Good morning and happy February! I can’t believe the first month of the year is already over.
Since the new year is moving right along, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the things I’m looking forward to in 2013 with the help of the alphabet. (Why not, right?)
A – Annual party: Our Pig Party and tiny HUGE party were both huge successes, so we’re already thinking about what to plan for this year.
B – Black Butte Ranch: Mal and I had such a blast last year, we’ll be spending a week at Black Butte Ranch again this summer.
C – CrossFit Open: I’m pumped! I was a new CrossFitter and then had a bad flare during the Open last year, so I’m excited to compete!
D – Date nights: One of my goals for 2013 was to plan a monthly date night with Mal, so I’m looking forward to having some fun times together.
E – Engagements and weddings: Mal and I only have one wedding on our calendar so far this year, but I think there will be quite a few engagements in 2013!
F – Five years with Mal: I can’t believe we’ll be celebrating 5 years of marriage this summer. Time flies when you’re having fun!
G – Grilling in our backyard: After all of the work we put into our backyard last year, I’m looking forward to enjoying it to its fullest this summer.
H – Headstands: I recently learned how to do headstands, so I love practicing them whenever I have a chance. They’re so fun and there will be lots in 2013!
I – Ireland: Mal and I randomly purchased a Groupon-type deal for a 7-day trip to Ireland in April. It’s Mal’s dream to visit, so we are psyched!
J – Juicing: Recently, I’ve been reading up on juicing. It sounds like it might be a good option for helping to heal my colon and provide me with some serious nutrients, so I’m considering giving it a try.
K – Kipping pull-ups (and Thrusters): Ok, maybe I’m not looking forward to Fran Rx, but it’s definitely a top fitness goal of mine for 2013.
L – Learning to make sushi: Learning to make sushi is one of my goals for 2013, so it will most likely become a date night for Mal and me. Two birds, one stone.
M – Mocktails: Since the holidays, I’ve been drinking like a fish (and my colon doesn’t appreciate it), so I’m trying to lay off the booze a little and enjoysome āmocktailsāĀ instead.
N – Nephew: I am super psyched to meet my new nephew in June!
O – Oahu: I was invited on a press trip to Oahu by the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau later this month. I was able to coordinate the dates with Mal’s school break, so he’s coming along!
P – Pug therapy: Murphy and I are really enjoying our visits, so I see a lot more of them in our future!
Q – Quotes (in True American): New Girl fans, you’ve seen the cast play that crazy drinking/climb-on-furniture game, right? Well, it’s called True American, and I really want to play it sometime soon. It looks like such a blast!
R – Rock climbing: Mal and I are going tomorrow! I can’t wait!
S – Shower: Did you know my sister is having a baby?! I may have mentioned it a few times on CNC already. Anyway, I’m excited to plan her baby shower this spring.
T – Tough Mudder: Some people from my box are getting a team together for Tough Mudder, and I’m going to join them. So pumped for it!
U – Underwater adventures: Our trip to Hawaii includes snorkeling, which, of course, will be an adventure for me since I’m scared of the ocean sharks.
V – Volcanic tuff cone: Our trip also includes hiking Diamond Head, which is a volcanic tuff cone on Oahu. It looks so cool, and I’m excited!
W – The Walking Dead: It returns on February 10th! Can’t wait!
X – X-rated Jokes: I’ve recently fallen in love with Tosh.0, which is hilarious and full of x-rated jokes.
Y – Yoga: Specifically hot yoga in the winter. Love it.
Z – ZOOMA race: I’m joining some blog friends in Annapolis for a girls’ weekend and race with ZOOMA in June. It’s going to be fun!
Question of the Day
What are you looking forward to in 2013?
P.S. Loved this post and just wanted to share: Why CrossFit Ruined My Life.
114 Comments
I can’t wait to see the Ireland pictures! Have fun you two! (: xx
Sounds like an amazing year ahead! I went to Ireland this past September and it was so beautiful. I picked a good week and had 70 degree temps and not a drop of rain. I hope you have the same good luck!
