I REALLLYYYYYYYYY WANT TO GO TO COACHELLA!

DG Bid Day

Yesterday was Bid Day at SMU and the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Delta Gamma got a whole new pledge class of baby DGs. This is the first time, in my 4 years at SMU that I have not been a part of this amazing celebration. Bid Day 2007 was cold, dreary and rainy - just like it was this year. But no matter the weather, the celebrations continue. DG was an amazing part of my college experience and I wish the best of luck to all the new baby DGs at SMU.

Here's a blast from the past...

Oh how awful those pink jerseys were! Thank goodness we got beautiful navy blue ones the next year. Look at us all with our rain soaked hair. Can you spot me way in the back?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Because right now, I need to remind myself of this often. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Resolutions for the New Year

I rarely make a list of New Year's Resolutions because I just think it's silly and they never last the whole year. I think this is because we're all geared up when the new year starts but by February we're sick of sticking to those goals. Usually, it's because we make goals that we think we're "supposed" to make - workout more, eat better, get more sleep, go to church...ect. This year, I'm making some realistic goals not necessarily resolutions. So here they are...

1. Be better about sticking to my budgets - I use this great website to track my spending, credit cards, student loans and investments. You can make budgets and then Mint tracks your transactions from your checking account. It's really a glorious program and it's all FREE!

2. Stay up to date on current events and especially financial news - the more you read the more you learn!

3. Run 3 times a week for 30 minutes or 3 miles. I'm hoping to run a 5k in March!

4. Get to work 10 minutes earlier (by 8am). This probably seems silly but honestly, it looks so much better and I can use those 10 minutes to get coffee, read the Wall Street Journal online or catch up on blogs. It's a better way to start the day.

5. Less carbs, more produce. I am in an eating rut. Yes, I LOVE to cook but I don't love to cook for one. I tend to make a bowl of pasta 4 nights out of the week and the rest of the nights it's cereal or a Lean Pocket. I'm going to try to stop the habit and eat at least 2-3 non-frozen, low carb meals like grilled chicken salad or yummy homemade soups!

6. There is a 6th 'resolution' but it's pending...not ready to share this one yet.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on my progress. I think I'm going to have to keep a link to this post on my desktop.

New Year Inspiration

Our CEO here at Tolleson Wealth Management sent out this email this morning. After reading it a few times, I realized that these 10 distinctions should be the way we live our lives. Take a moment to read them over and then post them by your desk. Make an effort this year to be a winner and not a whiner.

The Top 10 Distinctions Between Winners and Whiners

10.      Winners take responsibility. Whiners play the victim.

9.        Winners can have what they want. Whiners want what they can’t have.

8.        Winners find a way. Whiners find an excuse.

7.        Winners brighten a room by entering. Whiners brighten a room by leaving.

6.        Winners listen twice as much as they talk. Whiners talk twice as much as they listen.

5.        Winners enjoy life’s journeys. Whiners put their joy in destinations.

4.        Winners build friendships. Whiners destroy friendships.

3.        Winners think big. Whiners think small.

2.        Winners are focus-minded. Whiners are scatterbrained.

1.        Winners create positive meanings. Whiners create negative meanings.