Goal 1: Learn about poetry and sample the works of 11 great poets.
I think I have a pretty good background in literature. I've read many, many classics and great books. But one place where I feel that I'm a little lacking is poetry. My English teachers really didn't spend much time teaching us about the elements of good poetry and how to appreciate it. (The one exception was my ninth grade English teacher, who got a bit of flack for spending three weeks talking about the Beatles, but in her defense she did have us analyze the lyrics for literary and poetic devices, and she also assigned quite a bit of classic poetry.) So one of my goals this year is to spend some time learning about poetry. Here's my plan:
- January: Read The Ode Less Travelled and A Poetry Handbook
- For the rest of the year, I will choose one poet per month and read at least ten of their poems during that month.
Goal 2: Set up a command central.
I want to set up our computer area so that it's an organized central location for office-y things like papers, files, and supplies like a stapler and tape. I want to have a good filing system in place so that when papers come in the mail we know where to put them and have routines in place for dealing with them, because putting things on the bar/fridge/side table so we'll "remember to take care of that" is a great way for things to get buried and lost or forgotten. I've written down some concrete steps that I can take to get us to that point and given myself deadlines for getting them done. Step one is finishing a couple of sewing projects that are taking up half the desk, and after that there will be things like labeling the paper organizer, dealing with the paper piles, and putting the supplies we need on the desk so they're easily accessible.
Goal 3: Go on DC Adventures
My goal is to visit at least one place each month. I really want to take advantage of the opportunity to see all the cool things that are in this area while we live here. I actually made a list of the places I want to see and when I'm going to try to go see them.
Goal 4: Establish a Moderate Fitness Routine
I want to start fitting in more exercise because it hasn't been happening as much since we moved. I'm starting small so I don't feel overwhelmed, even though it makes me sad because a few years ago I did so much more. For now my goal is to do strength training twice a week and walk a mile most weekdays after dropping the kids off at school. I'm going to reevaluate in May and make new goals. It will be different in the summer with the kids out of school, so I'll have to factor that in. And hopefully my back will be in better shape and I'll be stronger from the strength training, so I'll be in better physical condition at that point to add some more. Or not--that would be okay too.
Books
I have no problem fitting in light reading, but every year I try to make a goal to fit in some books that require a bit more brain power and concentration because I want to become a better reader and learn new things. This year I'm planning to read:
- White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
- Oxygen: The Molecule That Made the World
- Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction
- 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
- 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
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