"A New Year, A New Decade, A New Me"

I do not like to make resolutions at the beginning of each year, rather I make goals. Many times I accomplish my yearly goals, other times I fall short. Some goals are very short term and others are more long term and carry over from year to year.

I think it is important to have some way to keep yourself accountable for your goals. Revisit them periodically to see where you stand. Which goals are you doing well with and which ones do you need to spend a little more time working on. Share your goals with others. Sometimes a little cheering section goes a long way.

Here are my 2010 goals. These are in no particular order.

Skills/Hobby

1. Photography - Learn how to use my digital SLR camera better. Become more proficient at the different functions the camera offers. Also, become a better photographer in general. Study and learn more of the "tricks of the trade".
   
2. Photoshop - Learn how to be able to do at least the basics. I have become so frustrated with it in the past that I keep giving up.
   
3. Reading - Read a minimum of 50 books. This past year my reading really took a hit and I would like to find more time to sit down with a good book. Of those 50 books, at least 5 need to be non-fiction.

Household

1. Laundry - Put away laundry as it is finished, rather than letting it gather in baskets until they are full.
   
2. Menu planning - Preplan my menu for the week. I used to do this in the past, but this past year I have not. I find it less stressful and I buy less if I know ahead of time what I am making.
   
3. Meals - Try 1 new recipe per month.

Personal

1. Climb Mt. Fuji.
2. Travel more within Japan and Asia.
   
3. Continue to save money and stay within our budget.
4. Continue to stay in contact with family and friends in the states via Skype, net and phone calls.
   
5. Expand my understanding of other cultures and religions.
6. Make an effort to becoming more proficient in my Japanese studies. This includes making a point to study at least 30 minutes 4 days a week. Use Japanese at home when possible.
   
7. Continue my commitment to staying in shape and make healthy food choices.
   
8. Start my book.
   

So What Did I Accomplish... Past Two Weeks In Review

Last week I posted a list of everything I wanted to get done while Matt was gone. So how did I do?

1. Organize all my pictures. I have pictures from college and before we went digital that are in no order and just thrown in boxes. I bought some photo boxes and I want to organize them by subject and year if possible. Problem is that I didn't write dates on the back so some will be a guessing game. I actually did this. I now have labeled photo boxes sitting on my shelf.
   
2. Organize all my tax receipts and papers and get what I can plugged into my software so as soon as we get all the final items we need in the mail I can file. I always get really anxious about taxes so the sooner I get them done the better. Didn't even come close to starting.
   
3. Choose and print out pictures for the frames that I have for different rooms. If feeling daring, maybe even hang them. Yeah right.
4. Go through the kids drawers and pull out clothes that are too small. Surprisingly I got this done.
   
5. Reorganize all my books. I have acquired quite a few since moving here and first unpacking my books. They need to realphabetized and reshelved. No, but I did manage to buy two more.
   
6. Don't goto the grocery store. Eat from what I have here. I opened my pantry today and got hit with a falling can. I did goto the grocery store, but it was for milk. So does that count?
   
7. Watch the Love Comes Softly series on DVD. Gotta love netflix Not only did I watch all 4 discs, but I think I watched about 10 other DVDs too.
   
8. Get three books read. I got two read, and seeing how Matt comes home today and I need to clean, this book next to my bed will remain unread.
   
9. Figure out the plants that I want to get for the backyard landscaping and map out the layout for us to start in Feb/March. We are putting in a stone patio, some more trees and lots of perennial flowers. Just need to figure out what will grown here and start planning it out. Nope, but it's okay. After all it is only January. I still have another month before I can plant.
   
10. Email all the sources I need for a project I am working on for Caterpillar and try to make arrangements for meetings when I go next month. Edit and rewrite some copy and send off to Tako. (my boss) Didn't get this done, but that was because I had that huge surprise project. And after a few edits it was sent to the graphic designer on Wednesday afternoon. I am curious to see how it turns out in the end.
    

4 out of 10 isn't bad, is it? Oh well, there is always the next trip.

New Year's Resolutions

I have never been one to make a bunch of New Year's resolutions. They tend to stress me out. Like some black cloud hanging over my head. But this year I have decided why not.

So here are my 2007 New Year's Resolutions

1. Get ready to run a 5k on April 29. I may come in last place, but I WILL run.

2. Keep my van clean and organized. I am horrible at this.

3. Send my grandma in Texas updated pictures of the kids. I have been horrible about correspondence with her.

4. Keep my receipts organized from Day 1. I have done better from last year, but they still are just thrown in a file folder and need to be sorted out. If I sort them from the beginning it will help tremendously when doing my taxes.

5. Get my scrapbooking stuff out and use it! I am going to set a goal of 5 pages a month. (okay so that is very little, but that is 5 more a month than I did last year)

6. Work on expanding my freelance business. Really start on my book besides for brainstorming. Start putting those ideas down on paper.

7. Get my bible out and actually read it. Make it a priority instead of a side thought. (I wonder how many books the bible would count as on my reading log? ha ha)

8. Actually get the pictures that I have frames for printed and hung.

9. Do not go to the grocery store just because I am bored.

10. Realize that there are some things that won't ever change, no matter how much you try.

So now I am challenging you. What are your resolutions?

Reading Goals

The beginning of every year I make a list of reading goals.

My 2006 Goals:
1. Read 65 books - As of 12/20 I have read 76 books. I anticipate several more with our impending drive to Ohio.
2. Read a min. of 10 "classics" - Ummm yeah. Not a single classic made my reading list.
3. Balance out my reading selections more- I actually think I did a good job at this. I have a good mix of suspense, Chick Lit, "drama", biography and Christian Fiction.

So what are my goals for 2007?
1. Read 75 books - I have been adding 10 books to my goal list each year.
2. Read 5 "classics" - Maybe if I start conservative I will actually accomplish it this year.
3. Read at least 25 books already on my shelf - Sounds like a silly goal, but with over 500 books on my shelf I really need to start reading some of the items on it instead of continuing to add to it.
4. Re-read certain childhood books, such as Jacob Have I Loved, Bridge to Terabithia and others - I want to be able to remember these books so I can discuss and share them with EMily and Chris, since they are older now and starting to be able to read such childhood "must-reads"

So for you other avid readers, do you make goals? If so, share them!! Here is to happy reading in 2007!!