Happy New Year!

Even though New Years was only last month, I can't help but feel nostalgic about it. If I may speak for the majority, every year on Jan 1st, we establish these resolutions and are so DRIVEN to achieve them but do we ever really accomplish them? Well a whole 5 weeks later... I have to ask myself, am I on track on keeping my resolutions?...

Well let's start off by listing some that I am achieving: 

1) Blog more - yes! I am on track

2) Cook more - yes! 

3) Travel to a international destination - Italy next week - yay!

4) Read more books - this is my resolution from last year, and yes, I am hooked on books!

So far so good... But here are some that I have not achieved yet, but will work towards:

5) Volunteering more - I'd like to set a goal of once a month.

6) Stretch and exercise more - its winter...So in my head, I still have time! 

7) Re-learn Spanish - I just got Rosetta Stone so I will be working on this! 

And here are some I am continually working on:

8) Spend more time with family

9) Stop impulsive (and compulsive) shopping. Don't buy things you don't need!

10) Be more positive and optimistic - Can't overdose on either.

And here are some goals of mine... 

See 1 Broadway Show this year

See 1 game of each professional sport (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL)

See 3 Live Concerts

Go to a music festival

Train to run a 5k race

Next month, I'm going to revisit this list and I hope to be on track! We shall see... Cheers to a happy and healthy 2012!

Christmas in Dyker Hill, Brooklyn

There is a little area in New York City that is known as "The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry." Almost every house in Dyker hill participates in professionally decorating their homes. It is reportedly said that residents here spend anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 decorating their homes for Christmas. It's not even one particular block, but a radius of the whole neighborhood. There are motorized 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, Santas, reindeers, Christmas Angels and most homes even blast Christmas music! Some even take it as far as turning their garage into a life-size nativity scene! The decorations are so over the top that it is reportedly said that Con Edison gives the residents free electricity for the month to sustain the lights! How crazy! And these are mansions! Even without the lights, these houses are gorgeous! One house has a huge fountain and several marble statues all over the lawn! But visiting Dyker Heights is definitely a New York City thing to do around the holidays that can't be missed. So layer up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, park your car, and be prepared to walk around the neighborhood in awe! Don't forget your camera!

My first Christmas Tree

I'm excited to show off my first ever home decorated from scratch Christmas Tree this past holiday. Being that I had such a nice tree, I was in a BIG giving spirit and stuffed tons of presents under the tree!  Yep - its all from me little kiddies! Love, Santa Sandy