I’ve had a lot of down time during my trip to New Mexico (which, was successful, by the way) and I started drawing up my new year’s resolutions. Resolutions are always something I enjoy thinking about, pondering. My love of lists and self-improvement make this time of year a joyous occasion in ShanAmerica. I’ve compiled a list of 8 things for 2008, but I also stumbled upon this site and have decided to take part in the 1001 day challenge. And, lucky readers, you get to read them both (if you so choose).

Thus, for your reading pleasure here is my list of 8 for 2008:

1. I shall do only what makes me happy
2. I shall be open and honest about what I need
3. I shall cuddle my kitty more
4. I shall keep my apartment clean
5. I shall touch/read work related things only once
6. I shall dance like there’s no tomorrow on many more occasions
7. I shall trust more
8. I shall stop stalking former friends and love interests via the internets

And, as promised, the list of 101 in 1001.

1)    Only do it if it makes me happy
2)    Train and complete a sprint length triathlon
3)    Publish
4)    Set a budget and stick to it for 6 months
5)    Go a month without spending money on anything but groceries
6)    Touch everything only once (mail/work emails/etc)
7)    Worry less
8)    Take 4 spontaneous road trips (hhaha, I like that I plan to do this)
9)    Apply for and enter a PhD program
10)    Stop drinking soda, for real this time
11)     Become freegan (buy only vegan groceries/meals, but accept anything)
12)    work out regularly, 3 days a week at least
13)    yoga at least once a week
14)    master the scorpion pose, I’m so close!
15)    call my non-NEPA friends more (at least once a month)
16)    live with enthusiasm
17)    take care of myself physically and emotionally
18)    set a date night with myself, my love, and my friends once a week
19)    learn French
20)    learn sign language
21)    stop drinking soda
22)     read 50 books in a year (29/50 complete thus far!)
23)    write in my paper journal every day
24)    complete a year of project 365
25)    take my  multivitamin/supplements daily
26)    Write a fan letter
27)    Write a letter of thank you to someone who inspired me
28)    Write a poem every month
29)    Take a week off from the internet and television
30)    Compliment one person every day for 1001 days
31)    Throw my parents a 25th anniversary party
32)    Identify 101 things that make me happy
33)    Throw myself into GRE studying until I take the test
34)    Participate in and complete NaBloPoMo
35)    Take a dance class
36)    Photograph a day in the life of me
37)    Say no to things I don’t want to do
38)    Send all of my closest friends packages in the mail, for no reason (R.B., L.C.,S.B.,R.D.,A.H,Z.B.,S.F.,)
39)    Learn to play the piano (one or two songs will suffice at first)
40)    Visit Rachel and Michael at least once a month while they still live here
41)    Get rid of 101 things
42)    Throw a dinner party
43)    Throw a tea party
44)    Memorize 5 poems
45)    Find a volunteer opportunity that I’d actually like to do
46)    Go camping
47)    Go horseback riding
48)    Go kayaking/white water rafting
49)    Find a pen pal and write to her diligently
50)    Sleep under the stars
51)    Learn more about natural remedies/medicine.
52)    Learn more about philosophy/self help
53)    Eat only one meal out a week.
54)    Comment to my bloggy friends, every post. Lucky you!
55)    Either work more, or secure a second job.
56)    Finish my MBA with a 4.0, or as close as I can possibly get.
57)    Go to a concert for Ani, Regina, Cobra, and Ingrid. And look for concerts of Alanis, Fiona, Izzard.
58)    Read a book on personal finance.
59)    Do something just for me once a week.
60)    Leave a random kindness note someone once a week.
61)    Start compiling a family cookbook.
62)    Read for pleasure every day.
63)    Keep something plantlike alive for a year
64)    Do 50 pushups. At one time.
65)    Audition and hopefully participate in local theatre.
66)    Go dancing once a month, at least.
67)     Read at a non-manuscript poetry reading
68)    research and wishlist a high quality camera, and begin saving for it.
69)    Kiss in the rain.
70)    Schedule a graduation photo shoot with Rachel.
71)    Go on a picnic
72)    Save all of my 5 dollar bills for 2 months.
73)    Spend Spring Break somewhere with either a friend or the boyfriend.
74)    Increase my professional attire wardrobe.
75)    Buy a good pair of jeans, that fits.
76)    Buy a pair of red high heels.
77)    Get a pair of glasses that look good on my face.
78)    Be living in a new city in 1001 days.
79)    Own prints that I love.
80)    Spend a weekend away with the boyfriend.
81)    Surprise said boyfriend with something spectacular.
82)    Take more baths (at least 2 a month) in the clawfoot while we still have it.
83)    Utilize the libraries for my fiction fix.
84)    Avoid walmart/target
85)    Shrink my global footprint. (More about this to come)
86)    Drink less alcohol, cut down to once a week.
87)    Be more forthcoming of my wants and needs.
88)    Clean for my mom when I can.
89)    Talk to my brothers when I’m home.
90)    Work on becoming more decisive, and more trusting.
91)    Take a mini vacation with my cousin
92)    Play more scrabble.
93)    Keep my car clean
94)    Keep my apartment clean
95)    Do all my shopping/cooking on one day.
96)    Publish something scholarly.
97)    Prioritize and complete my daily and weekly to-do lists.
98)    Keep this list in a place where I can see it every day
99)    Write a list of things I don’t like about myself, and try to fix them.
100)    Write a list of things I wish I was, and try to be them.
101)    Live, laugh, and love without restraint.

A post with more “meat” will follow shortly.

Have a Happy Holiday!