Resolutions 2010

Okay, I'm here again with a list. I love lists. So, I make resolutions every year. I don't keep them or follow them. But then, that is another story! However, for once, this time around, I was way too busy during the Holiday season to even think of resolutions. Now that everyone's left home, including my sis (yay and boo hoo!), I found time to sit down and cry and scream and rave and rant about my life all over again. So exciting to get back into the depression groove.

Anyway, not to bore you further, this time around, my resolutions are real. I need to get these done to do anything in life. As usual, I've come to a point where things that werent' 'must do or need to do' have become that way! I 'need' to accomplish these things to live. Okay, that is a bit much, I accept.

Here you go!

1. Eat more consciously.

The idea is to eat locally, promote local farmers, local business. I've been thinking a lot about eating organic v/s locally. While I'm not a huge fan of eating organic for various reasons, I've understood the importance of eating locally for sure. I cannot afford to eat organic food all the time and it doesn't really matter to me. Coming from India, I'm guessing organic food isn't a big deal for me. Yet.

Another point worth noting is that I'm going to try eat consciously for the sake of my health as well. I'm going to eat less carbohydrates and more greens and vegetables. I did contemplate turning vegan, but I realized I can't live without thayirsaadam. So, vegetarian, I shall continue to be!

2. Grow plants

I don't have a green thumb. I've killed a bamboo plant and a cactus plant. So, this resolution is a sincere attempt at doing something with my non existant green thumb. I'm planning to grow some herbs, tomatoes and peppers. Another move to go local, growing my own food kinda idea. Let's see how far it goes.

3. Exercise 5 days a week

I really need to do this. Before the holiday season, I exercised everyday without fail, sometimes pushing myself. And surprisingly, I enjoyed it. So, I want to push myself further and exercise a lot more this year and make it a regular part of my life.

- Other ideas involve treks every weekend in the summer, swimming with AB (should have some fun too, right?) and maybe Yoga even.

The idea is to lose weight (duh!) I want to be 130 lbs by the end of Dec 2010. (which is another resolution, btw)

4. Join the local library and read at least 2 books a month.

I used to read so much that my parents used to stop me from going to the library. I used to read with a torch under the blankets all night. My dad has torn books to teach me a lesson. Now, sadly, I don't read at all. So, I've restarted reading a month or so back. I have a long list to go. And I'm going to join a book club, online or offline, make sure that library membership is well-used.

So, I'd really appreciate book recos!

5. Swimming

Read resolution 3

6. Maintain a diary/journal.

I used to write. And think a lot. I've stopped doing both. I want to start chronicling stuff so that when I see it 5 years down the line, I don't think : Oh I've always had fun, and now I'm not. Or, that I've always been unlucky! The diary should teach me that there are phases.

7. Revamp food blog and be regular on it.

I love our food blog and have to revamp it big time. I need help with coding and stuff that I can't figure out at all. Any help? :) Apart from that, I want to work on the design of the site, the writing and the pictures!

8. Cake decorating classes

Every time I bake a cake for a potluck or a friend's birthday, I find my cake decorating skills lacking. Okay, I have none. I make it look like modern art :D So, I want to start some classes to learn the fine art!

9. Learn HTML

For the sake of the food blog alone.

10. Volunteer

I volunteered every weekend when I didn't have time to breathe back in India. Now, I have all the time in the world and I'm left thinking only about myself. How selfish can I be? So, back to the old me - an attempt.

11. Photography classes

I really think my list making obsession took over when I wrote this down. I'm not sure I can afford this now, but I'm going to see if I can do something online!

12. Get completely healthy by the end of 2010.

This ties up with resolution 3. I can write a book on how to get unhealthy and sick in 2 years flat just because you don't have anything to do.

13. Berkeley's creative writing program

Okay, this is seriously a wishlist. I'm not even sure they offer it, but I'm going to figure this out.

14. Make a conscious effort to watch Sports.

For AB. I told you I wanted to make this list longer!

15. Get my license done!

I know. I know. I did have a license which has expired now, thanks to change in visa status. And I haven't gone back I'm still living, yes.

16. Learn a new language

I'm thinking Spanish or good ol' Japanese?

17. Learn Tamil

A really conscious attempt to get back to my roots. Ha! Okay, I want to learn to read and write Tamil and spend some quality time with AB away from sports :D

18. If no admit, rewrite GRE bravely.

I kept this for last because this seems like a must-do.

Like I said before, if I don't do at least half the things I've spoken of here, I might just go mad. I've lost it several times now and come back saying the same thing - that its only going to get better from down here. Coz I can't go lower than this. And I've been proved wrong consistently. Let's see what this year has in store for me

P.S. - I forgot to tell you that all these resolutions will start being followed only after March 15! Because I'm in India until then and no rules work in India :D