Monday, April 11, 2011

30 before 30

So yah...this whole blog writing thing isn't going as consecutively as I'd hoped. That being said, I've been doing a lot of "thinking" about writing (ha) and have some big plans. It's just that there is a lot of research involved and organizing to do. But hopefully this post will give me some purpose for stopping by this here blog more frequently while still giving me time to concentrate my efforts on some of the other projects I've already started as well.

Today marks 3 months since I turned 29. So that leaves me 9 months to accomplish what I am about to begin. I like a healthy challenge and I like to set big goals. Dream big friends. What I am about to propose for myself is a nice, long list of things that I want to do before I turn the big 3-0. I just want to look back and know that I made good use of my time. I know I have already, but there is definitely still room for improvement. So here goes...

1. Start taking an exercise class at least once a week
    - So far so good on the pilates front
2. Go on at least 2 hikes
    - I'm not much of a hiker, but there are a few beautiful spots I'd love to try out! Anyone wanna go? ;)
3. Cook at least 3 different recipes from 3 different cultures...ideas welcome!
4. Work on my writing at least 4 days per month
5. Try at least 5 foods I've never tried before
6. Successfully plant a variety of veggies in my vegetable garden and reap the "fruits" of my labor...
7. Go Vegan for one week
8. Eat at (at least) 10 new places in LA
9. Paint at least 2 paintings
10. Visit at least 10 new cities
11. Try acupuncture as a remedy for my allergies and acid reflux in hopes that I can ditch the pills
12. Learn how to more professionally use my camera in manual mode
13. Study my family's genealogy and learn more about my own personal history
14. Study Farsi and learn a little more than food terms and good manners ;)
15. Send 15 hand-written cards/letters in the good, old-fashioned post
16. Visit some sort of farm (thinking maybe cherries) where I can pick my own fruit off the trees
17. Watch the sun rise...honestly, I don't know the last time I saw one.
18. Leave 10 anonymous "smiles" in 10 library books for future readers to find
19. Give five people one of my favorite books and tell them why I love it and why I hope they will too
20. Read at least 20 books in 2011
21. Refurbish an old piece of furniture and turn it in to something beautiful
22. Take the hundreds of printed recipes I have, organize them and create a cookbook with my favorites
23. Go on a hot air balloon ride
24. Watch every movie that has won the Oscar for Best Picture
25. Find a new way to store and organize all of my books so that they don't succeed in their plan to take over our house.
26. Go horseback riding
27. Redecorate our bedroom
28. Pay off any looming credit debts
29. Go to the movies at a drive-in theater
30. Volunteer at least 50 hours in 2011

I'll document my progress as the year goes on and hopefully I'll be able to get all of the above completed by January 11, 2012!

9 comments:

  1. This is a very cool idea!! I can help you on: #2 - I'd love to go hiking, #8 - I'd love to try somewhere cool in LA!! I'm all about the food. Then we can hike it off after :), #19 - I'd love to receive a favorite of yours :) (I think this one is so cool!), #24 - I'm always down to watch a movie :)

    Excited to read about your progress!

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  2. #20 must have been done by now? #29 Took you to drive in movie where you laughed and said, "doggie, doggie". It was Cujo and I was horrified that you were not asleep already.

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  3. wow mom, i had no idea about the movie - that's pretty fabulous. but see, i've also ridden a horse before...i'm just trying to do things where i remember them and keep them more current. ;)

    steph - all of those things will be totally awesome when you come to visit! i literally just added all of the oscar movies to my netflix that i haven't seen yet!

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  4. I love it!! I am with you on many of them (OK except for the farsi...) And I am available for hikes, cooking workshops, waking up early to watch sunrises....So please remember me when you need company. I just think it is more fun if you have someone with you ;-)

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  5. um Bettina, I will soooo take you up on that! :)

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  6. Fun! I know a few people doing a 30 before 30 challenge...the lists always give me some good ideas! I'm also going to try the camera and the acupuncture. I've seen the sunrise this year, and I'm OK with not seeing that again :)

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  7. #11- i think might work, if nothing else it feels kinda good. Im a big fan of #12, someone pretty awesome must have gotten you that. I always seem to be helping you with #19, and #23....well, take some pictures for me, cause like hell if my happy butt will ever go in one. Also #10- start with freaken NEW YORK.

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  8. um ahem randall, nyc would not count as a "new city" since i've already been there. though i would like to go. and i will say, i'll probably get jello legs and semi-freak out when i get on that balloon, but i'm pretty sure i'm still willing to try. ;)

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