These were my resolutions for 2011: Get into medical school, exercise five times a week, travel to a new place, learn how to cook healthy meals, read for fun, & be genuinely happy.
1) Get into Medical School
Well, I am so happy to know that you all know the answer to this one. Getting into medical school, specifically being accepted to MSU has been one of my life's greatest accomplishments. This year has allowed me to really realize my career dreams are becoming a reality. I am only one semester into school, but I know that I made the right decision to work so hard in high school and undergrad.
2) Exercise 5 times a week
This resolution I was pretty good with for the first half of the year when I was not in school. I would either swim laps, work out on the elliptical, do "biggest loser" workout exercises, or even just play wii Fit. However, since school started, I have definitely been slacking on the work-outs I should be putting in. So, I will continue working on getting a regular exercise plan in order for the new year.
3) Travel to a new place
On first thought of this one, I was not to impressed with my traveling in this year. I have not traveled outside of the United States all year, BUT I have done a ton of traveling within the US. Heck, I want on a cross-country road trip!! So, really I have traveled to lots and lots of new places this last year! Some of the highlights were Yellowstone National Park, Crazy Horse, and Mount Rushmore. I also have moved to another state! So, I have been to a lot of different cities in the state of Michigan that I had never traveled to before. My personal favorite: Holland, Michigan (basically a cute little Dutch town!). Finally, I ended this year in Disney World. I went there one time when I was much younger, but I don't really remember anything. SO, I am counting that as a new place that I traveled to. Overall, I think that I completed this resolution quite well.
4) Learn how to cook healthy meals
Much like number 2, I was doing this pretty well up until school started. I have mastered how to make Lemon Peppered Chicken and vegetables (one of my favorite meals). I have also learned how to make several other variations to the whole lean meat/fish and vegetables combination. However, I have stopped there. So, I will continue to work towards learning how to cook more healthy dinner and lunches as the next year goes on.
5) Read for Fun
My grandmother always loved to read books. I, however, did not really develop this passion until the last bit of college. I now can say that pleasure reading is one of my favorite hobbies. This year, I have happily read a ton of books. Some of my favorites have included:
1) The Harry Potter Series (obviously)
2) The Hunger Games
3) Catching Fire
4) The Pact
5) Dear John
6) Eat, Pray, Love
7) The Lovely Bones
8) A Walk to Remember
9) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (Which was actually a required book for school which I really loved!)
10) The Last Song
6) Be genuinely happy.
I think I can confidently say that I have developed genuine happiness. 2011 started out very confusing. At the start of January 2011, I had received two medical school interviews, but had not attended either of these interviews. I was not sure how many more I would get and if any of these interviews would result in acceptances. I was not sure if I would continue working my three jobs throughout the 2011-2012 school year and if I would need to develop an entirely new career plan. I didn't know where I stood in my relationship. In January 2011, I had already been long distance for a year and a half and could not see an end to it in the future. However, come April, everything changed. Being accepted to MSU not only reassured me that I would be able to fulfill my career dreams of becoming a physician, it also meant that my long distance relationship would become much much MUCH shorter distance. I was obviously nervous about school and about my big move, but I was excited! Now, on December 31, 2011, I can happily report that this is the best I have felt in years. The friends that I have made in medical school have helped me through the daily struggles of school and for the first time in my academic career, everything I am learning I find interesting. I can see how everything I am learning will play into my future career and how the work I put in now will benefit my future. I am happy with school. I am happy in my relationship. I am happy with my family. I am happy.
