Jamie Hilao

…”Burn brightly without burning out.”

And with that, my list of resolutions:
1. Practice mindfulness: meditate at least 3 times a week & be present. Slow down. Take deep breaths when stressed out.
Would also like to *finally* read ‘The Art of Happiness‘.

2. Develop/start executing professional strategic plan. Determine where, when, & how.
Have been putting this off for way too long.

3. Be patient until my back injury is fully healed. Get well enough to participate in a half-marathon.
Physical Therapy and Chiropractic services have helped but I still have a few more months to go before I am back to working out 6 times a week.

4. Practice visualization techniques daily to attain goals.
As presented by Marilyn King at the Women in Leadership conference.

5. Build relationship with my mentor.
We had a formal meeting in November and agreed to meet quarterly.

6. Learn how to say no. Make more time for myself instead of creating more obligations.
So I don’t burn out.

7. Take swimming lessons.
So I could do more than doggy paddle.

8. Take advanced class on public speaking.
Essential as I progress in my career.

9. Utilize Quicken’s budget feature to formally track incoming vs. outgoing funds.
I have been managing my money pretty well, but there’s room for improvement.

10. Refrain from using the words ‘like’ and ‘totally’ in conversations with friends.
Yes, this is a silly one, but the ‘Valley Girl’ jokes are getting a bit old.

After coming back from a wonderfully intense retreat in La Jolla, I feel energized & excited about what’s in store for this year.

Book (Fiction): Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.

Book (Non-Fiction): The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Movie: Up. I still have several more to see, including ‘Avatar’, ‘Up in the Air’, ‘An Education’ & ‘The Hurt Locker’, but ‘Up’ is a touching & entertaining film for kids of all ages.

TV Show: Glee. Once an awkward teenager that found solace in band & choir, I identify with several of the teens in this over-the-top musical dramedy and crush on both Will and Kurt’s characters. I started watching Season 1 of ‘Mad Men’ during my holiday break and am pretty intrigued… perhaps this will become my fave new show of ‘10?

Restaurant: R&G Lounge & House were delightful restaurants in downtown San Fran, but my fave local find is The Boiling Crab.

Album: Sadly, I haven’t kept up with music this year, but I’ve enjoyed Devendra Banhart’s ‘What Will We Be’ and Imogen Heap’s ‘Ellipse’. I must confess, however, that the albums I rocked out to the most are ‘Glee: The Music’, Volumes 1 & 2. Who knew ‘The Thong Song’ and ‘Golddigger’ could be great cover songs for a show choir?

Gadget: Shhhhh…. it’s my new Kindle (thanks, lil’ bro)! Yes, I made the leap from print to digital, and surprisingly, I’ve adapted quite well. Can’t wait for the iTablet…

Moment: I’ve been blessed with an incredible year of memories: feeling proud on Inauguration Day, listening to my grandma’s heartfelt speech about the strength of our family bond at her 95th birthday celebration, participating in the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship, riding on an ATV while exploring the beautiful island of Santorini, and dancing with my family at my sister’s Dirty 30. This year, my favorite moment was witnessing the birth of my second cousin Mateo, who truly is a “gift from God.”

I’m off to another professional conference to conclude my year in La Jolla where I’ll have time to reflect on the year and start planning for the next year… 2010, here I come!