I LOVE your list! Ireland is my dream also.
Fun list! Sounds like a great year.
Being half Irish I’m not even a tiny bit objective but you’ll have a great time – it has amazing scenery everywhere and the pub culture is the best in the world!
Can’t wait for Walking Dead to come back! I am also dying to play True American. I’ve tried to look up rules online…so complicated!
I’ve been to Ireland and Oahu and had amazing times in both places! Ireland was probably my favorite trip ever because everyone really is SO nice and you really can get immersed in a whole other world and in finding a random pub and drinking a pint and singing drinking songs (holy run on sentence). I hope you guys have a great time! š
wow have so much fun in ireland! i had to travel there frequently a couple of years ago for work – 12 times in 18 months. i always went to dublin so i didn’t get to see the countryside, sadly. but – dublin is amazing and you will LOVE it! one of my favorite places in the world. š
What a fun 2013 yal have planned! Your trips sound awesome – can’t wait to hear about them!
You should for sure do the Koko Crater hike in Oahu! We were there in December and it was challenging! Diamond Head has amazing views, but isn’t super difficult, so I recommend doing both! We also hiked up to Manoa Falls (we actually walked/ran there from Waikiki!) and Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail.
I think we might actually be doing to the Koko Crater hike too. It sounds familiar. Thanks for the suggestions! š
@Tina: We were there in Nov. We hiked Diamond Head and Koko Head. Koko head is straight up the mountain but once you get to the top the view is amazing. Another must do there is go to M. Matsumoto by the North Shore. Best shaved ice on this planet. And of course a trip to Pearl Harbor. So moving.
Tina…YES, you and Mal should totally do Koko! Hubby and I did both Koko and Diamond Head during our last visit, and Koko was our jam. It’s a beast, but you guys are toughies so I know you’ll rock it! š
we went to Ireland at the end of September. It is amazing. It was not at all what I was expecting. It will rain (light on and off rain) every day, so bring your rain gear. I highly recommend getting a GPS in your rental car. We were going to rely on my finance’s GPS on his phone, but we didn’t get a good signal to use it (he even purchased an international plan). We were lost for 2 hours in Dublin. Needless to say, we went back to the car rental the next day – absolute life saver! You will love it!! One more thing, the Guiness is unbelievably good. You won’t be able to drink it in America again.
We got the GPS and the extra insurance for the car. We’re so nervous about driving on the other side of the road!
Hey Tina,
Great list! I was wondering if you would be able to tell me more about your Groupon-type deal for a 7-day trip to Ireland….if possible….hubby and I have been wanting to go too. My great grandfather was from Donegal, Ireland!
Thank you!!
We bought it through the Aer Lingus Vacation Store a couple of months ago. I’m not sure it’s still available, but maybe they have something similar?
@Tina:
Thank you so much, Tina! I’m going to check it out! Excited to see your post about your trip! Enjoy! š
Ireland is my dream trip as well! Can’t wait to see pictures. š We are looking forward to (hopefully) buying our first house in 2013!!!
you certainly have a lot to look forward too this year!! I am dying to make sushi as well! You are going to love Ireland, it is beautiful!
Ireland is the BEST! I lived there for a year right after grad school and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Tip: ask locals where to go and what to do – they’ll have better advice than the tour books! If you make it to Dublin, see if you can visit Kilmainham Gaol. It’s the old jail where the prisoners from the Easter Rising where held and executed…sounds creepy, but it was one of the most fascinating places I went. Well worth the 2 or 3 Euro that it costs to take the tour!!!
Cool! Mal and I would probably love that. Thanks for the tip! š
Do you like your yoga mat blanket?? Thinking about investing. I better go read The FAQ. š
I do! It’s pretty awesome, especially for sweaty hot yoga!
Groupon for Ireland?! AWESOME!!! Can’t wait to see pictures of that trip!! Mal looks like he could be Irish…is he?
Nope, he’s French. He just really wanted to visit! š
@Tina: really? Born in France? Sorry, I’m just curious as I live in France!
