Reflecting on my 2010 Goals
About this time last year, I made some goals that I wanted to accomplish in 2010. I intentionally avoided the word “resolutions,” and went to the more measurable “goals” to describe things I wanted to accomplish. So how did I do?
Here were the goals I made last year, with a discussion of each.
- Learn two new piobaireachds. Halfway there. I learned (and competed with) The Little Spree, and didn’t quite make it to another tune.
- Play one new light music tune of each type in competition. Almost. The new tunes I played were John MacDonald of Glencoe (2/4 march), Tulloch Castle (strathspey), Dr. MacPhail’s Reel (reel), The Train Journey North (hornpipe), and The Little Spree (piobaireachd). Though I did not play a new jig or 6/8 march, I had submitted new tunes (The Old Wife of the Mill Dust and Ellenorr) that weren’t chosen by the judge. I’ll count this one as completed.
- Compete with a grade 3 band. Done. I joined the ranks of the MacMillan Pipe Band and played in every contest they attended this year. Being a member of this band was made significantly easier by a geographical relocation (see next point), which allowed me to attend practice regularly.
- Restart my academic career. Done. I was accepted and enrolled in a master’s degree program at the University of Maryland. By New Year’s Day 2012 I expect to have my degree in nuclear engineering and gainfully employed.
- Learn to juggle. Um, not so much. I know how to juggle, but I can’t truthfully say that I can juggle. More practice is needed, and I’ll keep working on it.
I’m planning to make a similar list for 2011, which will be posted here in the next few days.
What about you? How did 2010 work out for you?
