Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Calm and Panic of Impending Motherhood



It hit me one day. Holy shit! I’m going to be a Mom! Sure, I had been knowingly pregnant for 16 weeks or so, but something clicked. I don’t remember what spurred it. Maybe I saw a minivan drive by, or maybe it was when I went to the children’s consignment store and TOYS WERE EVERYWHERE. I think that was truthfully my first moment of panic through this whole thing. And it’s entirely selfish.

This moment of panic wasn’t about raising a child, childbirth, or the many other terrifying thoughts that pop up when you know you will soon be in charge of a little life-form. It was about Me. Me, Me, Me.

How can I be Me, when I am called Mom? What is going to change? Will my cool nature fade away for some stomping tyrant? I don’t want a f*%king minivan! The stereotype of motherhood felt pressed upon me in one big suffocating moment. I was in a glass case of emotion, friends, and still kind of am.

I’m sure a flurry of internet searching would result in one cheesily-written, comforting article, but I’d rather fall back to the Moms in my life to be comforted. Moms like my Mother, who probably had some of these same feelings. Of course, I’ve only known her as Mom, but it seems her cheerful, fun personality has shined throughout the stress I surely caused. That is, if “You haven’t changed since High School!” refers not only to her beauty, but also to her charming ways.

I then look to my Chambana Mom friends. I am lucky to know some really amazing Moms in this community. Moms that take their children to community events like Friday Night Live and art shows at Indi Go Artist Co-Op. Moms that are active in bettering their community and incorporate their children into this practice as well.

I’d like to call out a good friend of mine, Stephanie, who will kill me for doing so. I first met her at a Surfabilly Freakout show at the Cowboy Monkey, singing and dancing and bringing, no BEING, the party. Yeah, that’s still her, with an amazing toddler in tow. Sometimes the dance parties are at home instead of downtown, and that’s okay.


I got this, right?


Motherhood will undoubtedly change me, as any large life event can and should. What I must have faith in, is that even in the moments where I say to myself, “Who ARE you?!” I can reflect to the times of growth I’ve experienced throughout this journey. Sometimes the house will be covered in toys and smell like a dirty diaper, but other times I’ll walk my child through Downtown Champaign with its shops, cafes, and art or through the beautiful parks of Champaign and know that we’re learning a lesson of community and growth together. Ultimately, that’s what it is all about, right?

Thursday, October 10, 2013

7.5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Indi Go Artist Co-Op This Friday

Indi Go Artist Co-Op is kind enough to support the Emergency Shelter for Families Project by allowing us (us being a small group made up of members of the Emerging Community Leaders Program through United Way) to host an art fundraiser starting this Friday!

This fundraiser has been so awesome to plan and I am truly blown away at the many people willing to donate pieces they've worked so hard on to this cause. We've got photography, paintings, glass etching, jewelry, and more!

What cause are they helping? The Emergency Shelter for Families Project. This project serves homeless families in need of shelter and guidance. Far too often, families seeking help are split up. Divided in an extremely stressful time in their lives is not a way to breed success. This project aims to increase the success rate of families moving on to permanent housing by keeping them together and through counseling/education. It has already aided over 32 families since its inception as a pilot project in February, with 26 moving on to permanent housing. It is making a huge impact, and deserves as much support as we can give!

Here is some info about the event:

Click to view larger!


Opening Reception: Friday, October 11, 6-8pm, at Indi Go Artist Co-Op. $5 Suggested donation to enter, music and complimentary wine at the event. Click here to view Facebook event page.

Can't do the reception? The gallery will be open Oct 12-16, 6-8pm so breeze through and see the amazing works that have been donated!

Below are 7.5 reasons why you should go to our opening night!

1) View beautiful art by local artists
2) Beautify your home with said art
3) Complimentary wine
4) Donate to the Emergency Shelter for Families Project
5) Live Music
6) You really need to get out more...
7) Celebrity doodles
7.5) I'll be there!

