It’s about that time…the time to review how much or how little I’ve done from what I’ve set out to accomplish.  Most years I’ve done this have been kind of depressing, but maybe this year will be different.  I know I’ve actually accomplished some of these!  My commentary is italicized. 

1. Run a Half-Marathon.  One of the goals I accomplished last year was to run a 5k and 10k.  Even though I’ve fallen out of fitness as of late 2010, one of my overall goals of 2011 is to get back.  I’d like to do a 5k and 10k in the beginning half of the year, but I’d also like to take it a step further and do a half-marathon. While I still refuse to run outside (it’s like 20-something degrees out today, no deal), I plan to gain endurance by other activities at the health-plex (tennis, classes, etc.) and at home (dvds, hand weights, kettle bells, etc.). Once the weather is less miserable (March?), I’ll begin my full on training to get to the 5k, 10k and half-marathon.  I’d like to participate in the Naperville Half-Marathon, if it is being put on this year.  Last year it was in September.   I actually did this!  Probably one of the best moments this year, if not *the* best.  I’m also not such a huge baby about running in the cold.  
2. Transition to a Healthy Lifestyle.  I have some bad habits.  I used to have some really good habits, but I’ve been slipping.  I plan to commit more fully to a healthy lifestyle that includes eating much better, exercising consistently and basically taking care of myself physically and mentally.  I’m going to start watching my food habits more (I’m a sugar FREAK) and my goal is to continue playing tennis while it’s cold, attend some classes, work out at home and when the weather gets warmer, hit the streets!  Harr…this didn’t happen in the slightest.  I gained weight this year! BOOOOOOOOO!  I don’t have any excuses, I really just let it happen.  My workouts weren’t consistent and I didn’t care much about what I ate outside of the 9-5 weekday spectrum.  This was one giant fail.  
3. Read 3 Books. For several years I had “read 12 books” as a resolution.  Last year I discovered that was clearly unrealistic (since I never did it) so I decided to tone it down to 6.  Failbomb. My goal this year is 3 books.  JUST 3.  I freakin’ hope I stick to this because it’s slowly getting more and more sad how little I read actual books these days.  I actually read 5 books this year…and started about 8 others, hah.  Due to an influx of Mass Effect 2 play, I haven’t been reading the last couple weeks, but I’m dying to jump back into quite a few of the stories I’ve started.  Time to start upping this goal instead of reducing. Finally.
4. Make a career plan. One of the biggest questions I have had since I graduated from DePaul in May was, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Is this what you want to do?”  I don’t want to go into too much detail here, but it’s something I’ve been contemplating for quite a while.  Either way, I need to create my plan.  Map it out.  Step by step.  Inch by inch.  AND FOLLOW IT.   Well, this didn’t exactly happen.  I thought about it.  I figured out what I want to do, but I haven’t exactly taken action.  I don’t feel like going much into this, but really, I just need to start setting goals and sticking to them.  I barely finish anything!   
5. Write.  This blog entry would constitute writing.  My baking blog entries constitute writing.  The fiction will come when it wants to, if it wants to.  I’m not in any rush.  One thing I learned last year is how much I enjoy the editing process, self-reflection writing and mapping out my adventures in the kitchen with words.  My goal for this year is to write in my new baking blog consistently.  I want to say this was half-accomplished.  I wrote throughout the year, mostly blogging or self-reflection, but no fiction and it wasn’t something that was very consistent.  Considering my big dreams in my career goals, this is going to have to change. 

So, I guess in the end, 2.5/5 isn’t too bad.  It’s a failing score, but I feel good about having worked towards at least two goals solidly.  More interestingly, the two goals that had a very definite goal - “read 3 books” and “run a half-marathon”.  Maybe those are the kinds of goals I need to set for next year - more defined.  I actually accomplished a 2009 goal that was more definite - I went to a few Pilates classes at the gym.  Not a spin class (seriously, 5:30 am is still way too early), but it was a class nonetheless!  

Overall, 2011 was sub-par.  I need to crush 2012.