New Years Resolutions: UPDATE

On the 2 of January this year (my birthday) I wrote a list of 11 resolutions for 2012. (New Years Resolutions)

Well, 8 months later I'm checking in on all that I've done so far. This will give me motivation to actually continue. 

1. Exercise more: ✓                

For the first part of this year I didn't do any form of exercise. However I have just recently started jogging (about 20 minutes every evening) so I think that is a step in the right direction. My boep is getting far too big lol. I am going to join a gym next month (I know it's procrastination but I believe in the spoken word ^_^) 

2. Spend more time with friends in South Africa: ✓ 

This has been going well. I meet with friends regularly just to hang out or have lunch. Most of my friends are scattered all over the country so it gets difficult to meet all of them. I wanted to spend more time with friends I had immediately prior to leaving SA.

My friend Lungee and I on Durban beachfront lookin' fly.
Lungee and I have been friends since 2007. 

3. Reconnect with old friends: ✓ 

Similar to number 2, this is different because I wanted to reconnect with high school and/or varsity friends that I haven't seen in a really long time. 

My friend Claudia and I at Mugg & Bean in Sandton City (shopping mall).
Claudia and I have been friends since 2005 and the last time I saw her was in 2008 :( 

4. Travel through Africa: ✓ 

Traveling through Africa starts in my home country, South Africa. In the past 4 months I've made a few trips to Durban and a trip to Johannesburg. It was my first trip to Johannesburg and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I am also now living in Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of our province. Although I've visited here before, I didn't really know much about the city. Next stop: Cape Town!!!  

5. Do more to help local communities and NGOs

I haven't done any community work yet but I am definitely planning to. I've been in touch with a few environmental NGOs but nothing has materialized yet.

6. Get a job: ✓ 

This was my biggest blessing this year. Securing a job after being at home for 4 months was a total life-saver!!! I'm working as a lecturer for an Indian Based IT company. I work at their satellite branch which is based at a college in PMB. This is just a stepping stone for me so I will soon be spreading my wings somewhere else. 

7. Get more acquainted with my city: 

Haven't done a lot of this yet. But soon... The year is not over. 

8. Start dancing again: 

Haven't started this either. I'm in a new city so I've spent the last few weeks trying to find a suitable dance studio. Hoping to find one soon! 

9. Focus more on my personal life: ✓ 

I've grown mentally... but I've also grown in age ^_^ I look back at high school and university days and I think 'wow, was I really that person?'. And it's just the little things like being outgoing, or the way I think or things I do. There are things I learned over the last few years that have given me the character I have now.  There are things I will do again and there are things I will never do again. I am a work in progress and I am definitely striving to be better.

10. Spend less, save more: ✓ 

This is tricky because as much as I WANT to save more, being back to my home country means I have more bills. Serious bills that I can't ignore. Ok, so maybe a cellphone bill is not that serious but without a cellphone I would be kinda lost. However I am proud that I have (almost successfully) saved about half of my salary for the past 2 months. Society says my savings should go toward a car... my heart says it should be invested in travel. Tough decision. 

11. Live more: ✓

Not exactly livin' it up like I should be, but I am definitely working on this. Fabulosity can be applied to anything and everything. Even walking down the street can be fabulous. I'm learning to make the most out of everything and make it BIG. 

Just over 3 months left to complete everything on my resolution list!! It is possible to fulfill your resolutions!!  :)