The Year of the Grown-up

Many blogs I read and adore on a daily basis have posted a year in review by way of highlighted blog posts. 

I love reading them and hope to be able to do the same a year from now, but seeing as my baby blog is a mere 3 1/2 months old and still trying to figure out who she is exactly, I'm going to have to wait.

With the theme of self-exploration in mind, it's time to get a little personal.

Going back to South Carolina for Christmas opened my eyes to a lot of things. It came as a complete surprise to me, the girl who'd packed up everything to leave the south behind and conquer the anything goes state of California, that the place I thought had taught me everything it could would come back and surprise me with more.

Reuniting with old friends and relatives I hadn't seen in years showed me a great deal about the world, how things change and that growing up is inevitable.

Here in LA, I admittedly get stuck in the self-indulgent bubble of getting ahead and making a niche for myself in this near impossible-to-crack industry.

Seeing so many childhood friends engaged, married or pursuing what many would consider nobly humble careers, I realized that maybe it's time I grow up.

By "grow up," I don't mean to resign from adventurous fun on the daily, get a mundane desk job and wilt- quite the opposite, in fact. What I plan to do this year is explore and truly nurture what I'm here to do, keeping my loved ones (rather than selfish aims) a primary focus along the way.

When I spoke to a very wise friend of mine about this whole "grown up" conundrum, she argued, "But who says that 'real jobs' and marriage is what growing up is?'"

I shrugged, the twenty-something waitress in me eager to hear more.

"To me, being a grown up is knowing exactly what you want out of life, having a rational plan and going after it with the confidence and know-how that a child lacks."

That explanation really clicked and allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief. I'm in no rush to give up on my whimsical dreams and trade them in for a monotonous "expected" sort of life (not that there's anything wrong with that- it's just that I'm a scorpio and get bored VERY easily).

That's why I've decided that 2011 will be The Year of the Grown Up. It's time to stop lollygagging around and take the pursuits I have seriously.

Will fun be had? Um, are vegetables good for us?

The main idea is to enjoy life, complete with its inevitable ups and downs, all the while keeping my eyes on the bona fide prize.

To push myself to limits that are absolutely necessary to make the life I want possible.

No more excuses, no more self pity and no more settling for less.

In all this too, I aim to make others- my family, friends, even strangers- a big part of 2011.

In a city that's arguably the most self-centered in the world (you've all seen The Hills and read about the Kardashians in the checkout lines), I want to become part of a supportive community.

I know there are like-minded people out there who long to escape the trappings of the Gucci sunglasses-clad bleach blonde driving the Range Rover her daddy bought her while sporting an unappealing scowl on her face for no good reason.

There are loving, generous people all over this town (hell, I'm in love with one and he's a native).

This is the land of hope where countless dreamers, idealists and romantics come to make something happen. And believe you me, I will FIND THEM!

I hope you'll stick with me on this foray into adulthood- because you betta believe it means even BETTER food in the kitchen, more deliciously picturesque restaurants to explore and exciting stories to share.

Does anyone else have a "theme" for year?

Alright, it's breakfast time for this girl.

First plate of 2011?

Perfect Protein Pancakes

recipe courtesy of The Fitnessista

Let's get this party started!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!