My New Year's Resolutions For 2011

It's no secret that winter is here and thus the holiday season is upon us! It is my favorite time of year. I love everything about the holiday season: I love the music (I drive my mother and my friends crazy with it), I love the movies, I love the traditions, I love seeing my family, I love giving (and receiving...) gifts, I even love the weather...the colder the better. Most people think I'm crazy for liking the cold, but there's something about it that's so intoxicating to me. I especially love the days when it's so cold that your first step outside takes your breath away. 

Anyways, the snow and the holiday cheer got me thinking about one of my all time favorite drinking holidays (the others of course being St. Patty's Day and Halloween): New Year's Eve. NYE and I have a storied history together...from getting black out drunk and NOT making it to midnight (I ended up passed out on my home steps, and my mother had to come get me...yeah, that happened) to getting black out drunk (I'm noticing a theme) and making out with a couple different guys (whoops); I've had (a little too much) fun. 

This year started out pretty shitty but is ending in a place I can feel optimistic about. It's been a little while since I've been excited about the upcoming year. So I've decided to make a list of seemingly attainable goals and call them my New Year's resolutions:

1. Learn basic French. I went to Paris in 2006 and instantly fell completely in love with it. One of my dreams is to run away to Paris for an extended period of time...maybe a summer internship...maybe a whole year doing who knows what. But in order to make that dream come true, the first thing I need to do is learn the language haha. I took years of Spanish (though we probably could not have a conversation...woo public school) and Latin (which I'd like to get back into...we'll see how this French thing goes), so hopefully that experience will help me a little.
2. Actually have hobbies. I love photography, literature, and drinking (stick with me). And I've decided that if I'm going to claim these as my hobbies then they actually need to be my hobbies. I'd really enjoy being an amateur photography, but in order to do that I need to actually go out and do it. Similarly, I wish to be well read and well versed in brew. My friends Sarah and Joe have recently started brewing their own beer. I'm intrigued by this idea and kind of want to steal it haha. 
3. Volunteer at a victim's advocacy organization. if possible. Last year, I took a class in victimology, the study of victims, obviously, and it really grabbed me. It was the first time in a while that I was, once again, interested in a class. I don't think that I would be able to become a victims advocate as a possible career (I think after a while I would burn out), but I'd enjoy being a volunteer for some time and feeling like I was making a difference, however small. Plus that should look great on my resume for the FBI. 
4. Explore the Arts. In keeping with the theme of having hobbies, I'd like to become more well versed in the arts, and the local underground art scene. I want to check out local galleries, theatres, and concerts. In the summer, they have free concerts in grant park...not to mention tons of festivals and activities. I live in a kick ass town. I should really be taking advantage of all the Windy City has to over me. 
5. Read the Red-Eye daily. Speaking of things Chicago has to offer me, I need to be more in tune with current events. I feel like I'm starting to reach an age where (although funny and very much a favorite) the Daily Show is no longer acceptable as my soul news source. Sorry Jon :( However, I don't think I'm quite ready to commit to a Chicago Trib. or a Sun-Times. Maybe Sundays.
6. Learn basic cooking skills. Now don't get me wrong, I have basic cooking skills. But I want to learn to do them well and the right way. I'd like to find a community cooking class that won't cost me a ton (broke college kid yay!) but will give me a solid grasp of the basics. Once I have those basics, I'd like to explore recipes and flavors and use my skills. 
7. Be a better friend. Of course, my last resolution had to be the cheesiest of them all but it's something I really think I need to focus on. I don't want to become one of those girlfriends whose boyfriend's are their entire lives. It's like I love spending time with Matt, but I miss my friends. Especially Captain and Leafy Sea Dragon (all of my friends have nick-names). The three of us have been through a lot together and I've made a lot of stupid mistakes, but I think we've come out the other end a lot closer then before and I don't want that to go away. 

Hopefully, these resolutions will turn into realities that I will likely chronicle through this blog. What are everyone else's New Year's Resolutions? 

Until next time blogosphere...