New Year, New Perspective

 It is at this time of the year that many people are working on their new year resolutions. Goals of health, wealth, fitness and beyond. It is also at this time that many of those people begin to fail at those goals they were so hopeful to achieve on the first of January, under the distorted view of a champagne hangover. Experts on psychology and human behavior tell us that it takes about 28 days of daily commitment to make or break a habit. I implore those of you who are working hard to reach your goals, to keep pushing. Goals such as health and fitness are truly lifelong commitments and are without a finish line. Remember that getting started is certainly the hardest part.

I decided to take a different route to making a resolution for the new year, after reading an eye opening (albeit rather disheartening) article on cracked.com. The article is titled 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You A Better Person, and was written by David Wong. I suggest that all young folks my age read that article, but to not take all of it to heart... you will understand what I mean if you read it!
As for my resolution, I decided to take David's advice: to obtain a skill in 2013 that will be of use to other people. My main goal for 2013 will be to learn the Spanish language, a skill that I am sure will be helpful in the ever expanding global market. I am doing this through two main mediums: First, I am taking a second-level introductory Spanish course through my University and Second I will be working on an orchard in California through the summer months, presumably with many Mexican immigrants.
This opportunity in California will satisfy two educational goals of mine- to increase my agricultural knowledge (I have little to no knowledge or experience on orchards or with fruit) and to put me in a different cultural and linguistic setting. I'm sure that communication will be a challenge in the beginning, but I am looking forward to furthering my skills as a global citizen.