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There must be a reason why so few people will admit to making resolutions in honor of the New Year.  It could be that they see this sort of thing as faddish and overblown, a ritual without meaning.  It could be that they're afraid of actually having to keep them.  Or, it could be that, like David Bell, associate director of the Career Center, "life is oh so perfect" that making any changes seems unnecessary.  For whatever reason, ferreting out these resolutions on the Hamilton campus requires a certain amount of detective work accompanied by a heavy dose of persuasion.

Anonymously, of course, more than a handful of Hamilton employees admit that their resolutions for 2003 involve weight loss.  But who wants to walk around campus having admitted to this publicly?  Most people cringe at the thought of exposing those extra 10 pounds (or 30 in the case of one respondent) to the inquiring glances of co-workers.

Regina Johnson, academic assistant in the Dean of Students Office, was the only brave soul to even admit to wanting to get back into an exercise routine.  Not that this has anything to do with weight loss, but it's still a somewhat public commitment.  Although Johnson claims that she's "never been one to make resolutions — it's too hard to keep them with such a full schedule," she does intend this year to purchase some exercise equipment for her home.

Since Johnson is making the purchase, she feels strongly that she'll keep her resolution this year.  "The reminder will be staring at me everyday," she said.

Leslie North's got to have fun. 
Resolutions involving weight loss and exercise were of the type that Leslie North, coordinator of Health Professions Advising, used to make routinely but never actually kept.

"I don't think I failed to keep them because I lack character," North said.  "I was just making the wrong resolutions.  I'm on the right track now."  The "right track" for North this year is her resolution to have fun.  She firmly believes she will keep this promise to herself, unlike the ones she used to make on a yearly basis.

"I am so determined about this that I started practicing in November, and I think I'm going to be good at it," she reported. So the next time you see North, ask her if she's having fun.  It's a far cry from inquiring about those clinging holiday pounds, and a whole lot more endearing.

Fun, although under the guise of an educational pursuit, may just be the order of the year for Tom Mazzullo, registrar and preparator for the Emerson Gallery.  "I'm going to learn everything I can about French wine," Mazzullo claimed.   

Like North, Mazzullo is so far enjoying the practice.  He's bought a wine guide and purchased several fine bottles to get himself started.  His wine of choice so far is a 1996 Pouilly-Fuisse.  For any other recommendations, stop in and see Mazzullo.  You may get an eyeful of some great art while you're at it.

Janet Turvey's healthy choice.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Janet Turvey, secretary to the dean of admission and financial aid.  Turvey is trading in her wine glass for a nice bottle of Perrier's best sparkling water.  Not that this won't be fun for her.  She looks forward to feeling better and having more energy in 2003. "This is more of a health choice than anything," Turvey said. 

Personal health, in fact, is always under assessment at the start of a new year, what with the too-frequent parties and the constant bustle of the holiday season.   A number of employees, when faced with the resolution question, responded quite simply that they wanted to find more time to relax and decrease stress.  Along these lines, Associate Professor of Mathematics Tim Kelly seems to have it all wrapped up.

Tim Kelly and his dogs. (Photo: Marianita Amodio)
"I'm going to spend more quality time with my dogs," Kelly said.  Dogs being what they are, this pursuit should involve plenty of walks in the fresh air, naps in nice patches of sunlight and long drinks of water, as opposed to wine.  A better recipe for both spiritual and physical health might be difficult to come by.

Job-related resolutions appear to be few and far between, again perhaps because there might be too much pressure to stick to them once they've been leaked to the campus community.  Dana Hubbard, supervisor of the Language Center, however, is undeterred.

"I'm going to be nicer to my boss, and meaner to my students," Hubbard chuckled.  Hubbard, like others interviewed, has had a few resolutions in the past that haven't worked out.  She resolved on a yearly basis to quit smoking, but it never came to pass…as a New Year's resolution that is.  It was actually a lung infection and a threat from the doctor that made her kick that habit.  "The doctor said I could either breathe or smoke.  I had to think about it," she said.

Hubbard shouldn't have to think too hard, though, to keep at least the first part of her resolution.  Her "boss" is Mary Beth Barth, director of the Critical Languages Program, and by all accounts a reasonable person.  As for her student workers, it remains to be seen whether a newer, sterner Hubbard can last until the stroke of 2004, or even until the start of the spring term.

What this spring will most certainly herald is the continuation of what Yvonne Schick calls "the best resolution I ever made."  About six or seven years ago, Schick, technical assistant in the Print Shop, decided to enroll as a Hamilton Horizons student.

"I'll be taking my 12th class this semester… I sort of reinforce that decision each semester when I sign up for another class," Schick said.  "It has been very rewarding for me.  I've become friends with many of the students and professors &  they have all been really nice to me.  Plus, I feel that I have learned a lot.  I don't want to count the number of years that it will take me to complete my degree, but I've joked that when I graduate, I'll need the cane that they give you here at Hamilton!"

Schick is clearly grateful for the opportunity that's been afforded her here at the college.  Edith Toegel, coordinator of Study Abroad Programs and associate professor of German, seconds that sentiment of gratitude.

"New Year's for me is simply a time of reflection — where I've been, where I am, and how fortunate I am to have a job I like, my son, my friends and my health," Toegel professed.  Rather than engaging in the age-old practice of making New Year's resolutions that are simply too cumbersome to keep, Toegel simply uses the turn of the year to re-assess for the upcoming one.

Joseph Mwantuali makes a resolution every day.
Maybe we should all take a page from Toegel's book.  Or, perhaps heed the advice of Associate Professor of French Joseph Mwantuali.

"Why make a big resolution you are not going to keep?" he asked.  "I make a small resolution every day.  That way I know I can do it."  Judging from Mwantuali's predominantly positive disposition, this just may be the way to go rather than struggling under the load of a major resolution that somehow fades away by Groundhog Day. 

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