 25 pounds, but by January 3rd, the diet was cast aside. Poof, the resolution to shed those pounds all gone. So are resolutions just rituals?

For most of us, the answer is yes. For others, it truly is a way of taking a good hard look at ourselves and deciding changes have to be made. Whether it is to make a change for the good of our health, or the good of others, resolutions are made.

I used to make resolutions, but after many failures, I decided one year to only make goals. Yes, it’s the same damn thing, but the word “goal" is less threatening to me. In the end it worked. I also decided that my goals had to be more realistic. Making the goal to parachute out of a plane was not realistic. I am afraid of heights. Last year I had the following three goals: 1) learn to make sushi, 2) learn various painting techniques, and 3) get more involved in martini making and drinking. Any bets as to which goal I jumped feet first into first? I love martinis!

This year my goals are simple again, and realistic.

*I want to learn more about the vast variety of cheeses available to me, and how to use them in various dishes.
*I want to learn to knit. Nothing fancy, the basics will do.
*I want to learn how to make pasta. (I got a cool pasta maker Christmas)

I’m no expert on making and keeping resolutions or goals, but I do know that once you have decided you are ready to make that New Year's resolution and stick to it, you need to develop a plan of action and make that plan a priority. One of the most important secrets to keeping those New Year's resolutions is to take the process of change one day at a time. And it's OK to make big changes through taking small steps. If you can do just a little bit to get going, soon you'll feel the positive effects of the change. And that little bit of change can lead to long-term healthy habits that last far beyond New Year's Day.

Happy and Healthy New Years!

"New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why,
as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that
introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making
resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves!" - Gary Ryan Blair

Ribbons and Flags

Everywhere I look these days there seems to be a ribbon campaign of some sort. Colors, stripes, patterns, you name it, and there is probably a ribbon to celebrate the cause they represent. The ribbons adorn people’s clothing, book bags, and dirty cars.

I, too, own two such ribbons. The pink one, which should prompt people to remember to support breast cancer research, and the yellow one, which reminds us to support the troops. Now I can proudly say that I have supported breast cancer research monetarily through various ways. Typically it has happened when I have purchased something in which a percentage of the monies go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It adds up over time. Believe me. I have also done my part to support our troops by sending items of need to them.

What I do wonder is how many people are doing their part to support such campaigns or are they simply dressing themselves or the cars up with the ribbons?

Think back to the flag waving days Americans experienced after 9/11. We raced to the flag stores buying every flag and yellow ribbon we could get our hands on. We proudly displayed the flags from houses, cars, boats, etc. You couldn’t go anywhere without being reminded you lived in a great country, and that we were truly proud to be living in that great country.

But who really benefited from the sales of such flags and ribbons? People waited in lines hour longs just to buy a flag. Flag stores and factories in my area worked around the clock, making headlines, just to mass produce such flags. I would imagine the ribbon mass producers of today are making out like bandits, and places outside of the US, like China, are loving our patriotism and “fights for the causes.”

Wave a flag because you feel good and proud about being an American. Adorn yourself or your dirty car with a ribbon because you are passionate about helping the cause, not because it’s cool to do so. And for Pete’s sake, replace that damaged and dirty flag with a new one. Your dirty ripped flag hanging from your home annoys me. Fix it. Please.

Day Two of Blogging

I have read many blogs online and have been entertained or have learned, in most cases. I'm not here to teach or entertain, but rather to put my words to print, so that my thoughts and feelings are out there. Now if I happen to entertain or teach someone along the way, well then good for me. Good for you.

I would imagine people might click to this blog to see if they might get some "inside" information on who I really am. Quite honestly, at times, I would like that same information. Even as old* as I am, I sometimes wonder who I am. I blame this wondering on the perimenopausal thingie. Here's where I would imagine some might groan and wonder if this will be a blog from someone pissing and moaning about perimenopause and menopause. It just might be. But then, if that's what directs my life at times, then that's who I am. Wow, we have learned something already.

My thoughts might be scattered at times, but then again, I am scattered at times. So bear with me. You might find you will enjoy the ride. I'd suggest you hang on as well. No helmuts are required though. At least for the passengers.

At this point I will briefly share what is going on in my life. I have just gone through the holiday rush like most and now face getting ready for my first family cruise. I'm excited. I have never cruised and look forward to doing so with my husband and kids. We are headed to the Western Caribbean via the cruise ship "The Navigator", one of the ships from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship line. I see the getting ready part as a pain in the butt, but like everything else in life, the cruise will be over before I know it, so I am taking each step and trying to enjoy it.

I have also decided that because my life isn't hectic enough, that I would tackle getting my Masters in Nursing. I have decided to do it via the net. People do everything through the internet, so surely I can get a degree. I'll be pursuing the degree through the University at Phoenix Online. I'm mentally ready. I thrive on challenges. I'm nuts.

So there you have it. A middle age woman taking her first family cruise at 48 years old and heading back to college. Exciting huh?

*I refer to myself as being "old" all the time. I do realize that 48 is not old. I do. Really. Most days. :)

Beginnings...

So today I enter the blogging world. Seems almost appropriate to end the year with a new start. Now all I have to do is figure out what it is I truly want to blog about. I'm sure as time passes and the thoughts whirl around in my head, I will be able to share more, and easily.

I'm thinking right now the best place to start is with an introduction of sorts. Who is Niten and what's in her nook? Niten is merely a middle aged female living in New Jersey with her family, which consists of one husband and two adult children. She's a nurse. She's an avid reader, and will soon be heading back to school to finish up her degree. Her goals for 2005, besides starting this blog, are as follows: 1) learn to make pasta, 2) learn to knit, and 3) become a cheese Connoisseur, of sorts. I am not one of those people who makes New Year's resolutions. I used to be, but how many failures does one have to experience before one realizes resolutions are simply not the best thing to do. So I now have goals. Goals easily accomplished.

So as I travel thought the New Year, I will share the ups and the downs, and the in betweens. Hopefully I will amuse some, and along the way, learn more about myself.

That's a good start!