Shop 'til you drop

I'll start with a disclaimer: I hate shopping.

Or at least I always thought I did. I am however beginning to change my mind. This season sale has made me reconsider my position on the matter. First I went shopping with a dear friend just after Xmas. We were mainly browsing at stuff, but then I happened to find an awesome pair of boots at half price (made me veeery happy, I so seldom find anything decent for myself at sales). We had a great time together, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly (although I had practically no money to spend!).

Then today I went shopping alone like I usually do. I simply hated it. I couldn't find anything, got frustrated and angrier by the minute. A cold sweat creeped on my forehead. I started hating the crowd, the muzak, the missing price tags, the rude clerks behind the counter, and basically anything even slightly annoying. I was so happy to finally get out of the mall from hell that I actually sighed a long sigh of relief and laughed out loud.

So from those two experiences I drew the conclusion that it actually matters who you are shopping with and what your initial state of mind is. I had always thought it's fast, easy and uncomplicated to shop alone. I know what I want and I don't have to drag anyone along let alone be dragged to shops that offer me nothing, looking at things of no interest to me. I don't have to listen to anyone whining about the money I'm spending or the time it's taking or the like. Needless to say that basically the only people I have previously shopped with have been my mom (although she is sweet and means well she makes such a fuss about every single thing it would make anyone go insane in a New York minute) and boyfriends (being of two types: either in and out as quickly as possible - no browsing, no trying the clothes on, nothing - or endlessly comparing dozens of products and annoying the staff with idiotic questions) . Yeah, that explains a lot I guess, I get it now.

So, girly shopping sprees at the mall don't sound so horrifying to me anymore. I actually might have another try at some point!

So This Is The New Year

...and I don't feel any different (as Death Cab aptly put it).

Seriously, this was the dullest New Year's ever. I didn't get that special feeling at all when the clock hit midnight. I don't know, maybe I'm finally growing up. The big holidays and days that should be special don't feel like nothing anymore. Or maybe it's just a phase (hopefully!) and I'll get over it by next Holiday season. Go figure.

I did make a couple of resolutions though, although I'm always terribly bad at keeping them (I don't recall actually succeeding in any single one ever!!). And to the top of it all this time they're horribly traditional and unimaginative I'm afraid. Here goes:

• I will quit smoking by my birthday (less than two months to go, yikes!)
• I will exercise more and get rid of the yuky potbelly that's sneaked on me during these last couple of years
• I will finally make the time and start writing this blog regularly :)
  

That's more than enough. (I know I won't be able to keep half of those promises anyways but you can't blame me for trying...)

I am however very optimistic about this year 2007 that's lying ahead of us. I know it will be better than last year (although that had its good, great and awesome moments too). It's always great and somewhat liberating to begin a new year, I do get a sort of sense of starting fresh. Life is suddenly full of possibilities and there are new adventures and experiences waiting for me just around the corner if I only have the courage to go for it and live life to its fullest. And this year there's nothing holding me back! So watch out world here I come!