I tend to eat my words when I speak in absolutes, but I'm not too worried whenever I talk about vegetables. I can only list four off of the top of my head that I will willingly eat:
1. Mushrooms
2. Corn
3. Tomatoes
4. Sweet Potatoes
And I just learned that corn is starting to be considered a starch. And tomatoes are technically a fruit. And mushrooms taste like whatever they're cooked with. So, I like sweet potatoes.
I'm fixin' to change that - one veggie at a time.* (*until I get to ten. Then I stop.)
My goal over the next few years (and especially in the winter months when fruits are way too expensive) is to learn how to cook 10 veggies in a way that is both healthy and delicious. This generally means I can no longer rely on my old faithful way of cooking them - covered in cheese or butter.
Now would be a great time for you all to leave links to or instructions for your favorite veggie delights.
Also, as a clerical note, this is taking the place of #6: Scuba Dive. More on that in a later post.
Wednesday, November 9
Sunday, September 4
Flower girl dress
First photo of the flower girl dress I made for my cousin Heidi's wedding. I am so proud of how good it turned out! More to come soon!
Thursday, August 25
I turn squares into dresses and look good doing it.
I have really gotten interested in this sewing business.
In fact, I really like it!
I can absolutely, positutely, not-half-assedly check off #8, to make a dress I will actually wear.
I made this dress:
for my birthday this year. And it looks cute 'n all, but at the time I was not all that excited to wear it again. Partially because I was cheating and hadn't really finished it - the zipper didn't match up, I didn't actually hem it, and it fit funny in the bodice.
I cast it aside, but was nowhere near giving up. I am simply amazed, every time, when this long stretch of folded fabric becomes something wearable. I found another pattern and some beautiful fabric from bon bon and made this cuteness:
[Picture coming soon, lo siento!]
I wore it to my cousin L's baby shower and her sister (another cousin, of course) complimented me, saying it was cute. When I blurted (with pride!) that I made it myself, she absolutely inflated my ego and asked if I would make the flower girl dress for her wedding in September. How do I properly illustrate bursting with sunshine and happiness in a blog? It's basically that I felt like this:
but all of that colorful wonderfulness was inside. Pictures will be up soon, but I haven't felt this proud about an accomplishment in a long time. I look at it and beam. It's hanging up in my loft just so that I see it when I wake up and affirm that I am freakin' awesome.
PLUS I have turned birthday dress into a kind of Franken-dress; adding pockets, taking in the sides, and basically trying anything new on that dress. And I like it enough that I wore it to work, so we have us a checked-off #8 !
In fact, I really like it!
I can absolutely, positutely, not-half-assedly check off #8, to make a dress I will actually wear.
I made this dress:
 |
| Turns out I didn't take a good picture of my dress that night. This is it - just take that green fabric down to my knees. (... I'm on the left.) |
I cast it aside, but was nowhere near giving up. I am simply amazed, every time, when this long stretch of folded fabric becomes something wearable. I found another pattern and some beautiful fabric from bon bon and made this cuteness:
[Picture coming soon, lo siento!]
I wore it to my cousin L's baby shower and her sister (another cousin, of course) complimented me, saying it was cute. When I blurted (with pride!) that I made it myself, she absolutely inflated my ego and asked if I would make the flower girl dress for her wedding in September. How do I properly illustrate bursting with sunshine and happiness in a blog? It's basically that I felt like this:
but all of that colorful wonderfulness was inside. Pictures will be up soon, but I haven't felt this proud about an accomplishment in a long time. I look at it and beam. It's hanging up in my loft just so that I see it when I wake up and affirm that I am freakin' awesome.
PLUS I have turned birthday dress into a kind of Franken-dress; adding pockets, taking in the sides, and basically trying anything new on that dress. And I like it enough that I wore it to work, so we have us a checked-off #8 !
Tuesday, August 23
Hold on to that Fee-lay-ee-ay-ing (#17 - Caught in the Rain)
One of my favorite memories will always be of my novio and me walking across a boardwalk at SeaWorld in the rain singing Journey while my sister peers back at us from under her umbrella as if we have finally cracked.
That's right - I got caught out in the rain and had no choice but to like it. So we had fun!
My amazingly energetic sister had a full day planned for us at SeaWorld when we visited her back in June. As in, a full TWELVE HOURS of shows to watch, dolphins to feed, penguins to meet, sting rays to pet, rides to ride and Shamus to spray us with their massive tails. It was a tight schedule, not helped by our tardiness from staying with friends 40 minutes away and rolling out of bed late.
We had already watched, fed, met, pet, and ridden through to the afternoon when the rain moved it. (We later learned that Florida, similar to Hawaii or other island nations, generally gets rain showers in the afternoon.) This day it poured. We watched a show from under the awning of the theatre (the trainers and animals are already wet - they perform as long as there isn't lightning!) and by the end the water was easily 7 inches deep at the floor of the stands. Lots. Of. Rain.
But Shamu started soon and he was the last thing on our list of things to do! It was either wait longer and possibly miss the show or suck it up, take our shoes off and go for it. Oh, except for Martha - she had an umbrella big enough for one. (To her credit, she tried to share... but umbrellas are difficult!)
Halfway down the boardwalk Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" comes on over the speakers. And I'll be darned if I didn't take a dance break right there with dramatic arm movements, air guitar and screaming/singing noises. Novio even joined in, and we had a nice little moment in the rain.
Lesson learned: It's definitely worth it to spend some time in the rain if you're with the right people. And if you take your shoes off.
That's right - I got caught out in the rain and had no choice but to like it. So we had fun!
My amazingly energetic sister had a full day planned for us at SeaWorld when we visited her back in June. As in, a full TWELVE HOURS of shows to watch, dolphins to feed, penguins to meet, sting rays to pet, rides to ride and Shamus to spray us with their massive tails. It was a tight schedule, not helped by our tardiness from staying with friends 40 minutes away and rolling out of bed late.
We had already watched, fed, met, pet, and ridden through to the afternoon when the rain moved it. (We later learned that Florida, similar to Hawaii or other island nations, generally gets rain showers in the afternoon.) This day it poured. We watched a show from under the awning of the theatre (the trainers and animals are already wet - they perform as long as there isn't lightning!) and by the end the water was easily 7 inches deep at the floor of the stands. Lots. Of. Rain.
But Shamu started soon and he was the last thing on our list of things to do! It was either wait longer and possibly miss the show or suck it up, take our shoes off and go for it. Oh, except for Martha - she had an umbrella big enough for one. (To her credit, she tried to share... but umbrellas are difficult!)
