Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Year...New You, or so they say!

New Year....new you.  Well that seems to be the slogan this year, but it made me think, do I really want a new me???

Not really, I kinda like the me I am.  Are there things I could change, of course.  However, I don't want to lose who I am.  I want to essentially stay me, just enhance me a bit better.  So here I have listed my goals for the year.  Yes, I said goals.  I don't like resolutions because it sounds like it must absolutely be done by the end of the year.  I like goals because it is easier to accomplish and it can be changed easily as time dictates.  One should always be open to change.  So here is my list.
  1. Eat healthier - No I am not listing losing weight because losing weight is not the source of my weight problem, eating badly is.  So I want to make a longer lasting, lifestyle change and that is done by changing the way I eat.  Changing the way I eat will not only naturally lead to weight loss but to also lowering my A1C level which is how my doctor determines my level of diabetes.  So the lower the A1C, the better.
  2. Keep my genealogy research organized.  Many times last year, I would go online and conduct genealogy research and when I would look through my research notebook for information, I would find that I have the same information in several different places and in different files.  It was very frustrating.  So last October, I re-organized my research and hope that I have found the system that works for me.  So far, so good but we will see how this year works out.
  3. Start writing my entry for the NGS Family History Contest.  The best entry to the NGS Family History Contest will win an expense paid trip to the next NGS Annual Conference which is held in a different state each year.  I am waiting for when the conference will be held in a state that is relevant to my research like Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan, Connecticut, and New York.  I would love it if the conference were held here in California, but I have found out that it is too expensive for them to have it here.  The last time it was in Cali was, I believe, back in the mid to late '80s.  The family history I will write about will consist of Mr. Teddybear's family.  I have linked them back to one of the Pilgrims who came off the Mayflower and founded this country.  So I have taken the first step and decided on the three generations that I must write about.  I still have to gather all of my proof (certificates(birth, death & marriage) and any other records they have available) and prove the lineage.  It will not be easy nor will it take a short time.  I am estimating that it could take up to a year or a year and a half to gather all of the information and write the story.  I am hoping that the conference in 2013 will be in one of the states I need.
  4. Join National Genealogy Society and the Southern California Genealogical Society.  Membership in the NGS is required in order for me to enter the writing contest, but I feel that being members to both societies will be helpful in my research and help to expand my knowledge in genealogy and in doing professional research.

This list is an ever-changing list and will change throughout the year.  I believe one should be open to change whether we change or not.  The choice of embracing that change is up to each of us.

Happy New Year!!!