Today's column is about making New Year's resolutions. Oh sure, it's only Dec. 27, but come next Monday, it will be 2011 — can you believe that? Of course I'm going to have some resolutions for the upcoming new year; some serious, some not-so-serious. All of them, however, revolve around Birmingham and my desire to probe its idiosyncrasies, explore its hidden corners and experience as much as I possibly can.  I've been living in Birmingham for six months now and I feel like I still have barely scratched the surface of my new hometown.

The Christmas buzz is still wearing off and I'm in a cheery mood, so here are my not-so-serious resolutions for 2011:

• I don't eat out very often. I'm trying to "teach" myself how to cook, so when my fiancé and I eat out, I feel like I'm cheating the system. However, Birmingham is chock full of cool and delicious eateries and I feel like I'm missing out by having all my lunch meetings at various Metro Detroit Paneras. Granted, many Birmingham restaurants are best left for special nights out (the Rugby Grille is nice if you're turning 24, but a little too pricey for an editor's income). However, I seem to add to my list of places to go (and go back) every day: Toast, Brooklyn Pizza, Greek Island Coneys Restaurant, Streetside Seafood, Tallulah. Seriously, with so many dining spots it's hard to keep up, but I've made it a resolution to hit up as many as I can.
• I once considered myself an athletic person (12 years of soccer will do that to you), but have lately fallen off the exercise/active lifestyle bandwagon. Moving can do that, as well as the relatively recent transition from college to real life. I'm not going to lie and say it's my resolution to "get fit," but I am going to make an honest effort to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded me in Birmingham. Who needs a treadmill when we're lucky enough to have the Rouge River trail running through Booth Park or the path surrounding Quarton Lake? Plus, the folks over at the Birmingham Family YMCA are so nice, how can I say no to a spinning class led by Wellness Director Analisa Bailiff? Plus, there's plenty of activities to get me outdoors this winter. I'm eager to try out the new ice rink in Barnum Park (although I warn you: I will probably wipe out more than once).
• Though editing the Birmingham Patch is definitely a full-time job, I'm always on the lookout for fun extracurricular activities (what can I say, I'm an overachiever). My fiancé played trombone through high school and college and is looking to go out for the Birmingham Concert Band this spring.  His enthusiasm has inspired me to look for new ways to explore my own interests, including taking art classes at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, joining a book club at Baldwin Public Library or actually taking a real cooking class at The Community House.

Finally, I have some questions for you Patch readers:

• First, what do you think I should do? Remember, I'm new to these parts. 
• Also, what are your resolutions? Do you have any big plans for 2011? Let us know and we can publish your goals here.