Looking Forward: 2013

As with years past, I’m setting some goals for myself for 2013. I want to refocus my attention on my family and my writing, and to eliminate distractions.
So, here we are:

1. Jacob. As with every other year I’ve done this, Jacob is my top priority. This year, I want to focus on finding activities that match up with Jake’s interests that we can do together, as well as finding opportunities for Jake to develop a sense of leadership.
2. Write every weekend (or as close to every weekend as possible). Yeah, this didn’t happen in 2012, but it did in 2011. It was a good feeling, being creatively productive, and I want to get back there.
3. Send 2 submissions a month. I published pretty much nothing in 2012, and I want to get back in the game.
4. Revamp/revise/recreate the manuscript. I still see value in the work I’ve done over the past few years, and I’m not ready to give up yet.
5. Complete NaPoMo. This is always a great challenge for me, and I’m ready to be challenged again.
6. Research and apply for 2-3 fellowships/workshops/residencies in 2013. The 2010 workshop I took at the Mailer Colony was awesome. I want that catalyst again. Right now I’m looking at the NJ State Council on the Arts fellowships. We’ll see what else comes up.
7. Read at least 26 books in 2013, using the 2013 Reading Plan. I want to stop watching so much tv. As I wrapped up school, it became a way to decompress. But now that school is over, I’m still spending too much time with the remote control in hand. I’m hoping to blog each book that I read, and hopefully begin to develop some reviewing skills.
8. Use kickboxing, krav, running to lose 40 pounds. I lost a good 30 pounds in 2012, but the past few months have seen the numbers on the scale creep back up. I am going to recommit to a schedule of classes at the karate school, to running 2-3 times a week, and to healthier eating. By December 31, 2013, I want the scale to show that I am 40 pounds lighter than I am today.
9. Run 2-3 5Ks in 2013. I’ll do the Gobbler Run again after Thanksgiving, but I need to find at least 1 more (maybe 2) to complete during the year.
10. Camp once a month between April and October. I did not camp at all during 2012, and I missed it terribly. This will definitely change in 2013.
11. Spend time hiking/geocaching at least once a month for the entire year. Again, I think I did almost no hiking or caching in 2012.
12. Master this beginner quilting tutorial. So I’m halfway through my first quilt, and I’m enjoying it so much. I want to get better at it, so I intend to make a few more quilts this year to practice.
13. Focus on photography. A few times in the past couple years, my dear friend Karen and I took some short trips to fun places like Batsto to take pictures. This year, I want to make that a priority, too – maybe once a month, and I’d like to investigate having some photographs published/exhibited. We’ll see about that.

A longer list this year. But I’m hoping that, now that school is done, I can begin to fill the time I spent on homework with worthwhile activities again.

Bring it on, 2013.