EMDAT

I graduated from college and finally got a new car, received a fellowship to get my Master’s degree at someone else’s expense, moved to Alabama, and pretty much sat around by myself for four months, reading and writing every day. And of course, I got engaged. So, it’s been a year of big events: some joyous, some less so, but overall, I have little to complain about. I look forward to 2007, especially as Emily is moving to Alabama with me.

Who knows where I’ll/we’ll be a year from now? Perhaps still in Alabama, as I finish up my degree. Perhaps in Alabama, as I finish up my degree and teach at the same time. Perhaps somewhere completely different (probably Virginia or North Carolina), as I teach and plan to finish up my degree in the summer. We shall see–check back in 365.

Whatever the coming year holds, I’ve made quite a few resolutions. Eleven, in fact–and let me tell you why. I’m usually pretty good at keeping them for a month or two, but then things get busy and I start slipping. I hold no illusions–I will probably not follow through on most of these, but I think if I keep up with two or three of them, that will be pretty successful. So here they are, separated into two categories but otherwise in no particular order.

Health/Fitness
1. Play basketball twice a week
2. Bike/row/run twice a week (in addition to the basketball)
3. Maintain my weight (after losing a bit of holiday weight first)
4. Eat at least three salads a week
5. Floss daily

Personal
1. Read for pleasure at least 30 mins./day
2. Take time to call an old friend every week or two
3. Write a letter (old-fashioned handwriting style) once a month
4. Spend 3-4 hours/month volunteering
5. Explore my surroundings in Alabama–rediscover my native state
6. Wear my class ring every day

Some of these seem of little importance, and I’m sure but I think they reflect what I want to be in the next year: a healthier, saner, less isolated person, and a better friend. And with better oral hygiene and pride in my alma mater.

I’m going to try to revisit this post at the end of every month–take inventory of how I’m doing, so to speak. But I’m not actually making that a resolution, so I probably won’t even attempt it once.