Well it's been an entire year since I've last looked at this. I didn't accomplish everything, but I sure did a lot of interesting things I might not have done otherwise! Here's an update on some things I've done since January of last year.
2. Run in the derby marathon or mini
On November 7th I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Half-Marathon! Definitely one big accomplishment for 2009. I signed up, and just did it, after running once or twice a week over the summer and fall with Erin. It was an amazing experience. My time was 2:22:22. It turned out to be easier than I thought it would be. And I learned that I Can Do It! The course was beautiful. I stayed at Arianne's dorm at UIndy. Thomas accompanied me. He did most of the driving. He was also a great help getting me to registration, and taking my stuff at the starting line. After the race we explored Indianapolis and generally had a wonderful weekend trip together.
5. Climb a real-life, high altitude mountain
Well, I didn't, but my roommate Laura did. In Ecuador. Just goes to show it can be done!
15. Go camping
I've been twice! Both at Red River Gorge. The first time was just Thomas and I, after a day hike with Chris and Neil. I wore a back pack for the first time, it was pouring rain and cold, but we had a fantastic time. I never experienced such silence, such darkness. We cooked yummy hot food over a fire, and had also quite the time in the tent. ;)
The second time was on Halloween. Chris, Laura, Thomas, and I went for a night hike, camped, and then hiked some more in the morning. A little bit of rock climbing ensued, as well as some incredible sights. And a delicious hot breakfast in the morning. :)
20. Learn to juggle
Currently learning. Chris lent me his juggling balls. They are sitting on my night stand, and I am to return them when I have mastered the three. Yay!
40. Do my taxes in January
Well, this year I did them as soon as I could. I've completed everything I could immediately upon receiving my two W-2's, and am now waiting on the arrival of my 1098. Other than that, I am ready to file. Come on, refund!
41. Develop an emergency fund with which I could support myself for three months
I have exactly this amount in a savings account labeled "Emergency Fund." Go me!
42. Be without debt
Zero balance on my one credit card, Student loans paid off. Yes.
57. Learn and be able to prepare 5 Filipino dishes from memory, and make 5 amazing desserts (7/10)
Well I don't know about the "from memory" part, but my cooking skills have definitely improved. And I can make garlic fried rice without a recipe, and a decent stir fry. I've also made some pretty decadent pasta dishes. Oh, winter and the comfort food that comes with it. And the desserts? Blown out of the water. I've recently gotten into baking. Browned butter rice krispie treats, chocolate stout cake (declared by Thomas "maybe the best cake I have ever eaten"), Aztec brownies, and tomorrow, Tres Leches cake. I am so not afraid of baking, and quite enjoy the process, and the results. :)
67. Be in a long term relationship – at least 6 months
Thomas and I are going at just over a year and a half now. It's love. :)
80. Visit Chicago
Over 4th of July weekend, I went on an amazing trip with Sara K., Elizabeth Grace, and Natalie. We packed so much fun and food into those three days! The Bean, Sears tower, sushi, Chicago deep dish pizza, Taste of Chicago, the train, Avec, Michigan Ave, the Art Institute, Navy Pier (fireworks + the Maze), walking around at all hours, not to mention the drive up and back! And that's just off the top of my head.
89. Wardrobe makeover
My winter wardrobe, at least, is much more stylish. I have several gorgeous colorful scarves, a black pea coat (finally), a lovely pair of flat boots, and several other additions such as skinny jeans, awesome socks, stylish long sleeved tops, etc. Also, Tita Nene gave me some great hand me downs, including a black pencil skirt, a down vest, and two amazing pairs of knee-high boots (brown and black leather). Wardrobe makeover, indeed.
Feb 7, 2010
Jan 16, 2009
Nov 10, 2008
7,8,9 - Since it's getting cold, I don't really want to be outside as much. Great time to pick up yoga and swimming and other indoorsy sports (rock slimbing, plz.)
