New Years resolutions were made (and probably broken ), but here is a new set of important resolutions that you might want to get started on. And, yes, they involve Facebook.

I don’t mean updating your status every 3 hours instead of every 30 minutes (addict), or finally getting even with your sister by posting up those New Year’s Eve pics of her passed out in her own puke (ew); I mean using Facebook for different purposes. So here we go.

Facebook resolution 1: De-Clutter your friend List.

Remember when you first joined facebook and you added everyone and anyone who added you just so that you could gloat to your friend that you had five more friends than her? Well, when the games stopped, what happened to all those random people that you added? Do you still talk to them? Have you ever talked to them? While having 200 friends verses 25 is cooler, if you don’t talk to half those people, it’s time to delete them. Do you really want that rando who friended you to know what you are doing at all times? Who knows what he’s doin’ with those pics you put up last week?!

Facebook resolution 2: Learn to use the privacy settings!

Because you really don’t want to have to deal with your conservative aunt who suddenly calls you asking “Since when where you an alcoholic and hookah smoker?” (Um, since 9th grade?) Even if your aunt/mom/dad doesn’t have a Facebook account, chances are they know someone’s daughter’s- friend’s- niece’s- cousin’s (you get the point) who has a huge mouth and grudge against you. So customize your photo albums so that only the people who you get drunk with (and a few others) see those specific pics. Read More »

Welcome to the first official week of 2009, which is clearly the most important week of the year as this is the week when resolutions are made…and broken. We went through a lot this week and realized it really sets the tone for the year ahead.

So, we are going to look back to look forward.

We will avoid these people. And this guy.

We will never watch Grey’s Anatomy again.

We will involve ourselves in world issues and politics.

We will not hook up in our parents’ house.

We will learn to do our makeup right so it stays on all night.

We will save the porn industry.

We will not let the cold weather deter us from getting cute.

We will cook.

We will do things right this semester.

We will not go to class hungover. (Ok, that one may not actually happen.)

We will manage our time better.

We will try new things….on the phone...with boys (or girls).

Hello, 2009!

We didn’t start the year off in the best way (laying on the couch, chugging water and eating breakfast sandwiches while watching USC dominate on the field), but now we’re ready! And not hungover! And we couldn’t be more excited to get 2009 going. We have huge plans and goals and lists of things to do.

In the spirit of the new year, we decided to sit down and list our resolutions for 2009. We probably won’t keep ‘em, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

John – UConn: I think the only New Year’s resolution I know I can keep is to diligently turn 21. Pounds can leave, come back and leave again, and friends are the same way, but drinking age is forever.

Leah – Ryerson University: Stop dating, getting involved with, and/or having sex with douchebags. 2009 will be a douchebag free year!

Elise – UCLA: No Diet Coke!!!!

Elizabeth – UC Berkeley: To keep running for fitness health, and wellbeing – not weight loss.

Carly – Grinnell: To get at least one step closer (whatever that might be) to becoming a pastry chef.

Elizabeth – UA Hunstville: To find the easiest, most slacker way possible to make tons of money.

Lauren – University of Michigan: Get out and flirt with boys more. What? I like to make resolutions I can keep. Read More »

Every year, I make New Year’s resolutions: “Get in shape,” “be more outgoing” and “don’t get arrested for drugging the neighbors’ neurotic Schnauzer.” And every year, they fall apart. I can never begin with plan and arrive at completion – I’m always stuck in a constant cycle of process, sort of like running on a treadmill, except that running on a treadmill sounds like one of those resolutions I won’t be able to stick to. So let’s say it’s like being stuck in a vat of macaroni and cheese. Yum!

So this year, I’m making a New Year’s resolution to complete my entire list of New Year’s resolutions. And this means that I’ll either have to drastically improve my self-control, dedication and work ethic – not on the list – or I’ll have to drastically lower my expectations. Resolution #0 is to avoid anything that sounds like work, so here goes: the list of resolutions I know I can pull off.

Resolution #1: Stand around inside a gym regularly

I can’t understand why people think this one’s so hard – going to the gym, I’ve discovered, is easy; as long as I don’t hit a deer on the way, I can get there about nine out of ten attempts. And I’ve developed plenty of useful exercises to fill out an hour-long cardio workout: pressing buttons on the treadmill, switching my iPod playlist, going to the water fountain and estimating how many of me would fit in that guy’s biceps. I’ve planned a pretty good mat routine, too, but I don’t think I’ll be able to handle either the push-up or the modified (“girl”) push-up. Instead, I’ve developed the “modified girl push-up,” which is where I watch girls do push-ups. Read More »

You claim you don’t really have a type. But (seriously) how many blonde, guitar playing, puppy-eyed boys can you go through before realizing that you constantly fall into the same boyfriend traps?

