Hello, 2014!

Cynics may sneer and call it blind optimism, I don't care. I love new years because, together with the changing of calendars, we are given a metaphorical blank slate with which to fill with more stories and memories.

I'm excited to use my new planner, too!
Here is its front inside page, jazzed up and prettified ♡ 

Because all good things must come to an end, I am bracing myself for the final goodbye to Ted Mosby and friends. They're releasing a spin-off show but I'm not sure if I would like it; I guess I'd have to see the trailer first. Nevertheless, I am also excited because the first Mockingjay movie comes out on November. I am hoping Fun. releases a new album this year, too.

And now, because I'm a sucker for these things, I listed down some ways that will help me make the most out of this year. Just like the informal tradition I started on 2010 and did again on 2011 (but kinda neglected for 2012 and 2013, yikes!), this was inspired by the song You Gotta Be by Des'ree.

Listen as your day unfolds, challenge what the future holds

Try and keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears, stand up and be counted

Don't be ashamed to cry

You gotta be

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser

You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Herald what your mother said

Reading the books your father read

Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time

Some may have more cash than you

Others take a different view, my oh my, heh, hey

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser

You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Don't ask no questions, it goes on without you

Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace

The world keeps on spinning

You can't stop it, if you try to

This time it's danger staring you in the face

For 2014, I hope, personality-wise, I can be more outgoing/ less shy, and more decisive/ less impulsive. When it comes to my career, I'm happy with how things are but a little growth wouldn't hurt. I've had a nice work-life balance for 2013 but for this year, I'm hoping I can see my old friends more lest we drift apart. I mean, I know we will be friends forever whatever happens, but it would be nicer to be able to catch up at least every couple of months.

I'd like to be able to visit a new and unfamiliar place this year, too.

I want to take more care of my body and personal well-being, so I will dedicate more time for yoga. I aim to do headstands and handstands before the year ends! Also, I am not fond of eating junk food, but I will try to eat healthier this year just the same.

I watched a lot of great movies and read a lot of great books last year, and I know there's a plethora of gems waiting to be discovered. I'd like to explore more, so I agreed to a year-long wager with my friends Anne and Alex to watch as many movies as possible. I also set a personal goal of 40 books in Good Reads' 2014 Reading Challenge, and I am positive I will be able to accomplish it seeing as last year I was able to read 37 books in my Kindle alone. These will be documented in my planner and on Facebook.

Finally, this year, I will write more.

Now here's something nice you can do: why don't you write a letter to your Future Self? I would've totally forgotten about it if not for the email I received last night containing a letter I wrote exactly a year ago. It was such a pleasant surprise to see how much has changed since, and I wanted to do it again for next year so I wrote another email and addressed it to my Future Self, to be sent on December 31, 2014. Try it for yourself!

My friends, I know that I couldn't expect things to magically change the moment the clock struck 12, and if I want something to happen I should act on it myself. I acknowledge that the Universe can only do so much, but if there's one thing I hope it could help me with, it would be regarding that four-letter word. My heart is open and I am ready, but if he is taking his sweet time to meet me, I pray that he's somewhere fulfilling his dreams and ultimately being a kind person.

Do you have a habit of writing New Year's resolutions and wishes, too? What are the items in your list?

"We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down."

- Kurt Vonnegut