Dear New Year,

I've always found the space between Christmas and New Year's rather odd. I'm torn in between my desire to celebrate the holidays with champagne, party poppers and late nights, and kicking the new year off right with early mornings, more exercise and less sugar.

I also think that New Year's Day is secondary to Christmas to all Americans (New Year's Eve is the biggest Russian holiday). The majority of December is caught up with mailing packages and cards, count-downs to the 25th and elaborate decorations. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around the stores have burst with Christmas flare. I've even found myself getting into lengthy discussions about Christmas trees and the proper Christmas breakfast. I guess I'll get to my point.

I'm ready to prepare for the New Year. I'm sick of it taking a back seat to Christmas. I don't want to make last minute goals, scurry around trying to find a decent New Year's Eve outfit or think of New Year's Day as a morning I can sleep in. I want to be prepared! I wanted to go out with a BANG and enter the New Year with a running start!

Who's with me?!