The last one is only worth half a point because, well, the cause is much more important than me... but come on, I'm totally a selling point, right?

Thank you for reading this and hearing me out. I am so humbled by the love Chambana has for its people. The support we have received through Indi Go Artist Co-Op, United Way, the Center for Women in Transition, artists, and community members is astounding.

If you are interested in learning how you can better your community, I highly recommend applying for the Emerging Community Leaders program. It has been an amazing year of learning to work with non-profits and now how to benefit these non-profits.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Beer in Champaign



Champaign is a a beautiful place. A beautiful place with flowing taps of delicious beer! With places like Blind Pig Brewery, Triptych Brewing (okay, Savoy), and Desthil making it in-house; and then places like Dublin O'Neil's and Big Grove Tavern serving up an awesome selection of delicious crafts brews, you can drink the good stuff until the cows come home... which is all fine and dandy, until you get knocked up.

I'm 13 weeks pregnant, and have known since week 5. That's 8 whole weeks I've endured people, and approximately 26 to go. Yes, I remember the last beer I drank. Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale at Guido's, April 26, 2013
. It was great.

So what's a preggo to do? Non-alcoholic beer? Many of the local joints do offer it, but I had the misfortune of reading some forum that said most non-alcoholics have .5% alcohol and that the baby can't handle it. Say what you will, but because of this, I'm avoiding.

So NOW what's a preggo to do? Well, there is alcohol-FREE beer. Sadly, I haven't seen any menus rockin' alcohol-free beers. Hoping to keep this thang local, I visited Piccadilly and called Common Ground Food Co-Op (I mean, they don't have their Champaign location YET... i'm not driving alllll the way over there on hopes and dreams, ha) and sadly neither had alcohol-free beer. Friar Tuck and Binny's, however, both offer Bitburger alcohol-free beer.


Bitburger is the only option I've found locally. The first sip feels natural... but after the first sip and especially after it warms, you're out. It's over.

There are quite a few options online if I want to spend cray-cray amounts of money. Honestly, after having a few of these I'm not that interested. I guess it did its job, eh?

There will be a day when I will enjoy the delectable flow of beer bubbles into my mouth again. I look forward to trying Triptych Brewing, I haven't had the chance yet! Until then, friend, please... go have a beer for me at a wonderful C-U pub. My, I mean.. your first recommended stop should be Dublin O'Neils.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

CU Bike to Work Day - My Newbie Experience

CU Bike to Work Day was about a week ago. I went for it, I biked to work! Being someone that does not normally bike anywhere, I was excited about the challenge and a little nervous about being on the road.


Luckily for me, I live only a mile away from work. This was gonna be CAKE, right?!

Sadly, there weren't any official CU Bike to Work Day stations with free stuff on my side of town. I left 15 mins early, since I had no idea how long it would take. I got to work with plenty of time to spare, which was pretty cool. I ride an old Schwinn (maybe.. it has been repainted), it is probably from 1950something. Single gear. There was an uphill moment that I really had to pump on, but other than that it was a decent ride. I wore a different shirt in case I got too hot, which really I didn't because it was 8am.

At work, everyone that noticed I biked mentioned it and was in awe a bit. It was strange to get so much recognition for a mode of transportation. But then again, I bet if I showed up on a Harley there'd be a lot of talk too ;)

I had a meeting outside of my office that luckily was close, so I rode to it and back.

Lunchtime was approaching and I realized I hadn't brought anything. I normally go home for lunch to eat with my husband. Damn.. I was going to have to bike back home for lunch! I was getting a little tired of all this morning biking, but had to do it so I loaded up and headed back home. This was the harder ride because I was hungry, it was warm, and I was already a little tired from my morning excursions. I survived though, and the ride home after work was pretty gentle.

I'm glad I tried biking to work. When I started my new job and realized its close proximity to my home, I figured I should try to bike every once in a while. All kinds of things like nerves and the extra planning got in the way. CU Bike to Work Day made me get off my ass and onto my bike.

