Fall Resolutions

I’ve never been a big fan of New Years Resolutions. Whenever I make a resolution, I am somehow guaranteed not to do it.  Maybe the new year just doesn’t inspire me. Or  it could be that I’m usually extremely hungover on January 1st and really, is that the best way to start a new year?  That’s why, this year, I’m making fall resolutions!

I’ve always thought of fall as a time of change. It often means moving, either to a new apartment or back to school, and with school came new books, supplies, and the excitement/nervousness of new classes and experiences. I’m really just a big nerd, but I loved it.

Now, in the real world, fall is still my favorite time of year. But it doesn’t mean as much change as it used to. I’m sticking around my same apartment, and I’m in the same job I’ve had all summer (unless something exciting happens.. *crosses fingers*).  So, here’s my list of ‘fall resolutions’:

1. Take up running. I just bought the new Nike + Sportsband, and I have a $10 a month membership at Planet Fitness. There’s no reason for me to become the runner I’ve always wanted to be. I’m putting myself on a lame ‘walk to run’ training program, and it’s my fall resolution to stay dedicated to it.
2. Learn a new skill. I either want to freshen up on my Spanish so that I can get to a point of fluency, or I want to do something random/silly and learn how to play the guitar. Maybe both.
3. Change up the hair. I have a slight fear of going to get my hair cut, after a past bad experience (layers do not mean chopping my hair into ’steps’), but I’d like to take my lightened, long summer hair and get something that feels fall-like. I’m thinking, darker and sleeker.  Just a few inches off, but still something to make me feel brand-new. (Suggestions are welcome!)
4. Read more books. I remember when I was in college, I wished I had time to leisurely read whatever I wanted to, but only had time for textbooks. Now I have all the time in the world, but still flip the tv on when I get home. Less tv, more books.

That’s it for now, but I’m thinking it’s a good start!

Camping & Coffee

Saturday night, I was convinced by the boyfriend to go camping out in Western Mass. Note- I have never been camping. Nor have I ever really wanted to, but I figured this would be a good experience for me. After a Target trip for a tent and two sleeping bags, we were all set. Or so we thought. Apparently, $20 tents aren’t that great in the rain. And really, who would have thought we needed a flashlight. Downpours all night led to a very soggy morning.  I woke up with bags under my eyes, hair out to Nebraska, and in desperate need of a massage. Would I do it again? Sure.. but with a clear sky, and an egg crate to lie on. Plus, s’mores around a campfire make it all worth it. Mmmm, s’mores.

What really made my morning all better, was coffee from an amazing little place- Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters. Nestled between the Berkshires and the Deerfield River, this coffee shop is a slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere. They had four- four!- types of iced coffee. I got myself a half Columbian, half coconut iced coffee. AMAZING! Throughout the years, I have become a full-fledged coffee snob, and this was brewed perfectly. Strong and delicious. A small back room held barrels of coffee beans, for self-serve bean purchases. I ended up grabbing a tin of the Toasted Coconut Cream, which was inscribed with the saying”This Coffee Invariably Instills Optimism.” Love this place. If I ever have my own little cafe one day (slight dream of mine), it will definitely have inspirations from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters.

Overall, it was a great weekend. New experiences with some great people. Next weekend, however, I’ll be back to lazily lying on the beach- where I belong.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

It’s not easy living in Boston. Cost of living is sky-high, and it’s tough to budget life’s little luxuries completely out (ahem, shopping/coffee problem.) I live about a mile away from my work. A subway pass each way is $1.70, which doesn’t sound too bad, but it adds up, and is even supposed to increase by 20% very soon. So for the first two months, I would walk to work, only taking the T on rainy days. As I walked, people on bicycles would be flying by me. I thought, ‘Hmm.. I could ride a bike! I could be one of them!’

I whined about it to my mom, who happened to have a spare bike in the basement. One trip home and an awkward bike rack on my car later, I am now a bicyclist! Well, sort of. I’m still getting the hang of it. I tend to wobble around a bit, and I’m pretty sure I look ridiculous, but for the most part, I am zooming along to work!

See that crooked basket? Put that on all by myself. Pretty sure it’s 2 bumps away from flying off.

I’m saving $59 a month, the cost of a monthly T pass, on this bad boy. Think of all the things that can buy! A few months worth and I could buy these Frye boots for the fall. Or even a splurge purchase on RueLaLa? Oh the possibilities.