I have always been a resolutions girl. For two reasons. I am of the (overly optimistic) mindset that come January first, this will be my year to get it right. Also I love making lists. Especially of the self improvement variety. I honestly make resolutions big and small all year long and instead of calling them resolutions I simply call them my goals, must-haves, or my bucket list. Resolving to finally see those cranberry fields, I jot it down in a notebook: Find a cranberry field; frolic in it. You know, the ones in the Ocean Spray commercials? Where are those floating cranberries and why I haven’t I been in one yet? Also why haven’t I been to a traditional Native American dance or ceremony. I really feel that should’ve happened by now. But since it hasn’t, it is repeatedly put on a list: Attend a traditional Native American dance or drumming ceremony (also see if they’ll let my ride one of their horses. Hey it doesn’t hurt to ask).
So with no small amount of excitement or considerable thought I give you my resolutions for the upcoming year. Also I opened fortune cookies last night and the first one was supposed to predict the news for 2015, but I didn’t like the news that, “You will live a long life and eat many fortune cookies.” The long life was well and good, but why accompanied with cookies? Though that does sound like me, it really didn’t speak to the kind of year I was hoping to have so I opened three more until I got it right. Lucky number four: “There are many unexpected and thrilling surprises in store for you!” That’s more what I had in mind. Maybe that includes cranberry fields and traditional Native American dances? I hope so.
Without further ado, I give you my list:
1. I resolve to experiment much more heavily with cooking health food and stop relying on my old standbys of cut up sweet potatoes or an egg white omelette. I’ve just gotten plain lazy and this is the year for change!
2. I resolve to watch a swell of classic movies this year. I still haven’t even seen Gone with the Wind. That needs to be rectified like today. Also how can I break into movie-writing one day if I haven’t fully educated myself on all the greats?
3. Speaking of movies, I ought to really see “The Godfather” and “Shawshank Redemption.” This is the year to understand what all the fuss is about regarding these two films. Maybe then I will understand men.
4. I resolve to understand men.
5. I resolve to not get angry when by end of December 2015 I still don’t understand men.
6. I resolve to get buff. But girly buff, still a dainty flower (like I obviously am and will maintain being) but with ripped muscles—only in my arms and legs though. I don’t care for the way abs look on women. Is that possible? Because that’s what I have in mind.
7. I resolve to read books like it is my job. Read as if I am in prison and that’s the only form of entertainment I have. Read until my eyes are blurry and my brain has expanded considerably from all the new vocabulary. Read until I finally catch up on my reading list that never stops growing.
8. I resolve to educate myself more on the world around me and not be intimidated by bad news. I am a grown woman who should be informed. But, well… bad news really bums me out, maybe I will inform myself but still change the channel when they start talking about putting children in cages. Maybe I will be ready to hear that stuff next year. Yes, maybe next year.
9. I resolve to buy a pair of jeans that fits me properly. My leggings addiction has become a bit of a crutch and allows me way too much ignorance on the vastness of my waistline. This is the year for jeans.
10. I resolve to get along with my sister Gabby. She is 14, angsty, shops at Hollister and listens to bands called 5-Sauce. While I may not be able to understand her, I resolve to try.
11. I resolve to give un-bearded men a fair chance. Okay this was a throwaway. Of course, I make no such resolve. Beards forevah!
12. I resolve to try something new like learn to cross-country ski or finally play my guitar.
13. I resolve for the coming year to be free of pop and McDonalds. Two vices which I usually don’t have a problem with but still somehow take up room in my life and should not any longer.
14. I resolve to write daily. No excuses. I am a writer and writers write. So even if daily all I am writing is one true sentence (that’s Ernest Hemingway’s advice) then one true sentence I shall write.
15. Lastly, I resolve to continue to cast aside my ambitions of dieting and simply go into the new year with renewed focus on good health habits, clean eating, limited sugar intake and an abundance of endorphin inducing exercise.
-Cassandra