Resolute to a Revolution.

Successfully surviving the apocalypse, the millennium, our computing systems turning back on us (or is that still to come?), I think our world has done pretty well to get to 2013 and managing to get through the first month. Aside from all the continuing tragic news over the world...not that it changes much every year.

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent New Year at my Obaachan's house in Tokyo.We spent a quiet day indoors, eating too much of good food, but not going all out - in Japan, if a relative has passed away in the previous year, it is seen as a sign of respect to have a toned down New Year celebration as if in mourning...something that baffles me a little about Japanese culture as I'm the type that always likes to look ahead and be positive. Don't get me wrong, grieving is important, but I think there's only so much you can do. Grief won't bring them back, after all.

Anyway, here are a few snaps of the food we had.

New Year in Japan;
when one can have sake for breakfast.

As with 80% of those who make them, according to Mr. Wiki, I make New Year's Resolutions every year and have never successfully kept any. I distinctively remember making them and writing them down this time last year, and I don't think I even managed to keep them within January! Therefore, although it is pretty much a copy of my resolutions of 2012, I am making a list again. I know I've made more than enough for myself, but at the same time I'm trying to be realistic, but also not aim too high;

1. Get involved in more Charity work
2. Lose weight and make realistic, small goals
3. Learn to cook a few dishes, and be able to repeat them (make packed lunches for work every day if possible)
4. Be healthy at a realistic level and look after self (less illnesses, better skin condition, go to bed early, wake up early, careful on overindulgence of "bad" food)
5. Save money through less spending on pointless things (in particular, cosmetics and clothes)
6. Sober up (cut down on drinking)
7. Be more time efficient (be on time for things more often!)
8. Expand knowledge by reading more, watching more (articles, books, films)
9. Be more efficient in household chores (try to at least keep rooms tidy to a level that any last minute guests can come in)
10. Write more, Blog more
11. Get back into web design (work on dead domain)
12. Expand knowledge and skills in music (band activities,  listen to more music, work on improving singing skills)
13. Spend more time with friends, keep in touch
14. Stop being a lazy, last-minute arse (pay bills on time, reply to messages)

I swear there are tons more that I had in mind, but they are mostly little things that branch out from the resolutions I have written above. For example, one of my worst habits is deciding to stay out all night in Sapporo, then spending too much money on sleeping in a Manga cafe and buying cosmetics, clean undies and the latter that I didn't bring with me. Hence, that relates with my "save money" resolution.

My overall resolution is to be positive, no matter how tough things turn out. I would like to say "live every day like it's my last", but that's pretty much near to impossible because of our modern day lifestyles, isn't it? If I was living every day like it was my last I would be spending my money on gorgeous clothes without a care, indulging in deliciously rich food with friends and family and scrambling on a stage to sing and dance on (very materialistic of me, I admit, but materials make me happy). Alas, I have a job, and a schedule to keep to, but I mean to keep at it with a positive outlook, and to enjoy even the little things in life. I like to think that I am overall a very forward-thinking person, but I did dangerously verge on the cliff of emo-ism in the second half of last year; reasons being problems within the family, friends, work, health, etc. I laugh now I look back and think about how petty everything was, and also feel as though I wasted what could've been good times. In saying that, I don't regret those sad times - I think it's only human for us to have moments where we get low, and it is because of these little tiffs that we can appreciate the better. Still, I need to remind myself to keep at it.

2013 is going to be the best year of my life ;)