New Year Resolutions
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Have you made any resolutions for 2009?
Have you ever made one and broken it within a matter of days?
I haven't even bothered to make any these last few years, because experience tells me that I will soon break them.
But this year is going to be different.....
I haven't been to the gym since last summer. Once you stop going, it requires a big effort to get back into the routine. I am going to start going again and I'll try to go at least three times a week. I haven't decided whether to go back to the same one or not.
I have to improve my Spanish this year. I haven't studied for ages and my level has been the same for too long. Actually, I sometimes think it' s worse than some years ago. So I am going to make a great effort between now and the summer; and hopefully, people will notice the difference. I might even do an exam to have clear evidence of improvement.
I think I only went to the cinema twice last year. And both times, I was left disappointed. I am going to do what I did a few years ago and start renting films that are considered "classics". There are so many that I haven't seen. The last time I had the same idea, I discovered great movies such as Casablanca, Gilda and African Queen. Films nowadays generally don't have good storylines.
I am not a very good cook. I am going to try to learn some new recipes. I'll try out a new one each week. I might make a mushroom stroganoff this week. What's more, I'm going to try to have a healthier diet; cut down on meat and increase my intake of fruit and vegetables. I'm not overweight so I don't have to go on a diet.
I am also going to cut down on my alcohol intake; I have too many hangovers. I don't smoke so I don't have to give up.
I am going to try to lead a healthier lifestyle which will mean going out less. When I say going out, I mean going to pubs and clubs. I spend far too much money and I am getting fed up with seeing the same crowd.
I would like to get away more at the weekends; even just on a day-trip out of Madrid. If I can afford it, I'll go a bit further and stay away a night. There are so many places I want to discover around Spain. I have never been to Santander, Cádiz or Cáceres.
Have you ever made one and broken it within a matter of days?
I haven't even bothered to make any these last few years, because experience tells me that I will soon break them.
But this year is going to be different.....
I haven't been to the gym since last summer. Once you stop going, it requires a big effort to get back into the routine. I am going to start going again and I'll try to go at least three times a week. I haven't decided whether to go back to the same one or not.
I have to improve my Spanish this year. I haven't studied for ages and my level has been the same for too long. Actually, I sometimes think it' s worse than some years ago. So I am going to make a great effort between now and the summer; and hopefully, people will notice the difference. I might even do an exam to have clear evidence of improvement.
I think I only went to the cinema twice last year. And both times, I was left disappointed. I am going to do what I did a few years ago and start renting films that are considered "classics". There are so many that I haven't seen. The last time I had the same idea, I discovered great movies such as Casablanca, Gilda and African Queen. Films nowadays generally don't have good storylines.
I am not a very good cook. I am going to try to learn some new recipes. I'll try out a new one each week. I might make a mushroom stroganoff this week. What's more, I'm going to try to have a healthier diet; cut down on meat and increase my intake of fruit and vegetables. I'm not overweight so I don't have to go on a diet.
I am also going to cut down on my alcohol intake; I have too many hangovers. I don't smoke so I don't have to give up.
I am going to try to lead a healthier lifestyle which will mean going out less. When I say going out, I mean going to pubs and clubs. I spend far too much money and I am getting fed up with seeing the same crowd.
I would like to get away more at the weekends; even just on a day-trip out of Madrid. If I can afford it, I'll go a bit further and stay away a night. There are so many places I want to discover around Spain. I have never been to Santander, Cádiz or Cáceres.
Source: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
People think I am never stressed but actually I am a great worrier. I'm going to try to worry less about things.
I would like to join a group that is concerned about animal-welfare. I keep on meaning to every year but in the end I never do it.
I would also like to take up a new interest. I used to go birdwatching as a child and it might be fun to take it up again.
Do you think I have made too many resolutions? I prefer to think of them as good intentions. That way, I won't break any of them.
What about you? What are your resolutions / good intentions for the New Year?
Comments
1. READING. I have been trying to read books in English for several years. Two years ago, I read one book (Falling leaves, a Chinese family Story). I had to make a great effort to follow the story. Reviewing, grammar, new words, new structures. Nowadays, I want to go on with this routine: I am going to read one book at quarter, at least during this year.
2. STUDYING. I think it is important to get progress. It is difficult to advance without studying. So, I have decided to do activities to improve my English, such as watching videos in English, watching films in original language.
3. DRIVING SLOWER. I suppose I am not a good driver because normally I drive quiet fast. I think it is not too dangerous because I only do it in motorways. Actually, I don´t drive rapid when I go by others roads. In spite of this, I am going to cut down on my fast driving. With this new routine I imagine I will spend less money: last year I got fined in several times.
4. A HEALTHY DIET. In general, I have been doing a good and healthy diet, for years, increasing fruits and vegetables, more fish and less red meat, but I love sweets and desserts. This year, I´ll try to reduce my sweets intakes most of times at evenings when I am more relaxed.
OK, I'll check to see if you have kept to your resolution during this term.
I hope you mean that you will read novels as well as reading the artcles posted onto the blog.
2. STUDYING. I think it is important to MAKE PROGRESS. It is difficult to advance without studying. So, I have decided to do activities to improve my English such as watching videos in English AND watching films in original language.
I think it would be a good idea to watch a film in English that you have already seen and enjoyed in Spanish. That way you already know what is going to happen and you will concentrate more on the language.
3. DRIVING SLOWER. I suppose I am not a good driver because I NORMALLY drive QUITE fast. I think it is not SO dangerous because I only do it ON motorways. Actually, I don´t drive SO FAST when I go ON OTHER roads. EVEN SO, I am going to cut down on my fast driving. With this new routine, I imagine I will spend less money: last year I got fined SEVERAL times.
I am shocked that you have received so many fines. You really should slow down when driving on the motorway.
4. A HEALTHY DIET. In general, I have been FOLLOWING a good, healthy diet for years, EATING MORE FRUIT and vegetables, more fish and less red meat, but I love sweets and desserts. This year, I´ll try to reduce my sweet intake. FOR MOST I EAT THEM IN THE EVENING when I am more relaxed.
I usually have some sort of dessert with my meals. I love puddings and I am a glutton for biscuits.
I think we all need to have some little pleasures in life. I am going to start treating myself more.