Since then, I haven't rode. Even though the weather has been beautiful... I realized I should really wear a helmet, which I don't have. Well, I have a roller derby helmet, but from what I understand it is not the same, and would not do.

To sum things up, let me list what I learned about biking to work:
  • Biking to work is great because it gets you moving and your heart pumping! Plus, it saves gas, etc.
  • Bring your lunch if you think the extra trip will be a bit much for you...
  • Learn the rules of the road - there was a point where I was turning left and didn't know where to be in the lane...
  • You won't get that sweaty, especially if your only trip is in the morning/after work. Although bringing a shirt to change into might make you a bit more comfortable.
  • Keep deodorant at work or bring with you.
  • Plan your errands. If you have places to go, you'll need to figure out how to bike there or save them for the car after work.
  • Less road rage - unless cars don't share the road, which luckily.. I didn't encounter.
  • Biking to work feels good. Although I was a bit tired at the end of the day, I know I would get used to it and to the great feeling of getting yourself somewhere without relying on a big car and gas $$.
Whew! So that was my experience. Did you do it? Would you do it?

Friday, April 12, 2013

Ya Heard?

So there is a lot going on this weekend in Chambana (that's why we love it, right?)

I'm going to give you Friday's top priority:



JD McPherson, free, at Krannert, 5-7pm.

I've seen him twice, I've listened to his record a thousand times, I still haven't gotten enough.

Whether you're a rockabilly cat or even just a "normal person", you'll love the musicianship and passion exuding from this group. Plus, they were on Letterman, so they're totally legit.

Saturday, you're going to want to do a lot of things for the Boneyard Arts Festival. I know I do! It is actually to the point that there are so many great things to do I'm tempted to have a meltdown and sit on the couch in my sweats. I'm 97% sure I won't, but that 3% possibility is always there...

ANYWAY, my top priorities are to visit The Living Letterpress, The Art Theater, and The Virginia Theatre. Here's why:


Image from LLP's Facebook.

The Living Letterpress - Friday & Saturday, 11-5pm, visit the studio and pull a print. Also, see artist Lisa Kesler in action making a linocut.
I'm mildly obsessed with their work. I think there is something very special about letterpress and I appreciate the work they've put into bringing it back. I really like words and phrases, and that is a lot of what they do (obviously!). Bonus: Everyone I've met involved with Living Letterpress is a wonderful person, passionate about their work.

Ippatsu Salon - Friday, 8-10pm, artist reception *free wine alert*
I won't be able to make it there, but you should also go to Ippatsu tonight to see the wonderful Baub Aldred's artwork at their fancy reception. It will be faboosh!




The Ghastly Love of Johnny X - @ The Art Theater, Friday & Saturday, Midnight
I want to see this because it is supposed to be awesomely bad. See it on IMDB. "A truly mad concoction, blending 1950s juvenile delinquents, sci-fi melodrama, song-and-dance, and a touch of horror, everything in just the right combination to create an engaging big screen spectacle!" The movie's opening weekend earned $86. It will probably be a cult classic in like 3 seconds. Don't you want to say you saw it before the hipsters took it over? Yeah, I thought so.



Image via my phone+Instagram <3

The Virginia Theatre - Saturday, 1-5pm, free Open House to view latest restoration.
Okay, so part of that is a work plug. What? I didn't make the announcement that I now work as the Marketing Coordinator for the Champaign Park District? Welp, there it is. Here's what makes my work plug legit - I've been to The Virginia Theatre many times in the last week alone. I still want to go. The restoration work blows my mind, especially seeing before and after pictures (which we have on display within the theatre). Please please please walk through and take a peek. It is free, beautiful, there will be free popcorn (!!!) and an organ performance around 2pm.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Pullin' on the heartstrings...

