….it’s true, I have made no New Years resolutions once again. I think since I am always in an active state of “reinventing” myself (similar to Madonna, sans the cone-shaped leather bras/whips and chains), and trying to decide what I can offer to our tiny world in the vast expanse of what is called the universe, it’s almost pointless in taking it one step further. I think resolutions should be reserved for those whom personal reflection is an infrequent occurrence, and while I am slightly (only slightly) jealous of these individuals—they appear to live life carefree, concerned only with the present—I take comfort in the fact that I tend to reflect on a regular basis. For example, I gave serious contemplation to the following:
1. I recently decided that I’m going to pay more attention to my adventurous side, i.e. when a friend needs you to help him run 135 miles through Death Valley, you think to yourself, “What the f%$k is he thinking? Will I have to buy 12 pairs of asics b/c they all melt on the road, too? Should I have him committed? Will I have to ride a bike? Will the tires melt? Worse, does he expect me to run a leg of it, and if so, does that mean I have to sit in a sauna as ‘training’ as well? FInally, should I just go and make the best of it, even though the idea scares me shitless?” The answer here, friends, is a definitive “Yes.” Just say “yes” to your crazy friends—support them in all of their ridiculous, yet incredible endeavors, for there is a reason they are in your life and there is certainly a common thread that brought you together in the first place.
2. I’m going to spend more time out west, and give serious consideration to actually relocating there for a few years—can’t be bad for training, plus Katrina will be there by then to dominate the altitude of course :)
3. I decided to cut all (well only eat foods w/ 3% or less) saturated fat and refined sugar from my diet—that’s right, candy has to go, and the annual revenue at Dylan’s Candy Bar will be $22,000 less this year b/c of it.
Note: this does not include Hot Tamales
4. I am filling any free time I have around med school applications and running, with extra volunteer work. I realized that just raising money for a charity is a convenient, yet passive form of “involvement.” For it isn’t until you get “in there” with those who need assistance, that you feel as if you’ve made a dent in this world, however big or small (afterall, a small dent is still a dent nonetheless) it may be. It’s fulfilling to reflect upon a day, a week, or a year and feel like you’ve actually made a difference, or at the very least tried to. Afterall, the unexamined life is not worth living, is it not? Well some say “yes” and some say “wtf, no way!” That’s all I’m going to say on this topic.
5. I am going to surround myself with people whose goals and aspirations align with my own—whether it be running, working, or trying to save the world one person at a time. I will not waste my time on shallow or phony individuals, whose best quality is their superficiality. I find that initially they appear to be something of value, but truly lack any substance when put to the test, or when you probe the depths of their personality only to realize that you settled. I noticed that women my age, myself included, have a penchant for attracting men of this nature, and then we are stuck trying to figure out how to free oursleves of the situation. Let me tell you, it can get ugly, sometimes you even have to pull the “emotional trainwreck” act to deliberately scare them off. That’s no fun for anyone involved, especially when Oscars aren’t going around for best performance at a break-up. I am going to be the more wary of this going forward, that and dating anyone who has another woman in their life they secretly salivate/wet their pants over at just the mention of her name. Gross!
That’s all for now. If it doesn’t make sense, I’m not sure what to tell you. Sammy told me that I needed to update, and let me address this by reiterating that I already was experiencing blogger burnout the first day. This is pretty good for me! I thought I’d only update once a year or something, so keep your panties tight, Sammy. Pean is a big girl with a job, and countless miles to rack up each week in this death row weather (does anyone else feel like their legs weigh about 100 lbs. each when they’re out for a run? No? Mine do. Makes for some “fast” workouts, let me tell you). Finally, an update from Winnipeg: Dont move there. You’ll be cross country skiing instead of cross country running (my poor k! for the greater good though, remember that when you’re a medical professional helping others!!)
One more thing:
Watch this deranged video. Now, I am rather open-minded towards other cultures, but this is so ridiculous…and weird:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl-h-S-IH0
Remember this video when you’re running through Central Park in the cold and then have to sit in an ambulance for frostbite of the hands (yes, that would be me on New Years Eve…thank god my man was there haha!), while countless idiots in costume run by….
Happy 2009!
Love, Micro Pean
