Resolved: 2012
02/01/2012 § 10 Comments
Photo via George Eastman House
“Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account”
Oscar Wilde
In referring to my often-neglected journal to find my resolutions for 2011 and 2010, I saw a few repeats, a few things I achieved, a few things I failed miserably at, and a few things I completely forgot that I had resolved to do. With this in mind — along with Oscar’s words above — I’ve decided to pare down my list for this year, from its usual ten or eleven item list to six. Thus, here are the six things I can achieve, and will achieve, this year:
- Travel to at least one new country. I’ve managed to keep my streak alive for the last three years, and I’m definitely committed to continuing this year. Currently thinking my new country for 2012 will be somewhere in North Africa, Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe, but this is definitely not nailed down yet. Have any suggestions for me?
- Run two half marathons. I ran the New York Marathon in 2010, and have run plenty of road races of shorter lengths over the past 4 years (view my running posts here). Admittedly, after the marathon, I suffered from a bit of burnout and my training has been uneven ever since. This year I resolve to run two half marathons. I will give myself extra points for sub-2 hour finishes, but I will be more than happy with two uninjured, smiling finishes. I’ve got a former international competitor as a training partner (eesh!), but she assures me she needs just as much training as I do. We’ll see about that. Have any races you’d suggest I look into? Even better, would you like to run with me?
- Cook some things. My friends frequently point out that I blog about plenty of interesting things, cocktails and whatnot, but I almost never mention food. Were you to look into my refrigerator, you might understand why. It currently holds water, condiments, booze and two oranges. And the oranges are for making Old Fashioneds. I also cannot honestly remember the last time I used my oven or stove. So in 2012, I’m resolving to actually buy myself groceries and cook at least once a week. (Sidenote: Please do understand that “cooking” shall be construed quite liberally.) Have any ridiculously easy, yet nutritious and delicious recipes for me?
- I’m on a horse. This was actually a 2011 resolution that I did not achieve, and so it’s getting carried over. For as horse crazy as I am, I really have no excuse for not riding anymore. I grew up taking all different kinds of lessons — even mounted drill team…yes, I am that awesome — and I still feel the need to get on a horse almost daily. Admittedly, it can be a bit difficult doing so, living in New York City, but this just can’t keep being the reason I don’t ride. This year, be it lessons, a trail ride, or perhaps even a dude ranch, I will get myself on a horse. How do you make time for your interests? Do you ride?
- To read twelve books. I’ve always been a rather voracious consumer of all sorts of information, but I have found that in the last year my reading of books has been a record low. Not acceptable. To that end, I resolve to read twelve books — hopefully, one a month — in 2012. Read any great books lately? How is this best accomplished? Do you think I need an e-reader?
- To live with purpose. Rather abstract, I admit, but 2012 will definitely be my year of living with purpose. Making decisions, choosing actions to make sure I achieve my goals, focusing on the immediate as a way to get to the eventual. My life is best lived when I grab it by the horns, summon up the courage and blaze my own trail. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have ever lived in Italy by myself, travelled alone in Europe, moved to New York, or gone to law school — and who knows what else. No sitting on the sidelines this year. No letting life meander on without making affirmative decisions of my own. Live like that, and life will pass you by. How do you put your words into action? How do you live with purpose?
Lastly, I’m excited to see what 2012 will bring for ye olde blog. A big thank you to everyone who takes the time to read, email me, comment, Tumbl, Tweet, Pin and otherwise share the rather random stuff I post about. I’m deeply grateful for your indulgence and I look forward to learning more from you in 2012.
Here’s to having our best year ever. Cheers!
Quite Continental 
A very happy 2012 to you my dear!
Regarding travels to Eastern Europe, Prague is said to be one of the most beautiful cities of the Old World (and has cheap restaurants with that). As for North Africa, I’ve heard only great things about Morocco. And if Yves Saint Laurent loved this country, it’s a good sign, right?
Both destinations are on my shortlist, in fact! However, after hearing the bit about YSL, it is definitely pulling me in that direction…
Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing your resolutions with us! One of my favorite things about the New Year is coming up with goals and also seeing what other people are hoping to accomplish in the coming year. Living with purpose is also something I want to do, and I totally agree with what you wrote on that: “No sitting on the sidelines this year. No letting life meander on without making affirmative decisions of my own. Live like that, and life will pass you by.”
Best of luck to you this year! And I look forward to your future entries. Your blog is one of my favorites. 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks very much, I’m very flattered!
I really do think that the best kind of resolutions are the ones that shape our way of thinking. New year, new perspective, right?
Thanks again for stopping by,
M.
I recently discovered your blog and I love it! keep up the good work and good luck to you with your 2012 resolutions. Funny enough, I have almost the same resolutions as you, i’m training for my first half marathon, and i’ve resolved to read 24 books this year, or even more. I recommend the book Siddharta by Herman Hesse, it’s one of my favorites
Hi Anne,
Obviously great minds think alike! Your first “half” will be quite an experience, believe me! It’s an amazing combination of excitement and fear and exhilaration that you just can’t get any other way. What race are you running? How is the training going so far? And Siddhartha is one of my favorite books as well! I’m definitely adding it to the list, as I am overdue for a revisit.
Thanks very much for stopping by and for your kind words!
Bests,
M.
Hi Mariah,
It seems strange for me replying to an old post but I just had to tell you, you were right. I ran my first half marathon yesterday, Go St. Louis, and your words described the experience perfectly. I was not as well prepared as I would have liked, but crossing the finish line was exhilarating. Good luck with your upcoming half marathon, I promise you that you will enjoy it.
I’m so happy for you Anne! I still remember my first half much better than any of the others that followed — congrats!! I think I’ve settled on running the Hamptons Half in September so I will let you know how it goes, definitely!
All best,
M.
Hi Mariah
I’ve just found your blog today but so far I’m loving it. Resolutions are a good thing to have: even though it’s already February I feel I should make some…
On how to achieve it: I don’t know. I read all the time. I make the time. E-readers however are not for me. I like a book in one hand,a cup of coffee in the other. E-reader and coffee seems like an expensive accident about to happen (in my case)
Some (good)books I’ve read lately(I have no idea what you like)
Michael Gross- Unreal estate
Esther Woolfson- Corvus;a life with birds
David Mitchell- The 1000 autumns of Jacob de Zoët
Stefan Zweig- Beware of pity
Edmund de Waal-The hare with amber eyes
Antonia Fraser-Must you go?
Paula Mclain-The Paris wife
Jennifer Homans- Apollos’ angels
Hi Suss,
Thanks very much for this lovely list of books! I will investigate further, but even the titles sound interesting!
And I agree with you. While I can understand the convenience of E-readers, there is nothing like the real thing, in your hand or on your bookshelf.
Good luck with your resolutions! It’s never too late.
All best,
M.