Zen in '10

My nephew, Taylor, just started his last semester of high school. Other than making me feel really old, that makes me feel a bit nostalgic, because It's been 20 years since my high school commencement.

I'm guessing my loser class won't have a two-decade reunion since we didn't have a 10-year one. Allegedly most of my classmates didn't care to reunite or reminisce a decade ago. It's weird how most of us are still holding onto our high school pettiness at the 10-year mark, but by the 20-year anniversary, most of that stuff doesn't matter anymore. No longer are we gossiping about who hooked up with whom on the senior trip. Instead we're worrying about mortgages and life insurance and paying for orthodontists and divorces.

If we do have a reunion I suppose I'll attend. After all, I'm pretty proud of my career path. My personal life, on the other hand, will be the subject of speculation I'm sure, with people guessing I'm not married because (a) I'm a lesbian (I'm not); or (b) I'm such a perfectionist that no man has ever been good enough for me (hmmm... maybe).

So yeah, I've yet to meet Mr. Right, but unlike some of my classmates, I'm not on my third husband or fourth grandchild.

This year is the first time in a long time that I didn't make New Year's resolutions. For one thing, I never keep them (how's that 5K going, Lori?). But I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want to accomplish this year. Like figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. Finally getting out of credit card debt. Always looking fabulous.

I predict 2010 (pronounced "twenty ten" by the grammarphobes, in case you're wondering) will be the year I take more chances, both personally and professionally. I'm ready for more bad first dates and perhaps a few good second ones. For finally feeling competent at work instead of merely faking it. For traveling to new places, eating new food, and wearing new clothes.

In the words of the great philosopher Celine Dion, what do you say to taking chances? And maybe finally running that 5K.