My goals for the coming year

As I'm sure everyone else is already (or has already) made their lists of resolutions for the new year, I might as well type mine up as well. I find it's always more helpful for me to have a tangible list to refer to and even cross items off of in order to keep me on the right track.

1. Follow my life purpose. I feel like I've already found it this year by working with City Year. Since high school, I always thought I would change the world through journalism. However, I was blinded by the glory of bylines and print that I saw that that's not really what I'm meant for. In Jim Collins' book Good to Great, I read that one of the most important steps to take toward success is to realize what you can be best at; then you can pour your heart into it. (Of course, you have to love it as well.) I was good at journalism; in college, I got As in all of my print journ classes (except for that stupid marketing elective...). I would get little awards, like Department Certificates of Achievement. However, I never got THE award, THE most prestigious credits... maybe the third- or second-best. In my last year, I was awarded nothing, and that was when I put the most effort into my presence in the journalism department. That was a clear signal to me that journalism was not my calling, though I enjoyed it very much. Working with City Year has shown me that I am meant to work with nonprofits to make a difference. I don't mind not making money, but I do love working directly with the community. That is where my passion lies.
2. Continue with the PASSIONS program. For those who are unsure of what the program is, it's something that's been very dear to my heart in the past few months, and my attempt to make a difference in San Jose. I will keep working on it, and with hope, it will become something wonderful.
3. Either get a job or start school full-time. I am applying for a position as a community organizer, which would be wonderful to get. If I don't, however, I have a back-up plan to join an MPA (Masters in Public Administration) program at the local university. If neither work, well, maybe I'll do another year with City Year :)
4. Get another laptop. Mine crapped out today, so I'll have to figure out which one I want, and then put it on student loan...
5. Learn more about myself. My time thus far with City Year has shown me that I don't know nearly as much as I thought I did about myself. I need to put myself in different situations and positions and try my hand at how I would deal with certain things. Then maybe I won't be so awkward.
6. Go to more restaurants. As I have I gotten more into Yelp, I've realized how I should go to more different restaurants. It's hard when you don't make much money, but it's a luxury I don't mind spending money on. Food is one of my favorite things, after all.
7. See more places. Ever since I graduated college (six months ago), I've visited more places and gone out of the state more than any time in the rest of my life. I love seeing new places, and I want to keep doing that this year! I already have my ticket booked for Florida in February :)
8. Spend more time with the people I love. In the past year, I've lost a friend - not to death, but to apathy and naivete - which was a big deal to me. It helped me realize that I don't have to be friends with people just because we've been "friends" for a long time. I can be with who I want to be with, and love it. I've realized who my friends are, and am happy having a small number of great friends, and family whom I am very comfortable with.