Global Q&A: ‘Have you stuck to your New Year’s resolution?’

Gabriela Isabel Monsalve Silva, Puerto Montt, Chile (The Epoch Times)

Puerto Montt, Chile

Gabriela Isabel Monsalve Silva, 33, Management Engineer

The resolutions I made for 2013 to myself are firstly related to my family. Since I consider that if one feels good with family members, likewise on a personal level, this will help us to excel on other projects. Secondly with my work, and thirdly with material things; for example, a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu—a place where I have always wanted to go, and to buy a new red car. I consider that if one has faith and believes in a positive way, always things come true.

Adon Newman, California, USA (The Epoch Times)

California, USA

Adon Newman, 33, Studies Wing Chun

After failing miserably at past years’ resolutions, I decided to up the stakes and create a blog where I discuss the progress of my goals for the year with the world. I chose 12 things that I really would like to learn about, or improve, and I will be writing about them daily. I believe that adding stakes to your goals really helps you achieve them. … The fear of embarrassment is a superb motivator!

Note: Wing Chun is a type of Kung Fu made popular by IpMan, the person who trained Bruce Lee.

Rahul Hazarika, Guwahati, Assam, India (The Epoch Times)

Guwahati, Assam, India

Rahul Hazarika, 24, Network Engineer, (Civil Services Aspirant)

My New Year resolution was to avoid all the bad habits and concentrate totally on Civil Services exam 2013. And yes, I have stuck to the New Year resolution. The first step I have taken toward this is not wasting time unnecessarily. I avoid using social-networking sites, roaming outside without purpose, and I avoid parties to enhance my focus, and to refrain from distractions. The second step I have taken is I made a timetable to cover all the topics necessary for the exam. In case I get bored, I either go for short walk or watch some news.

Isaura Rossi Pedroso, Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil. (The Epoch Times)

Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil

Isaura Rossi Pedroso, 68, Retired Textile Factory Worker

The proposal for the New Year I made for myself was to improve myself internally. I sometimes forget to work for my improvement but I’m working hard to achieve. Life passes very quickly. The world is a school and we came here to learn.

Nousheen Sherazi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (The Epoch Times)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Nousheen Sherazi, 19, Student

My New Year’s resolution is to learn a new language, Spanish to be specific. Keeping up with it is a bit difficult ’cause I’m learning it on my own, but I think it’s great to learn about different cultures. Everyday I write a new Spanish word on my wrist and memorize it throughout the day. So hopefully by the end of the year, I’ll be fluent at Spanish.

Irene, Sundberg, Lund, Sweden (The Epoch Times)

Lund, Sweden

Irene, Sundberg, 56, Massage Therapist

Yes, I actually made a New Year’s resolution and I stick to it, but not really 100 percent every day, maybe about 50 percent. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what it is about before it comes true.

Gladys Arauzo, Lima, Peru (The Epoch Times)

Lima, Peru

Gladys Arauzo, 50, Saleswoman

I fulfilled my New Year’s resolution. I am selling gifts. I figured out that my sales exceeded and passed what I had planned—got good results. Of course, I worked hard, extending my work schedule, but I fulfilled my goal and I’m happy. I decided to spend time with the family and we achieved this.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What’s the latest food trend where you live?”

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