Academic New Year's Resolutions/Goals

And here we are again. It's a new year, and I'm trying to imagine some resolutions. My summer was ALL about administration. It was the summer of revising the Expos 1 textbook. I'm very happy with the result, but it took so much of my summer. I did get some family time, though: a few days in NY to celebrate one of my very best friend's wedding (so insanely fun), two weeks home with family, and then Billy and Anna were here for four or five days. So that's all wonderful.

This year, I'm trying to find a way to get back on track, research-wise. Administration will take all the time I have, if I let it. And after the up-for-tenure year, I feel a bit afloat. So I might come back to this and update these resolutions when I get a better sense of where I'm heading.

Personal

• I've lost a few pounds lately, so I'm happy about that, but not nearly enough. So I need to continue working on that. I've just ordered a new swimsuit so, more specifically, I want to hit the pool at least two nights a week.
• I also paid for a rec membership, in part to go see how racquetball feels on my back. I really miss racquetball. So I want to go at least once to try it.
• Tulla gets really aggressive about people at the door. I've been trying to work on that a bit, so I'd like to keep working on that. 
• Beej and I have been hanging out in the yard tubs when it's hot. I'm hoping that it's actually not too hot in the upcoming weeks, but if it is, I'm down with the yard tubs. It's nice to relax with my husband.
• Cook more, walk more, laugh more.
• I'd like to read all 12 KSBN books in full.

Research

• I'm still working on finding a new focus, some new passion. So one of my goals is to find it. It could be fat rhetorics, but I'm not yet sure.
• I have to revise a chapter for a collection by October 1, so that's a pressing goal.
• I got accepted into 4Cs, so I'm psyched about that. I need to research and write that paper, though.
• I need to write my application for the RSA summer institute. 

Teaching

• I'm at the end of my second week of teaching ENGL 100. The last time I taught that class, it was awful. The worst class I've ever taught, no question. So far, it's great. I love my students, most of them seem to be doing the work, and I'm having a good time. I just want to try to keep that attitude.
• Grading can get so out of hand, so I want to make sure I'm keeping on track with that. 

Administration

• I generally like being the Expos Director. I hope I keep that attitude this year.
• There's A LOT of work to do, administratively, this year, so I'm trying not to make this a to-do list. Instead, my resolution is to stay organized. I'm almost done cleaning out my office closet and then I have a few shelves to clean out. I want to STAY organized. 
•  I also want to update my "how to be the director" list and stay on top of that.
• Mostly, though, I want a good attitude. It's too easy for me to say that I'm tired, I'm swamped, etc. While that is always true, I want to make sure I'm welcoming while staying in charge, you know?