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Community Corner

Locals Offer A Variety of New Year's Resolutions

Laguna Niguel residents are looking forward to 2012 and when asked, offered up all kinds of promises they hope to keep.

It's that time of year when we all say we're going to lose weight, stop smoking, be kinder and the list goes on and on.

When asked what some of their New Year's resolutions were going to be, we sure got a wide varoety of answers.

Either way, whether you make good on your word or you after a few weeks decide to chuck those dreaded resolutions, Patch wishes everyone a Happy New Year. 

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Blogger Tracy Buck: "My only resolution for 2012 is to finish editing and formatting for printing the last two books that William Moore has in longhand in his Sonata's trunk - and without any glaring errors! Those two books will bring the total I've prepared for him to seven; then his fertile, never-resting brain can move on to something else in which I hope to be included, whatever it is!"

Writer Blake Driver: "Make 2012 better then 2012, improve my GPA, and have a healthier 2012."

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Lindsey Mah: "Learn to snowboard, stay healthy, and travel to one new state."

Buie Stoddar Properties' Ann Forella: "I resolve to take a photography class, use my crock pot more and volunteer in the community."

Author, Blogger Donna Stellhorn: "Mine is to write 1,000 words a day. That would add up to a lot of articles, blog posts and a few books by the end of the year." 

Realtor Chris Jotblad: "That same old pesky 5 pounds!"

Writer Debbie Tharp: "To perform one good deed every day. It seems like such an easy thing, but in fact, looking back, I have let many a day pass by with out performing even a small act of human kindness, that's a wasted day for sure. It can be the tiniest thing, like loaning someone a quarter when the soda machine eats theirs, but it has such a huge effect on their day by just bringing a smile during an otherwise nasty moment. Those random acts of kindness spread like wildfire. I want to see more of that in the world, so this year, I am going to do my part."

Activist Jodi Barber: "My New Year's resolution is not to cry so easily! My eyes and skin just can't take the salty tears any more. I'm 52 and I look like I'm 72. It will be two years on the 8th since I lost my son to an accidental prescription pills overdose, and my emotions have taken the best of me. I am going to focus on smiling more. That's my New Year's Resolution."

Blogger Loriann Witte: "This year in 2012, I set my intention to live, move, and have my being only in the present. All power is in the present.  I declare peace on the past."  

Starbucks Manager Anne LeMay: "To send one box of treats, supplies to a troop stationed in Afghanistan. Some of my customers and friends donate things for the box. Some of the things we send are letters, coffee, hot cocoa, Crystal Light, baby wipes, socks, recycled magazines, cup-of-soup, granola bars. Try to spend more time with my oldest kids (age 18 and 20)."

NY Upper Crust Pizza's Joe Cusumano, "to increase our internet presence through mobile media."

Taste of Greece's Elizabeth Gaitanis: "New year’s resolutions, as we refer to them in this country, usually refer to a habit we may want to overcome, or a commitment to ourselves to change something with the outcome of bettering our lives. 

"These traditions however vary from one country to another.In Greece, for example, Jan. 1 is welcomed with hope for a new beginning.  Homes are cleaned, offices are tidied up, all laundry is washed, debts are paid off, and the list could go on and on.  All to begin the new year on a clean slate.

"The actual celebration that takes place at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1 is normally with close family who will dine together and wish each other good health and prosperity.  The evening will usually continue with a lucky card game determining who will be the year’s lucky individual depending on who wins the most money.

"Another important part of these first hours of the new year is the 'podariko.' This is the act of the first person to walk through the threshold of ones home, becomes responsible for the good or bad fortune of that home for the year. Generally, young children will be intentionally chosen to complete this feat. There we have it, a Greek’s New Year resolution and health, and prosperity for all. Happy New Year!"

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