End of the semester

Y'all, I got overly ambitious in September and set a bunch of goals for myself that I haven't been able to reach yet. 

Because 2020 sucked. 

So I've only read 23/30 books for this year's Goodreads target which makes me really disappointed in myself but also... December isn't over yet. Maybe if I read some short books I can still make the target. I really want to set a super ambitious book target for 2021, like 100 books. The reason why is because I think as a literature major, I should really be reading a lot more. Setting a 100 book target will help me a lot in my field of study. But I don't know if it's realistic, since I normally only read about 30 books a year and this year I read even fewer than average.

When it comes to learning languages, I have been taking French lessons but I don't see any real progress. I know that the best way to learn a language is immersion. And of course cause of covid I can't travel to Quebec or something right now. So the best I can do is an intense self-immersion where I study French for like 6 hours a day with French movies, books, and conversation partners. I haven't had the time to do this. I learned a few signs in ASL but haven't made much progress in that area either. I want to gain a working proficiency in French by the end of the year (I mean by the end of the school year not the end of 2020) and reach a good beginner level in ASL, but idk if that's a realistic goal. I want to start learning Spanish next year.

Aaaaaahhhh ok I also wrote "maintain at least a 3.7 GPA" on my list of goals. Damn it. So I've finished my exams and I'm anxiously awaiting the results right now but I think I failed at least one of them lmao. So R.I.P my GPA and my dreams of going to a prestigious grad school program on a scholarship. 

The next thing I had on my masochistic list was "submit writing to at least 10 publications or writing contests." Hmm... lets see how I'm doing with that goal.

1) I wrote a poem for a poetry contest that was a runner up but it didn't win 

2) I wrote a poem for another poetry contest that I haven't heard the result for yet but I doubt I'll win because I looked at past winners and my poem is way too different from the kind that usually wins the contest

3) I submitted a draft for a novel that I got some feedback on but it was rejected. The feedback was useful though. 

4) I wrote a short story for the Youth Outlook Magazine. If you're a young writer under 21, I highly recommend submitting your stories, art or poetry to them. My submission was accepted but they are currently taking some time to edit it right now. Once it's posted, I'll let you know on this blog. In the meantime, check out some other writing or submit your own work here: https://theyouthoutlookmag.wixsite.com/website

5) I am currently working on an article for  INKspire in defense of Mi'kmaq fishing rights. INKspire mostly has articles on current events but they also have opportunities to submit other types of writing for people ages 14-29 who are located in Canada. 

6) I am writing a film analysis about the Mexican movie "Roma" for a magazine that publishes film criticism 

So you see, I haven't accomplished the goal of submitted 10 pieces yet but I am definitely making progress towards that. I have a lot of ideas planned for what to write next, including a poem for another poetry contest. I hope I have enough good content to make a portfolio of my writing by the end of the school year. This may help me become a freelance writer/editor and maybe I can even make some money from people who want me to write stuff for them? idk. 

The next goals on my list include having a good hair care routine/skin care routine/workout routine. This is going terribly. I am kind of blessed that I just have naturally nice hair because of genetics but it could be a lot nicer if I invested in some good products like leave-in conditioner. But I haven't looked into that yet. When it comes to skincare, I spent nearly a hundred dollars on skincare products only to find out that they don't work on me and make my acne even worse (despite buying from reputable brands and choosing products that had good reviews). So that really sucks. I am hoping to go to a dermatologist after covid ends and making them fix my skin. Also I never exercise. 

I haven't had time to work on my art either, aside from this one drawing I made of a candy corn mermaid. It is nice, sure, but it could be better if I regularly practiced drawing (which I don't): 

Speaking of art, please +watch me (follow me) on DeviantArt. My username is Aztecatl13.

I've also been trying out some different recipies in quarantine but I am not really satifised. I want to go vegan but I can not do this until I can have a proper appointment with a dietician and they can check my nutrient levels and stuff (so I'm going to have to wait until after covid to go vegan unfortunately). I don't want to screw up my health from going vegan. I already hate meat because it tastes disgusting and I hate milk and eggs too. But I still eat these things sometimes for the nutritional benefits even though they make me wanna puke. I'm sure I'll be much happier as a vegan if I can find a way to do it in a healthy way. 

The last item on my list of goals was "practicing the flute." I haven't practiced my flute in over a year. I've probably forgotten it by now and will have to learn it from scratch again if I ever do pick it up again, which kinda sucks because I spent a lot of money on lessons, books, and buying my own flute. I am really interested in ethnomusicology (just for fun, not really in an academic way) and chose to take up the flute because of how flutes can be found in every culture's musical tradition. 

I'm going to put out a revised list of goals to follow that are more realistic based on my past failures. Ok, so we'll stick to these 5 things to accomplish by the end of the school year:

1. Read 25 books between now and the end of the school year

2. Learn enough French that I can be certified for a 200-level French course at my university according to its placement test 

3. Submit writing to at least 10 publications or contests

4. Perform well enough at my current internship at a nonprofit organization that I am offered some kind of permanent position within the org. Also apply to 4 more internships or volunteer opportunities. 

5. Be published in an academic journal or present at an academic conference at least once 

These are ambitious but I think I've narrowed things down to stuff I actually care about. 

What are your goals for 2021?

By the way, it's okay if you just say something like "drink more water." That's completely valid and awesome. 

Happy winter everyone! Try to get a UV lamp if you have seasonal depression like me! and stay safe during covid.