Twas the week before 2012 and all through the house, not a creature was stirring... except everyone wondering what the heck this new year is going to bring! The Birdy has mentioned this before, but around New Year's, the anxiety level is up by a fair margin. The holiday is officially over and the real work needs to begin - hit the panic button!! We start thinking about all the things we wanted to do, our intentions start to build up like the clutter of a Hoarder-house, and we either put resolutions in front of us that are so insurmountable, we're destined for failure, or the list just seems too daunting, so we roll over on the couch, have another swig of that leftover eggnog and wait for the feeling to make a resolution to go away. I've been there, done that and my Jaunty Rebel Yell for 2012 is -- be the force for change, but make reasonable goals!

I know, it sounds pragmatic and boring, but it's amazing what little everyday things can do if you commit to small changes and it becomes a daily habit. That was my inspiration for this year's holiday card, which I'm sharing with all before we enter Ye New Year of Twenty-Twelve. I was particularly inspired by ABC News' "Made in America" segments, which went from a small news story and became a regular spot on their program -- they wanted to focus on American companies and how little acts of buying locally-made goods not only benefits the economy, but it secures and ensures more jobs for our fellow friends n' neighbors. And it doesn't always mean it costs more -- get into the habit of looking at your labels any time you buy something. It can be as simple as going to the grocery store and making sure you get fruit that only had to travel one state over (or less, if you can), versus a whole country away. You don't need fresh strawberries in the middle of January -- they probably won't taste that good anyways. But hey, get the frozen ones if they were harvested within the US and likely frozen at their seasonal peak.

This got me thinking about other things -- the fact that hunger still exists in this country, and if everyone just gave a little to programs designed to help and educate those in need, it would move us that much closer to eventually eradicating this need in our own cities and neighborhoods. And hey, don't slack on recycling or finding more ways to support eco-friendly/green initiatives -- the globe ain't gonna stop warming on its own. If you're thinking of adding a fuzzy friend to the household, choose adoption or breed-specific rescue groups, and don't get stuck on the pet being a kitten or puppy -- older pets are just as awesome and likely grown out of the annoying habits like potty-training, teething or learning what a scratching post is for. How often do you get to say you've saved a life? 

These are little, everyday things to consider. These are decisions we make in our daily lives. It won't solve the problems immediately, World Peace may not break out by the end of the week, but if we make the promise to at least do one, manageable thing and stick to it for a whole year, our collective acts work towards improving things and more importantly, improving ourselves and how we play a part in the world. And that is a Jaunty thing to consider, no?


Jaunty Fine Print:  design by Denise Sakaki

I know it sounds pretty corny and downright archaic but one of the Magpie's resolutions for 2011 was to write more letters. Yes, you heard me correctly. Those J'adore-able things that are mailed out using stamps, thoughts adorning decorated paper, written out in pen, using the script style of writing that I hear most schools are deeming as useless as Morse Code and the Dewey Decimal System.

Crazy and seemingly useless thing to focus on? Probably. But like a lot of folks, I'm sure you have people in your life, probably older relatives or family friends who just haven't bothered with a computer, much less email. I'm sure those people would love to hear the everyday happenings beyond the once a year holiday card. Or maybe a cousin or distant relative you haven't spoken with in a while. Wouldn't a little note saying "hello" be a nice way to reocnnect and let them know what you're up to? I know that's what things like Facebook or regular emails are supposed to do -- and I still use those -- but sometimes the simplest pleasures in life can be as sublime as a pretty note waiting for you in the mailbox.

So I recently took pen to paper and wrote up a stack of notecards to friends and family, just telling them how our holiday was, the snow that was falling, and the little hopes and goals for the new year. I made sure to have a mug of cocoa with some bits of chocolate melted in for good measure. What's worth putting in a note? Nothing life-changing, just stuff you'd say to the person if they were right in front of you for a friendly chat. I especially wanted to write to a couple of my cousins; when we were little in the pre-email days, we used to write each other as often as one letter a week if you can believe it. We'd trade funny notes, doodles, magazine clippings -- all these funny things I wished I kept, as they would get a kick out of seeing those old Tiger Beat or Bop magazine cutouts of our favorite members of New Kids on the Block. Hey, I never said we were composing deep, intellectually-stimulating transcontinental conversations.

So take a moment and think of a person in your life who you know would appreciate a hand-written note. It can be anyone. A grandparent or distant aunt or uncle. A friend who just had a baby and would probably rather curl up with a letter versus being hunched over a computer. Besides, it's a great excuse to curl up with some cocoa and put some good thoughts out into the universe. Oh, and there's some really cool stamps out there -- the hell with those boring Liberty Bell Forever stamps!


Jaunty Fine Print:  photographs by Denise Sakaki

 

What, 2011 already? Not so long ago, 2010 had arrived, a year full of promise and hope. The months flew by and before we all knew it, we're already in a wishful Mood thinking of what 2011 will bring.

This Bird always makes her own holiday cards and this year's design was inspired by both my own eventful year as well as of the friends around me. New babies, new jobs, new destinies awaiting fulfillment. This year was so full of promise amid challenging economic times and a changing landscape of where people had thought they would be in their lives. It felt like 2010 was the year of discovery, and so 2011 should be the year of action, to take what one has learned in the year before and put it to use, to achieve the things we always mean to do, but never take the time to do it.

This Bird felt fortunate to have been able to stay afloat as a freelance graphic designer, get a few things published as a food writer and photographer, but the most important thing about 2010 was that it granted the space of personal discovery. It wasn't about money or the acquiring of things, but learning to find a little peace of mind, which is the finest luxury I can think of.

Creative exercises like Project 365, making you take at least one photo a day, keeping up with blogging, and never letting a day feel wasted by making sure there was always something meaningful to do, even if it's as simple as cleaning the house -- learning to make everything matter. 2010 was an exercise in proof of life. Sure, there were exciting moments like shooting photos for Fashion Week or getting invited to special events, but I was happiest taking photos of small details, crafting gifts for friends and being able to really inhabit this life instead of running around looking for new ways to reinvent the world around me. I look forward to this discovery leading to more of the same in 2011, without the pressure of wondering what next big thing needs to happen. Not that this Bird is big into resolutions, but you could say mine is to allow the future to unfold gracefully.


Jaunty Fine Print:  illustration by Denise Sakaki