2011: THE YEAR OF CHANGE

do we always say that at the beginning of the year? i don't think i do. my biggest thoughts at the mark of the new year are, "new year's eve ~ blech!" and "must remember to sign my checks with the correct year." now, checks are almost obsolete, my new year's eve was wonderful, and i have some serious changes happening in my life.

first change: i have committed myself (and sam) to phase one of the south beach diet, starting today. two weeks of basic body detox. I prepared all the breakfast and snack food, which is all my favorite stuff anyway. not too bad. and this morning i am drinking coffee with no sugar in it. also not that bad. oh, and no alcohol. that is really bad, actually. but i'm sure it'll feel amazing, health-wise.

this detox is just a kick start to the rest of the year of clean eating. i'm a big believer in clean eating, but have not been obeying my own beliefs, obviously. hence the muffin top. the trial period, and goal, is the big wedding day, coming may 28, complete with spaghetti-strapped, unforgiving wedding gown, and honeymoon pictures in swimsuits following right after. game on.

second change: i will start working out 6 days a week. starting today. and the workouts have been strategically scheduled into my day. changing a habit is the hardest thing you can do. and when the habit is that you don't follow a schedule? insurmountable.

i do think that following a schedule will make me happier, even though it is not something i do naturally. i must force it, but i think in the end, it will make those hours of work not seem so separated from those hours off.

third change: my studio is changing. i am teaching fewer students and teaching them longer. this is also my last semester to teach at home. i have taught voice at home for years, in between opera gigs and away concerts. i have worked hard to form a solid reputation in this area and have built up a great studio. but the excitement of having privacy in my home again and living downtown instead of in the suburbs, overshadows any sadness i feel about losing the studio.

fourth change: of course ~ it's the big one. i'm getting married. so exciting. it is VERY important, though, that this wedding and all its details and to-do lists does not stress me out. or it'll be like all those other weddings i've sung for, where you feel sorry for the bride, and even sorrier for the groom! i cannot let all the work in planning this little wedding overwhelm me. it goes against everything i believe in about weddings.

so there they are. the changes in 2011. probably more than that, but those are the biggies.