I've been neglecting you

Eeep.  I have been neglecting the ol' blog this year..

I am just really lazy, really do not have any excuse why.. It isn't like I am horribly busy in the evenings.. What have I been up to?

I am on book number 45 of the 52 books in a year deal with over 16 weeks left to go.. 52? Pffft childs play! heh.  It is on my 'To-Do' list to sit down and blog about the books I have read... aaaaaand I apparently left off at number 26 so I have a few to write about.  Egads!

For no reason in particular, I have decided to teach myself to speak Spanish.  Si, Spanish!  What is my approach?  I downloaded an audio book of basic Spanish for travel and burnt it onto CD to listen to on my commute to work.  Smart, no?  Well, I am proud to say that if I were lost in say, Mexico I could now communicate the following in Spanish to save myself: 
Basic greetings - hello, goodbye, good morning, good evening.  How are you?  I am so so.  I am fine. What is your name?  My name is.. Counting to ten.  Asking where the bathroom is.  Pointing out that a car is large (and why THEY decided this was important to add to the course is beyond me).  Mentioning I am vegetarian and don't eat chicken.  Ordering beer.  Saying "I need..." (will saying "I need.." and pointing frantically work?)... and some random other sayings/words.. So yes, nothing terribly useful to save my hide.  Aye dios mios!

I have a few Spanish speaking patients at work, but have been too bashful to try any of my learning out on them... In time!  Also on my To-Do list is to make a written word list with proper pronunciations of words.. I am loving the audio book, but for bigger sentences I just cannot keep up with how fast the speaker is talking to actually absorb it.  I am serious about trying to learn Spanish, so I will try my best to find a way to learn..

The no smoking?  It is going.  I am still on the right track.  It is getting EASIER, yes... However, at times, it is painful and I would love nothing more than to light up a cig.  I had a drink on New Years Eve and man, did having that ONE drink make me want to smoke.  I am not sure THAT will ever get easier...

The holidays (and few weeks after) were busy with a few friends in from out of town - it was wonderful to catch up with them.  One of the highlights for me was finally meeting a girlfriend's new baby.  She lives out in England, so we are not able to see each other that often and really rely on FB to keep in touch.. I really cherish the times we are able  to get together in person.

So, that is about it.... I really will try to keep up with the blogging.. Honest!