settling is for pilgrims, and other gems for the new year

So.  A new year. 

First and foremost, let me just say that I am still alive!  Just thought I'd get that out of the way since I know it's on everyone's mind, my own not excluded.

Second, I am almost done with my counseling program @ UNT and now have all kinds of free time on my hands.  Halla-freaking-lujah.

Third, I joined a gym and have lost 2 pounds.  Rah.  Just kidding.  2 measly pounds after a whole month of blood, sweat, and spandex!?!  To be honest, I was totally bummed until my trainer (I know, fancy pants has a trainer!) informed me that my body fat was down by 2%, which means I actually lost 3+ pounds of pure lard and gained 1+ pounds of lean muscle.  RAH!

Fourth, I am a little scared about blogging again.  Performance anxiety is a beast, but my very good friend Denise tells me that it's extremely important to let go of the perfection myth and I think she's right which is one of the reasons I refuse to rewrite this rather long and probably flawed sentence.  Imperfection, I embrace you!

Fifth, I have started a Facebook Fast.  You heard me.  Spence out!

Sixth, now that I don't have class four nights a week, I have time for dating again.  It's been... okay.  I'll be sharing profile gems like the one included in today's title from time to time just to keep it real.  Or whatever.  (It would be wrong to hoard all this wisdom to myself.)

Seventh, I'm not sure how long this list is going to be, but I'm hoping I can make it to ten because the only numbers I like more than round numbers are multiples of ten... which are also round, both conceptually and visually, making them aesthetically pleasing on many levels.

Eighth, as part of my renewed committment to fun, I am going to Ireland for Spring Break.  Knowing that I'll be touring Irish castles on St. Patrick's Day makes the occassional drudgery of my everyday life a bit more tolerable. 

Ninth, my dog has finally stopped trying to escape and, yes, I feel more secure as a result.  Despite Cesar Milan's insistence that bolting is mostly just hunter instinct mixed with doggy ADHD, Daisy's unaccompanied and mostly discouraged forays into unfettered suburban adventure often left me feeling a bit rejected and, well, insufficient.  Two years in a counseling program (which I'm pretty sure equals 3-5 years of actual therapy) have given me some insight into my distorted thinking and helped me to see that it was misguided of me to have ever expected a simple dog to carry the weight of my existential angst.  Still, I'm profoundly glad that Daisy no longer seems interested in escape and that I can at least pretend that am not utterly alone.

And finally, the Big Ten... despite my sardonic tone and obvious existential funk (copious free time, alas, has its pitfalls), I am grateful to be alive and kicking for another year.  I have a wonderful family, true friends, enough money to do most of the things I really want but not so much that I take any of those things for granted, happy memories of 2010 and big hopes for 2011.  I usually start the year with a list of goals, but this year I'm keeping it simple: have more fun, live in the now, and trust in the Lord. And learn to hot-wire a car. You never know when that might come in handy.