Halfway down the boardwalk Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" comes on over the speakers. And I'll be darned if I didn't take a dance break right there with dramatic arm movements, air guitar and screaming/singing noises. Novio even joined in, and we had a nice little moment in the rain.
Lesson learned: It's definitely worth it to spend some time in the rain if you're with the right people. And if you take your shoes off.
Wednesday, August 10
Future Updates for my Poor, Forgotten Blog
Kudos to the bloggers who keep a schedule, for they shall inherit the interwebs. Hopefully I can just keep my audience, which is full of four people who already like me so I should be safe.
As I've explained before, even if I'm not writing on this blog, my list is pretty much on my mind daily and there have been some exciting advancements!
The next posts will address:
1. Getting Caught in the Rain
2. Making a ridiculously cute dress
3. Learning - or not - a Third Language
4. Alterations to a few items (#3, 6, 9) (No, I didn't plan for that to be so pattern-ish.)
And they will address them soon! (As in, I will write at least one of them, like, rightnow.)
Thanks for your patience and understanding!
Monday, June 27
I owe Rick Leesman an apology.
But that's ok because I WENT TO DISNEYWORLD!!
It was a wonderful experience with awesome friends which means List Item #19 gets a very Magical Check!
Novio and I took a trip to steamy, rainy Orlando, FL. It was a very convenient coming together of circumstances. We had finally started making much-talked-about-never-acted-on plans with our friends Rick & Lindsey when my sister, Martha, got an internship at SeaWorld. That sealed the deal. Tickets booked, bags packed and we're there.
Friday was devoted to SeaWorld - more on that in the next post!
We arrived at the park around noon and had zero problems with traffic, parking or ticket lines. I'm never going to have that easy of a time getting into a park again. (Other than the price. OUCH.)
And Disney greeted me with a parade! I can see that this is not going to be the magical dream land that I had been imagining. It was too late - I had hit the threshold of suspending reality and I know that there are people in those larger-than-life costumes, and that they are probably hot, sweaty and want to go home.
But after my initial freak-out I had a BLAST with the experience. Because I freaking love Disney. And I like that I saw Pooh and Tigger walking around, followed by pirate adventures and a Buzz Lightyear rescue mission. And I like that I convinced myself that riding the "It's a Small World" was on my list of things to do... which it wasn't. (Sorry, Rick!) But I'm still glad I went. :)
I got in line to see the princesses with the girls who are one-fifth my age and able to walk under the red satin line dividers without noticing hitting their heads or noticing the other five-year-olds they're insulting by inadvertently cutting. I'm kind of nervous. What do you say to a princess, even if they're just acting? Lucky for me they asked questions first.
Cinderella, Belle and Aurora asked about my "Prince Charming," my "Beast," and how long we had enjoyed a "Happily Ever After."
And my independent, yuppie, feminist little heart screamed while my excited brain produced variations of "wonderful!" and smiled for the camera. But seriously?? As a bookworm from Kindergarten, I liked that Belle cared about books more than boys and that she sure as heck wasn't buying the book that the town or Gaston were selling. And that her prince wasn't perfect. And that her dad was a little crazy but lovable and had terribledriving horse riding habits. But now she's all married and just wants to know that you will be soon, too. (Isn't there an episode of Sex and the City devoted to this topic? Or maybe a whole season?)
And really, I'm being way too analytic and cynical for someone who was still giddy to be at Disney. Plus after Disney we went to Epcot to enjoy the fact that we are, in reality, 17 years older than 8.
And that was a wonderful experience to have with my Prince Charming.
It was a wonderful experience with awesome friends which means List Item #19 gets a very Magical Check!
Novio and I took a trip to steamy, rainy Orlando, FL. It was a very convenient coming together of circumstances. We had finally started making much-talked-about-never-acted-on plans with our friends Rick & Lindsey when my sister, Martha, got an internship at SeaWorld. That sealed the deal. Tickets booked, bags packed and we're there.
Friday was devoted to SeaWorld - more on that in the next post!
We arrived at the park around noon and had zero problems with traffic, parking or ticket lines. I'm never going to have that easy of a time getting into a park again. (Other than the price. OUCH.)
And Disney greeted me with a parade! I can see that this is not going to be the magical dream land that I had been imagining. It was too late - I had hit the threshold of suspending reality and I know that there are people in those larger-than-life costumes, and that they are probably hot, sweaty and want to go home.
But after my initial freak-out I had a BLAST with the experience. Because I freaking love Disney. And I like that I saw Pooh and Tigger walking around, followed by pirate adventures and a Buzz Lightyear rescue mission. And I like that I convinced myself that riding the "It's a Small World" was on my list of things to do... which it wasn't. (Sorry, Rick!) But I'm still glad I went. :)
 |
| Turns out I made my friend Rick go on a ride he hates because I thought it was on my list. It wasn't. |
 |
| It was difficult to walk coming off this ride! |
Cinderella, Belle and Aurora asked about my "Prince Charming," my "Beast," and how long we had enjoyed a "Happily Ever After."
And my independent, yuppie, feminist little heart screamed while my excited brain produced variations of "wonderful!" and smiled for the camera. But seriously?? As a bookworm from Kindergarten, I liked that Belle cared about books more than boys and that she sure as heck wasn't buying the book that the town or Gaston were selling. And that her prince wasn't perfect. And that her dad was a little crazy but lovable and had terrible
 |
| Carrie Bradshaw's worst nightmare? |
And really, I'm being way too analytic and cynical for someone who was still giddy to be at Disney. Plus after Disney we went to Epcot to enjoy the fact that we are, in reality, 17 years older than 8.
And that was a wonderful experience to have with my Prince Charming.
 |
| Not my real novio, but they do have similar tendencies... |
 |
| There he is! :) |
Wednesday, June 22
You've survived another week at work - what are you gonna do now?
I'm going to Disneyworld!!
(How young are you if you don't remember those commercials? Shoot, how old am I if I remember the one with Nancy Kerrigan??)
But for realz, we're going to Orlando and we're going to go to DISNEYWORLD!! Lifelong dream and the only reason I ever had to resent my parents come true! (Seriously though? They went on their own and left me at home. AT HOME!)
I feel like an oversized 8-year-old, but the following things are on my list:
1. Meet Belle from Beauty and the Beast
2. If Gaston is there, punch him in the face. (Though, he disappears into the mist when he falls off that roof, so he might not make it there...) (Does Disneyworld let the villans in, too?)
