New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year Everyone!

A year has passed, and we are on to new things!
Its been a crazy productive year, university and scholarship applications, auditions, solos, competitions, traveling to Europe for the first time, school achievement, sports, the list is endless!
With many exciting things coming up in the new year, I thought I'd share some of my New Years Resolutions with you guys!

1. Becoming a Healthier Person. 

This is my top goal (and one I manage to set every year...and fail miserably with....) this year and for many reasons. I've unfortunately had to quit my usual sports due to my sporadic music schedule, but I've also been interested in trying something new. With Grad and Prom coming up faster than I thought, I'd also like to look my best.
My mini goals for this Resolution are:

• Learn How To Run, I've never been able to do it. I can skate, I can sprint, I just cannot run. With some cute new running shoes, I am motivated to go out! 
• Walk as much as I can. Whether it be around school, taking the stairs, to and from school, after dinner, whenever! Adding cardio to my day will just build up my stamina. 
• Try Yoga! I did mother-daughter yoga with my mom when I was like 8, and hated it...But when we brought it back in gym class in Gr.9, I loved it. This is a great way to relax and tone my body.
• Cut the White Sugars and Carbs. It's been known to my family to have issues and swelling with sugar and carbs and everyone of them felt better when they were off the sugars and carbs. When carbs breakdown, they turn into sugar which produces fat. It's killing two birds with one stone.
• Eat Healthier. I am always hungry and I always find myself standing in front of the vending machine. I'm going to attempt to eat more salads and lean proteins to help cut down on the crappy eating.
• Be Better with Taking my Medication. I am so forgetful and I can`t ever stick to one schedule. I take Iron for my anemia and some medication for my acne. It can`t get better if I don`t remember to take my meds!
• Drink More Water, I am so terrible about drinking enough water. I might have 4 glasses in a week (terrible, I know)...The more water I drink, the better I`ll feel and it`ll just keep me healthy.
• Run a Race. I've always wanted to run a race just for the satisfaction that I can do it. Even starting small with a 5K and moving up, is something I want to be able to do. 

    2. Be Classier.

I feel like I should be trying to look more presentable than I do now. I`m going into a field where first impressions count, and anyone is important whether it`s in an audition or coffee downtown.  It`s time to become a lady and move on from day-to-day leggings and hoodies. 

Mini goals for this one would be:

• Stop Swearing. This one is self explanatory, I'm tired of sounding like a sailor and there are definitely other words I could be using.  It's a tough habit to crack, but not impossible! I think it`s just time to grow up and not sound so cross and crude. Not that dropping the odd swear or if it`s in the end of a joke is going to end the world, but my frequent swearing isn`t a good look (for me, at least...and with the exception of sporting events)
• Dress Like You`re Already Famous. As I`ve previously mentioned, I often opt for leggings, boots and a hoodie or tee-shirt. I`ve always been envious in those who rock London Street fashion or those who can afford Topshop and Zara. I`ve always wanted to dress up for day-to-day things, but with school I feel like I have no one to impress so I don`t bother. I also cut my hair short in hopes of maintaining the hair-do, but it`s brought on a challenge and I usually just put it in a messy bun. I`d like to step this up a notch and make a decent effort for everyday looks.
• Spending Time on my Hair and Makeup. This is a general effort as I mentioned in the statement above. I would like to learn how to style short hair, since it`s so much harder than having long hair. Add in the struggle of having thin hair, I need to figure out how to make it work! Makeup wise, I`d like to use less foundation/concealer (because my skin is really bad lately), and just focus on contouring and my eyes. I usually use eye shadow for events outside of school, but i'm considering using it day to day. I'd like to learn to feel comfortable in my own skin and hopefully using less on my face will actually help by giving my skin some time to breathe. 
• Work On My Manners. I've never been rude, and If I was, I would have gotten a stern look or repercussion from my parents. Growing up with a strict English background, It was never tolerated. I'd like to work on the small things like saying "May I" instead of "Can I", or learning to not state everything that comes to mind during a conversation, and only taking 1 piece of gum instead of two!

    3. Focus

The next year is filled with strenuous tasks. I have multiple university auditions, a Europe trip, job applications, internship applications, traveling for music, competitions, gradutating with honours and scholarships, and well....graduation in general. This all requires focus. Early preparation of my pieces, over 80% on every test and/or assignment (even picking up a few extra ones for bonus marks).  

Mini goals for this Resolution are: 

• Early Preparation of Music. Getting my music early, analyzing it as quickly as possible (including translation), learning it and THEN applying the artistry to it. It will save me time and stress if I stay on top of it all. 
• Getting Honours. I am one of those kids who needs to be over 80-85% at the end of the year when report cards roll around. I'm no where close to being an overachiever, no way, but I'm also not an underachiever. My goal is to stay focused on my work by studying hard and staying on top of my school work. The earlier I start an assignment the less stress I'll have and more time to not panic. 
• Doing the Best I Can at Competitions. This year is the year to get out there and be exposed to new people. Competitions are a good way to meet new teachers, accompanists and other musicians. If I am well prepared for these competitions, there is a good chance I will be less stressed and I 'll be able to enjoy the performance more, since it is the best part!

These are the biggest goals of this year, and I'll be sure to keep you posted with these things!

I'm wishing you all the best in your new year and with much success!

Until next time,

Tessa