The Old and the New

Below is the post I wrote at the beginning of 2009:
Let's see what I accomplished and what needs to go back on the list for 2010.

"I'm not a New Year's Resolution kind of person but I figured I should at least pump myself up to do a few things this year. Here's the list which I will revisit on December 31, 2009.

1. Write acceptable dissertation proposal, finish all dissertation research. Made a few attempts at an overview to a proposal, experienced rejection, allowed my teaching and the crumbling of my life stand in the way of any further proposal work.

2. Attain either a fellowship or teaching job in San Francisco for the 2009-2010 academic year. Partially accomplished. Taught for one quarter at UC Davis, a better school than I could have taught at in SF. However, no firm plans for teaching in the 2010 year yet.

3. Perfect 7 bokken subori. #1-4 are solid and #5-7 are on their way!

4. Cut down on diet soda intake (no more than one a day on average). Back and forth on this. In HI, I'd be up to 3 a day some days mainly because of the heat. However, in SF, I'm down to about 1 every 3 or 4 days.

5. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Goal accomplished!!!! I eat more fruit and veggies than ever before!

6. Return all phone calls within 24 hours. Needs work!

7. Do not buy any bottled water unless in danger of dehydration. Accomplished! I'd guess that I only purchased about 10-12 bottles of water in this entire year! Compare that to 2-3 a week for the previous year. Basically, I have my huge Sigg bottle with me always.

8. Recycle all paper products in California. I'd say I'm at 98% on this, especially in my own house.

9. At some point attempt to eat vegan 5 out of 7 days per week. Transition almost complete. Most days are over 95% vegan.

10. Do at least 250 push-ups and 1000 sit-ups per week. Ha! This lasted for maybe two weeks. However, I had many weeks where I did over 250 push-ups due to my contests with Edward and Sean in Hawaii."

2010
1. Write a dissertation and have proposal defended by Spring Semester 2010.
2. Pass i-kyu (1st kyu, 2nd brown belt) test scheduled for January 29, 2010.
3. Make steps toward overcoming some of my anxiety.
4. Learn to accept not being included in activities with friends.
5. Treat my body with respect. Do not stuff it full of unhealthy food and if I do, do not beat myself up about it.
6. Continue the transition to a vegan diet and partial vegan lifestyle.
7. Learn to accept and be okay with the fact that I will likely spend my life alone (without a partner or children) but will have my friends and family.
8. Try to stop being jealous of others and try to stop feeling bad when favoritism occurs.
9. Continue striving to be the kind of teacher who makes my students say "you are a really good teacher," "you've inspired me to become more active in my community," "even though I didn't want to take this class, I really enjoyed it." Thanks ASA 155!
10. Reuse everything!