My resolutions for 2010

It is almost the end of January and I suddenly realised that 1 month is almost gone and I have not really given a thought about what I want to achieve this year. Well not that I can achieve all of it but I would at least like to have a checklist to put me in 'check' :-).

I like seeing a list of things that I want to do and having to tick it off after I've done it gives me big boost and motivation to do even more. So this is something I would like to continue doing year after year - being busy and having no time is no excuse :-).

The top of my list would have to be GOOD HEALTH

I started paying more attention to my health from late last year as I do agree with some blogger moms that we have to make sure we're healthy in order to be around to look after our family and kids. So I did my blood and urine test in December (I have phobia towards needles so for me to go through the ordeal takes a lot of courage) and found out that I have some minor cholesterol issues and I am low in iron both of which I have to deal with. I am happy to have found out about it now before it got too late. To deal with the cholesterol issue, doctor advised a change in diet (more greens, more fruits, more fibre) and also exercise. I have started changing my diet, taking salads for lunch and Quaker Oats for breakfast ocassionally or when I can as well as avoiding fast food, oily and fried stuff. I do still ocassionally pamper myself with those treats but they are definitely not as frequent as they used to be :-). I also started taking slow jogs 3x a week for about 15 - 20 mins. I will gradually increase the speed and duration over time. On the iron issue, I bought some supplements at the recommendation of the pharmacist.

My lunch (not exactly healthy as I've got thousand island dressing on it)

In 6 months, I will need to get another blood test done to see if there are improvements. If there are then I will have to continue with the effort, if not then I may have to consider medication.

Next on the list would be TO BUY A HOUSE

We have been longing to buy another house for sometime now. It is really difficult to find a suitable place in a location that we like with the limited budget we have. Prices of properties have gone up so much that its scary. Hopefully we will have better luck this year.

Moving on will be TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY and TO SUPPORT A CHILD

4 in a family is the ideal number to us. My hubby wanted 6 actually but I know he's joking! I cannot imagine going through child birth 6x. Sorry NO NO! 2 for me would be perfect, someone for the other to play with and to provide support as they grow up. Hopefully we will get a boy but even if its a girl we're happy. There is nothing more important to us than a healthy little baby.

I also want to give back to the community by supporting a child. I know this can be done easily via World Vision for a meagre RM50 a month. There are so many children out there living in poverty and they deserve to go to school, have proper medical facilities and lead a better life. By donating RM50 a month, which I think is really a small amount, we can make such a HUGE difference in the life of a child. I should have done this earlier but I guess it is still not too late to do now.

Next on my list would be TRAVEL

This is a selfish resolution. Papa and I have not travelled (I mean a real holiday to somewhere nice and far without the baby) for some years now. Our last holiday alone was 3 years ago. We still go for short and local trips once a year with the little girl but it would be nice to have a break just the 2 of us to somewhere nice and relaxing. We still have not given a thought about where to go but hopefully we can go somewhere this year. We just need to make sure I'm not pregnant and we have a reliable person to look after Hayley when we are away.... hmmm... looks like we won't be going anywhere after all :-)

My resolutions can go on and on as I have a few from last year and previous years which I didn't manage to achieve and also a few more which suddenly just came to mind :-). Anyway, going to put them in bullets from now on so I won't end up writing an essay:

• spend more time with family and friends
• continue to perform (dance) once in a while
• learn swimming (have been in my list for years, for someone with a phobia, how do you think I should start?)
• learn another language - Mandarin (it will come in handy at work but am still trying to make time for this)
• climb Mount KK (been on my list for years and its still not done and I think it's going to remain in my list for a few more years)
• get a bicycle so I can ride around the neighbourhood instead of run (NEW and easily achievable, but whether I actually use the bicycle or not after buying it is another story :-))
• consider sending Hayley to her first playgroup/nursery when she turn 2 (NEW and not sure how my babysitter will react to this, will need to gauge her reaction soon and also to find a nursery that will accept 2 year olds nearby)
• get a maid to help out around the house (NEW and we're still considering the pros and cons)

That's it for now. Am sure there will be more to come....