The past couple of years I’ve been doing this whole near year’s resolution thing. I don’t necessarily agree with it in principle, because the fact of the matter is that most people (including myself) do not stick with their goals throughout the year. There are often life changes that impact the feasibility of them, and sometimes the goals themselves are life changes that are not possible. The majority of my goals this year are redundant, but to continue with tradition and be able to look back on them next year will be nice. So, here we go:
Travel to Europe at some point during the year. Possibly California and Washington state.
This was a goal last year that I wasn’t able to achieve. There was a loose plan to travel with a friend through Europe, but we were unable to get our schedules together. This upcoming year I already have plans to see Germany in September, and possibly London in February, although both aren’t booked yet. I modified this from last year as I want to go to Europe, and I don’t consider Mexico or Canada abroad. Last year I made several trips to Boston, went to Virginia to see a friend, upstate New York, and took a week long trip to Indiana. In addition to going to Europe I would like to see the west coast, but we’ll see about that one.
Make the decision to go to graduate school, and take the GRE.
It has always been “in the plan” to go to graduate school, but I’m still up in the air if I want to go for something that is in the field of software engineering, for literature or possibly even a business administration degree. I am leaning towards going back to school for an MBA as it seems more aligned with my long term goals, and I can always go back to get the others later if I am bored.
Keep eating healthy, be more active, and ride the bicycle more.
Last year I was able to achieve part of this goal and I lost a little over forty pounds just by changing my eating habits. Since I enjoy cooking I want to learn more about nutrition, eating healthy, and how to cook up some meals quickly at the end of the day. The activity part is where I need to focus on since I’ve done the diet pretty well. I was in a softball league in the spring of last year, rode the bicycle a little in the spring months, and did some hiking. I am considering martial arts if I am able to find something that jives with my schedule. I was able to do this all last year without going to a gym, and I’d like to continue on the same path.
Write more words, play more video games and enjoy life.
I would say that this was mostly a success. I started posting on this blog for a semi-regular basis, and at one point started drafting notes for a science fiction novel I’ve been itching to write for nigh on a decade now. The past couple of months I’ve been playing Battlefield 3 with some old friends, and the same ones are trying to get me to sell my soul and play some Star Wars: Old Republic, but I am pushing back.
Learn the guitar well enough to jam out with some friends.
Over the Thanksgiving break I went down to see a friend in Virginia, and we both picked up Rocksmith for a song. I started learning the guitar by playing this video game, and found out that my MacBook makes a really great amplifier with GarageBand. I’ve always wanted to get back into music, and my goal is to get decent enough so that I am able to have some fun with friends that jam often.
I figured since I am already working on these goals it makes sense to include them so I can show some progress this time next year. Because life changes very often I don’t see a point to include something that is out of reach, or will require a huge dedication of time that I am not certain I can allocate. Next year, as long as the apocalypse doesn’t happen, I am hoping to be able to continue the tradition and add some more goals (as well as check some off).
Last year I wrote a little blog post about my New Year’s resolutions. After the beginning of the year getting off to a rocky start I was going to forgo the whole official post thing, but I feel that tonight may be the night that I needed to write a little bit. I only achieved some of the items off of last year’s list. Instead of recapping my failures for the year I think I am just going to dive right into the good stuff.
- I will travel outside of the United States.
Last year I made a note to take a proper vacation. This is something that I do not believe that I achieved, but there are reasons for that. So my first resolution is that I will travel outside of the United States this year. I do not have an official plan on when (or where) but some of the ideas that are floating around include either Mexico or, better, Europe.
- I will finish what I start.
Last year saw many beginnings for me. I started a new career with a great bunch of individuals, I got nearly done with my writing community and there are many other things that I could go into. This year I want to finish some of the short-term projects that I have started. My plan for the first month of the year is to get an initial beta up of my my writing community, Type Aloud, which has been in the making for several years now.
- I will find someone that understands and accepts me.
I enjoy writing software. I talk about technology, watch movies, read and write, and cook food. Any person that comes into my life needs to completely understand and accept me, for me. No substitutes.
- I will take the GRE and apply to graduate school.
I have not decided yet what my major will be, but while doing that I need to prepare by taking the proper tests. Once I decide where and what I want to study I need to (obviously) apply and get accepted. The short list includes NYU and Columbia University in New York City.
- I will continue to eat healthier and live a more active life.
Last year I did not achieve my weight loss goal, but I did get half-way there. I stopped eating junk food, started eating more fruit and vegetables, and began cooking meals at home more often than I had before. I also started packing my own lunch a few days a week to save myself some money.
- Write more words, play more video games and enjoy life.
My passions include many things. Last year I said that I wanted to begin writing a book. For me, the first step in that is getting Type Aloud out of the door. I have several ideas for books (and short stories) that I want to start penning as soon as I have a website to write them on! Some of my other modes of relaxation include playing video games. I can probably count the games that I played with friends on one hand. This has to change.
- Drink more beer and open source more software.
For some reason last year I drank less beer (alcohol in general) and wrote less software, especially open source. These two things I want to change, and I feel that they’ll both contribute to an overall, better, me. All of you should hold me to it.
- I will find someone who will stay here, and not move away.
I don’t need to explain this. Anyone special in my life needs to be here, in my life.
I think that’s the list. Right now I am going to head to bed and hope that there isn’t too much snow here in the morning so I can get to work and end the week on a high note. Peace and happy New Year everyone.
I hear that it helps to sometimes write down your New Year’s resolutions. Because I usually fail to complete most of my resolutions I figure that I should receive all and any the help that I can get.
- Exercise at least three times per week.
- Lose 30 pounds.
- Take more pictures.
- Eat healthier.
- Get organized.
- Take a vacation.
- Start writing a book.
- Get involved in volunteer work.
- Launch a website.
- Enjoy life.