Fresh start

Make 2011 a year of new beginnings: No more breaking up, let's make up

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker
Jesse James and Sandra Bullock
Photo by Jordan Strauss
Dexter stars Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter
Arun Nayar and Elizabeth Hurley
Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman
Rachel Weisz and Black Swan-director Darren Aronofsky
Rachel Weisz with new squeeze Daniel Craig
Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johannson
David Arquette and Courteney Cox

Breaking up is not hard to do. In fact, 2010 stands out to me as the year of the breakup.

Celebrity breakups were in full force and included Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Jesse James and Sandra Bullock, Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman, Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar, Rachel Weisz and Darren Aronofsky, and Daniel Craig and his long-time partner Satsuki Mitchell in the fall-out. And that’s just to name a few.

Without naming names, Houstonians more than held their own in this department. From trial separations to friendships gone awry, from nasty public spats to divorces, we have seen quite a few stalwart duos go bust. It seems like everywhere you go people are talking about yet another de-coupling. Even as I wrote this article at Starbuck’s, a friend walked in and announced her recent breakup over her non-fat, sugar-free, grande latte.

I don't know why 2010 saw such a number of notable splits. Sure, another lousy season for the Houston Texans (and a less than stellar season for the Longhorns) had us all down in the dumps, but that hardly seems like reason enough. Was it the economy? Was it the need to clean out our closets and get rid of what no longer seems to fit?

Whatever the reason, I'm looking forward to 2011, for each new year offers us an opportunity to put our conflicts behind and start anew. It's a time for reflection and to decide whether to forgive and reconcile or move on and never look back. This year, whatever choice you make, be a little selfish.

The relationships in your life can either help you achieve your goals or hold you back. Let go of the ones that cause drama and hold dear the ones made of mutual respect and trust.

Let 2011 be the year where your friendships move you toward those New Year resolutions. Make it the year of new beginnings.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.