3. Touristy photo in front of the castle
4. Spin on the teacups
5. Basically, live thecommercial dream!
We're also going to Sea World with my sister for quite literally ALL of Friday. But we'll get to hang out with penguins!!
(How young are you if you don't remember those commercials? Shoot, how old am I if I remember the one with Nancy Kerrigan??)
But for realz, we're going to Orlando and we're going to go to DISNEYWORLD!! Lifelong dream and the only reason I ever had to resent my parents come true! (Seriously though? They went on their own and left me at home. AT HOME!)
I feel like an oversized 8-year-old, but the following things are on my list:
1. Meet Belle from Beauty and the Beast
2. If Gaston is there, punch him in the face. (Though, he disappears into the mist when he falls off that roof, so he might not make it there...) (Does Disneyworld let the villans in, too?)
3. Touristy photo in front of the castle
4. Spin on the teacups
5. Basically, live the
 |
| Just pretend that's me second from the left, and Novio second from the right. |
We're also going to Sea World with my sister for quite literally ALL of Friday. But we'll get to hang out with penguins!!
Saturday, June 18
Update: #8 - Not going so well.
Let me explain.
I made a dress to wear to my birthday dinner a few weeks back. (I'll post a pic soon!) I like it well enough but if I am completely honest with myself, I won't wear it that often. That means I can't in good conscience check this one off.
Why, you ask? Two main reasons:
1. It's shoddy craftsmanship. I got anxious to finish and it shows, from the zipper being uneven to not hemming it and quite a few places in between. When you start looking closer, you wouldn't wear it, either.
2. It's dressy enough that I would want to wear it somewhere nice. Dinner or a banquet or something. Trouble is I don't get to many of those in my old age. And if I were attending one, I probably need to look professional at the same time... which means your bra strap can't sneak out (they're conniving little buggers!).
So I begin fresh! New pattern, amazingly wonderful fabric from Bon Bon Atelier, and a refreshed excitement to check off an item! The picture in this post is the main fabric that I'm using. I hope to post more progress pictures soon!
I made a dress to wear to my birthday dinner a few weeks back. (I'll post a pic soon!) I like it well enough but if I am completely honest with myself, I won't wear it that often. That means I can't in good conscience check this one off.
Why, you ask? Two main reasons:
1. It's shoddy craftsmanship. I got anxious to finish and it shows, from the zipper being uneven to not hemming it and quite a few places in between. When you start looking closer, you wouldn't wear it, either.
2. It's dressy enough that I would want to wear it somewhere nice. Dinner or a banquet or something. Trouble is I don't get to many of those in my old age. And if I were attending one, I probably need to look professional at the same time... which means your bra strap can't sneak out (they're conniving little buggers!).
So I begin fresh! New pattern, amazingly wonderful fabric from Bon Bon Atelier, and a refreshed excitement to check off an item! The picture in this post is the main fabric that I'm using. I hope to post more progress pictures soon!
Thursday, June 16
Everything's going so well!
Parlo italiano.
Mangiamo pizza.
Canti bella.
Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei.
i bambini = los niños
Learning Italian is proving to be about what I expected, really. It's at times ridiculously similar and at other times unrecognizable when compared to Spanish. Though Spanish is coming in handy because the meanings translate so much better, for example i bambini vs. los niños is a much closer translation than to English, where it could mean "babies" or "kids" or "children."
(The tough part is not using Spanish! I caught myself thinking I was really catching on well to Italian, when really I had just slipped back into Spanish. ¡Maldito sea! Er, I mean... maledizione!)
Unfortunately, I've also come to realize that Italian is really not going to be useful unless/until I go to Italy. Browsing around on a job posting today (just for funsies!) there was a posting for a multilingual something-or-other in Europe of all places (again, just for funsies! (... for now)), and Italian was not listed as a language for which they were hiring. And that's on their home continent!
So, I'm pondering other languages to maybe tack on... something that is maybe useful outside of its country of origin.
However, so long as I have a meaningful conversation with my cousin-from-Italy this summer, I think I'll be able to cross this one off! It really is a very pretty language.
Ciao!
Mangiamo pizza.
Canti bella.
Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei.
i bambini = los niños
Learning Italian is proving to be about what I expected, really. It's at times ridiculously similar and at other times unrecognizable when compared to Spanish. Though Spanish is coming in handy because the meanings translate so much better, for example i bambini vs. los niños is a much closer translation than to English, where it could mean "babies" or "kids" or "children."
(The tough part is not using Spanish! I caught myself thinking I was really catching on well to Italian, when really I had just slipped back into Spanish. ¡Maldito sea! Er, I mean... maledizione!)
Unfortunately, I've also come to realize that Italian is really not going to be useful unless/until I go to Italy. Browsing around on a job posting today (just for funsies!) there was a posting for a multilingual something-or-other in Europe of all places (again, just for funsies! (... for now)), and Italian was not listed as a language for which they were hiring. And that's on their home continent!
So, I'm pondering other languages to maybe tack on... something that is maybe useful outside of its country of origin.
However, so long as I have a meaningful conversation with my cousin-from-Italy this summer, I think I'll be able to cross this one off! It really is a very pretty language.
Ciao!
Sunday, June 12
Inspiration, Motivation - GO!
Today I am going to buy a book - a text book - to learn Italian.
I just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love (late to the party, I know!) and the first third of the book is devoted to her being in Italy. I'm a person who is interested in whatever language is around me that I don't know, so as she's talking about una buona forchetta and parla come magni and attraversiamo I can't help but get so excited that I read the passages written in Italian two or three times before going to the English translation. I want to figure it out and know all of its inner workings.
Also, in my feeble attempts to find websites that will conjugate Italian verbs for me, I realize that even if I learn verbs, I don't have any nouns to use with them. I won't get so far just saying "I like" or "We eat" or "You think" without saying what we like, eat or think.
So I'm going on the hunt for a real text book that will teach me some of the basics.
After all, I'm not trying to have a deep, philosophical conversation about the meaning of life. I'm trying to communicate! And if philosophy comes in to play I'll just switch back to Spanish. And then probably back to English, because Philosophy is hard. (One of three classes in my life where I earned a 'C'. The others were Political Science in college because I hate politics and English in third grade because I didn't fill out my day planner. I still don't fill out my day planner or talk much about politics. Or philosophy.)
