Happy 2008, everybody! 2007 was a pretty good year for me--I traveled overseas for the first time, I kept up my good school record, I got a job, I had a lot of fun times with my friends, and, oh yeah, I got published! Even if it wasn't great for you, well, it's over now, and on to 2008! New year's resolutions or goals of any sort, anyone? I have some, kind of.
In 2008:
I want to read 365 books. This was a goal in 2007, too, but I only got to about 300. So I'm trying it again!
I want to finish a novel. Or at least a 50,000 word manuscript--I've been thinking maybe interconnected short stories? Whatever it turns out to be, I want to finish one. Some people do it in a month (NaNoWriMo), but I'm giving myself a year, so I'd better do this one!
I want to be a better blogger--at least one or two posts a week here (at least one political post a week--political blogging per Amy's request), and better in a lot of ways on my other blog (my book blog--what I want to do there in 2008, well, check it out if you're interested: teenbookreview.wordpress.com).
I want to write in my journal more often. Once or twice a week. And longer entries.
I want to take up roller skating. I ice skate, getting pretty good, actually, and there's little I love more than the feeling of going around the rink, ice under my blades, it's just, wow, amazing. Unfortunately, there's not a permanent rink in my town, so I'm going to try roller skating/blading, something I've never done extensively. I mean, there were a few birthday parties here and there, but that's it.
I want to keep my books more organised and my room cleaner!
I want to go at least once place exciting. I love travel, and in 2007 I did quite a bit--England, Gibraltar, New York City, Spain, and Morocco. Nothing of that scale is planned for '08, but I still want to go at least one place exciting, if only for a few days. I was thinking Chicago or Toronto, maybe over Spring Break. Or maybe California. I've never been to California. That Vanessa Carlton song always makes me want to go to San Francisco. Or maybe back to New York again, as I loved it so much. Hmm. Possibilities!
I want to budget my money better. Saving for a big trip in 2009, and I don't have much in the bank. I'm going to stop going out as much. Or at least convince my friends to do free things with me. Also stop buying so many books.
I want to be a happier person. Happiness is always good. I've found some of it lately, and I want to work on that--work on not worrying about what other people think all the time and being happy with who I am.
I want to work harder in school and keep my straight-A record, as well as a score over 2200 on the SAT.
So, yeah, that's it. New Year's Resolutions, I guess, although I prefer to call them goals, because these are things I'm trying to do, not that I've resolved to do, because I mean, I'm not going to be devastated if I don't complete them all. They're things I'm working for, but that's it. What about you guys? Any goals for 2k8?