A month into the new year...

So it has been a little over a month since the new year has begun. I'd like to highlight my accomplishments thus far:

1. Exercise religiously- Exercise 2-3x a week.

I'm kind of keeping up with this. I did run the P.F. Chang's half marathon in January...that was 13.1 miles. And i ran the whole thing. I felt that was my month's worth of exercise. But, each morning or evening, I try to do at least 20 minutes on the elliptical. (The 'rents ordered one off QVC, and I have to say it's kicking my ass because I sweat like a pig after using it for 10 minutes) I will also do pilates and crunches when time allows.

2. Drink more water- easy enough.

Today I should have drank more water. Instead, I got a headache and confused my dehydration for hunger. I ate a huge cream cheese brownie, and I am not proud of that!

3. Eat healthier- eat more protein, fruit and vegetables.

Still working on it...

4. Save up money- put at least $800 a month into my savings account.

Starting this month I swear! I decided to study in Paris for only one semester, and this will cost me about $20,000. So far, I have almost $4,000 in my savings account. I plan on not spending so much money anymore.

5. Live a more balanced life- make school my no. 1 priority and also have time to go out and relax.

School is kicking my ass as much as the new elliptical machine does. I need to study calculus and accounting more. Those classes are tough.

6. Find an internship for the spring semester.

Done! I secured a photography internship for 944 Magazine. Very exciting!

7. Find an internship for the summer- here, St. Louis or New York City.

I want an internship in New York City more than anything. Working on it. I HAVE to do it.

New Year's Resolutions 2007

1. Exercise religiously- Exercise 2-3x a week.

2. Drink more water- easy enough.

3. Eat healthier- eat more protein, fruit and vegetables.

4. Save up money- put at least $800 a month into my savings account.

5. Live a more balanced life- make school my no. 1 priority and also have time to go out and relax.

6. Find an internship for the spring semester.

7. Find an internship for the summer- here, St. Louis or New York City.

New School Year, New Me....Sort of

Another summer has gone by in my life. But this is probably the most significant summer of my life. No, I did not go on a life-changing trip to Europe where I realized I belonged at a street cafe in Paris, just to smoke my life away and philosophize about life (but I'm sure if I did, that wouldn't be too far from the truth). It was a summer of realizations. This summer I realized more about myself, and about others around me. The first year of college is very telling of who you can trust, who your true friends are, and what really makes you happy.

My first year of college was not what I expected. I expected it to be a year of intellectual feats and self analysis...but I can only think of one word that could sum up my freshman year: Unhappy.

I have no one else to blame but myself, I could have made a better effort to make myself happy. I could have found more things that made me happy, and met more people. Instead, I sat in a pool of my own self-pity of "Why why why did I settle for ASU? I should have kept my motivation and taken out loans and gone to school in New York."

The most significant life-changing experience I have had thus far, has been my spring break trip to New York City. I had a taste of what New York City was when I was fourteen, when I went on my class trip there. But the eight days I was there had a huge impact on my life. I was with, what I consider, my truest and most loyal friend, and we experienced so much together. And fate brought me closer to some mutual friends, who happened to be in the City at the same time. This trip also introduced me to "my other half." No, not a boy ( I wish) but Tara, a girl I have so much in common with it's uncanny. We basically are the same person, but with slight differences that make us even more fabulous.

This summer involved a lot of thought about life, what I really wanted to do with it and who I wanted to spend my time with. The highlight of my summer is definitely the time spent with the girls I spent eight amazing days with in the Spring of 2006. From hookah bars, to the consumption of a countless amount of cupcakes, or to fabulously themed "Project Runway" viewing parties, every minute I spent with them was pure happiness. I also realized my fair weather friends and those friends who have changed...for the worse.

Summer is over, and I feel rejuvenated. I am ready for everything. I was dreading the start of classes, but I was excited at the same time. Excited for a fresh start. I am so excited about the future it's ridiculous. I am tempted to transfer to fashion school in NYC, but I figured I can finish my degree and graduate early here, and save up money for all the fabulousness that will occur upon my move to New York (I already have roommates!)

