2013 Checklist

I wrote these goals down on the last page of my planner before 2013 began, and I'm reviewing them now that the year has almost ended. 

Read the Bible everyday.

Despite missing on some days, I still consider this done. When I bought my copy of Our Daily Bread 2013 late last year in hopes that I would start opening my Bible again, I didn't expect I would actually see it through. It's been a year now, and it's the first thing I read upon waking up. Some days, the reading makes me sad; some days it makes me happy. But every waking day has never been the same since.

Run 10km.

This. I was planning to run 10km for the Silver Run, supposedly last December 1, but it was moved to February 2, next year. I guess it's just not for me yet.

Buy new lens.

Done. I bought my inexpensive Tamron 18-200mm zoom lens last January, and I'm still so in love with it.

Get passport.

This was one of the reasons I went home last October. Getting a passport in Cebu is a nightmare.

Travel.

This year, I've been to Leyte, Badian, Sumilon, Cordova, Iloilo, Guimaras, Kalibo, Boracay, Manila (never left the airport, though.LOL), Camotes, and Medellin. I've seen beautiful, beautiful things. I still want to travel next year, but I already feel so blessed to have gone to so many places and experienced so many things.

Visit home.

I was able to go home twice this year--for my niece's birthday, and then for my dad's. Nothing beats the comfort and joy of having your family around.

Get published.

I have done a few photography jobs pro-bono for friends, but I guess I won't see the final prints until next year.

Join a photography contest.

I was ambitious enough to submit an entry to the Nikon Photo Contest, and unsurprisingly, I didn't win. It's all good, though. I just really wanted to try putting my work out there.

Create a photostory.

This is my first photostory. Well, I call them photographic narratives, but it's basically the same. The others are here, here, here, here, and here. These projects have been helpful not only for my creativity, but also in becoming more confident in directing during shoots.

Decrease soda intake.

I still consider this a success because I only violated my "no soda on Sundays" rule twice this year. Or thrice. Maybe thrice. I'm planning to step up and include Wednesdays next year.

Run at least once a week.

This is a complete failure. I've gone months without running. I recently bought a new pair of running shoes to motivate me, but it's hard to run in December.LOL

Read at least 13 books.

I've read 30 books this year! More than twice the goal, and I still have two weeks left to read a few more. The Fault in Our Stars is probably the most unforgettable, and I've fallen in love with John Green and all his books, but I also loved Nick Vujicic's Life Without Limits, David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary, Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting, and Lang Leav's Love & Misadventure. Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes was a good read, too.

Buy new phone.

I wish I could say I bought my phone, but it was really a gift from my mom, so I'm crossing off just the "new phone" part.LOL

Learn flash photography.

I still wasn't able to buy an external flash unit, so this has to wait until next year.

Create travel album.

I had so much fun selecting the photos for this album, and I love looking at them from time to time. I'm really looking forward to visiting more places and adding more photos to the collection.

Wow. 11 out of 15. I couldn't complain. I actually didn't expect to cross off most of these goals, but it helped that they were specific and realistic. Now I shall start listing down my goals for next year. It's going to be so exciting.

Note slash disclaimer: This post is partly inspired by Anne Uy's new year posts. She has checklists like this on her blog.