New Year Resolutions...updates

I had set a few New Year Resolutions at the beginning of 2009 e.g.

1. To learn a musical instrument - Synthesizer

2. To learn a foreign language etc. etc.

And I had also decided that as per the situation (opportunities) I would change these, if need be.

So here is an update on them - some complete surprises (even for myself!) and some as planned (which also is a surprise...haha)!

Firstly, I had thought that MBA would be the end of my 'formal' education (not 'learning' though)...but that was not to be. I am pursuing PMP (Project Management Practitioner) Certification offered by www.pmi.org

This is considered to be a very prestigious certification and is a good value add to my Resume.

Then, very unexpectedly, I joined a Gymnasium - for the first ever time in my life! I have always been active in some sport or the other - but had thought body building/gymnasium is not my cup of tea...but again a sea change there...I have not just joined it; but during the last month or so have been regular at it - and started enjoying it.

The last and the latest is - pursuing a foreign language (which is among the only 'planned' activity for 2009).

Since yesterday, I have  joined "Let's Talk institute for foreign language" (www.letstalkindia.com) to pursue Chinese (Beginner's) course. Actually I had searched for 5-6 institutes in my city that teach Chinese language - had shortlisted one that was offering a course from 17th of April 2009.

But suddenly, on Friday I got to know about "Let's Talk" institute, talked to the girl on phone who said that they would begin a new class from Saturday, 7th March. I immediately made up my mind to join - rather than wait till 17th April.

The teacher seemed to be very good...she has obtained her degree in Chinese language from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi - the only university in India to offer Masters and Doctorate degrees in Chinese. They also have a Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies.

She is teaching Chinese Simplified and she began with Pinyin, but mentioned that she would not teach Chinese characters during Level 1 course. "...That would be covered during Level 2 classes...if at all some of you manage to keep patience till then and actually join Level 2 class!" she said...

I had 2 classes (yesterday and today) and found that learning Chinese is going to be a daunting task - but I am enthusiastic about it...at least for now :)

Let's see if I can keep up the enthusiasm as things become complex...

Then (hopefully) one day, I would be able to say to my Chinese and Taiwanese friends - "Let's talk"!!! (Rather, "let's argue in Chinese"...haha)

So, in a nutshell, my resolutions have changed...but at least I have started with some...and that has kept me busy... Gymnasium on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; PMP studies on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (morning); Chinese classes on Saturdays (evening) and Sundays (morning)

What did you ask? When do I have leisure time to unwind and relax??? ...Well, during office hours - 9 AM to 6 PM!!! Haha...