I do not make “New Year’s” resolutions. I can never keep them but a few weeks (days would be more accurate). What I like to do instead is set a couple of goals. And I don’t mean “Loose 20 lbs by spring break” kind of ones either. I mean realistic, fun and hopefully useful ones.
This past year my family and I moved a few times. One big cross country one and two little ones. Why is this relevant? Well because it brought to light that I do not have as many hobbies or skills as I would like to. Every new place was an adjustment and I spent quite a bit of time feeling idle. Couple that with feeling a bit nostalgic (as I am missing my friends and family) and you have a recipe for disaster. One of my goals last year was to become a better cook. I scoured and devoured cook books and web pages for recipes and tried as many as I could. Today I feel a lot more secure in the kitchen then I did a year ago. I am married to a chef whose from a great culinary family. I had to do step up too. I’m no Iron Chef but I can make a couple of really great meals. Baking is a bit harder. I have found great joy in the processes, finding it at times like mediation and very renewing. Mostly I enjoy feeding my family. I love to hear my daughter’s praises about how “I’m the best cooker ever, even better than daddy…but not gramdma, she’s the bestest.”
Someday I’ll be that good I know. In the mean time I want to continue growing. I feel a bone-deep need to. So this year I have a two interests that have been very persistent in my psyche. The first one is a life long love. I’m not sure when it started, I just know I have been fascinated by accents and language since I can remember. I think my imaginary husband/boyfriend as a child had a sometimes French and sometime Spanish accent. I have a good vocabulary for French and Spanish, but it is not the challenge I am looking for. My husbands family has a very heavy German component. I can learn the vocabulary and practice with the cousins! My approach thus far has been to learn as a child. My daughter and I practice counting, saying the alphabet, the colors etc… basic vocabulary. Sehr gut.
My second goal is one that I have admired for the skill. It hits on the nostalgic feelings I’ve been harboring too. I cherish the gifts that have come to me from friends and loved ones.
The skill is knitting.
It seems so relaxing, and structured at the same time. I’ve just purchased a started kit and I’ve youtubed a couple of how to videos too! Maybe I’ll knit something German.
So…Learn German well enough to speak to a German and knit a scarf, these are my goals for this year.
J
