With the New Year, I like to make goals. I used to make resolutions, but I no longer do that because if I do not accomplish all of them, then I sometimes feel bad. Goals are more continuing and a bit smaller and realistic. 

I love, love, love horses! They are such majestic, beautiful animals. Riding them helps me clear my head and kind of just get into the zone. But I have only ever rode them during vacations. This year, I want to take up horseback riding as a hobby; rather, I want to start taking lessons to learn how to correctly ride. I plan to ride in college, so it's better to get a head start, right?

Last year, during my exchange in Germany, I was reintroduced to photography. I started to play around with the camera that I have (insert brand here), and I realized that I love it. I got that camera for Christmas 2013, and it was a very good beginner's camera. The most it was used for was blog photos (I had a fashion blog), but I never really tried to figure out how to work aperture, ISO, etc, so I did not know everything that I could do with the camera. Towards the end of 2015 though, I gradually figured out how to work it, and I realized that my camera is much better than I thought. Now, I want to upgrade; I plan on getting this (insert brand here). 

I never thought that I would learn German, but life is not based off of only our thoughts. If it were, then I never would of have the opportunity to study abroad in Germany for a semester. At this point, I am still a bit afraid that I am going to lose my German because I am not using it daily, but I know that with practice, it is possible. I can text my friends who are still in Germany (including other exchange students), practice online, take classes to improve, etc.

This is not my first blog. I have had about 4 or 5 others. I began to blog in 2012, when I was twelve or thirteen, so I was never really committed to blogging. The longest time that I spent on one blog was 2 and a half years, and I really learned a lot about blogging and growing your following from that. I would still be blogging over there today if it were not for the big blogging hiatus that I took, which left me greatly uninspired. Over time, I slowly began to become interested in blogging again (especially as I continued to read blogs on Bloglovin'), and that is when I began to plan and came to the decision that this year, I would begin to blog again. I've really missed writing and posting things and connecting to people. So, my goal this year is to blog more. I know that a lot will be happening (graduating high school, going to college, etc.), bu with focus and care, it's possible to stay motivated and blog.

It is pretty hard for me to travel at such a young age (aside from the fact that I have flown to Germany for study abroad and also visited Poland and Austria). I have traveled throughout the states as well, both with and without my family, but I have never been able to just discover as well as I have wanted. As I get older, I am more interested in discovering the local spots and not doing all of the touristy stuff (although I'm still down for it!). This year, I want to travel to Canada (hello - I live about 30 to 45 minutes away!) and Chicago (seriously - it's 4 hours away). Studying abroad has made me tap into my love for traveling and seeing the unknown; plus, I now have great excuses to travel to pretty much anywhere in the world because I know people there. Cool, right?! ;)

I love to read. I am a bookworm. Last year, I read 20 books, which is not a lot, but I did not have a lot of time on my hands. This year, I want to push myself to read at least 50 books. I know that it is possible, but I just have to set aside enough time and commit.

I am not going to say "work out X amount of times per week" because I will eventually become unmotivated if I don't achieve that. Considering that I don't work out at all (I KNOW! Unhealthy, right), working out more won't be hard at all. This month, I will be getting a gym membership at Planet Fitness. Hopefully, I can find the energy to get there in this cold weather. Maybe thinking about prom dress shopping will help push me?

Ever since partying with a bunch of people from Latin and Central America in Germany, I have become really motivated to just dance. I want to learn how to Bachata, Meringue, and Salsa.

Pretty much, I need to learn how to survive on my own. Haha.