We all have resolutions so you’d think this would be easy, right? The problem I am facing is that this time I want to make resolutions that I can stick to, or that mean something more to me!

I know that some of the best ones are things like:

• Giving up chocolate… YEAH RIGHT!
• Giving up coffee… Why? I need it!
• Giving up wine… I thought wine was good for you?
• Giving up shopping… I can’t even believe I wrote that!

 So I figured there has to be something beyond these regular resolutions – and after much thought I have come up with a few.

Firstly, I’m going to make a huge effort to be better at staying in contact with my friends and family. I think sometimes when we’re on a ship, we get so consumed in our day-to-day ship life - and at times it is so far removed from reality - that we forget about those true friends and those fabulous family members who always will and always have supported us from afar. I promise I haven’t forgotten you. I love you all and thank you for being amazingly supportive. Even when I forget to email!  To the right, is an awesome picture of my nephew, Seb. He's 7 months old and gorgeous!

Secondly, I’m going to make a better effort at trying to learn Spanish. As you know, I’ve worked for Carnival Cruise Lines for over 10 years and it’s sad to say I only really know how to ask “for the check” and “where the bathroom is.” Don’t get me wrong, the latter is extremely beneficial, but it’s high time I kicked myself in to gear and got learning. It’s embarrassing, the amount of Spanish speaking team members we have on board and the fabulous crew training centre, which has many Spanish courses, and I still can’t even hold a broken conversation! Paul, my husband, has been learning Spanish and is doing really well; I need to catch up so we can help each other out. Apparently, the best way to learn is to be completely submersed in the language by staying in a remote village in the Spanish countryside (or somewhere similar) and just survive. Do you reckon they’ll have a Starbucks? I think I may need a different approach – Any suggestions?

Lastly, I love musicals and one of my favorites is ‘Rent.’ There is a line in the show that explains what we all should be doing in life, even though it can be very tough. I would like 2010 to be the year that I believe in these words more and more because they are perfect.

 The line is:

“No day but today.”

 Best wishes to all of you for 2010. Happy New Year!!