Ready? Let's go! ¡Vamonos! Andiamo!
I just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love (late to the party, I know!) and the first third of the book is devoted to her being in Italy. I'm a person who is interested in whatever language is around me that I don't know, so as she's talking about una buona forchetta and parla come magni and attraversiamo I can't help but get so excited that I read the passages written in Italian two or three times before going to the English translation. I want to figure it out and know all of its inner workings.
Also, in my feeble attempts to find websites that will conjugate Italian verbs for me, I realize that even if I learn verbs, I don't have any nouns to use with them. I won't get so far just saying "I like" or "We eat" or "You think" without saying what we like, eat or think.
So I'm going on the hunt for a real text book that will teach me some of the basics.
After all, I'm not trying to have a deep, philosophical conversation about the meaning of life. I'm trying to communicate! And if philosophy comes in to play I'll just switch back to Spanish. And then probably back to English, because Philosophy is hard. (One of three classes in my life where I earned a 'C'. The others were Political Science in college because I hate politics and English in third grade because I didn't fill out my day planner. I still don't fill out my day planner or talk much about politics. Or philosophy.)
Ready? Let's go! ¡Vamonos! Andiamo!
Monday, May 30
May 30th, 2011
(Wow, blogosphere, I don't know how to convince you that you aren't forgotten. I wouldn't believe me either, it's ok.)
SO! Today marks 5 years left to complete my list! (Happy Birthday to me!) And even though I haven't been posting here (shame, shame!) I have been thinking about many of my list items. And I might even let myself check one off. I'm still pondering. You'll see why in a minute.
To make this a little easier to keep track, I'm just going to go down the original list and voice what my thoughts are to get some of them done. (Or perhaps I should pick only 5 and focus my efforts? But why start being organized now?)
Ok. So. (here's da earth...)
1. Learn a third language conversationally (and have a conversation!) FUN FACT! My mom's family is from Italy, and two years ago my aunt & uncle took a trip there to meet some of our distant cousins. And now, one of those semi-distant cousins is coming to visit KC in July! So, I'm going to cram as much Italian into my tiny little brain as I can before then to see what I can do! (I will already be helping him out with interpretation; he speaks Spanish better than English. Yay!)
6. Scuba Dive This one might get scratched off. My sister & I road-tripped to Florida, swam with some manatees, and I could barely handle the snorkel mask. Oy.
8. Sew my own dress (that I will actually wear) This is the one I might be able to check off. I made a dress for my birthday dinner, but I can't decide if it's up to my high personal standards.
15. Improve relationship with sister Again, road trip to FL brought some things to light. Might need to change tactics...
19. Disneyland/world The novio and I have a trip to Florida planned to visit friends and my sister, and we are totally going!!!
24. Go back to school I've started to ponder what I should do. Spanish? Business? Studying in another country/continent?
27. Eat vegetarian one day each week I do this because I'm poor and haven't been grocery shopping in weeks. Doesn't quite count.
SO. Blog posts on those things coming soon!
SO! Today marks 5 years left to complete my list! (Happy Birthday to me!) And even though I haven't been posting here (shame, shame!) I have been thinking about many of my list items. And I might even let myself check one off. I'm still pondering. You'll see why in a minute.
To make this a little easier to keep track, I'm just going to go down the original list and voice what my thoughts are to get some of them done. (Or perhaps I should pick only 5 and focus my efforts? But why start being organized now?)
Ok. So. (here's da earth...)
1. Learn a third language conversationally (and have a conversation!) FUN FACT! My mom's family is from Italy, and two years ago my aunt & uncle took a trip there to meet some of our distant cousins. And now, one of those semi-distant cousins is coming to visit KC in July! So, I'm going to cram as much Italian into my tiny little brain as I can before then to see what I can do! (I will already be helping him out with interpretation; he speaks Spanish better than English. Yay!)
6. Scuba Dive This one might get scratched off. My sister & I road-tripped to Florida, swam with some manatees, and I could barely handle the snorkel mask. Oy.
8. Sew my own dress (that I will actually wear) This is the one I might be able to check off. I made a dress for my birthday dinner, but I can't decide if it's up to my high personal standards.
15. Improve relationship with sister Again, road trip to FL brought some things to light. Might need to change tactics...
19. Disneyland/world The novio and I have a trip to Florida planned to visit friends and my sister, and we are totally going!!!
24. Go back to school I've started to ponder what I should do. Spanish? Business? Studying in another country/continent?
27. Eat vegetarian one day each week I do this because I'm poor and haven't been grocery shopping in weeks. Doesn't quite count.
SO. Blog posts on those things coming soon!
Tuesday, April 26
Progress Report (of sorts...) For #17 - Get caught in the rain...enjoy it!
The weather lately has been especially grey (gray? I can't ever remember...) and it makes me mopey. It reminded me of #17 - Get caught in the rain and instead of getting mad, run around and enjoy it!
However, I've realized two things:
One. I don't like rain. I barely even like being wet. (Swimming not included in this statement.)
Two. It's impossible to plan for this.
However, I've realized two things:
One. I don't like rain. I barely even like being wet. (Swimming not included in this statement.)
Two. It's impossible to plan for this.
Monday, April 25
Progress! #9: Start my own translation business
A teeny-weenie part of this has come to fruition!
My very own business cards arrived in the mail this weekend. They look happy and professional - I'm really pleased with how they turned out. (They were ordered off Vistaprint.com, which is a "discount" website with just about every office supply you can imagine - I half expected them to come looking like they were printed on a hand-me-down inkjet printer and cut with dull safety scissors.)
This means that I've arrived at The Intimidating Part of this item... the part where I have to have confidence in my abilities. I won't claim to be the first person with confidence issues, it's just that mine come with a side of I-don't-believe-people-when-they-compliment-me gravy to smother it. (someone please note that this might be the first time I've ever spoken negatively of gravy...) Perhaps it's my ego getting in the way, but most people who compliment my Spanish don't speak Spanish very well. Which to me begs the question... How do you know?
Then after hurdling over that mindblock, I have to be able to promote myself. That means inserting my shameless plug into conversations and talking to strangers and being excited instead of humble. I have to look people in the eye and say, "Hey! I'm awesome and here's why." I should write down three bullet points of awesomeness and recite them to myself every morning in the mirror. I wonder if that really works...?
But the business cards are step one. Even if it's the first out of 100.
