This year in 2011, I chose to do something different. Instead of making the usual list of New Year’s resolutions, I will not make any this year (for now, that is). I always break most, if not all ofmy resolutions in my long list that I make every year. So this year, I have decided to just make goals to accomplish this year. Some of you may think, what makes that any different?

Resolutions are different than goals in my opinion in a sense that goals seem to be more achievable than resolutions, well at least, that is how I see it. For example, one common resolution people make is this classic one:

“I want to lose weight and look good by the time summer comes”

 A goal would look something like this:

“Every week, I would like to lose 1 lb. Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Avoid junk foods and all those empty calorie munchies. Continue working out (ahem P90x) and be consistent with it.” 

With that said, I want to share with you all my goals.

1. Appreciate life more by being active in it instead of being a couch potato. I am a couch potato if I am not working. I watch TV or spend lots of time online (ahem, Facebook). Ya know, the whole “stop and smell the roses” thing? For once, I need to start listening to that again. I admit that I am guilty of being lazy. Also, I always end up wasting a lot of time instead of nurturing my hobbies and other skills that are sadly rusting and collecting dust at this time. With that said, I will go ahead to number 2.
2. Time management and learn to use my time wisely. I always waste time. I feel like at this point in my life, a big chunk of my lifetime so far here on earth has been wasted in front of a computer. When I went to the Philippines for vacation last year, I realized how much I have been missing out on because of frequent computer use. I miss stopping and enjoying what is around me. I missed hanging out with my family back there, and living simply. This year, I will make sure that as much as possible that I will spend my time on more important things in life, such as friends, family, my hobbies, passion, and helping others. 
3. Be healthy and fit. I admit that I am not the fittest that I can be because of being a couch potato. I also tend to eat a lot despite people saying that I “look like a stick”, but I am not a “stick”. The foods that I have eaten before are making themselves known. As a church friend of mine said, “Jelly donuts: Once it touches the lips, it never leaves the hips.”
4. Pursue hobbies and passions that I have neglected for so long. I am a person of many trades. I cannot do just one thing. I like doing many things. For example, I play musical instruments, I blog, I work in the healthcare field, I love technology. I also like to collect U.S. State Quarters and letters given to me by family, friends, etc.
5. Let my creativity flow. It has been a while since I have released my inner creative self and do crazy creative things. I used to sew, draw, make clay sculptures, play piano. I haven’t done any of those for fun in a very long time, and I think it is time to resurrect those fun activities that once defined part of my childhood.
6. Be more active within the LGBT community. I sometimes feel that I am not active enough in the LGBT community so I plan to contribute my energy and time more this year by blogging more consistently, making more youtube videos, helping and collaborating with other LGBT activists, friends, colleagues, and hopefully future individuals and/or organizations I will come across this year and have worked with before.
7. Make friends and do fun stuff like hanging out and laughing your heart out doing something fun. This is pretty explanatory. Want to be friends?