New Year's Resolutions

Disclaimer: I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions. Mostly because I'm a flake and don't ever make good on them, so it's rarely worth the trouble. But considering the fact that I'm getting married this year, I'd like to take some steps to become a better man. Some big, some small. Hence the reason I'm doing them this year. And so, without further ado...

- Write in my blog every day.
Wouldn't it be something to look back on this blog next year and see 365 more entries? Just for the challenge if nothing else.

- Run in a 5K.
To do this, I've got to get back in shape. Running shape, that is. My fiancee will say I'm already skinny as a weed and I don't need to lose any weight (in fact, me gaining it is likely on her list of resolutions). But I'm not talking weight loss. I'm talking conditioning my legs.

- Go a whole week without getting gas.
Seriously, this can be done. If I plan my outings carefully and only go places that I absolutely need to, I can get a full tank on Sunday night and not need to fill up again until the following Monday afternoon at the earliest.

- Socialize with family and friends more.
I only have a little over five months left to live under my parents' roof. I'd like to be remembered as more of a socialite than a bachelor who may as well stay there just to eat, sleep, and pay rent. And I'd like to stay in contact with friends more than just the occasional Facebook Wall message now and then.

- Pass ADEPT and become a full-fledged teacher.
So far, so good.

- Quit losing my cool at Clemson sporting events.
Anna Kate doesn't believe I can do this. More motivation, I guess :)

- Go to bed earlier.
I used to be pretty good waking up at the crack of dawn. Not so much anymore. I want to get back in my traditional early-bird routine.

- Re-join a Sunday School class.
Anna and I are still looking for the right class that blends a good dose of teaching and fellowship. Here's hoping that this year, we find it.

- Tell my fiancee/wife I love her every day. Multiple times.
I love you, sweetie. :)

- Learn to like rice.
I get this side item so often now, I may as well stop being a big stick in the mud, swallow my taste buds, and learn to enjoy it.

- Learn to play the guitar.
Anna got me my acoustic last year for Christmas. It deserves more than to just sit in the corner gathering dust all the time. Or even to occasionally take it out and fiddle with the strings or something like that.

- Put "Words Fade" to music.
This depends largely on the above resolution panning out.

- Get a cavalier king charles puppy for my beautiful soon-to-be-wife.
Yeah, right. Me and what gold mine?

- Drink less Mountain Dew.
Psh.

- Drink more lemon-lime flavored Gatorade Tiger.
Now we're talking.

- Start a successful writing club with my students.
I'm working on it. Check back at the end of January. We'll see how things are going.

- Go to at least one "chick flick."
Somehow, I'm thinking Bride Wars will be it. Hoping, too. Based on the previews, it actually looks halfway decent.

- Make a habit of leaving work by at least 4:30.
I'm terrible at getting out of school at any remotely decent time. Often, I have to pry myself away from revising lesson plans and cleaning up the Reading Center to get my butt out of there in time for the janitors to start making their rounds. Hope I can do a better job at leaving work for the next day.

- Make a difference in the lives of my students.
Wishful thinking? Maybe. But it's why I teach.

- Be a son, friend, husband, teacher, and man that pleases and honors God.

That's my New Year's list. Where's yours? :)