My very own business cards arrived in the mail this weekend. They look happy and professional - I'm really pleased with how they turned out. (They were ordered off Vistaprint.com, which is a "discount" website with just about every office supply you can imagine - I half expected them to come looking like they were printed on a hand-me-down inkjet printer and cut with dull safety scissors.)
This means that I've arrived at The Intimidating Part of this item... the part where I have to have confidence in my abilities. I won't claim to be the first person with confidence issues, it's just that mine come with a side of I-don't-believe-people-when-they-compliment-me gravy to smother it. (someone please note that this might be the first time I've ever spoken negatively of gravy...) Perhaps it's my ego getting in the way, but most people who compliment my Spanish don't speak Spanish very well. Which to me begs the question... How do you know?
Then after hurdling over that mindblock, I have to be able to promote myself. That means inserting my shameless plug into conversations and talking to strangers and being excited instead of humble. I have to look people in the eye and say, "Hey! I'm awesome and here's why." I should write down three bullet points of awesomeness and recite them to myself every morning in the mirror. I wonder if that really works...?
But the business cards are step one. Even if it's the first out of 100.
Sunday, April 17
Progress Report: #8 - Sew a dress that I actually will wear
Quite a few of the items on my list are going to take skill and time to accomplish, so I thought I'd issue a progress report on one that I'm particularly excited about: #8 - sewing a dress that I'll actually wear.
This progress report is provided by my crafty friend Leslie, who is a very driven crafter. She's made jewelry, decoupage boxes, knit things and more (and done it well, I might add). Most importantly shebullied encouraged me to go to a sewing class at a local craft store, Bon Bon Atelier, back in November to make "retro aprons." These looked very complicated to a neophyte sewer such as I was - lots of layers, strings that tie in the back, and a gathered front that was oh-so-cute! Fortunately for me, the teacher/store owner was gloriously patient with me and my apron turned out muy adorable - so much so that I made two as gifts for Christmas and one again as a birthday present for my niece in February:
Anywho, this led to the next Big Project To Be Tackled, a real-live skirt! (Also known as an apron, completed.) Leslie had chosen a cute pattern and had already made the skirt once before I headed to her apartment one rainy Saturday in March. This proved handy for me, because I can't read a pattern. (Oops...)
This particular project took me hours to complete. It was frustrating, and there was a lot of stitching followed by unstitching followed by re-stitching. Also, the waistband is permanently sewn on upside-down and the zipper is crooked. Also, Leslie's cat kept trying to investigate by way of jumping up onto the table.
BUT. The finished product (if you don't know about the waistband or zipper issues) is freakin' CUTE. And I get compliments when I wear it before people know that I made it, which is cool. And! It has pockets! I made pockets!
I'm going to re-attempt this skirt before moving on to other, Even Bigger projects. I have some old shirts with cuteness on them that I want to incorporate somehow. And I like that the pattern casual enough to wear on weekends but also dressy enough to wear around my office. You can never have too many of those in your wardrobe.
This progress report is provided by my crafty friend Leslie, who is a very driven crafter. She's made jewelry, decoupage boxes, knit things and more (and done it well, I might add). Most importantly she
 |
| I made it reversible, to double as a cape! |
This particular project took me hours to complete. It was frustrating, and there was a lot of stitching followed by unstitching followed by re-stitching. Also, the waistband is permanently sewn on upside-down and the zipper is crooked. Also, Leslie's cat kept trying to investigate by way of jumping up onto the table.
BUT. The finished product (if you don't know about the waistband or zipper issues) is freakin' CUTE. And I get compliments when I wear it before people know that I made it, which is cool. And! It has pockets! I made pockets!
I'm going to re-attempt this skirt before moving on to other, Even Bigger projects. I have some old shirts with cuteness on them that I want to incorporate somehow. And I like that the pattern casual enough to wear on weekends but also dressy enough to wear around my office. You can never have too many of those in your wardrobe.
Saturday, April 16
Alfie (1966)
(Disclaimer for the diehards: This doesn't relate to my list. But it's my blog, so the apologies stop there.)
(Disclaimer for the other, movie-loving diehards: Spolier Alert, but the movie was made 45 years ago.)
Does it mean that it's a good movie when it evokes my indignation to where I can't think in straight lines?
I just watched Alfie. (1966, not 2004)
I didn't know much about it going in except that Michael Caine would be playing a role that I hadn't seen him play before - that of a womanizing always-gets-the-girl kind of guy. I was excited for that part actually - Michael Caine has been one of my favorite actors for a while, and seeing as he started acting the same year my mother was born, I was curious to see him as young and attractive instead of older and aristocratic. And what's more, any movie made now-a-days that's advertised with a leading role as a womanizer will undoubtedly end up with that character learning his lesson and either falling in love with the woman who put him in his place or be left to wallow in his thoughts and feel bad about himself, thus giving me the moral and feminist high ground.
A learned-your-lesson-you-dirtbag kind of ending. It was supposed to be win-win.
But instead of a flirtatious yet immoral and like-able Alfie, I was smacked in the face with a verbally and emotionally abusive character. I struggle to accept that women were so submissive in that time period. But I also have to acknowledge the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that knows not only did that happen 40 years ago, it continues to happen today. Each woman desperately aches for Alfie to change and to love her, but ultimately must stand up for herself or her children/family and leave him. Not that Alfie cared one bit; he never changed.
The gut-wrenching part of the movie was in the last twenty minutes, and I think it is perhaps one of the best pro-life arguments I have ever seen in film. A woman Alfie slept with once, Lily, is pregnant and finds it necessary to have an abortion. The doctor performs what my Google research has deduced to be a third-month induction abortion (warning - link explains the process in detail) where the mother winds up having to give birth even though the pregnancy was terminated. Nothing is shown in the movie, because Alfie goes for a walk after silencing Lily's labor pains so that his landlord won't hear. Because that's the human(e) thing to do in his opinion.
When he comes back, the camera stays on Alfie's face when he sees the fetus (never actually shown). I saw every emotion (which is a reminder of Michael Caine's prowess in acting; it is dreadfully apparent in this scene). He explains the experience to a friend (after having run out, leaving Lily alone in his apartment again) and it is heartbreaking and haunting. It's as if he suddenly saw the potential for that small being and realized that he did nothing. He didn't even allow a passing thought for it or claim it as his own in front of the doctor. He felt for another human, which was more than he had done during the whole movie.
And then, after a scene which proved he learned nothing and felt little else towards any other person, it was over.
