The old resolutions

So the time has come to welcome in the new year - 2013. I am heading back to Hastings this afternoon to see the new year in with my best friends. I am really quite excited. We will probably head over to Napier and watch the firework display. So I found my resolutions that I made at the start of this year, and here's how I did:

• Do really well academically seeing as it's my final (and most important!) year

I did pretty well this year, though I could have done better for sure, but then that's always the case. I'm pretty happy to get top in class for a few of my papers, and to have a degree that has over 50% A grades. It's awesome to have a degree under my belt now! And can't wait for graduation!!

• Get into the habit of eating really healthily. Three meals a day, everyday. Here's to making this year the one where I finally kick those unhealthy habits!

Don't think I've really achieved this one. Had periods of eating really well but they didn't tend to last very long. I definitely still need to get into the 3 meal a day routine.

• Keep up regular exercise.

Yes!! Jaclyn and I have been excellent with the gym this year, and I've reached the point where I actually really enjoy going. We've varied things up this year by taking Les Mills classes to supplement our usual cardio sessions, and this has definitely made exercise more enjoyable :)

• Be more social, and make more friends!

Well I most definitely achieved this one! It has been my most social year to date. The people we flatted with helped with this as they were a social bunch. I have been out pretty much every weekend! It's been great. And I have made more friends as a result. Met so many new, interesting people. Didn't really have many guy mates before this year but I can say I now do, which is cool as.

• Become more self-confident....somehow...

These all kinda link in with each other. Definitely have become more self-assured and confident. No doubt being way more social has helped in this respect. Actually was talking to Jac about this a little while ago and she said she'd noticed it in me too. This makes me happy :)

• Go to more gigs!

Haven't really been to many local gigs. But I did go to Coldplay (which was beyond amazing) so that kinda counts, right?

• Blog more! And maybe get to 10 followers? 

Don't know if I've blogged more but I've kept it up! And yes I surpassed 10 followers! Yuss. 

A kiss for you loyal readers, cause you are awesome :) 

xx

One magical night

On the 8th of December it was the 21st of one of my nearest and dearest friends. A group of about 20 of us went out for a meal at Lonestar in Napier and then went back to her place for dessert and drinks. My amazing friend had completely decked out the backyard with a gazebo, fairy lights, candles and other lovely things so that the effect was a magical wonderland of sorts. It was just beautiful. The dessert was fantastic too - cream puffs, jelly slice, cheesecake, strawberries, whoopie pies, mini pavlovas...!! It was the most wonderful night. Great food, great music and great company. Unfortunately I didn't get too many photos of the setup but here are some that give you a rough idea (though they don't really do it justice):

^^and one of the cool kids couch ;)

I believe that Jess got a few ideas for decorations from pinterest. Definitely a source of inspiration if you have any events coming up!!

xx

Food

I love having a camera on my phone. The ability to snap something you see while out and about is excellent.
Another thing I love is food. And therefore, I will often combine these two loves. I have been eating out quite a bit over summer (as you do) and so my phone has a fair amount of pictures of what I've been putting in my mouth....

YUM. 

xx

A Tragedy

This school shooting over in Conneticut. Such a tragedy. So many innocent lives lost, lives that could have gone on to achieve greatness. I just cannot fathom how someone can be drawn to commit mass murder like that, and I (along with MANY others) am frustrated at the lenient gun laws over in the US. It's such a culture over there, a gun culture, and it's completely ridiculous that such a deadly weapon can be purchased so easily. I really hope that this leads to a reform of the laws.

Also, I bet this would have been classified as an act of terrorism if the guy had been an Arab (a frustration with US media that I could go on and on about)
R.I.P to all those who lost their lives in the shooting.
xx

Money Woes

Although I do enjoy the festive season, it is made significantly less enjoyable for me because all manner of expenses seem to occur during the period. On top of buying Christmas presents and travel costs etc, my car rego had to be paid recently (almost $300...sob..) and my WOF is due soon which I need to get two tyres for...waaa. Plus having my new smartphone and not realising that it would let me go over the limit on my plan has led to a huge first bill.

I hate money. It's so depressing.
Sorry to be so full of complaints! Actually pretty happy atm :)

^^^^ Cute!!

xx

A salute to the suit

I don't think there is any outfit that looks better on a guy than a suit. They just look so crisp and clean and sexy when they're worn well. And it's such a rare occasion these days to see a guy (especially in NZ) in a suit. My dream is to one day go to some super swanky event in a beautiful designer dress with a man in a suit on my arm....the kind of event that has live music, champagne, delicate little nibbles and all that jazz.
Bahaha...a girl can dream, right?

Join me in my appreciation of the beauty of the suit...

Liam Hemsworth

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (I have a massive crush on him)

Eddie Redmayne (love this guy)

The Cloonster...always so suave...

Matt Bomer

If that spread doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. 

I hereby salute the suit :)

xx

Productivity is key

Today has been a very productive day! 

I have: cleaned the bathroom (including the ceiling), installed a washing machine, hung up and cleaned our massive bathroom mirror, sorted through the new flatmate's kitchen/house stuff (took ages!) and washed everything to go in the cupboards, sorted the shed out, did some washing, hit the gym, blogged...YAY satisfied!!

Haha for some reason I just woke up with a plan of attack and have been on the go all day, and it's so satisfying to have done all this stuff that needed doing.

I think I deserve some chocolate after all that....

xx