2016 Accomplishments and 2017 Dreams and Plans for the Future

Today I am trying something new, something that I have been meaning to do, but kept postponing. Now is the perfect time to share this as we just ended another year and the new year is opening before our eyes. Today is a good time to think about the past (what worked and what didn’t) and a good time to talk about dreams and plans for the future.

So I decided it would be fun if I shared with you a Q and A about me. If you have a blog and you decide to do the same, I would love to read your post (please let me know when you do!). If you don’t have a blog, choose one question from these 15 questions and share your answer in the comments.

1. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for this year?

I believe in setting goals as I am more likely to achieve them if I plan and write them down.

I have a notebook with my 2016 dreams and plans. They involve my nutrition business and my health. At the beginning of 2016 I wrote a few pages on how I am planning to grow my business and I completed most of them by the end of the year. I also wrote one page with health goals (still working on some of them – I am talking about you, flossing every day!).

This year, I wrote a few pages of business goals again and 1 page of health goals. Last year’s health goals are the same for the most part as I think I found the right goals for myself.

Also, every day I make a to-do list with small goals. This list helps me get closer to my big goals. I thrive having a list of things to do. It helps me stay organized and productive, which I love 🙂 .

2. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

I started a Facebook business page. That was scary! Although I share my thoughts with you here regularly, somehow it felt that being present on Facebook every day exposed me more to the world. I am still trying to become comfortable doing this which I know is important to help my business grow.

3. What countries did you visit?

We (my husband, myself, our 4 ½ year old daughter and 7 ½ year old son) went to Cancun, Mexico in December for 8 nights with my parents and our friends who have 2 daughters the same age as my kids.

We all had a blast, especially since my husband lost his glasses into the ocean waves and just when he thought they were lost for good, our friend found them. How lucky was that?! We are so thankful for our friend finding my husband’s glasses. Without them, the trip would have been spoiled.

4. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I started teaching and I LOVE teaching. I also get great feedback from my students. I love the material I teach (anatomy and physiology, chemistry and biochemistry, pediatrics, cellular biology, etc.), I love my students, and I could keep teaching for hours, but I have to let them go home at the end of the school day 🙂 .

5. What was your biggest failure?

Since a few years ago I stopped seeing failures as negative, but as a necessary part that allow me to evolve as a person.

I wanted to organize more workshops for parents, but it didn’t happen. I have a better plan this year and I hope to organize workshops more often.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

2016 was a good year for me and my family. Everybody was healthy (apart from minor colds), my son loves going to school and is doing very well (my daughter just started preschool this past year), my parents have been accepted as permanent residents in Canada after waiting for 6 years (now they don’t have to go back to Romania unless they want to visit), we went on 3 short holiday trips, my business is growing, and my husband’s work is going even stronger.

I hope 2017 will be at least as good as 2016!

7. What was the best thing you bought?

Green juices. On average I think I bought one a week. I see them as a great investment to health as they are a quick and certain way to get lots of nutrients.

8. What song will always remind you of 2016?

Hula Hoop by OMI as my daughter sings the chorus in the car.

9. What were your favourite TV shows?

We don’t have cable, but I watch Netflix (movies and TV shows). I also watch Walking Dead with my husband (it’s the only show we buy). I also watch The Bachelor/The Bachelorette on City TV’s website all by myself as my husband mocks it and spoils it for me. I am very committed to these shows and I never miss them. I even schedule them on my calendar 🙂 .

10. What was the best book you read?

I have been reading a lot of parenting books in the last few years. I don’t think I have a favorite, but I learned quite a few things from “Raising boys”  and from ”Raising emotionally healthy boys” as they helped me understand boy psychology and be more understanding with my son.

11. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Exercising. I exercised more in 2016 (at least 3 times a week) than I did in 2015 (I can’t remember how often, but I know it was tragic), so I consider that progress. But there is always room to do better.

This year I am following P90X-3 and a few other videos I like.

I love how I feel after I exercise and I want to exercise every day for 30 minutes. I can do it!

I also want to keep going on dates with my husband at least once a week. We did quite well last year and I think we went on at least 3 dates a month. There were some weekends without dates and others with 2 dates, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. We are trying for at least 4 dates a month this year.

12. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying. I spend too much worrying about different things. I need to learn to take things lighter. As difficult things can get, they can always get harder.

13. What kept you sane?

My husband, matcha green tea chocolate, green juices, and Netflix.

14. How did you spend New Year’s Eve in 2016?

My husband and I played with the kids in the morning and he took our boy skiing at the Canada Olympic Park which was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

We (my kids, husband, and parents) went out at 2 pm to have an early supper (more like a lunch-supper; I think it’s called a “lupper” 🙂 ). The restaurant was quiet (there was only one other family there), the food was good, and my kids didn’t bother anybody when they decided to play while the rest of us finished our meal.

When we got home, my husband and I left the kids with my parents as we decided on a whim to go see a movie. We saw “Why him?” with Bryan Cranston (the main actor from Breaking Bad) and James Franco (I think he needs no introduction). It was a fun movie that provided a light entertainment we enjoyed at the end of the year.

Once we got home we played with the kids and once they went down for the night my husband and I went to our friends’ house where we ate delicious food, listened to music, and talked about silly things. We had a great time!

15. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.

I didn’t learn this in 2016, it’s just something I always tell myself: “keep going”. There will always be ups and downs, but if I don’t stop, I will always experience progress.

I hope you enjoyed reading my dreams and plans as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Please share your answers to at least one of the above questions. I am looking forward to reading your dreams and plans!

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