I'm not trying to provoke an argument or a battle of the comments, but I would be interested in thoughts, especially if you've seen the movie. I tend to lean "pro-life" to begin with (and reading the abortion article referenced above literally made me nauseous, emotionally and physically) ... but have recently wondered why the "pro-life" label doesn't also apply to the mother. It's her life... shouldn't she be the one to live it?
(Again, please post thoughts not arguments or antagonistic retorts. I am prepared to keep this civil.)
(Disclaimer for the other, movie-loving diehards: Spolier Alert, but the movie was made 45 years ago.)
Does it mean that it's a good movie when it evokes my indignation to where I can't think in straight lines?
I just watched Alfie. (1966, not 2004)
I didn't know much about it going in except that Michael Caine would be playing a role that I hadn't seen him play before - that of a womanizing always-gets-the-girl kind of guy. I was excited for that part actually - Michael Caine has been one of my favorite actors for a while, and seeing as he started acting the same year my mother was born, I was curious to see him as young and attractive instead of older and aristocratic. And what's more, any movie made now-a-days that's advertised with a leading role as a womanizer will undoubtedly end up with that character learning his lesson and either falling in love with the woman who put him in his place or be left to wallow in his thoughts and feel bad about himself, thus giving me the moral and feminist high ground.
A learned-your-lesson-you-dirtbag kind of ending. It was supposed to be win-win.
But instead of a flirtatious yet immoral and like-able Alfie, I was smacked in the face with a verbally and emotionally abusive character. I struggle to accept that women were so submissive in that time period. But I also have to acknowledge the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that knows not only did that happen 40 years ago, it continues to happen today. Each woman desperately aches for Alfie to change and to love her, but ultimately must stand up for herself or her children/family and leave him. Not that Alfie cared one bit; he never changed.
The gut-wrenching part of the movie was in the last twenty minutes, and I think it is perhaps one of the best pro-life arguments I have ever seen in film. A woman Alfie slept with once, Lily, is pregnant and finds it necessary to have an abortion. The doctor performs what my Google research has deduced to be a third-month induction abortion (warning - link explains the process in detail) where the mother winds up having to give birth even though the pregnancy was terminated. Nothing is shown in the movie, because Alfie goes for a walk after silencing Lily's labor pains so that his landlord won't hear. Because that's the human(e) thing to do in his opinion.
When he comes back, the camera stays on Alfie's face when he sees the fetus (never actually shown). I saw every emotion (which is a reminder of Michael Caine's prowess in acting; it is dreadfully apparent in this scene). He explains the experience to a friend (after having run out, leaving Lily alone in his apartment again) and it is heartbreaking and haunting. It's as if he suddenly saw the potential for that small being and realized that he did nothing. He didn't even allow a passing thought for it or claim it as his own in front of the doctor. He felt for another human, which was more than he had done during the whole movie.
And then, after a scene which proved he learned nothing and felt little else towards any other person, it was over.
I'm not trying to provoke an argument or a battle of the comments, but I would be interested in thoughts, especially if you've seen the movie. I tend to lean "pro-life" to begin with (and reading the abortion article referenced above literally made me nauseous, emotionally and physically) ... but have recently wondered why the "pro-life" label doesn't also apply to the mother. It's her life... shouldn't she be the one to live it?
(Again, please post thoughts not arguments or antagonistic retorts. I am prepared to keep this civil.)
Wednesday, April 13
#28 - Run in a 5k - Check!
Here I sit, having just eaten everything but the table where we sat at a mexican restaurant down on the Boulevard, about to try to convince people that I really, truly enjoy running.
Well, it IS true... (but I must also make it crystal clear: I will own you in a chip and salsa eating contest. Unless you're a professional chip and salsa eater, in which case I will certainly try to own you in a chip an salsa eating contest, but might fail.)
If you had asked me a year ago "Ellen, do you like running?" I would have replied with a throw-my-head-back belly laugh. If you had asked me that question a year ago it would have been an immediate cue that you didn't know me. Because a year ago the answer would have been, as previously mentioned, a throw-my-head-back belly laugh that implied "NNnnnnoooooooo."
But then my awesome long-lost-friend-from-hs-found-again-on-facebook Baylee hosted these Kick-Your-Booty boot camps which I attended becausewhy not wake up at 6am to torture yourself into feeling better it was time to stop being a lump. And then I mentioned that the first-ever Rock the Crossroads 5k was happening in a week and wouldn't it be fun to run in that someday? To which Baylee replied, yeah let's do it! And then I found myself running every day that week to try to not look like I was about to die after mile one.
I ran it! And walked it... and then ran it some more, finally crossing the finish line in 42:09, which was the slowest of all three people in the race named Ellen. But... the funny thing was, I wasn't dead. Which was surprising.
And after that I just kept running. Not consistently, but I've successfully completed two more races - Run for the Polar Bears (4 miles through the KC Zoo!) and The KC GroundHog Run (which takes place in storage caves in North KC - totally underground!).
I've discovered two main things from keeping up with this fitness thing:
1. I feel better when I'm active. I sleep better, I have more energy, and my mood is elevated. (hooray, endorphins!)
and
2. I need goals. If I don't have a race to keep me on the move, I lose all motivation to run. What's worse, I've realized that this applies to my everyday life more than I would like to admit. If I know I don't have guests coming over for the next two months, my dishes pile up and my mail is thrown on the floor. If all I have waiting for me in a day is a regular work day, it is mentally exhausting for me to think about getting out of bed. So this leads me to a new personal development:
Get out of bed, do your dishes, and run a few times. And do it because it's the right thing to do, not because you get a reward at the end of it!
Well, it IS true... (but I must also make it crystal clear: I will own you in a chip and salsa eating contest. Unless you're a professional chip and salsa eater, in which case I will certainly try to own you in a chip an salsa eating contest, but might fail.)
If you had asked me a year ago "Ellen, do you like running?" I would have replied with a throw-my-head-back belly laugh. If you had asked me that question a year ago it would have been an immediate cue that you didn't know me. Because a year ago the answer would have been, as previously mentioned, a throw-my-head-back belly laugh that implied "NNnnnnoooooooo."
But then my awesome long-lost-friend-from-hs-found-again-on-facebook Baylee hosted these Kick-Your-Booty boot camps which I attended because
I ran it! And walked it... and then ran it some more, finally crossing the finish line in 42:09, which was the slowest of all three people in the race named Ellen. But... the funny thing was, I wasn't dead. Which was surprising.
