2011

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

       - T. S. Eliot.

The first day of a new year always has a unique feeling, and no, I don't mean the hangover. It's that refreshing, comforting feeling, like you have an opportunity to start over. It is the feeling of a clean slate. The chance to make changes. It's like anything is possible, and the year ahead is filled with so much potential.

I have never really been one for setting new years resolutions. I am terrible at sticking to my goals but I hope that this year will be different. There are a few things I wish to achieve this year, and a big part of that is related to university. This year I will be embarking upon honours and I am absolutely terrified. I never though that I would actually get offered a place. Now I have, I feel relieved (as my plans for the year are no longer totally up in the air) and very proud of myself for making it. But I also feel like I don't deserve it, like I will be going in way over my head. Writing a thesis sounds like the most terrifying thing I could do, it is the stuff of nightmares. It's not all bad. Yes, I am terrified. But I am also excited. I know that I will be able to do it, I'm sure I will feel like giving up, and I'm sure there will be times when I doubt I will finish. However, I know that I can make it through.

So, that is my main goal this year, to complete honours. I hope that I can give it everything I have and do well enough to go further. 

I have other goals, the kind of vague ones that everybody has; I wish to be more active, and become fitter and healthier. I got a gym membership for my birthday and hopefully I will be able to put this to good use. I hope to be able to save money this year, and not spend it all on junk food and uncomfortable shoes (although I no doubt will buy both). I hope to make a budget and (at least kind of) stick to it. I want to read at least 50 books. I also had this goal for 2010 but only reached 43 (9 of those were in the last two weeks). I find it very hard to find the time to read books during the university semester, something which I doubt will change, but whilst I am on holidays I plan to make the most of it.

I'm sure I will think of more goals as I embark upon the year ahead, but this is a start.

We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day.

          - Edith Lovejoy Pierce