New Year Resolutions 2009

OK, it is that time of the year again. Time for a new round of resolutions after reviewing the last year's "achievement".

1. Send four papers to review for publication.

Last year I sent three in. Four sounds not too difficult but it certainly requires much more work because I had to start from scratch for two of the four. In comparison, last year's three all had some sort of drafts.

2. Start a family?

The later half of 2009 is certainly a great opportunity window to move toward that direction. Most of the work for my current project will be done by April and between May 2009 and Oct 2010 there is only going to be papers/reports writing. Plus we'll have four months of full-paid maternity leave which could be extended to a full year (if one wants to be partially paid).

But I had to use a question mark because there are a few strings attached: MM has to find a decent job first and also our health has to allow us...We started to keeping track of my body conditions though I wonder if we have to do something for MM as well?

3. Read a non-work related book and write a review every month.

Last year I planned to read two/months but only manage to get one done. So I am turning down the benchmark for this year.

4. Do active exercise one hour/day

I add the word "active" because I was exercise passively last year most of the time. I had to walk to work, so I exercised; I wanted to have a chat with my colleague while walking during lunch time, so I exercised. When I was excising, my heart probably didn't accelerate and I probably didn't sweat much.

This year whatever I do in that one hour per day I have to be sweating, and that is the minimum requirement. For me it is in fact not that easy because Chinese or I, at least, normally don't sweat much.

5. Do foot/body massage 30 minutes at night.

6. Make a daily plan and evaluate how it goes before going to sleep.

I didn't have a problem in making weekly or monthly plans in 2008. But I wasn't good at day-do-day planning and implementing. Seize Now, is the slogan for 2009.