the whole nut

happy new year!

December 31st, 2009

Here it is, New Year’s Eve Eve, and I’m waiting at LAX to catch my 11.55pm flight back to New York. I really don’t love red-eyes, but–you see–it’s the most time-efficient way to travel east between the two coasts. Plus, I don’t have any trouble sleeping on flights (knock on wood).

Anyway.

I find myself just a bit thoughtful after having just read Julie & Julia (which is the sort of book I usually stay away from) and I thought I’d use this blog as an outlet. A friend of mine recently read it and said it was a surprisingly good read, as she handed me her copy. And, since I haven’t yet seen the film, I thought why not. And in any case it’s a nice break from the 3-inch thick, oh-so informative, What to Eat by Marion Nestle (which stayed back in NYC—not a good flight book, I decided).

I love going home for Christmas every year, which offers lots of down time at my parent’s house for reading in front of the fireplace with freshly brewed tea in the company of two silly (but lovely) corgis. And when I wasn’t bombarding my family with healthy desserts and dishes (which boggles the mind of my 15 year-old brother) or attending 10-year reunions (how did that happen?), I read my book. Which I enjoyed. And sort of related to.

Aside from the whole love/hate relationship so many [transient] New Yorkers have with the city (it’s a tough love sort-of place, okay?) Julie Powell got me thinking of all the changes I’d made in the past year, and the events that helped pave the way—especially those that I had no control of (I think back to the bedbug Feb ’09 horror).

2009 has been a very good year. I’m not just saying that either. Thinking back to where I was in January 2009 makes me so grateful for the adventure I was able to embark on the past 12 months—one that has brought so much positive change in my life, allowed me so many amazing opportunities, and straightened out the path I walk on. My entire outlook has changed.

While I didn’t commit to a year’s worth of cooking as dictated by Julia Child, I did commit myself to a year of new beginnings. And there have been lots. I certainly won’t go into detail, but it has all been so incredibly refreshing. Through the good, and the bad. And you know what? As it is, in December (a month of self-indulgence) I have never felt this good. In every way.

And here I am, on the brink of 2010. I will celebrate the start of a new decade with my wonderful boyfriend and fabulous friends, and think of what opportunities lie ahead. I like to think of 2009 as a transforming year, preparing me for what’s to come. And I’m ready!

2010 is gonna be great. It’s exciting. And I’m excited.

Happy New Year! Make it a good one.

Filed under: Miscellaneous

Tags: alexi bricker, happy new year, julia child, julie & julia, julie powell