Journal Question #8

When the new year arrives, many people make "new year's resolutions," meaning they promise to improve themselves in some way during the coming year.  For instance, this January 1st people may say they will quit smoking or learn a musical instrument or lose weight or help people in need more often in 2014.  In that spirit, what is your new year's resolution for 2014?  Explain why you are making this change.

Journal Question #7

Sunlight is a precious commodity this time of year: there isn't much of it.  It's no accident that Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and other religious celebrations happen in December.  This is when the winter solstice occurs (December 21), meaning that, beginning on the 21st, we will see just a little more sunlight each day.  How important is the sunlight to you?  Do you dislike this time of year, when it is dark so much?  Will you celebrate the winter solstice?