And after that I just kept running. Not consistently, but I've successfully completed two more races - Run for the Polar Bears (4 miles through the KC Zoo!) and The KC GroundHog Run (which takes place in storage caves in North KC - totally underground!).
I've discovered two main things from keeping up with this fitness thing:
1. I feel better when I'm active. I sleep better, I have more energy, and my mood is elevated. (hooray, endorphins!)
and
2. I need goals. If I don't have a race to keep me on the move, I lose all motivation to run. What's worse, I've realized that this applies to my everyday life more than I would like to admit. If I know I don't have guests coming over for the next two months, my dishes pile up and my mail is thrown on the floor. If all I have waiting for me in a day is a regular work day, it is mentally exhausting for me to think about getting out of bed. So this leads me to a new personal development:
Get out of bed, do your dishes, and run a few times. And do it because it's the right thing to do, not because you get a reward at the end of it!
Monday, April 4
Chiggity Check! #26 - Play in a concert band again
I'm sure by now you will have noticed that two of my items were awesomely checked off last summer.
I want to take a minute (well, two whole posts, really...) to focus on each of them and describe how both have, perhaps surprisingly, stuck with me. This post is dedicated to the highlight of my Thursday nights - the Mid America Freedom Band!
To set the scene, I knew from age 10 that I wanted to play flute (that's 14 and three-quarters years ago, for those keeping score at home). From watching my older brother play in our school's band, I figured out that a) I wanted to play that, and b) I wanted to be good at it. When it was finally my turn I immediately chose the flute. (I dabbled in French Horn territory, but that was mainly to appease my mother who was skeptical that I had chosen my path in less than 10 minutes. I tend to be indecisive...)
I sat first chair from 6th-8th grade (not that that reeeally counts for much... we had boys making cow sounds through the trumpet mouthpieces at concerts...) and then paid my dues through high school. I was the quintessential band nerd! I marched to music in department stores (much like this xkcd comic), took private lessons, went on the band bus on the band trips, and yes, went to band camp and heard all of the jokes (admitting to playing flute at band camp was different after that movie...) and LOVED every band-y part of it.
In college I switched to drums for marching band (read: there are older, college boys who think drummer girls are hot!). The trouble was, I wasn't a music major and the band ate up hours out of the week that I had to devote to other schoolwork. After 2 seasons I had to bow out.
All that was to try to explain my excitement when, last summer, a friend and I started talking about how we miss playing in a band and then wound up IN one a month later!
The MAFB is Kansas City's GLBT (+allies!) community band which happens to be made up of a very welcoming group of talented individuals who truly want to enjoy making good music together. And they are FUN - our first concert ("OUT in Space" ... get it??) we wore costumes and crazy makeup for the second half. One of the directors wore a Luke Skywalker outfit.
MAFB has helped me see how much I can grow and how much better I can be when I really work at something. Take tonight for example: instead of sitting down and watching tv while doing my laundry, I whipped out my music and actually (gasp!) practiced!
I have this sense of pride in our work. I don't want to let the group down or be the weakest link. It's powerful to me that no one has to be there, and yet everyone cares so much about the success and image of the band. The other flute player is also very good and therefore provides a mental challenge for me to improve.
So, thanks to a little number on my little list, my Thursday nights are dedicated to me actually DOING something with my time. I'm developing myself and my skills. I'm being productive!
Oh, and btw, we have a concert this Saturday!
I want to take a minute (well, two whole posts, really...) to focus on each of them and describe how both have, perhaps surprisingly, stuck with me. This post is dedicated to the highlight of my Thursday nights - the Mid America Freedom Band!
To set the scene, I knew from age 10 that I wanted to play flute (that's 14 and three-quarters years ago, for those keeping score at home). From watching my older brother play in our school's band, I figured out that a) I wanted to play that, and b) I wanted to be good at it. When it was finally my turn I immediately chose the flute. (I dabbled in French Horn territory, but that was mainly to appease my mother who was skeptical that I had chosen my path in less than 10 minutes. I tend to be indecisive...)
I sat first chair from 6th-8th grade (not that that reeeally counts for much... we had boys making cow sounds through the trumpet mouthpieces at concerts...) and then paid my dues through high school. I was the quintessential band nerd! I marched to music in department stores (much like this xkcd comic), took private lessons, went on the band bus on the band trips, and yes, went to band camp and heard all of the jokes (admitting to playing flute at band camp was different after that movie...) and LOVED every band-y part of it.
In college I switched to drums for marching band (read: there are older, college boys who think drummer girls are hot!). The trouble was, I wasn't a music major and the band ate up hours out of the week that I had to devote to other schoolwork. After 2 seasons I had to bow out.
All that was to try to explain my excitement when, last summer, a friend and I started talking about how we miss playing in a band and then wound up IN one a month later!
The MAFB is Kansas City's GLBT (+allies!) community band which happens to be made up of a very welcoming group of talented individuals who truly want to enjoy making good music together. And they are FUN - our first concert ("OUT in Space" ... get it??) we wore costumes and crazy makeup for the second half. One of the directors wore a Luke Skywalker outfit.
MAFB has helped me see how much I can grow and how much better I can be when I really work at something. Take tonight for example: instead of sitting down and watching tv while doing my laundry, I whipped out my music and actually (gasp!) practiced!
I have this sense of pride in our work. I don't want to let the group down or be the weakest link. It's powerful to me that no one has to be there, and yet everyone cares so much about the success and image of the band. The other flute player is also very good and therefore provides a mental challenge for me to improve.
So, thanks to a little number on my little list, my Thursday nights are dedicated to me actually DOING something with my time. I'm developing myself and my skills. I'm being productive!
Oh, and btw, we have a concert this Saturday!
It's gonna be a good one!
Tuesday, March 29
A note of clarification
I was chatting with my novio tonight and he accused me of the unthinkable! He claimed I had already completed things from my list, but hadn't checked them off. I was astounded. I questioned our relationship for a mere moment...
Until he rattled off the one to which he was referring, and it turns out it's true! I have already done one of the things on my list. BUT that doesn't mean I get to check it off. You see, that would be cheating!
Since I started my 30 Before 30 list there have been a few unofficial rules that I've casually adhered to. I feel they need to be out in the open if this blogger-reader relationship is to continue in a transparent, trusting manner. (Also, they're subject to change at any time, so I don't feel cornered.)
