Upgrade 2012

I am probably going to sound like an insanely broken record, but I am dedicating this post to yet another one of my New Year's Resolutions: to upgrade my life.  This is intended to materialize in many forms.  For example, as I suggested in a previous post, I am continuing my 2011 resolution to branch out with my recipes like cooking more eggplant.  Expanding my culinary repertoire by opening new cookbooks, attempting recipes that would have previously intimidated me, allowing myself to make something that I may not actually like the taste of, and purposing buying ingredients so I have to research what to do with them...these are my interpretations of upgrading my cuisine.

Another upgrade is my camera.  Now that I have been blogging for a little while, I saw 2012 as a pivotal time to upgrade my photography.  Thanks to my dear friend B, I learned what to buy, what reference book to have at my fingertips at all times, and have an upcoming photography class given to me as a gift from my six girlfriends.  So this post is the first post with the new camera.  These are literally my first pictures, so you will have to bear with me as I get more accustomed.  Hopefully from here on out, my pictures will get better and better as I navigate my way through the book.

Another upgrade is adding more blues and purples into my life.  You know that feeling when you are attracted to a person, or an object or a landscape, and feel your eyes open just a little bit more?  Well, that is what happens when I see these colors, and therefore have accented my apartment with them in the form of water glasses, pillows and more.

But the main lesson and goal of Upgrade 2012 is to approach life fearlessly.  The most intimidating experiences are the ones that make me feel so empowered afterwards.  If that means going up and talking to the keynote speaker at a conference, or buying that dress that is a little out of your 'style' range, or taking that class that places you way out of your comfort zone...Do It.  Trying something is way more interesting than sitting at home thinking about it and never doing it.

So embrace 2012 and make it a year of truly going for what you want, even if it means breaking out into a cold sweat from time to time.  The end result (and the experience) are so rewarding.  Speaking of which...below is one of my first photographs of food with the new camera.  This was my dinner from a few nights ago:

White beans in a tomato sauce
Sauteed kale
Roasted cauliflower
Dried figs

Let's all 'Carpe Diem' and make it that much more interesting...