Hi everybody

Some of you may have heard me blather on about Gala Darling and her website. Sorry! But because she is one of my heros and inspirations in terms of living an independent, exciting, fantastic life, I have to mention her again. Gala Darling used to do Weekly Resolutions, though they aren’t as common on her website, people still participate. Gala also does a weekly update called “Things I Love Thursday”, because people who express gratitude and practice optimism lead longer, happier lives (and have a better outlook on negative situations).

So this is the background for what I’m about to do next, which is to begin managing my weekly resolutions and Things I Love Thursday on this page. I was raised on “to-do” lists, so even though I’m not by nature a list-making person, I function pretty well when I can tick things off a sheet of paper.  So without further ado, I present

Here is what I want to do!

• Learn to cook 1 new thing. and that teriyaki from yesterday doesn’t count! Part of my goals for living in Japan include learning more about the culture, so this week I will be looking and trying my hand at a new food item. I don’t know yet what it will be (hopefully delicious!)
• Go by myself to eat at a cafe or shop. This has to do with overcoming fear, and being able to muddle my way through in a second language. I’m really scared of inserting myself alone into new situations, so I want to go in and order and talk to the clerks as best I can, without looking at the floor or mumbling. Also, I will get some coffee or something out fo the deal, and maybe find a new place where I can hang out and meet people.
• Drink beer from a vending machine. They sell beer in vending machines! This seems like a nice, silly, “I gotta do this at least once” thing to do.
• Go for a run. I don’t want to get out of shape by sitting at my desk drinking tea all day! I brought my shorts and sneakers for a reason! I will go at night when it’s cooler, and hopefully not get really lost.
• And finally… Finish memorizing hiragana! I used to know hiragana, but I need to relearn! It’s super handy for reading menus and boxes in the stores, and it’s the first step towards the ever-dreaded kanji! I try and sound out all the things I see on the streets, but I have a long way to go before I can just read hiragana without thinking too much.

That’s my list, folks! Wish me luck, or write your own lists, because having goals gets things done (usually!). And writing your goals down makes you priortize and manage your aspirations, and think about what you can do in a certain amount of time.

Bye! And good luck!