Happy Birthday to me!

Welcome one and all, to my shiny new blog! I've flirted with blogging before, experimented at length, but unfortunately I'm a terrible procrastinator and eventually the length between posts just gets so bloody embarrassing that I give up altogether, and my blog becomes buried in the depths of the vast Internet. I'm determined that this year will be different.

So, quickly, a bit about me. I'm Kate, I'm a student oop North, and I am 21 today. It's supposedly a grand occasion, and people have been continually asking me what I want to do, what I would like by way of gifts, and so on. I'm quite fortunate in that I have a very generous family, so I'm not really wanting for anything, plus my birthday comes so soon after Christmas that I've already been showered with presents. However, there are plenty of goals I've been meaning to achieve, but have never got round to making any headway towards: targets that I've wanted to meet, but fallen short of. Now that I am, as of today, a proper adult, I figure it's about time that I got off my arse and did something about it. And given that my birthday is so close to New Year, I could do with making a few resolutions. So here it is, my birthday present to me: a list of 21 goals that I plans to have achieved by the time I turn 22. Some of them are big things, some of them are little things, and some of them are just about being a better person. I'll list them here, along with a brief explanation as to why I chose each one:

1.) Learn Russian.
My degree is actually BA Philosophy and Russian Civilisation. I'm one of only about 2 people on my course who don't speak a single word of Russian, and it can be a disadvantage on occasion. I've been meaning to learn Russian since last year, and was even given a set of Learn Russian CDs by a friend, but somehow never got round to it, not least because I no longer have a disc drive on my laptop. My boyfriend has managed to download some MP3s which help you to learn the language, so no more excuses! 
2.) Complete at least one 5k race.
Back in February 2011 I decided I was sick and tired of being the big girl, so I started a new exercise regime. I go to the gym around 4-5 times a week, plus I pole dance on Mondays, but one thing I've never got the hang of is running, much as I've always wanted to. My dad used to do a 10k every summer, and I've had friends who've done the London Marathon. I'm not quite sure I'd ever manage to run quite THAT far, but I think 5k sounds sensible. I've actually made a start on this already - I managed to run a mile in about 10 minutes yesterday, and I was over the bloody moon. If I can keep this up, maybe I'll be able to run a few races this year, but I'll be really pleased with just one.
3.) Get down to 9 stone and STAY THERE.
With a combination the fitness regime described above and a fairly strict diet, I've managed to lose about 3 stone since I started uni. However, being at home over Christmas has meant I've been rather naughty on occasion. I never want to return to the state I was in before, so this year I've resolved to maintain a stable weight. I'm only 5'3", so 9 stone is a good, healthy weight for me.
4.) Learn to ride a bike.
When they said you never forget how to ride a bike, they lied. I have to re-learn every 5-6 years. This time around, I want to remember! Hopefully I'll be able to find a cheap second-hand bike on Gumtree so I can practice regularly.
5.) Be able to lift half my body weight (around 30kg).
I need to build up my upper body strength in order to achieve the goal below, so I'll be doing weights in the gym. I've just about managed to lift 20kg before, but it's bloody hard, so I'll have to build myself up slowly but surely.
6.) Climb to the top of the pole at my pole dancing class.
I started pole dancing around March time last year. It took me about six months to learn how to get upside down, but climbing still evades me - I just end up with multiple bruises and friction burns! The pole's about 11ft, and I've managed to climb a little bit of it, but I always get stuck partway up. Whether that a mental block or a lack of physical strength I don't know, but either way I WILL touch that ceiling, come hell or high water!
7.) Get a high 2:1/first class degree.
I graduate in the summer, so I've got one semester left to really knuckle down and achieve this. I'm on track so far for a good 2:1, but I've left my work really late this Christmas holiday. Here's hoping I can pull it out the bag.
8.) Get a job.
Once I've graduated, I need a job! I've applied for one or two internships and I'm just waiting to hear back on those. Even if it's just admin, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