@Annie: No, he was born in the US, but his mom was from France.
Ireland? Hawaii?? Seriously, I feel like I’m doing something wrong. I always hear about all these awesome trips you bloggers are making, and I probably haven’t gone on a trip in like 3 years. Which was to Mexico. With my aunt and mom. And that’s the only big trip I’ve taken, besides my high school graduation gift to Aruba my parents took me on. I just can’t afford it…I don’t know how all these people my age can afford those types of trips. I must be doing something wrong, lol.
I had no idea there were actual rules for True American! Awesome. I’m looking forward to planning a wedding this year and also hope to finally get my unassisted kipping pullups! Cheers to 2013 sounds like it’s going to be a fun year!
I’m a huge fan of juicing – did a post on it a few days ago. I felt such benefits from it – more energy, clearer skin, more in control of my appetite, and I lost around 3 pounds that I’d been holding onto from the holidays. It should definitely help you out!
oh my goodness, 2013 sounds like it’s going to be so.much.FUN! envious of all your travels — Ireland is gonna be a blast!
hi tina!
i’ve been lurking for awhile (there! i’m out!) and really enjoy your blog, especially murphy! what a doll! do you have any information on the zooma race in indianapolis? my sister lives there and i’d love to do a zooma race with her!
also — juicing is my jam. kale, collards, apple, and lemon is a go-to combo that really helps flush the system (and tastes so good! really!). citrus mixes like apple+grapefruit+lemon are also really cleansing and i feel a million times better just having 1-2 juices a day. i could go own about juicing all day!
thanks again for your lovely blog!
If you click on the Zooma link in my post, it gives you more info about the race.
How long have you been juicing? Do you mind me asking why you started? Was it related to a health condition or anything like that? Just curious! š
I really just started juicing in the past 2 months but I’m really loving it. I started with a modified 3 day juice cleanse (I ate food for dinner but no meat, no dairy, no wheat, no processed…i just couldn’t handle an all liquid diet! I needed to chew!) and now drink 1-2 juices a day. No real health condition, but my husband and I both got E. Coli on our honeymoon and our systems never really got back on track (probiotics helped a bit). I was looking for a way to jumpstart my digestive system back into good health. Juicing helped! It took about 2 weeks for things to even out but for me it was very worth it! I feel fantastic! Again, I have no health issues, just a silly mistake of getting a fruit smoothie from a random roadside vendor in Laos…
(I don’t have juicer — yet! — but love these local drinks: http://www.juicenashville.com)
@Kate: THANK YOU! š
Kate- I live in Indy as well but it looks like the June Zooma is in Annapolis, not Indianapolis… š
1. Love the New Girl reference. You’ll have to post full-out instructions on here when you play True American.
2. Could you do a post on creative baby shower gift ideas? My friend is having a shower in May Itink!
3. When do we get to hear more about these awesome trips that you’re taking?
4. I can’t wait to hear about your experience with rock climbing. My roommate took a whole semester class for college credit last year and I was SO jealous.
@Eating 4 Balance: oh boy. Itink= I think. I swear, I need to stop commenting on my cellphone and just wait til I get back to my laptop.
Which groupon did you get? We bought one last year that had us staying at the Adare Manor Resort. It was AMAZING. Just prep yourself for driving on the opposite side of the road!
It was through the Aer Lingus Vacation Store, so we stay in Dublin 2 nights, Galway for 1 night, and then various B&Bs along the way. I’m so nervous for driving!!!
@Tina: I’m so curious how much you paid for the groupon?! I’ve never bought a trip off there but I’m always thinking about it.
Get to Diamond Head early in the morning! The single-file stairs and paths to the top get backed up and you’ll get stuck behind people who aren’t used to taking stairs and have to stop and take breaks. Wicked jealous of your trip to Ireland.
Thank you for the tip! š
I’ve been reading your blog for a week or so, but this is my first time commenting. You’ve hooked me at Tosh.0, Tough Mudder, and True American.
Congrats. You’ve made it to my perma-blogroll. š
š
Wow, 2013 sounds like a blast for you! Ireland and Hawaii, that awesome!