So I was browsing The News Gazette the other day and saw a huge article about a couple named Scott and Jessica planning on providing care to pets of terminally ill hospice care patients. When a person is admitted into hospice care with pets, they or their family have to deal with the stress of planning the pet's future. Not always can a family member care for the pet, so they then have to make the difficult choice to take them to a shelter or to put them down. What the couple's organization, Hospice Hearts Sanctuary, will offer is care for these pets and the opportunity for the patient to maintain a relationship with them, rather than have to say "goodbye". If the patient passes away, Hospice Hearts Sanctuary will then either adopt out or extend care for the animal. This is a huge undertaking for Scott and Jessica and is quite commendable!

So reading this story, I see that they are planning a French Market to fund-raise. Hm.. Intriguing! So I did what any normal, self-respecting person would do - stalk the organization on Facebook!

The event page says this:

This Saturday, March 23rd, Hospice Hearts Sanctuary will be hosting a French Market

New Champaign Non-Profit to Hold French Market
Urbana, Illinois, March 1, 2013 – Join central Illinois artisans and other local vendors on Saturday, March 23, 2013, for a French Market to benefit Hospice Hearts Sanctuary, a Champaign County non-profit that will provide care for dogs and cats with terminally ill owners.
The French Market will be open from 1:00–8:00 p.m. at the Urbana Civic Center at 108 East Water Street. Admission to the French Market is $3 for adults. Children are free, but are welcome to bring a donation of pet food for local rescue organization Catsnap.
Inspired by an open air market in France, the French Market will integrate forty local vendors selling handcrafted and other unique goods and an assortment of other activities, including:
  • Local musicians — including Motherlode Stringband, Caleb Cook, David Howie, and Jammin’ Jimmy Bean — will set the mood of the market with acoustic tunes.
  • Gourmet small plates of French hors d’eourves from Cheese and Crackers and French desserts from The New Sweet Indulgence will be available for purchase.
  • Over fifty handmade quilts, blankets, and afghans from the Hospice Hearts Sanctuary Cover With Love Online Auction will be available for viewing and bidding.
  • Champaign-Urbana therapy dogs will be onsite in Le Smooch Le Pooch Booth, accepting kisses and hugs for donations to Hospice Hearts Sanctuary.
More information about Hospice Hearts Sanctuary is available online.





I'm sorry... Le Smooth Le Pooch? Adorable!

I contacted Hospice Hearts Sanctuary to find out how they managed to put this all together. I've been there, I've done that, and it is difficult! Luckily for them, they have a strong team of friends helping them make their dream happen. As far as locating vendors? Word spread and people got really excited. And who wouldn't for such a good cause?

This definitely seems like an organization that needs your support getting off the ground. If you can't make it to the fundraiser, you may contribute online here. As of 3/20/13 they are about a third of the way to their goal.

If you can, well.. enjoy a little shopping with some great music and food! Oh, and don't forget your striped shirt and barrett ;)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown


image

Noooo!!! Snow!!!

Dang, I was hoping we were headed to warmer and brighter things.

But hey, don't have a midweek meltdown!
 

Here is something to do to forget how rough your hump day was...






Skate with the Twin City Derby Girls!!!!! That'll warm you up in no time. Plus, a certain blogger you love might be there. Okay, yeah, it is me. I won't be skating, I'll be dishin' out info on how great TCDG is! So whether you're a fan, are thinking about volunteering, or want to join the league as a skater, come to the meet and greet tonight!!! Here are some reasons to love TCDG:

TCDG is fun and friendly! (photo Alex Wild)

The Mayor loves us!

We taught a junior derby camp and the participants had a blast! (photo: Laura Fitch)

We love teaching this sport and sharing the love of derby! (Photo Laura Fitch)
 

Details on tonight from TCDG's event page
Come out to Skateland March 6th and skate with ladies of the Twin City Derby Girls. This is your chance to meet members of the league, ask questions and find out more information about our league, our involvement in the community and how to get involved!

Open skate is from 6:30-8:30 and it's $5.00 admission or $15.00 for a family of up to 6 family members. Skate rental is $3.00 for regular skates / $4.00 for speed skates.


