Usually I don't believe in New Year's Resolution. Most of the time, and almost anyone will tell you this, they fall to shit in mid-January. Consequentially, I generally avoid them as tools of the weak. However, this year, I have realized that I do, in fact, have some New Year's resolutions that I believe would be beneficial to my existence.
(Item #1)
For instance, when I went to the dentist over my break, I had a new hygenist (which was a little trying for me because Cheri has been cleaning my teeth since I was in jr. high). I am not a chronic flosser, but I would like to argue that I argue more than the average bear, you know, something like 3 times a week. Because I was on my break, my consumption was in overdrive, and I was verily refusing to do anything I did not want to. Like flossing. Half the time I forgot to brush my teeth. (Disgusting, but true.) Anyway, this new girl spent something like 20 minutes going at my mouth with her little metal stick, all the while giving me a lecture about how the food sticks to your teeth and then gets stuck there, and then you have to go through all of this at the dentist. Because of that, and the fact that my dentist insurance isn't as miraculous as I'd like it to be, and because I want to have teeth for a long time, I decided that I am going to brush my teeth in the morning and before I go to bed, and NOT forget to floss. So far, it is going well.
For instance, when I went to the dentist over my break, I had a new hygenist (which was a little trying for me because Cheri has been cleaning my teeth since I was in jr. high). I am not a chronic flosser, but I would like to argue that I argue more than the average bear, you know, something like 3 times a week. Because I was on my break, my consumption was in overdrive, and I was verily refusing to do anything I did not want to. Like flossing. Half the time I forgot to brush my teeth. (Disgusting, but true.) Anyway, this new girl spent something like 20 minutes going at my mouth with her little metal stick, all the while giving me a lecture about how the food sticks to your teeth and then gets stuck there, and then you have to go through all of this at the dentist. Because of that, and the fact that my dentist insurance isn't as miraculous as I'd like it to be, and because I want to have teeth for a long time, I decided that I am going to brush my teeth in the morning and before I go to bed, and NOT forget to floss. So far, it is going well.
(Item #2)
When I studied in Italy, every day was an adventure. While I drank my tea and ate my cookies for breakfast, I wondered what the day would bring. Not every day was perfect. There were days that were even boring. But because I was out of my own context, I was able to find adventure were there was none. I was able to look on the bright or the funny side of almost of every situation because I knew I was in Italy, and my days were numbered before I would return to the states.
I remember one day, it was in late October some time. I had been looking for schools to stay in, and looking for a way to stay in Italy instead of coming back to the States. After one of the most disappointing and unsupportive conversations of my life (which was certainly not from my parents), I realized I would be getting back on the plane to go home. After all this realization sank in, I walked through the city, eyeing every detail on every church, every crack in the cobblestone, every pigeon and gypsy. I remember saying to myself: You've got one month left. Do not waste it.
That's how I intend to live now. While work is important and all of that, I am not going to waste my time that I have here in New Orleans. I'm not really sure what's going to happen when my contract is up, but should I decide to move, I don't want to move with a list full of I-wish-I-would'ves.
Which leads me to.....
(Item #3)
I did not want to read the book Eat, Pray, Love. Mostly because it was on Oprah's book club, and every woman I saw in the El this spring was reading it. My old friend, Hop-a-long Jen, insisted that I read. She insisted so hard that she bought me the book. Appreciating the gift, I read it. But not in public. I took it with me to Europe when I left on the graduation trip I bought for myself. And even THERE, in Italy, I couldn't get away from that book. People were reading it there! (Ok, true, part of the story takes place there, but still.)
Anyway, I'm pretty sure Elizabeth Gilbert was writing this book for me. I'm quite sure there are many other people out there who feel the same way, but I like to think that she and I have so much in common. You know, except for the fact that I will never be bendy enough to do yoga, and I have no idea how to meditate. Minor details.
The first section of the book takes place in Italy, and Liz is learning to experience pleasure. She talks about il bel far niente, which is Italian for "the beauty of doing nothing." She explains that in the Italian culture, that is for which everyone is striving. Doing nothing and enjoying yourself along the way is life's goal.
I am absolutely terrible at that. I can't sit still. Especially these last six months, I've become more and more wound up. I have to know what's going to happen next, and in fact, I need to know so badly, I can't enjoy what I'm doing currently (no matter how marvelous it is) because I have to know what is going to happen next.
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