Happy 2015 everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s full of time with family and friends. I was happy  to go home for Christmas. I was spent it with both my family and my boyfriend’s family 🙂

To celebrate New Year’s, I just had a quiet night with my boyfriend, my sister who came to visit us, and some pink Champaign after I got off work. 😛 It was actually was my last work shift at the grocery store. I start a new part time job this month.  Next year, I hope to have more money and not have to work so I can go to one of those fancy restaurant and/or bar NYE parties here in the city! Unfortunately, I don’t think the Navy Pier one will ever be in my price range….haha

When I was home, I was sad I did not have time to catch up with friends 🙁  Regardless, I am grateful to have such wonderful people in my life. If any of you are reading this, remember that whether we see each other all the time or rarely thank you for being there for me. In 2015, I hope to spend more time with my family and friends even when the times get busy or we have to travel to see each other! 🙂

Now, some highlights of 2014:

• Applied to and got accepted into a nutrition program
• Graduated from college with a biology degree
• Ran my first half marathon
• Started this blog
• Moved to Chicago with my boyfriend of 5.5 years
• Went to Lollapalooza (for the second year in a row)
• Got a part time job at a grocery store
• Started graduate school in nutrition
• Celebrated being a vegetarian for 1 year in September
• Applied to and got accepted to a graduate education program

After I started the nutrition program, I realized that I wanted to become a high school teacher instead of a dietitian. I did decent in my nutrition classes, but I had been thinking about pursuing teaching for a while. I’d also like to coach cross country and track.  I finished out my nutrition classes, but now I can pursue my dream of becoming an educator!  I can already tell this will be a better fit for me than dietetics.

Never be afraid to change your path to pursue your dreams! I start my new graduate program and a new part time job this month so a lot of changes ahead!  2014 was a good year, but here’s to a great 2015!

I found this picture on Pinterest and I think it’s a great reminder on New Year’s to embrance change and try new things:

Now, I am a big believer in resolutions, but I don’t think Jan. 1st is the only time to make them. Any time of year is a good time to make a change, improve yourself, or reach for the stars. Regardless, I did end up making a few “New Year’s resolutions” of my own because they were on my mind today. I already mentioned that I’d like to spend more time with family and friends, but I thought I’d share a few more. 🙂

2015 New Year’s resolutions:

1. Run my first marathon
2. Read at least 2 books/month even though I’ll be in graduate school
3. IT Band prevention/ yoga workouts to supplement running 2-3x/ week
4. Plan one date/ month for my boyfriend
5. Cook a new vegetarian meal at least 2x/month

I hope all of you enjoy the rest of your New Year’s and that your 2015 is off to a great start! What are some of your 2014 highlights? Also, what are your 2015 resolutions?