Happy New Years 2011!

A year marred by earthquakes, a mining tragedy, and a death in the family is finally over. So long 2010, welcome 2011! 

2010 was an up-and-down year for me. I had good experiences in terms of being able to travel the country and completing my studies, while I also had some bad times such as my uncle passing away which was quite difficult. 


2011 will definitely be a huge step up in my life though, as I make the change from university study to full-time work. Hopefully the transition and change in life will be for good!


May 2011 be a happy and prosperous year for all of you! 


So let's see how well I did in fulfilling my New Years' Resolutions this year:

- = Calum's 2010 New Years' Resolutions = -

1. Find a girlfriend (fifth year in a row! Maybe last year at uni will be lucky one!)

Fail -Enough said 

2. Make two more close friends 

Yes - Along with all the other close friends I've made in past years, Grace has become one of my best friends

3. Stay at uni longer to study harder, pass all papers and graduate!

Fail, Yes and Yes = Yes overall! I didn't stay at uni longer, nor did I study harder (or maybe I did? It felt like a fluke!), but I did pass all papers and I am set to graduate in May!

4. Join the gym and don't look like such a twig but become buff and get some abs!

Fail - I didn't join a gym, but I've had several failed attempts at doing regular exercise in the mornings 

5. Buy a new cellphone

Yes - Bought myself an HTC Desire to get me through to the middle of next year!

6. Get a part-time job, preferably pharmacy-related

Yes - I got a job as a Student Ambassador at University of Auckland for Orientation Week and Courses and Careers Day that earned me some money so that counts! I've also got a full-time intern pharmacist job lined up for next year. I guess that sorta counts!  

7. Save enough money to be able to pay off all debts

Sort of - I've saved quite a bit of money, I just haven't paid off all my debts yet like my student loan and all the McDonald's I owe Gabrielle...

8. Come up with a 20-year life plan on where I want to be and how I'll get there

Sort of - I've decided to complete my internship and maybe be a pharmacist for a few years, possibly working part time after completing my internship to do post-graduate study and then work on making ANBRO a global empire! In other words....No...

9. Keep practising my existing musical instruments regularly and perform at least three times in 2010, as well as learn one more instrument (maybe flute or clarinet)

Sort of - I have performed at least three times this year, but I haven't been practising regularly, nor have I learned one more instrument! I've tried picking up the guitar again but gave it up not too long after!

10. Take up Chinese (Mandarin) classes

Fail - I joined a Chinese class for one day but then didn't continue because the time wasn't right

11. Spend less money on food, or else buy cheap food!

Fail - I think I've spent even more money on food than before this year! I couldn't help myself and spent money at the local bakery near Grafton, cookies at Subway and going out to lunches and dinners with friends

12. Get involved with another club at university besides the Dessert Club

Sort of - I entered a competition run by the Management Consulting Club thanks to my friend Alice! I guess that sorta counts...

13. BE NICE TO DAISY! (and all those other girls I've been mean to!)

See earlier post. I'd like to think I've been VERY NICE to Daisy! As for the other girls...I sorta forgot about that part of the resolution...

14. Do more driving so I can sit my full license or become closer to sitting it

Sort of - I'm definitely driving more! I haven't sat my full license though, so I guess we can make that a YES!

15. Take at least one photo/video a day!

Fail - I started off well, but then it died! Getting an iPod Touch did help and I now have a Youtube Channel filled with random, pointless videos of memories!

16. Stop making bets with people (late addition)

Fail - I've made bets that I will find a girlfriend before I get my dream phone, and that I 

will get married before 30...I probably shouldn't have...

So overall, that makes the final count:

Fulfilled New Years Resolutions: 4

Failed New Years Resolutions: 6

Partially Completed New Years Resolutions: 6

That makes last year's success rate at...25%! That's an improvement of...0% over last year!

Now for this year's New Years' Resolutions!

- = Calum's 2011 New Years' Resolutions = -

(In no particular order...brace yourselves!)

1. Find a girlfriend (6th year I think 6 is a lucky number!)

2. Make two new friends or make two new close friends (i.e. get closer to them than before!)

3. Keep my intern pharmacist job till the end of the year and become a registered pharmacist

4. Join the gym and at least get biceps! Abs are a bonus!

5. Get my Full License

6. Buy a new car

7. Find and buy my dream phone

8. Buy a new laptop

9. Make another short film with Aonghas

10. Find a cause and support it (Open to interpretation!)

11. Read the whole Bible! 
12. Get baptised...if I feel I am ready
12. Sit a music theory/Chinese exam 
13. Get one of my music theory students to sit a music theory exam
14. Decide what I want to do with my life after I (hopefully) complete my pharmacy internship
15. Grow some balls (that sounded wrong didn't it? Let me clarify - be more strict with my students and stop letting young girls walk all over me!)
16. Find OLDER girls to hang out with (that also sounded wrong didn't it?)
17. Be more positive/optimistic, look more at people's strengths over their weaknesses, be appreciative of what I have and less jealous of others...you know all that good, happy stuff
18. Do photo 365 (one photo a day) 
19. Learn at least 3 new pieces on the accordion (as in classical pieces that require practice!)

20. This should've come earlier but study Chinese and return to at least NCEA Level 3 Chinese level..and be more Chinese (throw that in as well)