Last year around this time, I did a blog post talking about all the good and bad things that happened in 2009, and how I was going to make 2010 an even better year. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been thinking a lot about that post, and how much things have changed in a year, for better and for worse, and how I can do better in 2011.
First off, let's talk a little bit about things that have gotten better since last year. Some of you map remember that my parents got back together in April after a six-month separation. Obviously, that's the best news I've gotten all year. Also, I kinda got a job. Something that slightly ruined the way I spend my time, but allowed me to buy gifts for my parents.
I had another fabulous vacation, with much thanks to the new Wii. And there's a chance I may be going to either California or Florida sometime in the next two years. I've made progress in researching my family tree. Oh! And I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1, and it's definitely the best movie yet.
My goal to write more than ever before certainly paid off. While I'm not sure if I reached 300,000 words like I wanted, I did do pretty awesome. More than six fanfics complete, another successful NaNoWriMo year, a failed but still lengthy movie script for Screnzy, and lots more started projects. My hope at reading more, however, didn't pay off.
Back in September, I was given seventeen books for my twentieth birthday (titles below). So far I've read nine of them, and am about half way through of the the six books I got for Christmas (titles below). Even if I miraculously finish that one by midnight, I'll have only read 14 new books this year. My goal was 50, so it's a bit of a let down, but I'm pleased with how much I did read.
Of course, with the good comes the bad. I had to give up a cat at the beginning of the year. Some people who I called my friends showed their true colors. And I did some things I'm not proud of, too. But, like last year, the good outweighs the bad.
So, here's what I'm planning for next year:
-I will read 50 books that I have never read before, write book reviews for each of them, and participate in at least five book challenges.
-I will write at least 300,000 words, keep a track of all words written, and continue to update my WriYe account with this number.
-I will participate and win both Screnzy in April and NaNoWriMo in November.
-Using a combination of my new Wii Fit and John Green's Fitness for Nerds routine (http://dft.ba/-johnfit) I will lose enough weight that I'll feel comfortable in a one-piece swimsuit by vacation time.
-I will keep a detailed schedule and check it every day so that I don't forget to do my household work, or neglect my friends.
-Using the webcam that I'll (hopefully) be getting around Valentine's day, I'll make a video for the Project for Awesome in December to raise awareness about Lupus.
-I will finish writing and editing Ghosts of Autumn.
-I will not be as angry this year. I will forgive myself more. I will let go of the little things. I will build my self-esteem up to where it needs to be.
-Lastly, I will update my blog at least once a week, so I'm not rushed to write an end-of-year post seven hours to midnight on New Year's Eve. ;)
It's a rather long list of promises, I know, but I really want to do this. Each thing is something I need to do to better myself, and better my life. I thought by 2010 I'd be somewhere completely different that where I am in my life. I have only myself to blame for that.
To make it easier to follow along with my progress through the year, without having to read through all my posts, I'll be changing the blog's layout a little bit. It's hard to explain right now, but you'll see soon.
If you're still reading this, then I have to ask you a favor. Post your New Year's resolutions below. You can do it anonymously or sign it. If you don't do the whole resolution thing, just tell me something you wish would happen to change in 2011. If you'll be keeping a blog next year with updates on your resolution list, link me to it. I don't want to do this alone.
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Before I go, I just wanted to do a little bragging about how awesome my parents are, and how well they know me. Without me putting the majority of these book titles on my birthday/Christmas lists, they got me:
John Green's-
Looking for Alaska
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
Maureen Johnson's-
Suite Scarlett
Scarlett Fever
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
The Key to the Golden Firebird
The Bermudez Triangle
Garth Nix's-
Sabriel
Lirael
Abhorsen
Rick Riordan's-
PJO: The Lightning Thief
PJO: Sea of Monsters
PJO: Titan's Curse
PJO: Battle of the Labyrinth
PJO: The Last Olympian
HoO: The Lost Hero
James Patterson's-
Witch & Wizard
Margaret Peterson Haddix's-
SC: Among the Hidden
SC: Among the Impostors
SC: Among the Betrayed
SC: Among the Barons
Amazing, aren't they? =D
I'll stop rambling and go work on that schedule now. I hope everyone has a great night. Be safe, and have a Happy New Year!!!
Love, Lizzy<3
