I don't usually give too much thought to new years resolutions. The few times I've resolved to do something my procrastinating personality gets in the way and I end up achieving nothing and feeling guilty about it. Not this year. I am unusually excited about the coming new year. 2011 has been a bit of a rollercoaster year. All relative of course, but there are parts of this year that I'd rather not relive. But it has closed a few chapters - I've paid off my student debts, I've passed my specialist exams and I've reached peace with the ending of a relationship.
This blog started off a new beginning, and this coming year - 2012 - is the start of a new beginning as well. It is time for a new chapter in life. It's a time to say yes, to embrace all the good things that come my way, and to not dwell on the things I cannot change. It is a time to meet new people and make new friendships, to find new challenges and to do some things that I've been putting off. It is a time to enjoy, to grow and to really start afresh.
I've got a list a mile long of things I want to achieve this year. I know I will not be able to achieve them all, but I dare to dream. And as a favourite childhood quote says:
"Reach for the moon, for even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars"
Anon
1. Take figure skating lessons - one of my top bucket list items is go ice skating in Central Park, and I've always wanted to actually be able to skate when I do it...I've got 11 months....
2. Learn a language. I was linguistically challenged at high school, but would love to be able to order my beautiful french pastry on the Champs Elysees in French...I've got 11 months....
3. Do a photography course - I'm loving my new camera but feel a little limited with my abilities...would be good to have more formal training
4. Take up Ceroc classes again - French Swing. Dancing. Fun exercise. What could be bad about this??? I've done this once before but not for years, and I was only ever average at best. Would really like to learn it again
5. Put God centre in my life - I find that this can easily get lost in the general hubbub of life but it really is the most important thing in life. And read my bible more...
6. Buy a mountain bike and get fit again. With all the study and work and life I haven't gotten back into mountain biking. I haven't been riding in Brisbane...so now is the time to change it.
7.
Conquer Cancer charity bike ride and the
ADRA 25000 spins Great Ocean Road Challenge - these both may be pipe dreams as I am super unfit at the moment, but I'd love to do them in the next few years.
8. Travel. Bucklet list item...I've not had the opportunity to do the travel thing since I've been studying for my entire life but that is all finished, so now, Europe and New York (at Christmas), here we come!!!
9. Buy a house. I want to have my own little spot...a garden to have a vegie patch and room enough for a golden...ideally with wooden floors and a bright breezy living area and north facing windows perfect for food photography!
10. Use my cookbooks!!! I've got some gorgeous cookbooks and I really must start using them more...I'd love to do a Julie/Julia cooking experience but there are so many recipies in books that I can't eat (dairy, pig, seafood etc) so I might just have to settle for finding the recipes I love and blogging about them...
So they are written here, for accountability, to get my dreams organised in my own mind.
Here's to 2012, and here's to achieving your dreams, and making your dreams a reality.
Happy New Year!
xxx
