2013: The Resolutions.

A few of my friends have started to blog their resolutions for the next year so I figured I'd join in...but mainly since I started this blog this or maybe last year and am yet to do anything with it.

1) Do that work, like a boss. With only three months left of university I want to do as best I can on any assignments that still lie ahead including that mammoth dissertation of mine. At the moment whenever I close my eyes to sleep my dissertation is what I think of, usually having sudden surges of inspiration when what I desperately need is sleep. Thanks for that one, Brain.

2) Thank you, Kimberly Snyder. I spent a lot of my life hating my appearance, focusing hatred on little bits of it: my weight, the shape of my nose, my legs. The past year or so I've really tried to focus on my health: I've been swimming more, gone on more walks, even made radical changes to my diet. I hope that in 2013 I can continue my new pescetarian diet and continue to swim and, as soon as my leg has fully healed, go on more walks/hikes.

3) She works hard for the money. Once I graduate from The University of Huddersfield with my degree I want to move back down south and find a job - any job at first. I want to throw myself back into work so I can start earning money (which will be continued in the next resolution) and it'll give me something to do post-grad. The last thing I want to do is fall back into the habit of doing nothing. The job doesn't even have to be relative to what I want to pursue in my future career path.

4) Go to New Zealand. Last year I went through a really sad few weeks which ended with the death of a relative. I was filled with guilt because I had so often thought to myself 'Why not take the money I have saved away to visit my family in New Zealand?' I'd keep telling myself 'you have time, you'll make it there eventually' and now I'll never see her again. I figure now is as good a time as any to start planning the trip. I'll put the money from the last part of my student loan towards the flights and I'll be able to stay in central Wellington since that's where the family live. Now, with the recent release of The Hobbit, there are sure to be plenty of deals in the new year on trips/flights to New Zealand. I want to be nerdy - my relatives live a stones throw away from Peter Jackson's studio base so I plan to do any/all LOTR related tours on offer whilst also appreciating the indigenous and post-colonial aspects of the country and its culture. I've wanted to visit for so long now I'm even getting excited at the potential flight routes. Casual stop in San Francisco or Shanghai? Sounds good to me.

5) The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. By the end of 2013 I want to have a book, a script, a screenplay or whatever written, completed, ready for the next stage. This, to me, is just as big and as daunting as the dissertation. If I have a book published I can then look into getting it published. If I have a script I can start to consider the next stages in the production process.

6) Do more interesting things. I should take inspiration from the film 'Yes Man' and start throwing myself head first into new experiences and situations. Variety is the fruit of life and whatnot. I could go paintballing or take up painting or learn to dance ballet again. Who knows?

It's that sort of optimism, creativity and experimentation that I look forward to exploring in the New Year. Roll on 2013.