I’m looking forward to Lake Tahoe in a few weeks, a summer trip home to Florida, and a lot more wine and hiking where I live in Northern Cal.
Oahu and Ireland! I would say you have some amazing trips planned for this year! I love travel so I’m really excited for you and the year you have ahead!
So jealous of your Ireland trip! You’ll have a blast!
Running my first half! And all the fun surprises awaiting in this new year…
I don’t usually comment but I had to because A) I have tecently made a goal of planning monthly date nights, and we made sushi last Friday! It’s actually easier than I expected. B) We love New Girl, and after this weeks episode we googled the game True Amercan so we could learn the rules. Too bad I live in Arozona or we could attempt to play it, haha.
Haha!
Change! I’m excited for all the changes!
I did my first two headstands yesterday in yoga yesterday – I felt so strong and powerful! š
Congrats! š
I MUST learn how to play True American properly! This year I am looking forward to conquering pull-ups! My upper body is beyond weak right now.
Omg what a fun post! I love it. Your 2013 sounds like a blast!
I am looking forward to: The Blend Retreat in May, vacations to the Outer Banks & Cape Cod, and my brother’s wedding in November!
Sounds like an awesome year ahead for you! š
I’m going to Ireland in March (for St Patty’s Day!!) and I can’t wait! I am so excited you are going too! I’ve never been but it has always been a dream!
Fun!!!
this was a great post! Also, thank you, thank you, thank you for that link to the rules for True American. My friends and I have talked about playing it but didn’t know the rules, now we just need to figure out when we can play.
Gosh you are so lucky to go on that trip..I hope I get as successful as you one day as a blogger…seeing that I just started in Nov š Those are some great things to look forward to. A couple of mine are vacation in florida..BLEND in May..My husbands 30th bday in Oct (planning a surprise trip)…thats just a few š
Wow Ireland AND Oahu! Sounds awesome, I’m looking forward to our annual 4th of July party and to my cousin’s wedding in Montana this summer. We also might go to Hawaii for Christmas if we don’t buy a house this year.
I think the thing I am looking forward to most in 2013 is getting married in November. š It looks like you have lots of things to look forward to! Don’t worry about sharks while you’re snorkeling; people snorkeling or diving just don’t look like food to sharks. (Do avoid wading in shallow water at dusk if it’s full of bait fish, however.) I’m a marine biologist and I know lots of other marine biologists who all dive or snorkel and I’ve never heard of anyone getting attacked by a shark. š
Ahhh Ireland is on my list of places to visit! I just need to try and save up for that.
A few things I’m looking forward to this year:
Super Bowl!! So excited my 49ers made it to the big game
My first mud run in April
Reaching (hopefully) my weight-loss goal
Visiting Chicago
Hot Chocolate 15k in March
Yeh! Have a great time in Ireland!! cant wait to see where you go when you go there!
I really want to try a tough mudder too!!
You have a lot of fun to look forward to in 2013! Ireland & Hawaii!?! Lucky duck!
Sounds like you’ve got a great year planned, including a few awesome vacations! I’d love to go to both Ireland & Hawaii š
Look like 2013 is going to be an awesome year for you!
So jealous of all of your travels! I can’t wait to hear all about them. 2013 is going to be a busy year for you!
I can’t wait for my first half marathon in three weeks, a possible trip to the Bahamas for class, my best friend’s wedding, my sister’s visit to Florida for her spring break, and any surprises 2013 has in store for me!
Great list! I’m looking forward to Hell and Back in September again – kinda like Tough mudder I’d imagine! Also looking forward to the summer and some sunshine…just a few days and I’ll be happy š My mum used to be the headstand queen…it was like her party piece!
I really, really want to learn to make sushi, so we can stop spending allll our disposable income on it. I can’t get enough! When you learn, can you post a lesson? That would be so cool!
That is an incredible list! Well done.
Buying a new house, that is something I am looking forward to. As long as I don’t think about the moving that comes with it.
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