Also, this Saturday is your chance to TRY OUT! If you want information on how to try out to be a skater, coach, or ref, follow this link.









Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown



Don't have a meltdown!



Here is something to do to forget how rough your humpday was:


Picture you and your pomaded (or pony-tailed) sweetie sitting at the malt shop sharing a giant shake with two straws. You've put a nickel into the jukebox and are hearing your favorite song. I know, this probably happens at least once a week so it is easy to imagine.
tsk tsk, johnny! we're sharing the shake and shake alone...

Now imagine that same scenario, but when you put the nickel in the jukebox two dudes with guitars magically fly out of the machine and start playing and singing the song live for you! Talk about dreams coming true!!


Tonight, go to 301 Mongolia in Downtown Champaign to live out this fantasy. The Live Jukebox Show featuring David Howie* and friends will be playing any song outta the book for you tonight between 6-8pm! 301 N Neil Street, Champaign. Be there!

*David is out of commission! Katie Flynn (you've seen here on here before when promoting Cody & the Gateway Drugs) and Gordon Wilson will be filling in. The show must go on!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

Don't have a midweek meltdown!

Here is something to do to forget about how rough your hump day was:

image


Feed horses! The SHARE organization needs your help. They rescue mistreated and undernourished horses and rehabilitate them. They then care for them until they are adopted. In the afternoons, they need help feeding/refilling water for the 30+ horses that are under their care.

awwwww if THIS doesn't cheer you up, what will??

That is where you come in! They only need the work of 2 volunteers each day, but as they say on their posting on cuvolunteer.org, "The more the merrier!". You may contact them at http://www.s-h-a-r-e.net or sign up for a shift here.

The deets:
Help needed: Today (and every day), 4:30-5:30pm
No special skills needed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AND if you are looking for something to do Saturday night.... head to Mike N Molly's! My wonderful husband's band (well ONE of them..) is playing a benefit for a kitty. Also, they are an amazing band.
 
Art by Paul Hughes
 See them perform Saturday, Feb 23. Show starts at 9pm, they play around 11. Susie & the Shy Guys

While you're there, wish the upright bass player a happy birthday and buy him a shot.


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown



Don't have a meltdown!



Here is something to do to forget about how rough your humpday was: 

Visit Krannert Center for the Performing Arts tonight to see Student Playwrights Outreach Theatre. 
"Student Playwrights Outreach Theatre (SPOT) is a collaborative effort between the UI Department of Theatre and Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Each year, fourth- and fifth-grade students write stories that the SPOT team adapts into short plays. SPOT is always full of high-energy performances and audience interactions. Both children and adults are sure to be entertained.", from Krannert's website.

This sounds super fun, and is free! I see it as an inspiring and fun-filled way to spend pre-Valentine's with your kids or sweetie.

Details: Wed, Feb 13, 7pm, free @ Krannert (500 S. Goodwin, Urbana), Foellinger Great Hall

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

Don't have a meltdown! 

image

Here is something to do to forget about how terrible your hump day was.
 
Eat sushi for a good cause!

Kofusion is hosting dine&donate, a fundraising program to benefit Crisis Nursery. Simply eat at Kofusion any time today and 20% of your bill will be donated! If you've never been to Kofusion, you'll love it for its swanky atmosphere and delicious sushi. Not a  sushi fan? They have other sides and entres that are just as awesome. Check out their menu here. Located on the corner of Neil and Main.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

Don't have a mid-week meltdown! 

image

Here's something to do tonight to forget how rough your humpday was.



Meet Luke Boyce of Shatterglass Studios (based out of Champaign-Urbana). Luke is an award-winning filmmaker and co-owner of Shatterglass. You will have the chance to soak up his knowledge at this lunchtime lecture series put on by the Graphic Design department at Parkland College and is sponsored by 40 North|88 West and CUDO

See him today, at Parkland College in Room C118 between 12-1pm.

