2012 was a pretty crazy year for me, in lots of good and bad ways. It was certainly an improvement over the last half of 2011, but it was far from my best year. I’m hoping 2013 will be a lot less extreme and a whole lot happier. So here’s what I’d like to do in the upcoming year. (Okay, so it’s two weeks into January, but better late than never!)
1) Go see new stuff in Barcelona more regularly.
My first summer in Barcelona, I was instantly charmed by how much stuff the city had to offer. Of course, as time goes by there’s not as much new stuff, but I miss the feeling of discovering the city. I still haven’t seen everything Barcelona has to offer, so it’s time to get discovering.
2) Travel to a new place in Spain
I’ve seen a lot of Spain; I’ve lived in Andalucía and Catalunya, and I’ve been to Madrid, Castilla y León, and Asturias. But there’s still a whole bunch of the country I haven’t seen. For a country that’s as big as my home state, Spain is surprisingly diverse.
3) Spend some more time in a Spanish place I’ve already been to.
For me, travel isn’t just about making a checklist of places I’ve been. I prefer to spend more time in a place so you really get to know it. Hopefully I can get back to a place in Spain I’ve already been and find out more about the place.
Maybe Salamanca?
4) Improve my Catalan.
I did my first Catalan course and understand the majority of it. If I think hard, I can speak a little bit too. But I’m not going to flatter myself, my level is way too low. Back to the old Catalan it is.
5) Dedicate more time to improving my Spanish.
Learning a language takes time and effort – there’s no way around it. Because of my shortage of formal classes, my grammar needs a bit of polishing. I speak fluently, but I don’t speak perfectly, and I’ll never get there if I don’t do a bit more work. My goal: do something every week.
6) Go to a new country.
It’s been a while since I went to a new country, and I’d love to be able to go somewhere completely new for me. If I’m lucky, this might happen this month. Fingers crossed!
7) Keep up my blog!
One of the best and biggest surprises of 2012 was finding success with my blog. I’m so pleased it’s done well, and it’s exceeded my expectations by miles. I’m hoping to make it even bigger and better in 2013. Thanks to everyone who’s read about my adventures last year, and I hope you all enjoy this year as well!
Also, here’s my favorite quote about the new year, thanks to Neil Gaiman:
“And for this year, my wish for each of us is small and very simple. And it’s this.
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
Did anybody else make late New Year’s resolutions like me this year? What are you hoping 2013 brings for you?
Besos!
-Jess
What a great post! and beautiful pictures, I visited Barcelona two years ago and loved it there! I haven’t made any resolutions yet, mainly because I make goals at my birthday in Feb each year. Looking forward to making many mistakes in 2013!
Thanks very much! I usually think of goals on my birthday as well, but as my birthday is on January 10th they’re usually new year’s ones too. Here’s to a mistake-filled 2013
I made several related goals last year: To travel to a Festival de Interes Turistico (El Rocio de Huelva), to make it to all 17 autonomias (ticked off Murcia, Aragon and La Rioja), travel for something other than site-seeing (did the Tough Mudder in the UK last May) and get to another foreign country (Turkey). Just like any goal you set, they’re much easier to plan for….and more fun! This year, Italy with my novio are on the docket, as well as TBU, but I’m dying to get to Montenegro and Bosnia during Semana Santa, and do the Camino this year. I’m keeping my goals small so that they get done!
Oooh all 17 autonomias…that’s pretty good, I’m only at 6, I think. I’m actually going to Turkey next week, I’m super stoked.
Totally jealous that you’re doing the Camino, it looks amazing. Small goals are the way to go! Good luck with yours.
I went to Zaragoza last week… it’s only 3 hours away, if you go by bus is kinda cheap and also staying there is not expensive. Think you might enjoy it, especially going for tapas and drinks at El Tubo area and the amazing Cathedral. My goal would be to visit more Catalunya places and towns! And being a Correfocs lover, my ultimate goal would be going to La Patum de Berga this year!
Zaragoza…I keep meaning to go, but somehow I still haven’t been there! Same with Valencia.
I’d never heard of La Patum de Berga, but it looks like so much fun. Hope you get to go!
I’m definitely in agreement with you on number 3 – I went to Paris for a long weekend and I am itching to go back and explore some more. Those few days I was there was not enough.
Also, LOVE the Neil Gaiman quote. I love him. Stardust and American Gods are two of my favorite books
Good luck with your resolutions this year!
I loved American Gods, but I haven’t read Stardust. Time to go check it out! Thanks for the suggestion.
Number 3 is my favorite
So many people just have these checklists of places to go and things to do. Its just NOT about that. Love you and miss you! ~B
Agreed! I read this great article today about the same thing: http://www.eyeandpen.com/1/post/2013/01/-slow-travel-is-the-only-way-to-travel.html
Hope you’re enjoying PANAMA!!!
“Make glorious, amazing mistakes” — thanks for sharing the quote, I really like that idea! Good luck with your resolutions!
Thanks! Glad you liked the quote, it’s one of my favorites.
Was in Madrid nearly 3 years early this year. Like you, I’d like to discover more of Spain. But I wish I can speak Spanish!
Yes, it’s a beautiful and very useful language! Spain is a good place to learn it, if you need an excuse to travel
I just posted my resolutions a few days ago (though I posted them on January 2nd, so I wouldn’t look like it took me so long to figure them out… hahhaha).
I have a great recommendation for number 1, go to “Turó de la Rovira”. I don’t know if you know of this place, but I didn’t until last October or so… and now it’s my fav place. Here is a pic, I posted on my blog, of the views from up there.
http://1anyen365fotos.blogspot.com.es/2012/12/dia-85-any-3.html
You can get there by bus from Plaça Catalunya, number 28.
I’ve been meaning to contact you for another language exchange during the whole semester… but since I didn’t have classes I wasn’t that much in BCN. But, maybe, if you still want, we can do it this next semester. I need to practice my English and I would love to help you with Catalan or Spanish.
Oh I’ve been to the other side of that park that looks towards the sea, but I haven’t seen all of it. That’s a good idea, it looks beautiful!
Let me know if you want to meet up, I’d like to too
Great photos! Have you been to Pamplona for San Fermines?? If not you should definitely go. I went like a couple of years ago and had a blast
No…or rather, not yet! I’d love to though, it sounds like sooo much fun. Thanks for the recommendation!