The first rule is that the tasks must be fresh and new; no official plans can have been made before the item is put on the list. For example, I couldn't add "Ride in the MS 150" because the novio and I are already planning to do that this September - the registration fee has been submitted. However, as is the case with tonight's confrontation, I can add things that I have already done if I want to do them again. The catch is that it has to be something I wouldn't normally do, something that is still just an idea or dream.
The second rule is I can add to the list but only if it's cooler than something else on the list. I've yet to run in to this problem. It took me a loooooong time to put those last three ideas down, and I haven't thought of anything else yet. (Though, suggestions are always entertained!) [Side note: While I was writing my list, this rule would have been no looking at other people's lists before yours is finished. The 30B430 List should be things that YOU truly want to do, so go do some soul-searching and keep your eyes on your own paper!]
The third rule, no retroactive list-checking! If it turns out I had amnesia as a child and my parents burned all of the pictures from our wonderful, Ellen-centric trip to Disneyworld, that's too bad! No checking! I have to go again so that all of the suppressed feelings towards Donald Duck come rushing back in a wave of confusion and oversized pretzels. (If that's even what they have at Disneyworld... are there pretzels at Disneyworld?)
There will probably be more rules to come and/or go. But for now, three unofficial and relatively flexible rules will do.
Until he rattled off the one to which he was referring, and it turns out it's true! I have already done one of the things on my list. BUT that doesn't mean I get to check it off. You see, that would be cheating!
Since I started my 30 Before 30 list there have been a few unofficial rules that I've casually adhered to. I feel they need to be out in the open if this blogger-reader relationship is to continue in a transparent, trusting manner. (Also, they're subject to change at any time, so I don't feel cornered.)
The first rule is that the tasks must be fresh and new; no official plans can have been made before the item is put on the list. For example, I couldn't add "Ride in the MS 150" because the novio and I are already planning to do that this September - the registration fee has been submitted. However, as is the case with tonight's confrontation, I can add things that I have already done if I want to do them again. The catch is that it has to be something I wouldn't normally do, something that is still just an idea or dream.
The second rule is I can add to the list but only if it's cooler than something else on the list. I've yet to run in to this problem. It took me a loooooong time to put those last three ideas down, and I haven't thought of anything else yet. (Though, suggestions are always entertained!) [Side note: While I was writing my list, this rule would have been no looking at other people's lists before yours is finished. The 30B430 List should be things that YOU truly want to do, so go do some soul-searching and keep your eyes on your own paper!]
The third rule, no retroactive list-checking! If it turns out I had amnesia as a child and my parents burned all of the pictures from our wonderful, Ellen-centric trip to Disneyworld, that's too bad! No checking! I have to go again so that all of the suppressed feelings towards Donald Duck come rushing back in a wave of confusion and oversized pretzels. (If that's even what they have at Disneyworld... are there pretzels at Disneyworld?)
There will probably be more rules to come and/or go. But for now, three unofficial and relatively flexible rules will do.
Sunday, March 27
The List
Perhaps you've heard of this before - a list of thirty things to do before you turn 30 years old - but two years ago I hadn't. I was volunteering abroad and a housemate introduced me to the idea; I was hooked!
It probably helped that at the time 30 seemed practically unattainable. I was 23, fresh out of college, jobless due to the then-recent economic plunge into darkness (hence the volunteering abroad), and living off of my (meager) life savings in a foreign country. Life was a coming-of-age novel and I was reading under the covers.
Now, suddenly, it's two years later and I've only ticked off two items on my checklist. This isn't to say the last two years have been boring by any means, but I will admit they seemed to have lacked focus. I have a great job and loving friends and family, but seem to need a good challenge.
I have 28 items and 5 years. That's pretty much 6 things each year. Time to get a move on! So, without further ado, I present to you...
The List. (in the order i thought of them)
1. Learn a 3rd language conversationally
3. Buy a car That-escalated-quickly check. December 2012
8. Sew my own dress (one that I’ll actually wear!) I-feel-pretty-when-I-twirl check! July 2011
17. Get caught in the rain and instead of getting mad, run around and enjoy it! Soggy Check! June 24, 2011
19. Go to Disneyland or World Princess Check! June 25, 2011
26. Play in a concert band again Chiggity Check!! August 2010
28. Run in a 5k Check! July 17, 2010
It probably helped that at the time 30 seemed practically unattainable. I was 23, fresh out of college, jobless due to the then-recent economic plunge into darkness (hence the volunteering abroad), and living off of my (meager) life savings in a foreign country. Life was a coming-of-age novel and I was reading under the covers.
Now, suddenly, it's two years later and I've only ticked off two items on my checklist. This isn't to say the last two years have been boring by any means, but I will admit they seemed to have lacked focus. I have a great job and loving friends and family, but seem to need a good challenge.
I have 28 items and 5 years. That's pretty much 6 things each year. Time to get a move on! So, without further ado, I present to you...
The List. (in the order i thought of them)
1. Learn a 3rd language conversationally
1a. Visit a country where that language is spoken, and have a conversation!
2. Visit Europe Honeymoon check! (I'll spare you the details) July-Aug 2012
2a. Get to as many of these as possible: Italy, Spain, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Greece, Switzerland, Turkey, Scotland.
4. Know how to change important fluids in my car
4a. Oil, windshield washer fluid, radiator fluid, other?
5. Bake a cake from scratch (BONUS: without a recipe)
6. Scuba dive Update 7/9/2012: Learn to cook 10 vegetables in a way that I will like
6a. Has to be healthy-ish. (Basically: cannot be smothered in cheese.)
6a. Has to be healthy-ish. (Basically: cannot be smothered in cheese.)
7. Take my parents on a trip where they pay for nothing (other than their souvenirs)
9. Start my own translation business
10. Skinny Dip (anywhere!)
11. Paint something on a canvas with real paint
12. Cook a turkey
13. Rent a fun car for a weekend and/or road trip
13a. No specific destination
14. Take my niece on an “aunt/niece” outing
15. Improve my relationship with my sister – be more than sisters; be friends.
16. Go to Ellis Island to look up my families
18. See the Northern Lights
20. Make scrapbooks for the major trips I go on
21. Ride a tandem bicycle
22. Design an advertisement or save-the-date for someone
23. Volunteer abroad – Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia Update 2/4/2013: Go car-free one day/work week
24. Go back to school to get a graduate degree
25. Learn to drive a motorcycle
25a. Ride in Bikers for Babies!!
25a. Ride in Bikers for Babies!!
27. Plan one day each week to eat vegetarian
29. Sky dive
30. Plant and maintain a garden for at least one summer
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