Honey, let’s be honest; there’s only so much emotional turmoil a person can take before she loses it.

While most New Year’s resolutions never last through February, it is possible to change your ever-familiar ways now – for good. Forging through this set of relationship resolutions will help you be in control, not him:

1. Move on. Don’t give any guy too much meaning right away because you’re convinced you’ll become one of those cat ladies if you’re not dating right now. Guys are everywhere. After all, how many failed dates have you been on, and how many guys are around you at the bars? If you know this guy won’t work out, move on.

2. Expect more. Over the insane course of life, you’ve realized that most people are genuinely good — even your ex-boyfriends. Not all guys cheat and lie, but all will step right over you if you let them. Demand the right treatment, and you’ll get it. We’re talking common consideration, not daily calls and texts after the first date.

3. Be in Demand. Remember how you had all those hobbies back when boys still had cooties? Where did all your personal time go? If you’re spending it worrying about when he’ll call or what he’s up to, you’re wasting time and making your personality seem remarkably unattractive. Make plans and do your thing because it’s awesome if he calls but no loss if he doesn’t. You’re a busy girl, remember? Read More »

New Year’s Resolutions.

There’s really no way to put a new spin on the idea of keeping those little promises we make to ourselves right before the ball drops every January 1st. The idea of starting a new year with a clean slate is always tantalizing, but how many of us actually end up doing what we toast to doing at midnight?

Instead of dolling out general, Oprah-fied advice about keeping you resolutions, I’m gonna tell you what worked for me. Obviously, I don’t represent the majority of the population, but if someone with the willpower of -3 (read: cannot eat just one cookie or stop at first base) can keep herself on the right track with these examples, maybe you can too.

*Be Reasonable: Guaranteeing yourself that you’ll lose 50 pounds in three months or give up smoking cold turkey can be difficult promises to keep, and nothing fades away faster than a lofty promise. I say, make a timetable and take baby steps. I’ll start exercising more and go easy on the sugar, and, I will find a program or support to help me wean down my nicotine intake, are two very doable sentences. Start small, succeed, and go bigger. That’s the key.

*Keep a Journal: Writing down your daily progress towards your resolutions is a great way to keep yourself focused on your the original goal. An online blog, or even an old fashioned diary, are two techniques that will help you see the daily evolution from idea to actuality. Read More »

This time of year is notoriously spent looking forward and making resolutions for the upcoming year. I have never really been a resolution kinda gal – I don’t wait until the New Year to make the important changes in my life – so I often spend the weeks leading up to New Year’s looking back.

Not so much on changes I’ve made or how far I’ve come; more at the ridiculous situations I have found myself in over the past 365 days.

My 2007 can probably be summed up as a year of dating. Not relationships. Dating. I made a lot of drastic changes this year – online dating, getting setup, handing out my phone number – and it definitely made for a lot of first dates, one quasi-good relationship, and some amazing stories.

Looking back on everything, there was one particularly amazing story that I think everyone can enjoy.

Right before moving home from New York last year, I met a boy online. He seemed really interesting and funny through IM’s so we started talking on the phone and eventually planned a date.

“I want to take you out for drinks and dinner,” he told me.

We decided to meet at a central location, grab a drink and then head downtown to a cute little hole in the wall Chinese restaurant he and his dad had been eating at for years. I am not usually a fan of multiple locations (or even dinner!) on the first date, but he seemed so excited that I really couldn’t resist. Read More »

So I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m addicted to chocolate, cookies and ice cream.

Obviously none of them have really helped slim, tone or tighten my waisteline … And although I resolved to give up the sweets on January 1st, I can’t really say I’ve been a perfect angel about it. I always rationalize that I deserve it “just this once,” but there have been a lot of “just this onces.”

So now I’m buckling down, sticking to my guns and staying strong. I’ll admit, skipping my usual dose of soft chocolate chip cookies on my way out of the dining hall, hasn’t been easy. But I’ve found a few tricks to getting my sweet fix without all the fat and calories.

Read More »