New Year's Resolutions??

As I was perusing through blogs that I follow, I noticed a trend happening. Rather that posting about their New Year's resolutions, I'm seeing a lot of "goals for the year" posts. I'm in love with this idea. Not only because it's a nicer word, but it makes the whole idea seem a lot less filled with pressure. Rather than resolving to do certain things, I can take baby steps to accomplish my goals, right? Right.

With that said, I've come up with a quick list of goals of my own.

1. Drink more water. I've never been good at this. I'd rather drink milk or juice or Dr. Pepper or pretty much anything other than water. With my Psoriasis and Arthritis, water is my best choice though if I want my joints and skin to have a chance at anything. Water it is.
2. Take my medication every day. This is really a struggle for me. It's not that I forget though. My medication makes me sick sometimes, so to avoid that, I don't take it. Especially if I'm already sick with something. In addition, to be honest, sometimes I don't take it because even after FOUR YEARS of battling this, there are days when I don't want to feel like a science project. In the end, it is what is best for me, so I will fight on.
3. Be a strong partner in my marriage. As we've taken our first steps into marriage, I find myself feeling like a giddy kid again. I love Ben, I miss Ben. I am so unbelievably, over the moon, can't even verbalize it, happy. With that said, I hope to be a strong partner in my marriage, not just be married. I want to make sure we communicate, compromise, and always say "I love you."
4. Keep in better contact with friends. I say this one with great intentions, but it is one of my biggest struggles. I truly love my friends, but I am the worst at keeping in touch with people. I love catch-up lunch dates or coffees, but with my limited budget this semester those are basically out of the question... Because of that I'm going to make a better effort at basic communcation. We are all busy, but could make time.
5. Love my students. Lastly, I want to love my students. I want to take in every single second I have with them this year as we don't know our if our educational paths will cross again. I want to attend basketball games, I want to have those weird random conversations for the first five minutes of class, I want them to know I'm interested in their lives and love them and teaching them is a big part of my life not just my job.

All in all, I think these goals are attainable. I'm looking forward to bettering myself, my relationships, and my health. Here's to 2014! Cheers!