Happy New Year! Hope everyone has a safe and successful 2005.

Most of my resolutions are somehow the result of my current schedule. The combination of work and school is taking its toll, and I've cut corners elsewhere to compensate. Some are general resolutions, some are specific and measurable.

Be more patient. I'm generally pretty good in dealing with 'situations', but my patience level has never really been great in dealing with people. In 2004, I found myself becoming increasingly impatient with both. For the coming year, I want to be a more patient person.

Be a better . . . friend, boyfriend, brother, son, whatever. I got selfish with my time because of a general lack of free time and, as a result, I often neglected the relationships that matter most. I intend to correct that this year.

Be healthier. I'm already in good shape. I went to my gym 120 times in 2004, and this doesn't include the running, basketball and football outside of the gym. I want to be healthier though. I want to drink less alcohol and drink more water. I want to be more flexible (maybe I'll even start doing Yoga). I want to eat better. I want to take my vitamins. I want to go to the doctor and the dentist more regularly. 

Rededicate myself to work and school. I kept using the fact that I was busy as an excuse this year to do “just enough” at work and in my studies. I read just enough to get through class in case I was called on. At work, I did what was needed - and little more. This led to a lot of missed opportunities: opportunities to make a real impact at work and opportunities to really learn. I plan on seizing these opportunities in 2005.

Read more. I want to read at least one book a month outside of my school reading. It doesn't matter if  it's technical, non-fiction, fiction, whatever. I just want to get into the habit of reading more (that is, more than just my RSS feeds and e-mail!).