Ah, January. The time when I blog faithfully all of two times in a week and then peter out again as life takes over.
I’m hoping this year will be different, since I really need to blog. I mean, I lay awake at night composing blog posts in my mind, unable to sleep. So, either blogging more will allow me to sleep better at night, or I’ll just have more things to think about instead of sleeping. I guess we’ll see. And yes, I did actually think about typing that last paragraph as I laid awake last night. And I realized I’d type that last sentence too. I could go on, but you know how it ends I’m sure.
So I thought I’d start the year out by sharing some of my resolutions. I LOVE New Year’s Resolutions, and this year I have things figured out a bit better. I’m making them goals I can actually measure. Yep, the good old S.M.A.R.T. goals. Meaning, they will be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. However, I’m gonna make the “M” stand for meaningful, and the “T” stand for trackable, since “timely” isn’t all that important, they’re all just things I want to accomplish this year, any time this year.
1. Learn to cook Chinese food (by cooking my way through Bee Yin Low’s “Easy Chinese Recipes”). OK, so I’m choosing an “easy” book. I’m not trying to master Chinese cuisine, just cook it myself. And PS I made the Yangzhou Fried Rice and Chicken and Mushroom Dumplings for New Year’s Eve dinner and they were great! The dumplings in particular were amazing. I am the new queen of dim sum. Best of all, my kids went crazy for them!
2. Start working out with weights 2-3 times per week (by following the workout program in Lou Schuler’s “The New Rules of Lifting for Women“). Did my first workout today and my legs are jelly. Perfect.
3. Actually do 5 of the things I’ve pinned on Pinterest. Damn you Pinterest. I no longer craft, I just collect ideas of crafts I want to do.
4. Learn to draw, or rather improve my drawing skills by practicing 20 minutes a day for 30 days. (And yes, I’m following a program in a book – Mark Kistler’s “You Can Draw in 30 Days”)
I know, I like books that lay out plans for me. I’ve learned that if I try to figure out my own plan, it’s way to easy to get lost. Or just distracted.
5. Read at least one book to each child every day. Just my way of carving out some individual time with the kids. They need it and so do I.
6. Make 3 articles of clothing for myself. Knit, crochet, sew, whatever. Just that they’re handmade by me. Accessories can count I suppose, in the spirit of being realistic, but at least 1 must be actual clothing.
(Had to have a fibery one!)
Here’s to a fantastic and fruitful 2012 – a year to grow! What are you all planning?
