Five Goals for 2007 – January 31, 2007

I’m not one to set New Year’s Resolutions, mostly because they last just a week or so before I’ve broken them, but this year I did set aside some goals that I hope to accomplish by the end of the year. I’m sure you’re all dying to read what they are so I’ll get right to it. I know I’m a month late but better late than never, right?

Here is a list of five goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. Please note that they are not in any order.

Goal No. 1 – How Bout a Raise!

I’ve worked 3-plus years for the newspaper and have yet to see an increase in my pay. I’m not ashamed to say it; I get paid crap (like $9 an hour crap!). I’d get paid more money if I delivered the paper or sold the paper, but instead I write for it – part-time – so I get paid crap. Have I mentioned that already? Another problem with the paper is that I’ve worked here for 3-plus years and have yet to get any type of review. So my goal for the New Year was to demand a raise and review. Have I done that yet? Didn’t need to. A week into the year they mentioned a review and a week later I got my review. That usually means you’re headed for a pay increase ($9.05 here I come!) and just today I got an email from my editor that I got a pay increase. Whohoo! 6-percent! More exciting is that I accomplished one of my goals already!

Goal No. 2 – Agent Double-Oh Seven

Another work-related goal. It’s been a couple of years (like almost three) since I failed my agent’s test and I think it’s finally time for me to get serious and get my license. Part of the reason I failed three years ago was that I didn’t know if this was the direction I wanted to be headed in. I had just started a new job at a local newspaper, I thought maybe that was were I was headed, but three years later I figure I’ve got a decent thing here at the insurance business and really I don’t feel like trying to find something else at this point in my life. I get to go home for lunch to see Lis and Lukas. I have banker hours and a 5-10 minute commute. And there is that slight chance that I’ll have the opportunity to own the agency someday. So I figured it’s time to step up and accomplish something for once in my life. I have already talked it over with the Boss Lady and I hope to return to the week long classes in March and pass my test by April. Wish me luck!

Goal No. 3 – Buying a Home/Condo/Something!

We hate renting! Seriously, who enjoys it? Giving money to someone else and not having anything to show for it after years and years. That’s all it is. So one of my goals was to try and find a way to own our own place, whether it be the condo/townhouse that we currently live in or a small home that Lukas can grow up in, I want something I can call my own. I want to be able to walk into Home Depot and find stuff for my house and I want to not feel bad when Lukas or I ding up the wall. Financially we’re strapped but if we could find a way to get something with a small amount down that’d be great, the problem is the prices of property around here. A 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo is selling for $350,000 down the street from us. One of the condos in our neighborhood is selling for $209,000. It’s outrageous! How are we supposed to buy anything with these prices? How can anyone afford anything with these prices? If we can’t afford anything now we’re just going to have to wait until Lis gets back to work, which is in a few years when Lukas starts school. No Lisy, I don’t have a problem with you staying home and being with Lukas. It saves us money and is better for us all. As long as you continue to do a good job training my son to be a Jedi Knight. Okay, maybe not a Jedi but to be a good little man. So far you’ve done outstanding work.

Goal No. 4 – Keeping My Weight Down

Oh, everyone’s favorite New Year’s Resolution. I guess I shouldn’t write “keeping” since my weight isn’t down, but I’m hoping to get it down and keep it there. No, I’m not trying any new or scientific diet. I’m just strictly trying to eat healthier, eat less (no more seconds!), drink more water, not eat after 8pm and try to exercise whenever possible, which is tough, what with working long days and living in a cold and rainy climate.

Lis has started cooking healthier, I’ve tried to keep my portions down and already I’m starting to feel better. Lis has already lost five pounds, which she’s very proud of. Five more and I get to see her naked…just teasing…it’s 10 more. We are starting to go for walks whenever I don’t have to work or it’s not raining and I’ve begun playing basketball again – if that’s what you want to call it. Some of the Goonies (Aaron, Mike, Josh and me) are playing in a church rec league. We’ve lost both of our games by a combined eight points. I played horribly on Sunday scoring two points on a lucky tip-in. I think I missed all of my other six or so shots. But the point of it is to hang out with the guys and get some exercise. I’d like to lose 15 pounds or so. Right now I’m anywhere between 225-230 depending on how many glasses of milk I drank. I’d like to get to about 215 or less, mostly I want to lose my gut and get to where I’m not winded after running up and down the court for three straight minutes.

Goal No. 5 – Church, Church and more Church

My fifth goal is to go to church on a regular basis, keep on going to church and get more active with our church. Lis, Lukas and I have been very good with this so far this year. We haven’t missed a service this year and have gone to church for a little more than two months in a row. It makes it easier that Lukas enjoys it. Well enjoys hanging out in the nursery. He’ll walk straight in the nursery and will say “Bye Mama. Bye Daddy,” before we even leave the room. The music at church has improved which makes church a little more fun and upbeat and we’re starting to get to know our church family better. Lis has made food for a family at church that has a daughter battling leukemia, I went to Bible study and hope to continue going, and we plan on going to the church campout this summer. It makes me feel good going to church all the time.

There you have it, an insight into the life and goals of Mr. Kevin. I don’t think any of the goals are unreasonable or unreachable. Like I mentioned above, I’ve already gotten one goal out of the way. I’m sure others will pop up along with way, but for now those are the five I’m concentrating on. Of course there are always the goals I have of being a better husband and father. And there’s the goal of trying to raise a good chunk of money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which I’ll be posting a blog entry about soon. And the goal of continuing to write in this blog … gotta please my fans too! Hehe!