Some End of the Year Conclusions & New Year Resolutions...or not...

It's time for some reflexions about the year that is at an end concerning what I usually post about here. This was the first year I got involved in Reading Challenges, it seems they have been around for a long time but, although I enjoyed reading other people's posts about them I had never joined. This year, thanks to A., I finally found the courage to join some and what started with just a few soon became a huge task as I couldn't resist joining more and more challenges. I have to say that this made me read books I wouldn't otherwise have read and I found that a positive thing. I reread some of the classics that were a part of my teenage reading and found more authors and genres to enjoy. Although I may not be joining as many challenges in 2010 as I did in 2009 they definitely were something that I enjoyed and that I plan to repeat. I read a bit less this year, 160 books in 2009 as opposed to 185 in 2008. I was planning to highlight my best reads but I already wrote a post for Historical Tapestry about my favourite historical fiction books so I'll just leave you the link. I don't read only HF though so check my Goodreads account if you want to know what more I've been reading.

I also watched a lot more movies and TV series than in the past. My involvement with the Lights Camera History blog has definitely contributed to that, at least in the period drama department. I had been a fan of the british period drama for some time but this past year I tried other cinematographies. My discovery of the year was the cinema made in India. Thanks to A. I have watched some movies that quickly became favorites like Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar or Mughal-e-Azam.

http://www.graphicgarden.com/

Hobbies wise it seems that only my crafts have been a bit abandoned, during the first half of the year I think that happened because painting takes space and you need to do it in some place where you don't mind if the floor, table, etc gets dirty. I used to have a place for that but I don't anymore and at home there's not much space so most of the materials have been in storage and I only painted one or two things for Christmas. I think sewing and knitting might be more suited for me now but I haven't had much time to devote to it. At least not as much time as I used to. I did set up a blog (in portuguese) to show what me and my Mom have been crafting.

Now to the resolutions...I have been setting myself goals in past years and I just decided that I am too bad at keeping them so there's no point in continuing. I have great hopes for this new year, like most people I wish the world crisis would end soon! And, a bit closer to home, I wish we may all stay healthy and happy! I want to value more my family and my friends, to enjoy the little things in life, to learn new things, to do more with less... But those are not exactly resolutions, they are a part of my journey in this life. On the subject of being happy I've been following Gretchen Rubin's blog for a while now and I'm greatly enjoying it. Some things are great food for thought...

So, I suppose the only resolution I have is to keep blogging. That means continuing reading, watching movies and Tv series, crafting and sharing my thoughts about all that with you. That's it! I do have other plans for this year but we'll get to that when we get there...

I wish you all a great year in 2010! May all our expectations be fulfilled!