New Year's Resolution

For the past couple of years, I've been making some New Year's resolutions but have never really followed up on them.  Therefore, I have dug up the past three years worth of resolutions and will run through them.

Resolutions for the year 2006:

1. Get in shape again
2. get a 3.5 GPA or better
3. Go to a stable YG (should happen after i get my license)
4. Record enough songs for a crappy quality album
5. Incorporate violin and piano into my music
6. get a job
7. visit Shanghai

Well let's see here...I definitely did not get in shape and definitely did not get a 3.5 GPA.  I did go to a youth group consistently and have recorded enough songs for a crappy quality album--though I never made the album.  I did include violin in one of my songs but have yet to do anything with the piano.  I did not get a job and I did visit Shanghai.  That puts me at a 3.5 out of 7 for the year 2006.

Next, the resolutions for the year 2007:

1) Grow Closer to God
2) Maintain relationships with close friends during college
3) Effectively use time
4) Improve recording capabilities
5) Improve in guitar, no more flat lining
6) Less time on the Internet
7) Lose Fat, get in shape
8) Be less stubborn
9) Read the entire Bible
10) Be more expressive through sketches and music

Don't think I've grown that much closer to God during 2007, though I have maintained a steady plateau--which is better than growing away.  I've maintained pretty good relationships with a couple of close friends throughout college during the year--definitely lost a whole bunch, but a few were still around.  I definitely did not use time effectively all that much.  I did improve recording capabilities and overall quality I think.  Did not improve that much in guitar at all.  I've spent about the same time on the internet.  Did not lose fat or get in shape.  I've been selectively less stubborn.  I read the Bible more, but did not read the whole thing.  I've worked on some sketches and have attempted through music as well.  That gives me...4 out of 10.

For the year 2008, I decided to go back to only 7 resolutions:

1. make one more new friend without losing five
2. be happier
3. keep the faith
4. start playing some more basketball
5. get out of washington
6. make better recordings
7. let go

I've made quite a few more friends I guess.  None that are too close, but at least comfortable enough to hold decent conversations with.  I've definitely held up a happier attitude.  I've kept the faith.  Did not play more basketball.  If anything, I've played much less.  However, I did play tennis for a good month and a half.  Did not get out of Washington.  Recordings have not improved too much, but they have improved over last year in terms of quality.  I've let go of my control of my future and just decided to go with the flow more--especially this fall quarter of my second year here.  That's 5 out of 7.

So, with a recap of resolutions from the past three years, my 2009 resolutions are as follows:

1. Maintain a high enough GPA to transfer to where I want to go

2. Start being more active in sports--basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball

3. Take my passion for photography to a higher level.

4. Improve songwriting and recording skills.

5. Stay connected with close friends

6. Maintain happier attitude

7. Journal more consistently

I will stick with 7 resolutions.  It's a nice prime number...and I started to have a difficult time of coming up with things.  Something I did along with the 2007 resolutions was the highlight recap of the year 2006.  The recap highlights of the year 2008 (prior to December 18, 2008) are:

1. Buying my Nikon D80

2. Oregon Zoo with Kristin

3. August 2008: Oregon International Airshow with James, Portland CityFest with Valerie Chia, Warped Tour with Valerie Chia and Zhongnan

4. West Coast Christian Conference

5. Doing well enough during Fall2008 quarter to raise my cum GPA above the 3.0 mark

6. Maintaining e-mail communications with a couple people

7. Seeing the Blazers rise from the ashes

And there you have it.  This will probably be my last post for 2008 with the way I've been updating this thing.