Oh dear, the blog has got away from me again! I have been quite busy though, not the best excuse but there it is. I’ve been busy settling in to my new job, still early days but I am really enjoying it; the projects are all interesting and some are quite good fun, I’m especially enjoying the one which involves interviewing children and I was dreading it the most! My supervisor is lovely, not there every day but most days and always checks up on me during the week, just the right amount. I’m in an office with two really nice people; I have a lot of fun with them which is always good.

Other than that the department is not quite as social as my old department, so I still return there for lunch a couple of days a week. In the spring we will be moving to a brand new building about a block away, unfortunately, as with most new build offices, we are moving to a large open plan cubicle farm! My understanding is that there will be about 60 of us on one floor! Supposedly they are sound dampening cubicles, but I imagine there is only so much that can be done. I’m not looking forward to this change very much but at the same time the building will be much better designed for the research needs of the department which will be a nice change.

Anyway here is a summary of my 2010 goals:

1. No clothes purchases January-March, and again November

I did mostly manage this; there was a little slip with Olympic mittens, I think I didn’t make any clothes purchases in November although I certainly did again in December. However I am now well stocked with smart cardigans for work (all on average 50% off) so I am re-instigating this clothing ban for the first three months of 2011.

2. Update blog twice a month

hahahaha, not so much; I started well then it slid away… I feel like the last few months I was busy finishing my old job and settling into the new one, on top of that I had some manic crafting in late November right through to Boxing Day making gifts and cards for people! Hopefully now that most of that is behind me, at least until the January and February family birthdays are on top of me (oh, wait) I will be able to get back to more frequent blogging.

3. Spend 2 nights a week on hobbies

I think I managed this pretty consistently, more recently it has been every day, but for most of the year I maintained a good balance with hobby time. I’m not sure if any of my skills have improved at all but I have continued with jewellery making, card making, and knitting and even broke out the cross stitch for the first time in years for 4 Christmas gifts. I need to get better at documenting everything I make though, often it is quite last minute and in an envelope and out the door before I remember to get my camera out!

4. Move

again, no. We have discovered that having been locked in at minimal rental increases for five years there is nowhere comparably priced that is close to either as large, as conveniently situated, nor as nice (and that is saying something) as our current apartment. I think if we moved out now the next occupants would have to pay between $150 and $200 more each month. We are sitting put for now and weighing our options, we did get new carpet in the living room, dining area and hall, and repainted all those areas so the place looks much better.

5. Find a new job

Yes! Just the day after I found out for sure we had run out of funding, my office mate spotted a job ad that suited me, I applied and got it! I am so lucky that the job ad was spotted, I hadn’t started looking as I had 3 months notice but there has been very little else advertised in recent months that I could happily do so I am very pleased to get the position. Now I have to make sure that I can impress them enough to keep it!

6. Pay attention to my diet

Yes! I am still staying away from bread and pasta, a side effect is a few pounds of weight lost (according to my wii!). My medical issues seem to be doing quite well under this regime so I will continue it. My only exception is naan and roti if I am at an Indian or Malaysian restaurant, but the spicy food isn’t great for me anyway so I figure I may as well go the whole hog and enjoy my food!

7. Get fitter

Hmmm, I was walking to and from work and to dance classes from March to August, at which point we got the car and now I get a lift to and from work both days. I have also stopped my dance class, I’m hoping to find a new, more energetic one in January though. On the plus side, my new department encourages moving around, most staff wear pedometers every day, the printer is on another floor and in another (connected) building. I also climb the stairs a lot now, so I think I am moving a fair bit, I have also re-instigated my morning workout, and am actually considering joining a gym.

All in all I don’t think I did too badly with my goals, I also achieved my financial goals for the year so I am pleased with that. I have been working on my list for 2011 and will post it soon.

Advertisement