By the time you read this, it will be December 2009. The year has literally flown by in a haze of random moments collated to form memories of a crazy year. Last year sucked! It is the easiest way to sum it up and I doubt that it could ever get worse than 2008 for me, so there, 2009 was better!

At the beginning of the year, I had the kahunas to post an article highlighting some of my new years resolutions for 2009 and I think that given that it’s December, it is worth a look back to see how well I have done.

So here is my list with a small catch up on each item:

I resolute to:

• Listen without saying anything for 20 minutes a day (Apparently, I have too little patience for stupid people and I need to listen more!) I have become better at this. I must admit that I am a lot more patient now and I do listen more, though I have not been doing it daily. So I have certainly failed at this resolution!
  
• Feed a poor child at least twice a month This resolution started off well and for the first few months, I did manage to feed poor kids fairly often, sometimes more than twice a month. I guess that I have no excuse as to why I have let this one slip on the regularity even though I do make an effort every now and again. Another failed resolution!
  
• Help educate a poor child I missed my opportunity this year to do this, but I have since arranged with a school principal to instate a scholarship next year in honor of my kid brother. Failed resolution!
  
• Study something that aids my career This year I did fairly well in this department. Early in 2009 I completed a Project Management course and I also managed to fit in an MDP from University of Stellenbosch Business School and I graduate next week!
  
• Study something that adds value to my life without affecting my career Wow, I guess that I royally sucked in this department. I very recently started Thai Chi and it has certainly added value to my life, but 1 month’s worth of classes is no major achievement.
• Find a friend that I have forgotten about and catch up This I did do. A friend that I was very close to in high school and I spent some time together catching up and it was great. I really missed the guy and it was really cool to see him again after a 9 year gap.
  
• Stop judging the artsy fartsy type, some people are just weird Still working on this one. I have become more tolerant to people now than ever before, but the arty fartsy type still kinda freak me out. Especially if they wear green denim jeans!
  
• Fix this thing called “my health” Wow, this was a screw up. I bought a bicycle and hardly used it. Signed up for the gym and went a few times just to rid myself of the guilt. Took up Thai Chi recently and I must admit that I am bored already. I have tried eating better though.
  
• Spend more time outside Nope. Failed!
  

In 2009 I will greatly reduce the intake of: (not GIVE UP, just reduce!)

• Softdrinks (That whole theory that Coke adds life, is balls!) I drink less coke, but more Just Juice Cranberry Strawberry! Failed.
  
• Chocolate bars (Happens rarely anyway, so less is bonus!) Yup, this is a pass. I very rarely eat chocolate of late and actively avoid it!
  
• White bread (Wheat and Grain is the way!) Failed!
  
• Fries (Nando’s wedges is better anyway!) Yup, I do actively eat less fries now than before. Not saying that i have STOPPED eating fries, I have just started eating less! fairly often I opt for the salad option. True Story!
  
• Chilli (I’m Indian, so just know that this isn’t as easy it may sound!) Yup! I’m very into Wellington’s Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce now!
  
• Energy drinks (Those things are designed for athletes and not for people who have parts that wobble when they laugh!) I have stopped drinking Energade as a juice, though I have been very bad with Redbull and Play. This though, only when I have had to work all through the night and needed the extra psychological kick in the nuts by cracking open a can. I’m pretty convinced that it’s all in the head though…

In 2009 I will greatly increase the intake of:

• Tea Definitely yes! I’ve become a darn tea addict!
  
• Cucumber (lol) What was I think when I put this down?
  
• Peaches Nope. Fail!
  
• Fresh Grapes Nope. Fail!
  
• Whole grain bread
• Water Definitely yes, but only relative to the amount of water that I drink while in SA. While I was living in India I consumed an insane amount of water and I don’t think that I can repeat it here.
  
• Veggies Nope, I still hate veggies!

So that’s me… I have quite a few that I could have done better and a few that I have failed on. I do still have 1 full month to attempt fixing it though, so now that I have been reminded of my 2009 resolutions, I am going to try to be diligent for at least this last month of 2009!

How have you done on a 1 to 1 resolution comparison for 2009?