It's that time again...time to make some new resolutions and to see how I did with the ones that I made for 2014.
Let's check out what I attempted to accomplish in 2014.
WRITING - My goal was four writing classes through UCLA Extension, which would keep me on target for finishing my certificate in three years. I ended up taking five classes and the summer off for traveling. I wanted to blog a minimum of five days a week. I managed to only do half of this goal, averaging 2.5 posts a week. I've boosted my blog readership, but I did not spend quite as much time as I would have liked promoting my blog. Thank you readers for sticking around!
READING - I exceeded my fifty book goal by two books, but I did not read any classics. My goal was one classic a month. I've made this goal for many years and it ends here. Who am I kidding, I definitely prefer modern books for pleasure reading!
EXERCISE/HEALTH - This time last year, I was very motivated by an episode of Modern Family, where Phil Dunphy walks the equivalent of CA-Canada on his treadmill. We started off strong, but with all of our travels and dealing with my aunt's estate, that quickly ended. I had also wanted to sign up for Yoga or Pilates, which sort of happened with my doing two months of steady Cardio Barre classes last spring. I wanted to eat a minimum of five fruits/veggies and track my food, also something that didn't happen. My fitness and exercise goals were a mess in 2014 and will be a priority for the new year.
TRAVEL - I didn't make it to a new state, but I did see a new country, Sweden. I also saw Lake Tahoe for the first time. I have a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass valid until the end of 2015, so time/money willing, Dan and I will do some United States traveling in the new year.
ORGANIZATION - I've done well in this area, mainly out of necessity from handling my aunt's estate. I have our file cabinet from last year orderly and I have a system in place. I'm even ready to go when it comes to tax time. I didn't have a chance to scan in the family photographs, but I have organized them all by date and the photo scanner has been bought. Organizing them was a bigger effort than I had initially realized, so I'm pleased with the progress made on this goal.
MISC - I did learn slightly more in Swedish than just saying poop (which is still hilarious to my stepkids). I would like to learn more, but I learned enough via an iPad App, that I was able to pick out words on signs and understand bits and pieces of overheard conversations. I didn't start volunteering, but I did donate a lot more money to several organizations this year. I'm not sure that money is better than time, but it's something. I reconnected with several friends, again though, not as much as I had hoped.
2015 RESOLUTIONS
1. Finish four more writing classes through UCLA Extension.
2. Send out my short stories ( fiction and non-fiction) to a minimum of fifteen publications/contests.
3. Finish the first half of my novel.
4. Blog a minimum of three times a week. Keep consistent with publishing blog content on a regular basis, rather than in large clumps when I'm on class breaks.
5. Start or join a writing group
6. Read a minimum of fifty books
7. Starting Jan 5th until June Cruise - no alcohol/sweets/ fried food ( only exception is Jeep Jamboree or other special occasion)
8. Log food and exercise in daily notebook.
9. Starting Jan 5th, attend regular exercise sessions with trainer. Make working out a priority in 2015.
10. Travel to a new state or country ( hopefully both and several)
11. Scan and organize 1/4 of family photographs. Print and frame family photographs to hang in both homes.
I'm keeping it less broad this year, focusing on my two top goals, writing and health. Here is to a healthy and productive 2015!