Four summers ago, classmates and I went to a local pub in Cortona, Italy to watch the United States, as well as Italy. And later that summer, the town set up a huge screen in Piazza Garibaldi for all the townspeople and students to cheer the Italians on to victory.

I kicked my feet up and watched the World Cup yesterday afternoon in the comfort of my Nashville home.

It just isn’t the same experience, though it was nice not having beer spilled on me when a goal was scored.

It’s hard for me to believe that I lived in Italy four years ago. It seems like it was just yesterday, and I remember my time spent there with a smile.

Four years ago, I could barely speak a word of Italian.

Four years ago, I didn’t like coffee or wine.

Four years ago, I thought I would go to graduate school for fine art photography.

Four years ago, I didn’t know what authentic Italian food tasted like.

Four years ago, I didn’t know what the World Cup was all about.

… I know differently now — on ALL of these — and I will watch all the World Cup games with anticipation and with my Italian World Cup memories in mind.

A lot has changed in the past four years. And a lot of good has come out of my trip to the other side of the world.

What were you doing four years ago?

                          

Apparently, this is going to become a bi-monthly thing since I seem to forget every other month that I should check in with these. Yeah. Oops. Things get kind of hectic around here, you know?

It’s been four months since I wrote down my resolutions for the year, and it’s time for an update. And another reality check. (Though this one is definitely less harsh.)

Be all here.
This resolution is getting easier by the day. Literally. I live in a fantastic city, am surrounded by fantastic people and am enjoying mostly every moment I have here. A change in scenery really does the difference for this resolution, and I am happy with where I am and what I am doing. My office moved into the heart of downtown Nashville, and I have been enjoying exploring the city with co-workers on our lunch breaks. (I’ve also found some AWESOME restaurants in the downtown area, yum.)

Resolution status? WIN!

Be active.
This one is getting better. I joined the YMCA by my home a few weeks ago, and it has been closed for the past two weeks because the entire downstairs flooded during the Nashville floods. Sad face. So while they’re getting back up and running, Lucy and I have been taking walks — LONG walks — during the early morning hours before I go to work. I love starting the day with exercise, even if it takes me some time to drag myself out of bed.

Resolution status? Getting there.

Along the same lines, be choosy about what I eat.
For the most part, I pay attention to what I eat, and I do my best to make smart decisions about this. Unfortunately, I backslid last weekend when we were in Pennsylvania. I have some ground to make up on this one. And my pants will thank me when I’ve made it up.

Resolution status? Getting there.

Volunteer.
Still working on this one…

Compete.
Not happening… yet. I have a dream to run in SOME kind of race this year, and I WILL. Luckily, I had a new friend who runs marathons and recommended a fantastic running book for me. Now, I’ve just got to get moving and maybe find a group to run with so they can hold me accountable. And not laugh at how slow I am.

Resolution status? It WILL happen.

Write more.
I’m making this one happen on StyHand, but I also want to write more for myself. I have a journal that is completely empty and purchased in Florence that NEEDS writing inside it, and I need to get my act together with that one. I have never been good at journaling, though I have stints where I write for a few months daily then drop it for about a year. Kind of frustrating, really, and I need to work on it.

Resolution status? Halfway complete and needing a LOT of work.

Stand on my own two feet, financially, with freelance photography.
I’m working on this, but realistically, I know this resolution is NOT going to come true this year, despite me wanting it to be. I don’t get tossed freelance offers nearly enough to make this happen this year, and that’s OK. It WILL happen sometime in the near future, and I am excited to be a full-time photographer again, even though I enjoy what I’m doing now.

Resolution status? Not happening. BUT I am getting more freelance work as the months pass. (So that’s a good sign!)

Be brave.
This is going well. I’m doing a LOT of things I normally wouldn’t feel comfortable with. This includes going placed I normally wouldn’t on freelance assignments, preparing a whole chicken, baking it and not giving up or throwing it out because the skin feels so creepy, and standing up to an obnoxious wedding vendor who kept e-mailing and saying, “No, we didn’t want to use your service because of XYZ.” And, while a lot of it still freaks me out, I’m seeing the benefits being brave has on me.

Resolution update? Getting there.

…

I still have a ways to go on some of these resolutions, but I’m pretty proud I have made it this far and not completely dropped all of them. (Because I’ve definitely done that in previous years… oops.)

How are your resolutions looking right now?

                          

(Obviously, I didn’t write an update for February, but I want to do this every month. You know, to keep myself on track.)

It’s been two months since I wrote down my resolutions for the year, and it’s time for an update. And a reality check.

Be all here.
I’ve actually been pretty successful with this one so far. I’ve been enjoying my time here in Nashville, and I cannot believe I’ve been here for three months! Not only have I been spending a lot of time with my fiance and our mutual friends, but I’ve gone out with old and new friends, too. And had one hell of a girls’ night last weekend.

Be active.
Major fail. Due to inclement weather and laziness, I’ve had a tough time with this resolution. Add that with a new schedule (due to a full-time job with real people hours), I haven’t been getting the exercise I need. And my pants aren’t fitting at all, which makes me really, really sad.

Along the same lines, be choosy about what I eat.
I’m definitely paying more attention to what I eat, and it looks like I will be participating in a CSA this summer, too! I seriously cannot wait for all the fresh fruit and veggie goodness. And I need to learn some new recipes to keep things varied in the kitchen.

Volunteer.
Still working on this one…

Compete.
Not happening… yet. I hope when the weather gets nicer, I can start training for a race sometime this summer in Nashville or a surrounding town.

