Wednesday, December 24, 2014

New Year's Goals

Once again, let's start by looking back at my goals from January.  I didn't do too well this year.

  • Get married
    • Completed this one in September!!
  • Complete at least two races over 10 miles.  Improve on times from my prior races of same length.
    • I half completed this goal.  I ran the Cherry Blossom race in April, a half marathon in August, and 9 miles of a marathon relay in October.  My Cherry Blossom race time was slower, but my half marathon time was faster.
  • Get tenured and promoted at work
    • Again - half completed.  I got tenured, but not promoted.
  • Visit at least ten countries, at least four of which are new countries.
    • I almost got this one.  With our trip to Italy next week, I will hit at least 8 countries for the year and if we get to San Marino, then it will be 9 countries with 4 new ones.
      • Germany
      • United States
      • France
      • United Kingdom
      • Turkey*
      • Czech Republic*
      • Finland*
      • Italy
      • San Marino*
  • Watch at least two sunrises and sunsets
    • This is a whole lot easier to meet when the sun rises after 8 am like it does here.
  • Read 15 books
    • I only read 9 books this year - a pretty poor showing.  Although three of the books were re-reads of the last three Game of Thrones books, so those are worth like two or three books each.  
  • Don't go more than 60 days without seeing Sara
    • We met this goal!!!
  • Do a pull up
    • So, I utterly failed at doing this myself.  But, in the last month or so, I joined a crossfit gym and it is a skill we are working on.  With assistance from a large rubber band, I have managed to do several pull-ups.
    • On the other hand, I did learn how to do a head-stand.  So that was awesome.
  • Do 50 sit-ups in 5 minutes
    • I need to actually try this - I think I can do it, but don't think I have sat down and tried.  Update later
  • Attend at least two concerts, two soccer matches and one football game
    • I attended two concerts (Jason Mraz and Counting Crows), but no soccer matches and no football games.

2015 Goals

  • Move in with my wife!!!!
  • Learn Arabic to the 1/1 level by end of year
  • Go on an awesome honeymoon
  • Weigh under 200 lbs by September 1 (about 2 lbs/month)
    • Complete at least one long race (over 10 miles)
    • Complete a triathalon (short distance)
    • Do a pull-up (or three)
  • Visit family and friends on home leave
  • Become a football referee
  • Visit at least 3 new countries and 3 new states
  • Watch at least two sunrises and two sunsets
  • Use our wedding china at least three times
  • Read 15 books in 2015
  • Get promoted at work