Tag Archives: travel

Resolutions for 2013

I like New Years’ resolutions. They are hopeful and happy. They are reflective and cathartic. Every year, I write down ten resolutions on a slip of paper, seal it in a little envelope, and keep it in my desk. It’s a bit like a time capsule by the end; although I like to keep my resolutions vague enough to be achievable, they have somehow still become a crystalline look back at my expectations and ambitions for a fresh, unsullied year of life.

The events of this past week are not something I’m ready to comment on publicly, but they have taught me that we must live in order to honor those that don’t get the chance. And ultimately, that is my whole plan for 2013.

Broken down, it looks like this:

1. Be happy.
2. Read everything.
3. Listen to people and to music.
4. Travel to new places and old places too.
5. Write fiction.
6. Write nonfiction.
7. Save money.
8. Do new things.
9. Eat well and healthy.
10. Learn.

23 Things

I stumbled upon a blog with which I have no connection (which is rare for me, I really prefer reading my long lost friends’ posts as a way of somehow keeping them in my life, if only peripherally (I’m looking at you, Molly, Shayne, Kerry, and Brian)), but I’ve added this one to my blogroll because it’s just so lovely.  One of the more recent posts is a to-do list: 26 things the writer wants to do before she turns 26.  I have roughly 7 months until my next birthday, so I’ll do 23 things before 23.  For the record:

1. Graduate
2. Get a real job
3. Write more letters and emails
4. Visit Baltimore
5. Build up my savings
6. Keep up with my journal
7. Go on a real road trip
8. Read 25 books
9. Write as many reviews/articles, etc. as possible
10. Become a better cook
11. Eat healthier
12. Run consistently
13. Start my book
14. Expand my vinyl collection
15. Live with my sister
16. Travel to Ireland
17. Get a new laptop
18. Successfully grow (and not kill) a small herb garden
19. See as many shows as financially and humanly possible
20. Learn a new song on the piano
21. Be brave enough to chop my hair off
22. Visit good ol’ NYC again (the friends and stomping grounds I still have there)
23. Be happy

the last time I was in the city, it was quite cold