Luke Boyce, pic from Meet the Pros Website

More information on Luke and the Meet the Pros lecture series available here.

Friday, January 25, 2013

For Funsies

Two things I have to self-promote:

TONIGHT, my husband's band "Cody & The Gateway Drugs" are playing Cowboy Monkey with Decadents and Finer Feelings. Three really awesome bands, go get a cocktail and sit back and enjoy. Link to the FB event page.

aren't they pretty?





Then, there is the magnificent Porkapalooza happening this Saturday at Big Grove Tavern. If you've never heard of this event, I feel sad for you but also happy because we're changing that and your life is forever effected (with an 'e'!) This is the forth year of this event, put on by Surfabilly Freakout, the radio show I've been involved with for years now!



The deets:
Porkapalooza IV…Porkadelic!
Saturday, January 26th
The Bacon Room at Big Grove Tavern (One Main Street, Champaign, IL 61820)
Bacon Room Doors 7:30p (music begins at 8:30)
• Food & Beverage available in the Bacon Room
• Big Grove Tavern open regular business hours (217/239-3505 for reservations)

Thanks to our porktastic sponsors!
Triple S Farms, Ippatsu Salon, Pepsi Cola…Champaign-Urbana Bottling Co., Exile on Main Street, Furniture Lounge, Dean’s Graphics, WPGU 107.1 FM & Surfabilly Freakout Radio


For funsies, pics from previous years of Porkapalooza:





See you this weekend!
Chelsea

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

Don't have a mid-week meltdown! Here's something to do tonight to forget how rough your humpday was.


image

Meet a space cowboy!! Or better yet, the actor/director/musician Cory McAbee! Cory is coming to Champaign TODAY for a meet-and-greet, made free to the public by the support of an Urbana Public Arts Grant. This is a part of the Champaign-Urbana Film Society's Visiting Filmmaker Series. 

Cory is best known for The Billy Nayer Chronicles (stemmed from his band The Billy Nayer Show), Sundance Film Festival's first multi-media event in 1995. Then, in 2001, for The American Astronaut, a story about a space cowboy! Okay, it is more serious and Westerny-cool than that. But he is a cowboy of sorts, and there is space involved. A perfect combination if you ask me. Check IMDB to see the full synopsis and its 7.1/10 rating. I'll be honest, I've enjoyed a lot of movies with a much lower rating...

Meet him tonight at Crane Alley in Urbana at 8pm. Desserts and non-alcoholic beverages will be served :)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

 
Don't have a mid-week meltdown!

Here's something to do tonight to forget about how rough your hump day was:







Photo by Cheri Vestal Manrique

Watch local girl group Seventeen Sisters live in your own home! They are playing the Double Door in Chicago tonight, but don't want you to miss out. The Sisters go on at 10:30pm, but there are multiple great acts before them that will also be featured on the live stream! The group will be streaming tonight's concert at no cost online here: http://gigity.tv/event/671/

Another thing to do today is to volunteer in our community! According to cuvolunteer.org, there are multiple opportunities today. indi go Artist Co-Op is looking for help running the gallery, especially on Wednesdays! Location: 9 E University Ave, Champaign, IL
Contact: YooJin Hong at 217-721-0860 or email indigo.coop at gmail.com to find out how you can help!

Friday, January 11, 2013

TGIF and stuff.



What's that? I missed the Weekly Wednesday Meltdown? No.... it can't be! Yes. It be. (ha!)



To make up for it, let me give you some cheerful kick-off-your-weekend sorta stuff:

He's so happy :)




If this doesn't make you wiggle, well I don't know what will.


http://www.mountainproject.com/images/36/27/107473627_medium_78eb4b.jpg
Here's a clip from "I Love You, Man" that I find to be hilarious, but I can't figure out how to embed it. Click ze link to enjoy: Clipage


Between Two Ferns Screenshot


 This Funny or Die clip featuring Bruce Willis interviewed by Zach Galifianakis on "Between Two Ferns"


Avocados!
You know what else makes me happy? All the smiling faces on Common Ground Food Co-op's Facebook page. Go "like" it.




