Following in the footsteps of one of my favorite bloggers, Meet Virginia, I’m posting my goals for January.  Here are a few things I would like to accomplish before the end of the month.

• Read Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney
• See Black Swan
• Clean out my closet
• Make cupcakes from scratch
• Go to Paper Store
• Buy flowers for bedroom
• Celebrate Megan’s Birthday
• Make a handmade card
• Run at least three times a week
• Have a night out with friends

{Courtesy of Eat, Drink, Chic}

{Courtesy of Just Be Splendid}

Now that I can cross Australia off my list, it’s time to start planning a trip to Paris. Plus, if I can do a 20 hour flight to Australia (Boston to LA, LA to Australia), then a 7 hour flight to Paris is a walk in the park!

I have so much to write about my trip to Australia with Oprah…but I also have to get ready for New Year’s…so here’s a photo to hold your interest until I can fully expound on my amazing experience.

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can’t wait to see what 2011 is going to bring….

I continually find myself caught off guard by the collision of my expectations and the reality of what I end up experiencing. After bracing myself for a treacherous trip to the mall to finish up my last minute Christmas shopping, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my trip! To think that three days before Christmas I was able to leave the mall smiling…and I actually accomplished the shopping that I needed to finish! I think it had something to do with the significant sales that greeted me in every store. It made shopping for my loved ones that much more enjoyable (I mean, come on, who doesn’t like a good discount?!). My favorite moment was when I took a break to have a hot pretzel and a diet coke and was able to watch all of the children lining up for Santa Claus. There was an even split between those who were really excited and couldn’t wait to tell Santa what they wanted and those who were absolutely terrified. The best was when I was able to spot the children whose parents had made the trip specifically to visit Santa, their children dressed in matching outfits with bows in their hair and shiny, patent-leather shoes on their tiny feet. How excited they all must be for Friday night, when Santa and his reindeer will pay them a visit. These same children who cried at Santa’s feet will be waiting in anxious anticipation for his visit because honestly, it’s much easier when you don’t have to actually come face-to-face with the legend himself but can still enjoy the treats he leaves behind.

I am in the center of the most beautiful city in the world. A world I never thought in my wildest imagination that I would be visiting with Oprah Winfrey. As part of this amazing “Ultimate Australian Adventure” the details I can give at this stage in the game are few and far between but what I will say is that I am officially in love with Australia, Australians and everything in between. The sun is brighter here (they say it is because there is no ozone layer, but that’s a detail I tend not to think about as I stare at their golden, sun-kissed, flawless skin), the sky is bluer and everything is larger than life, especially the personalities. One thing about Australians is that they love to party and they come ready! You can’t walk down the street without encountering a group of ten to twenty friends bustling by, laughing boisterously and slapping each other on the back. They will throw a party for any reason and jump in with both feet. A night has not gone by that a group of revelers hasn’t passed me in the street dressed up in costume. Costumes! In December! From what I’ve heard, and seen, they really enjoy dressing up. They are also the nicest, most congenial people I have ever met. They are genuinely interested in talking to strangers. They are vibrant and enthusiastic and full of life. Their smiles take up their entire face and they have a squeaky clean, fresh scrubbed look at all times. These people just ooze youth and vitality. Maybe it’s all that sunshine? Maybe it’s the missing ozone layer? Whatever it is, it’s working.

I also met some great people while traveling in the land down under…

I am packing for a very big trip next week and am trying desperately to figure out what the essentials are that I need to bring. I’m heading to Australia with The Oprah Winfrey Show and I am hoping to blog while I am there…so stay tuned. They have kept everything very hush hush so I don’t know where I am staying, what I am doing or what to expect. It is quite possibly the biggest leap I have ever taken in my life. I am a planner. I like to make to do lists and follow them religiously. This trip is the exact opposite of my comfort zone. I trust that I am in good hands (hello! Oprah!) but I am still a ball of frenzied emotions and nerves.

I can’t wait to see what Australia has to offer! I am hoping to get some good shopping time in (just in time for Christmas). Now I just have to figure out what to pack?????

{photo credit: Yvette Inufio}