In a stunning last minute burst of reading, I have managed to accomplish my goal of reading 26 books in 2012. W00t!
Sometimes you just have to relieve yourself of the pressure of meeting the goal. Finding you've actually read one more book than you thought, finishing a half-read book, and locating a copy of a very short book you don't remember buying also help.1
This means I actually finished one of my goals for 2012! I'm feeling positive! I'm thinking I should formalise my 2013 goals so that I can try to capture this feeling again next year!
1) Write more, and more frequently. I'm considering passing on NaNoWriMo this year, and trying to spread out my writing more throughout the year. I'd like to write more blog posts, and some short stories as well. I'm not sure of the frequency yet. I don't think I could do daily. Weekly seems do-able. A weekly story or blog post, to be added here.
2) I need to learn how to program automated tests in Selenium. For me this requires learning (a) how to program, and (b) how to program in Selenium. The last programming I did involved things like BASIC, qBASIC, and machine language. It's been... a while. It can't be that hard though. Right?
3) Finishing my American Sign Language studies this year. The language classes are done. There's just the class in Deaf culture to complete. Hopefully this will occur in the spring session.
4) Buying and riding a bicycle. This is actually a huge and scary goal. I had constant vertigo for six years which was only resolved this past summer. Right now I'm working on balance, and general stamina using a stationary bike. Next spring I hope to buy a real bike with two wheels, and by the end of the summer be able to ride to our local grocery store2 and back.
5) Knit a pair of socks. Which comes with the subgoal of learning how to knit on either four needles, or circular needles. Or possibly both. The socks will be for my husband. If I can complete that pair, I'd also like to knit a pair for me, but this won't be strictly necessary to consider this goal completed.
6) Read another 26 books. That was fun, and I'd love to do it again. Given the amount of learning I want to do this year, I'm not going to increase the number to read.
7) Find an intriguing baking project for Christmas 2013. I made traditional (and highly alcoholic) fruitcake this year. I'll need a new project for 2013. Preferably with about a bottle and half less rum.
I'm sure there will be other accomplishments and goals next year. A little room for spontaneity and ideas I haven't thought of yet is needed. Life is all about surprises, as I learned this year. Here's hoping they're all great ones in 2013.
Happy New Year!
1The point was to finish 26 books in 2012. There were no other conditions. I cannot be judged.
2The local grocery store is 3.5 km away. And my town is one giant series of hills. Combined with the fact I haven't been on a bike in almost ten years, this goal may be on the ambitious side. I'm going to try it anyway.
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