Happy New Year!

The past two years my new year's resolutions have been pretty resounding successes. 2007- I baked all my own bread. I started the year relying on baking powder biscuits, but by the end I had successful sourdough, hearty-whole wheat, bagels, flatbreads, and baguette. In 2008 I bought bread again (it's hard to bake in the backcountry on a campstove) but decided to dedicate more time to reading for fun and find gainful employment. I'd consider it mostly a success on both counts. This year, however, I'm considering resolving too many things that require too much time.

Resolutions: Spend more time writing, more time climbing, actually go to the pool and swim occasionally, be stronger, be faster, be braver, no cavities, help my ankles finally heal, save money for retirement and grand travel plans, figure out where I might want to go for grad school, make new friends, keep the old, send more letters.

Resolutions are a tricky thing- new year, new leaf, we all hold such high expectations for a few shiny weeks before we settle back into another year. I had lunch with friends last week when the subject turned to resolutions. One is vowing to have no boyfriends this year, the other, vows to lower her bad cholesterol. I'm not sure I'd feel attached to either goal, but I'm jealous that they simplified their lists. Mine still needs some work. I already cut plenty. But it's a big, brand new year before us, so I'll see what I can do. Whatever you've decided to do this year, good luck and happy new year!!