Auld Lang syne

A new year is here again. Last year had twists and turns but in the end it turned out to be an ok year.
This year I hope that it will be even better and full of challenges. We all face challenges and it's up to us to evaluate and execute a decision in a short amount of time. I feel that I do well under pressure and have really excelled at work in many different situations that make me really proud at the end of the day. However, I want to continue challenging myself in everyday mundane things. So I have come up with these New Year's Resolutions:
1. Continued from last year, reading a book a month. I always do well at the beginning of the year and it trickles off and dies from my memory that this was a goal. For all that know me I lose interest in things very quickly, so forcing myself to stay focused in one thing like a book and complete it in a set amount of time will be a grand accomplishment.
2. I am and am not excited about this one at the same time. It causes me stress when I think about it (involving creepy facial expressions and squeals) which makes me think it will be an excellent challenge. I plan on cooking/baking/brewing something once a week. I absolutely hate hate hate hate hate cooking. I don't know why. I think I've always been surrounded by people that cook well that I didn't want to embarrass myself. But you get no where being scared and I think it will really help me gain confidence just in general. *crosses fingers*
3. Getting out of this country at least twice. I say twice because I know Canada is close,quick and easy but I didn't want it to be the be all, end all of traveling adventures.

Well 2012, I'm a little lot nervous about my resolutions but I think it'll be ok.Good luck to all in their resolutions!

P.s. First book: World War Z. Yes I know, but this is what I'm talking about. I've been half way through this book for the past 3 months. I just never pick it up anymore.
First week's kitchen challenge: making beer.