I just love my notebook planner and my desktop planner!  Because I took time to buy both last year, I am now able to keep track of my activities, appointments, tasks, errands, and even my expenses.

I scanned the entries in my planners earlier and I was all smiles because I was reminded of all the things I did in the past 20 days- the movies I watched, the places I’ve been to, the books I read, and even my mood when I wrote the entries.  It’s like reliving the experiences all over again.

Here are the highlights of  my life for the first 20 days of 2010:

• Blog Updates.  I have updates at Han Mania, this blog (obviously!), Losing 30 Pounds, and Ward Class.  I also wrote a couple of articles for Lyle’s nursing blog,  Pinoy R.N.
• New Blogs. Finally, the blogging projects have materialized.  I have added Asian Fashion Trends and Get Prettified! to my growing list of blogs.
• Blogging-related meetings.  Davao Bloggers and Avatar Media have started the ball rolling.  2010 will definitely be a fun year.
• Failed Purchase. I purchased the Torque DL85, something I regret doing.
• New pet.  I will never forget the day Babbit, my dwaejji-tokki (Pig Rabbit) finally arrived.  But I wonder if my pet rock, Peeball,  is the least bit happy.
• Movie marathons.  Thanks to Lyle, I watched Bride Wars, Frequency, Rounders, and 17 again.  At home, I watched He’s Just Not That Into You and Spread and have replayed a couple of scenes more than twenty times.  I really need more of Justin Long, Matt Damon, and Ashton Kutcher!  Also, throw in Zac Efron…wait, is he even  legal?
• American Idol Season 9.  Finally, the show’s on again.  I love the fact that I’ll have my weekly dose of Simon Cowell.
• Ebooks and Audiobooks.  I finished reading Harvard Lampoon’s Nightlight and found it quite entertaining.  It is a parody of Meyer’s Twilight so I don’t think you’ll enjoy the read if you haven’t read the cheesiest vampire novel ever written. I also started on Skinny Bitch but for some reason, I fall asleep after a few pages.
• Health & Fitness pact.  A couple of days ago, I forged a badminton pact with blogger friends.  We promised to play badminton 1 to 2 times per week.  We already had our first 2-hour badminton session last January 19 and so far, we are loving it.  I am also sticking to a personal No Red Meat policy because I really want to be healthier this year.

In a nutshell, it has been a good start for me.  There were significant lows these past 20 days but I refuse to mope or wallow in dejection.  I know there are times when people thrive on drama and all the emo stuff and I have done that. But for this year, I choose to be happy, proactive, and optimistic despite the setbacks.

The First 20 Days of 2010 is an article originally published at Blogging Frenzy. For news and updates on fashion, beauty and lifestyle visit Get Prettified!.

I don’t really watch TV a lot.  And if my memory serves me right,  the last time I used the old TV set in my room was in March 2009.

But today, the telly has enough reason to rejoice.  Because it’s that time of the year again when TV-watching will be 2-3 times a week habit for me.   Why?  Well, another season of American Idol just started.  That’s why.

I make it a point to watch American Idol because I really like Simon Cowell. I find watching his priceless facial expressions in the show entertaining.  And listening to his sardonic remarks even more so. Oh I just love it when Simon bickers with Ryan Seacrest!

But I have to be a little sad because Season 9 of American Idol will be Simon’s last.  I will definitely miss the wisecracks and the signature eye-roll. I hope he will be just as funny and sarcastic in X Factor.

I was not disappointed when Paula Abdul quit the show.  Paula is nice but I believe she had very little to add to AI.  Also, Ellen Degeneres is part of this season’s judging team.  So with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Ellen Degeneres, I believe American Idol will soar higher this season.

American Idol Season 9 premiered with the Boston Auditions.  Victoria Beckham is the guest judge in place of Ellen Degeneres (who can’t join the early part of the auditions).  Beckham tends to sugarcoat criticisms but she is okay.  That is, if you can get past the emaciated look.  But I should say that I love her sing-songy British lilt.

I hope to watch tomorrow’s episode as they will be showing the Atlanta auditions.  Judging from the teasers, the auditions will be more exciting.  I just hope there will be lots of bizarre performances this year.

Image of Simon Cowell used in this post from the americanidol.com

On TV: American Idol Season 9 is an article originally published at Blogging Frenzy. For news and updates on fashion, beauty and lifestyle visit Get Prettified!.