new year, new me?

I don't much care for New Year's resolutions. I've always held the belief that people who wait until a new year to make a resolution have no real intention of keeping it. Otherwise, they would have just done it already. If it's May and I decide I need to put money aside for a vacation, I would start doing it that month... not wait half a year to start it. So it goes without saying that I don't actually make New Year's resolutions.

However, I've been thinking about making some changes lately. Some of this has been brewing for awhile, but I put it all on the back burner while I was in grad school. Now that I'm finished school, I have more time to think about what I want to do with my life, specifically two areas.

Living Situation
While I was in grad school, I didn't give much thought to the fact that I'm still living with my parents. It didn't bother me, and I had too many school-related expenses to be able to afford my own place. But now it's starting to bother me. I need more space. I need independence. And I can count on one hand the number of friends I have who still live with their parents. My problem with moving out is that I'm not sure I can afford it. I'd need a roommate (but who?), and I'd need more money. Which leads me to...

Career
Anyone who knows me knows that I adore my career as well as my current job. But the reality is, I'm just not making enough money working at a Catholic school. If I worked in a public school or a suburban school, I'd be making twice as much as I am now. I had originally planned to stay there for at least another year... maybe more... but the more I think about it, the more I know that I need to find a job that will allow me to be more financially comfortable. That just kills me, though. I can't stomach the thought of leaving, but I know I can't stay there forever. (Unless of course, I marry a rich man. Or win the lottery.) So my new plan is to finish out this school year while looking for another job. Just to see what's out there. And I'm also going to update my resume, make sure my portfolio is in order, get some letters of recommendation, take my Praxis test and apply for the reading specialist certification. Doesn't hurt to be prepared.

And just for fun, a third area in need of some improvement...

Social Life
Ugh. UGH. Over the past two years, I've managed to rekindle some friendships. As a result, my social calendar has been filling up left and right with parties, shopping trips, bar outings, and other fun things. It's awesome. I definitely don't have a shortage of people to call when I feel like hanging out. But as far as a "love life" goes... well, that's where the UGH comes in. I have no idea where to meet men. I teach in a Catholic elementary school, which is largely staffed by women. (We have exactly three men on staff - the older married ESL teacher, the pastor, and the custodian. The rest are mostly older married women and nuns.) When I was in grad school, my major was Education and my concentration was Reading. My classes were filled with women. It's very rare to find men in the field of elementary education. And I have never met a man at a bar. So where are they? People keep telling me that I should try the online dating thing. But... oh man. I don't know. I just can't see myself doing it. I'm not judging those who do, I'm just saying I don't know if I can. So at the moment, I have no goals in this area. I suppose I should make one. I need help.

So there you have it. Some long term plans and goals for my life.