9.) Rent my own property.
And if I've got a job, I can pay rent. No more sponging off my parents!
10.) Learn to drive.
It's four years today since I've been able to legally drive. I've always been too scared to even try because, as much as it shames me to admit this, I still struggle to tell my left from right, and I'm so uncoordinated on the ground, I'm not sure that adding a car into the equation is the best idea. Nevertheless, being able to drive would make life a hell of a lot easier for me (not to mention my mother!), so on the list it goes.
11.) Raise £1000 for charity.
For the past five Christmases I've volunteered at one of the homeless shelters Crisis opens up over that period - it's actually the thank you party for the volunteers tonight, which saves me organising anything for myself! Generally speaking, I think it's more beneficial to donate time than money, but my dad's done a lot of charity work himself and has raised thousands. Any funds I raise will go to Crisis, as I have personal experience of the work they do, and I know just how the money would benefit them.
12.) Give blood at least once.
I've been a bit selfish about donating in the past - I'm pathetic about pain - but this year, I need to change that. 
13.) Write to my paternal grandparents once a month.
I've written to my dad's parents a couple of times, and even sent a parcel once, and seeing how happy that makes them, I defiinitely need to do it more often. My mum's parents I see more regularly and occasionally talk to on the phone or email, so writing to them isn't such a big thing, but my paternal grandmother is essentially bedridden and they don't have a computer. Letter writing is their main form of contact, so I need to do it more regularly.
14.) Grow something.
This is a random one I found on the Internet when I was looking for ideas when my creativity failed me, but I think it's a good one! I'd like to maybe try growing chili peppers.
15.) Get a new piercing.
I love piercings, and when I was a bit younger I kept sneaking off to get them done without telling my parents... who always eventually found out. I've only got them in my ears at the moment, but I'd like to get something a bit more, well, exotic. I'm thinking of getting a triple navel piercing; however, this might have to wait until after I've given blood, since you can't give blood for 4 months after a piercing.
16.) Stop biting my nails.
I actually managed this for a couple of months, but I've failed -my nails, whilst not exactly bitten, are short and stubby. I've found that for me, the key is keeping them painted, as being a vain cow, I'm reluctant to chip the polish!
17.) Visit all 4 countries of the UK.
This idea actually came from a book by Freya North called Chloe, where a young woman is sent on a quest of self-discovery in her godmother's will, and must spend each season in a different country of the UK. I went to Scotland once when I was about 11, I've always wanted to see Ireland and I've never been to Wales. Although I'm based in England, there's plenty of it I haven't seen or would like to revisit.
18.) Go abroad.
While the above goal would in itself consist of several little holidays, I haven't been abroad in a few years now. Now that I've finally renewed my passport, there's nothing stopping me - I had to turn down a couple of holidays last year due to endlessly delaying my passport application!
19.) Read 21 books.
I never read for pleasure any more, and it's something I've really missed, so I need to make time for it this year. Today alone I've received three new books - I'll be reviewing them on here as I finish each one.
20.) Subscribe to/regularly buy a newspaper, and actually read it.
I'm ashamed to admit that I spend far too much time on the Daily Mail website, and that's where most of my news comes from, biased and ill-informed as it undoubtedly may be. Despite reading it, I remain woefully ignorant when it comes to world affairs, leaving me at a disadvantage when I try to argue with my Communist boyfriend (who regularly bemoans the fact that I peruse the Mail's site). Here's hoping I'll eventually be able to win some more of our (numerous) "discussions" (aka arguments!).
21.) Keep a regular blog.
Last, but certainly not least, I've always wanted to blog properly, but I never really had anything much to write about. With the start of this challenge, I now do! I'll be posting progress updates on here on a regular basis, so keep your eyes peeled!

So there you have it: my 21 goals, with 365 days in which to complete them. I'd better get cracking! But first, it's time to celebrate... I may be an adult now, but you're never too old for a party!