2013 resolutions

I started out this post with a list of 18 things that I wanted to absolutely definitely do in 2013, which is . . . kind of a lot. Let's try again, with four.

1. Run a marathon.
In high school my assistant track coach told me he was convinced I was going to run a marathon someday, and I basically laughed in his face. And now I've got two half marathons on the schedule for 2013 already (Gran Canaria on January 20th and Frankfurt on March 10th) and have figured I may as well accept my fate. Pretty much the only questions I've got are: when and where? I'm thinking fall, but the location is TBD.

2. Learn calligraphy.
I did not quite get my act together enough to buy myself the supplies and coursework for the I Still Love Calligraphy class by Melissa Esplin, which was my original plan for Big Thing I Want for Christmas 2012. I've been obsessed with stationery and hand lettering for ages, and am excited to get into developing my own calligraphy practice.

3. Complete the first draft of a novel.
This was a goal last year, too, and I didn't precisely set myself up for success by putting it off until NaNoWriMo in Novemeber -- when I was also already training for a half marathon five times a week. I like the NaNoWriMo concept, and am going to be picking a different month to give it another go this year.

4. Move.
I'll consider this resolution satisfied if I'm living in a different apartment this time next year, but really the goal is not to move for the sake of moving so much as it is to be moving forward. I've been in the same apartment for not quite three years, and in addition to being physically stationary I'm feeling stagnant.

From the original list of 18, some other stuff I would just plain like to do this year:

* go on another Weinwanderung * continue the hunt for the world's most magnificent beaches * be more conscious of my spending * prioritize swimming for exercise * add speedwork and strength training into my running routine * go on a wine weekend in the Pfalz * concentrate on people photography

Current travel plans on the agenda:

+ Gran Canaria with Stephen - January 19-23
+ ski trip to the Innsbruck, Austria area with friends - late February
+ Kelley visitation to Frankfurt or elsewhere - late March
+ Mom visitation to Frankfurt or elsewhere - spring, maybe?
+ Conor's college graduation in Vermont & some time in Stone Harbor - late May/early June