Two weeks of school has already passed, and I am happy to say I actually like my classes (even those mind numbing business skills courses) and I am in love with half of my professors. I am applying for fall internships, and I'm hoping to snag an editorial internship. I'm ready to quit my job at Macy's because of their inflexibility with my schedule, but I'm excited to get a new one. I have started doing yoga, pilates and running and I can already see the effects. I have so much energy and I'm happy almost all the time (it's true- endorphins really DO make you happy!) I'm starting to train for a half- marathon I hope to run in January with one of my best friends. And I'm looking forward to my summer spent in New York City with girls who have basically changed my life.

I love the start of new school years. I can wipe my slate clean and start fresh. I miss my friends dearly who live across the country, but I know we will be reunited soon. All I can think about is summer in New York and semester in Paris with my twin. And then, moving to NYC right after I graduate (early). They are the lights at the end of the tunnel, and I wouldn't mind getting a criminal speeding ticket just to get there faster!

If I were a rich girl (na, na, na, na, na...)

More specifically, if I were Ally Hilfiger and Jaime Gleicher, i would star in "Rich Girls 2" or at least put "Rich Girls" in syndication. What would be even more worth while, is if it came out on DVD, or if a kind stranger put it on youtube.com ( I already checked, no one has). Here are my home girls, Miss Ally and Jaime:

I miss this show. I miss this show as much as everyone misses pre-K-Fed Britney. When the first (and only) season ended on MTV, i felt like a part of me died. The theme song "This Town" by Lillix still rung in my head. Ally and Jaime gave me a taste of what being ridiculously wealthy in New York City felt like via reality television.

My Top 5 Favorite "Rich Girls" Moments:

1. Ally's Burrito Breakdown

The episode opens with Ally, at her swimming pool in the Hamptons, screaming into the phone "I NEVER HAD A CHILDHOOD!" Boohoo. I know I would cry if my dad was Tommy Hilfiger and everything in life was presented to me on a diamond encrusted platinum plate. Childhood, schmildhood. The most heart wrenching moment of the episode was when all Ally wanted was a burrito...and she couldn't get it. Her adventure to Whole Foods was excruciating, because the biggest challenge for Ally was "What's inside a burrito?"

2. Like, Cargo pants?

Ally and Jaime were known to have really deep philosophical conversations, especially when it came to clothing. While discussing cargo pants, Jaime made a thought provoking and completely true comment about the usage in the Midwest:

Jaime Gleicher: "People buy cargo pants in the Midwest not to say, I know, like, I can wear these stilettos and a really cool, sexy top, like I was gonna do tonight. They buy them because they have a lot of pockets and they work in the field and they need them."

Deep Jaime. Really deep. I know when I wear cargo pants, I not only think of how the large pockets conveniently fit my rhinestone studded Sidekick, but I also think of the people in the Midwest using them as they work in the field.

3. Lifesaver

"I returned my Prada bag, because if I had to have that bag or save a life, I'd rather save a life."- Jaime Gleicher

Jaime Gleicher, saving lives one designer handbag at a time.

4. All girls have image problems

Oh Michael V. You know females so well. The "Ryan Phillipe from 'Cruel Intentions'" of their school, consoles Jaime when she is upset.

Michael V.: "Even my girlfriend, who has a perfect, beautiful, ballerina body has image problems too." This translates to: "Jaime, you're a fat cow, but don't worry, even anorexic ballerinas get upset about their bodies too."

Thanks Michael. I'm all for female empowerment.

5. Prom

Who could forget Jaime's classy and flattering leopard print dress. To top it off, she accessorized with a peace sign necklace. Jaime was determined to lose her virginity that night, but when her prom date consumed too much coffee, the mission was, let's say, impossible. He ended up puking outside of their limo. Experts are not sure if it was due to the overconsumption of coffee...or the thought of deflowering Jaime Gleicher. So Jaime was left fuck buddy-less. (She later reportedly denied ever wanting to sleep with him.)

But that's okay! Marissa Cooper flew all the way from the O.C. to make an appearance!

For the sake of humanity, can we PLEASE petition for the return of "Rich Girls"