13 in 2013 (Late)

Several years ago, I found a post by another blogger that listed the 10 things she wanted to accomplish in 2010 (11 in 2011, etc). I actually skipped 2012, so unfortunately I can't review what I did or did not accomplish. I've also been writing a "Personal Year in Review" post each year in January, however, that one has not made it on here either. I would claim laziness but honestly, it's hard to look back over the past year when I seriously cannot remember what I did 2 weeks ago. My memory is that bad. I probably should be doing something about my horrid memory at such a not-old age but since my family and friends are used to it (and expect it) I just go with it. I'm still shocked I did so well in nursing school; I don't remember a thing from that either. With that all being said, I am still working on my "Personal Year in Review" and below is my 13 in 2013.

1. Start playing the piano again. I'm pretty sure I said this last year...and the year before. I have my Grandma's old baby grand and it's a beautiful piano. I need to play it more often that just over Christmas.
2. Get flat abs. I haven't been pregnant- I shouldn't look like it.
3. Run a 10K. I hate running but I'm a glutton for torturing myself. And damnit running is the THING to be doing these days. I must be a follower!
4. Travel somewhere new. I should count Whistler but 2 vacations a year never hurt anyone.
5. Volunteer. I'm thinking our local animal shelter, but I'm concerned I'll want to come home with more animals. Definitely considering it though (volunteering, not adopting).
6. Learn basic medical Spanish. Because "Tiene dolor?" only gets you just so far.
7. Decide what I want to do with my life. As in grad school, what kind, what degree, where to go, how to get in. Because I'm not getting any younger.
8. Start riding horses again. Oh! I've already done that. Unfortunately after my first 2 lessons I may have to wait a few months to continue (long story, uninteresting).
9. Read more. Working on that (refer to "Books" tab).
10. Start writing my book. First, I have to decide what to write about, and then remember from day to day to actually work on writing something so that I don't forget what story I want to tell. I think that made sense.
11. Get better at cooking. First, be able to afford the super-healthy ingredients. I have the cookbooks but that's it.
12. Pay off 1/2 of my debt (not including student loans and mortgage). This will happen once I increase my salary from a [hopefully] new job.
13. Try something new. This is a broad statement, mainly because I couldn't think of a 13th item. I will eventually though.

Goals for 2013

I don't really like making resolutions, because I always fail at them; usually within the first month. This year I'm settings goals- things that I want to achieve by the end of the year or manage to consistently do throughout the year. I figure if I put them on my blog I'm held more accountable than when I write it on a sticky note and promptly lose it.

• Do 1 random act of kindness every week for the entire year (and hopefully record it on this blog so I know I did something)
• Blog at least 4 times a week. I've had this blog for 4 years and every year I go MIA for months
• Exercise every single day for a minimum of 30 minutes regardless of the weather, if I'm working or not, or my mood. This doesn't include the 2 walks/day the dogs get. I'm not aiming for weight loss this year but I would LOVE to be more in shape- preferably a 6-pack although even a 2-pack would be fabulous
• Get back into riding horses and comfortably be jumping 2' by the end of the year (my first lesson is next week so that's a start)
• Relearn to play "Wedding Day at Trouldhagen" on the piano. It's the last piece I played when taking lessons from my Grandma; it was long and hard so if I can play it again I'm doing well
• Buy a bike and then start riding it. AB loves mountain biking; I don't think I've even sat on one for several years
• Visit somewhere tropical...b/c it's time to and my passport never gets used
• Read at least 1 book a week (and be sure to list it on here for others to try)
• Pay off the vet credit cards- while this is personal everyone on here knows my dog is being treated for cancer and most people can assume it's not cheap
• Start writing a book. As a second part to that, write several chapters before giving up and dumping it in the recycle bin. I'm thinking I should participate in NaNoWriMo 2013 in November...
• Find a job I enjoy (don't laugh, I'm sure it's possible)
• Do a better job of staying in touch with relatives. How I plan to do that TBD
• Be done with Facebook...for real this time

There are plenty of other things I need or want to do, but maybe if I aim low[er] I'll actually succeed at most of them. Any support is appreciated.