New Year's Resolutions

OK so the first 2 weeks of the year have already gone - so you might think I am a bit late. On the other hand I like to test the water a little before jumping in, dangle a toe or a foot into the pool you might say before making a commitment.

There's not much to these resolutions. The simpler the more likely achieved I should think. So here they are:

Keep practicing photography. It's good to have a hobby - especially one that has nothing to do with either work or doing something Korea-centric. Keeps the mind fresh is at least a little artistic (not just simply a visual record of what I have done) and I have lots of resources on hand living with a professional photographer. Also more nude model shoots. Chance of success: 99%

Start my Ed.D, second semester, at University of Southern Queensland. If there was one thing I learnt during 2011, its that MAs in my field are a dime a dozen and now everyone is doing them. Plus I really think I have something to contribute to the field. Plus education is awesome. Plus I want people to have to call me "doctor". One day anyway. Chance of success: 65-75%

In something of  sub-resolution I want to be a better teacher. This year (the first semester anyway) is going to see a lot of work and moving between two campuses. Not studying and since my very public resignation from KOTESOL late last year I feel I have been ignoring important readings and keeping up on developments. I missed Oxford and Cambridge days thanks to my general laziness, compared to colleagues who found some really interesting stuff to incorporate into our programs. Need to pull up my intellectual socks. Chance of success: 80% looking good

Give up smoking. Chance of success: <20%

Exercise more. Already on top of this one, but if it holds any success I refuse to be one of those reformed fat people encouraging people to exercise and eat healthy. I hate reformed fat people. They are worse than reformed smokers, because despite their new found energy, good looks and change in lifestyle, they insist on telling you all about their journey from muffin munching monster to celibate celery consumer and spout all sorts of positive crap about "you being able to do it too" all over Facebook. At least ex-smokers just look at you with disgust and then dismiss you. Chance of success: 70% and rising

Celebrate being in Korea for a Ninth year (or at least make a firm decision on whether there is going to be a 10th?!) I am one of very few people I know who have been here this long without getting hitched and having babies. Nothing wrong with getting hitched and having babies - maybe this will be the year for it, but if Korea keeps playing the same games with how it treats Native English Speaker Teachers with their visas and lack of pay etc. it may well be prudent to move on. It may well be adventurous as well. I need a bit of adventure. Chance of success: pending

And there you have it - just five, and hopefully achievable. By all accounts it will be the year of the BLACK Dragon come the Chinese New Year late January. This is apparently a very good portent for action across the board - so I'm looking forward to an action 2012!

Comments

[The deskbuddy]

Maybe you need to add...'Emailing important and good friends'!

[Health and wellbeing]

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year's Resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year's resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.