Thursday, January 10, 2013

Resolutions Schmesolutions!

I make weird rules for myself all the time. One week, I'm not allowed to eat chocolate. Another week I can't drink beer. Sometimes I delete the Facebook app from my phone. These are rules that I place upon myself randomly to try to become "a better person". I'm pretty disciplined so often I can make it the week without whatever vice and move on. I mean... it IS only a week. What if I tried to force some habit for a whole YEAR? No, I don't think I'd be very good at that. I mean, who can say what your life will be like in 6 months? You might really need that chocolate after a long day of work. That is why I don't do New Year's Resolutions. The future is just too uncertain to place that much stress on myself! Or maybe I'm just scared...

image
My resolution would def be to be able to bench press at LEAST 2 cats. Psh.. chump!

So, like any other socially engaged person, I hit up Facebook to see how my friends feel about making resolutions.

I asked my friends their thoughts on New Year's Resolutions. 3 friends gave me their resolution that they've made, and 1 listed his anti-resolution opinion. I was actually quite impressed at all responses. One of my friends, Marcus, had a refreshing goal of living happily with less. He didn't leave it there, he listed specific items he planned to purge from his life (some he already had!). Getting rid of things like the television, video games, and other electronics was his first step to meeting his goal. My beautiful mother had a similar resolution of purging unused items. She listed specifically that closets and drawers will be cleaned out and reorganized. Finally, derby league-mate Tracy listed her simple resolution of reviving a weekly cocktail hour with a friend despite their busy schedules.

I liked these resolutions because they were so specific. They seem driven. I wondered if being more specific effected the success of a resolution. Or if even the simple task of telling another person (or many people if online) would effect the success.

It appears that both of those actions, creating a specific goal and telling friends, increase the chances of accomplishing your goals! This article by John Tierney said that in 2002 a study was done at the University of Scranton following resolutioners. "By the end of January, 36 percent of them had broken their resolutions. After that, the failures happened more slowly. Half were still keeping their resolutions in March, and by July the success rate was still 44 percent — less than half, admittedly, but still impressive compared with a control group of people who had the same goals (like losing weight) but didn’t make formal resolutions. Only 4 percent of the control group made progress," wrote John.

Another friend, a derby referee actually (so... frenemy? ha!), said that he isn't into the yearly resolution. Jeff said, "I believe you have to evaluate where you are in reaching those goals and make changes by the minute not by the year." There is definitely merit to this idea. Thinking this way may also prevent rash decisions and money-spending. Instead of rushing out to get a year-long gym membership, you may consider getting a month-long trial. This could help you evaluate how often you truly have time to go (in comparison to how often you went in a dream you had the other night where you lost 500 pounds). Once you've established that, you can tailor your goal from "working out" to "working out twice a week, for 45 mins". That day by day evaluation can help you set more specific goals, thus increasing your chances of accomplishing them!

I think you can successfully merge the idea of resolution and monthly evaluation (which you should be doing with any type of goal anyway. I still don't like the idea of setting myself up for failure with a New Year's Resolution, but love the thought that it CAN be done successfully if you know your limits and push them a little.

So, how do YOU feel about resolutions? Do you say "bug off!" to the tradition or set one every year? Feel free to comment or tweet (@chiquitabandita) with your thoughts. I'm so curious!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Meltdown

Don't have a midweek meltdown! Here is something to get you back into sync post holiday.

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If you have kids: Babies Lap Time: Moonlight Edition
From 6:30-7:30pm the Urbana Free Library (210 W Green Street, Urbana) hosts reading/rhyming/singing time for babes 0-24 months.

Or, if you're child-free, the Urbana Free Library is also hosting the Champaign Book Club from 7-8:30pm in the Lewis Auditorium on the ground floor.

Isn't your New Year's Resolution to read more?