Write more.
Working on this one, too. I’ve had LOTS of ideas of things to write, but I haven’t had the chance. I’m trying to block off a few hours every weekend to write — for myself, for my blogs and for freelance stuff. Because writing makes me happy. And because, apparently, y’all wish I would write more.

Stand on my own two feet, financially, with freelance photography.
Obviously, this is a MAJOR reach goal for the year. I’m working on revamping my photo Web site and that blog, and I hope to start advertising on some wedding blogs, as well as creating relationships with some of the magazines here in town. Oh, you need a photographer? Let’s talk!

Be brave.
I’ve never been a brave kind of person, but I’m getting better. I try to put myself out of my comfort zone for this purpose: I want to be braver. And I will be.

…

Obviously, I’ve got a ways to go before completing all of these goals, but I have good start (on some.) And hopefully, I’ll get better with the ones I have been struggling with. Especially since I plan to post about this every month, and I’d rather not embarrass myself by revealing, time and time again, that I’m a bum…

How are your resolutions looking right now?

                          

We’ve established that 2009 was a pretty good year around these parts. I can’t complain, and I’m really looking forward to this new year and all that it could possibly bring about.

I was thinking the other day about resolutions, about the goals I set for myself last year, how I did with those and what I want to accomplish this year.

So I’m resolving the following…

1. Be all here. This will be a lot easier this year, thanks in part to being where I want to be, being with my boy again and being in a town that is larger than 50K. I want to live each moment to the fullest in this new year, and take advantage of every new opportunity that presents itself.
2. Be active. I’ve been inactive for entirely too long, and I want to be fit again. I don’t want to spend hours a day at the gym, and I don’t want to lose weight, but I do want to feel better by working out a few times a week. And I want my pants to fit.
3. Along the same lines, be choosy about what I eat. Now, more than ever, I am paying attention to what I put into my body. I feel better whenever I eat healthier foods, and I want to continue this. I also want us to join a CSA, so I’ll have all kinds of fruits and veggies throughout the spring and summer to enjoy.
4. Volunteer. Find an organization I like, and help out!
5. Compete. Once I start working out, I want to train for a race or a triathlon. I don’t remember the last time I competed, and I would love to pursue that this year. And since I have photographed at least four triathlons, I have a hankering to try one of those, too. … Who wants to join me in these?
6. Write more. For myself AND for any freelance projects that may come my way.
7. Stand on my own two feet, financially, with freelance photography. This one is a bit of a reach, especially since none of my freelance projects have panned out yet. (Note to self: Update portfolio site with new location. Small steps…) However, by the end of the year, I’d like to be in the position where I could go full-time freelance.
8. Be brave. Do something every day that scares me or puts me on edge. I’m not talking thrill-seeker stuff, but life stuff. For example, I’m scared of spiders, being alone in our big house for extended periods of time and driving in winter-y conditions. … Do something pertaining to these.

What are your resolutions/goals for the new year?

                          

I decided late this week that it might be fun to do Gwen Bell’s #best09 challenge. And since I was late, I’ve decided to do this weekly, as opposed to once a way. That’ll work, right?

So let’s get this thing started!

December 1: Trip
What was your best trip in 2009?

Vegas. Definitely. Meeting so many old friends for the first time… it was just incredible. And I will leave it at that, because I could go on and on, and I know y’all don’t want to hear my gush about it again. But while we’re on the subject, I am so excited about the trip this coming May, as well. Seriously. You ALL need to come so it can be bigger and better.

December 2: Restaurant moment
Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

My favorite restaurant moment came right after we got engaged. After calling our families, we decided to go to Carraba’s to celebrate. Hello, Italian food. The evening started off with a bottle of champagne (since they apparently don’t sell champagne by the glass.) Then we got our dinners — mezzaluna for me and seafood pasta for him. Delicious. And then we got dessert since it was a special occasion. Vanilla ice cream with caramel and pecans. It was perfect.

December 3: Article
What’s an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious’d and reference throughout the year.

Well… it’s not really an article, but as a photographer, I tend to watch a lot more of these than reading articles… “Choosing Thomas.” I saw a link to this on the SportsShooter message board (hello, nerdy PJ), and had to check it out. I’m a sucker for any multimedia presentation, and this one blew me away. I cried like a baby after watching the first installment. It’s beautiful, touching and heartbreaking, all at the same time.

December 4: Book
What book – fiction or non – touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

My little sister recommended “The Time Traveler’s Wife” to me earlier this year, and it did not disappoint. While it took me a little while to get into the book, I was attached by the end. And even though you expect the ending to come, I still wept when it did. I stayed up late one night to finish it and convinced Lucy to snuggle when I was done crying. … It was one of those nights.

December 5: Night out
Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

I’m not really one for going out much anymore (confession: I’m an old person), but I had a lot of fantastic nights this year! One of my favorites was the night friends in my little town gathered to celebrate my engagement. It was hilarious. From chatting about how we got engaged to ragging other friends when they were getting engaged, it was an amusing night all around. And I had a lot of wine that night, too, and one of my friends made me a honeymoon fund bucket, which brings a smile to my face whenever I see it. (Which is a lot because it resides on my desk and collects all the spare change I have…)

December: 6 Workshop or conference
Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

Unfortunately, I didn’t go to any workshops or conferences this past year. (I blame my hectic work schedule.) That doesn’t mean, though, that I didn’t want to go to some. Next year, I WILL attend Women in Photojournalism and maybe a wedding photography/portrait photography conference because it’d be fun to learn a little more about those!

What are your answers for these questions?