41, 42 Progress being made in both my savings and paying off debt.
56 Done
58 I helped Thomas change the oil in his car, maybe he'll help me do mine? I'm overdue for a change.
60 Got together with Ellen before she left for Thailand/Korea (don't remember which one). It was wonderful, we picked right back up as if it hadn't been four years since we'd seen each other. And fumbled through cooking chicken. :)
62 One <3.
88 Well, my parents bought me a fantastic pair of running shoes at a tent sale! I've been using them, they're very comfortable.
90 Done
96 I voted, and won!
98 I've been volunteering weekly with every1reads for almost a month now. I'm tutoring a second grader named LeiAisa with her reading. She's wonderful. It's challenging, but I'm really glad I'm doing it. I'll consider this goal complete when we make it to christmas break. I can see myself continuing this for a while.
Jul 29, 2008
Wow, it has been a while since I updated this. Here's some progress since my last post:
I ran another 5k, Champions4her, almost exactly the same time. www.champions4her.com And placed thirteenth in my age group!
Books are selling on half.com, and I have clothes set aside so that I can take their pictures.
My savings is slowly growing, and my debt is steadily being paid off.
I've been picking up the guitar every now and then. Maybe if I move it to the living room I will play it more.
There's a poem in me, somewhere.
I made a blackberry cobbler with berries from the farmers' market! It was delicious, though I didn't follow the recipe exactly. Good cold, I prefer is warm with vanilla ice cream.
One Wednesday sometime ago, Thomas and I watched the sunset from the Belvedere downtown. "It was amazing" does not even begin to describe that evening.
The following Saturday morning after work, we biked to waterfront park and watched the sunrise. With twizzlers, goldfish, and cookiew, haha. And saw kayakers and swimmers training in the Ohio river, swimming upstream! I love it, I love it all.
I recently went to Fleet Feet on Bardstown Rd. to get fitted for running shoes. Depending on the shoe, my size may be a six and a half. And my feet bend in slightly when I run. I have the model written down of the shoe I liked best, though I don't know if I can yet justify spending $90 on a pair of shoes. Perhaps when it gets cooler and I actually am running again.
May 31, 2008
1. Run a 5k
I did it! Today! I cannot believe I can cross this number one off my list. I did "Run for the L of it" at Fourth Street Live. It was pouring down rain at about five this morning, I was afraid (but also kind of looking forward) that we'd have to run in the rain. But the weather turned out perfectly - clear, cool, and sunny.
I was honestly just hoping to make it through without stopping to walk, and maybe make it in under 30 minutes. But I did much better than I thought I would - with a time of 26:35 (26 minutes and 35 seconds). Which makes me believe that an eight minute mile is within reach, and makes running the Derby mini-marathon seem that much more feasible.
Thanks for letting me know about this, Thomas, and great job to you as well! You're amazing, you should be proud!
I saw quite a few people there who I know: Marian, Thad, Andre, Joe, Kate, Lance... Great job everyone!
15. Go camping
Both Erin and Carrie have said that they would be up for going to Red River Gorge some weekend this summer? Is anyone else interested? Hmmm. I know nothing about camping... but I'm determined to go.
May 15, 2008
1. Run a 5k
Run for the L of it
41. Develop an emergency fund with which I could support myself for three months
Opened the account today with about 1/6 of the goal amount
57. Learn and be able to prepare 5 Filipino dishes from memory, and make 5 amazing desserts (7/10)
Tomato beef stew 5/5/08
Chocolate Kahlua cheesecake 5/13/0859. Renew first aid certification
register
60. Get together with my high school group – Ellen, Evie, Christina, Megan, and Laura (2/5)
Ellen will be in Cincinnati this summer... make a date!
72. Go to the zoo.
It's summer baby!
85. Floss every day for a week
I went to the dentist today for a cleaning... lets get going on this one.
Apr 25, 2008
39. Learn how to do my taxes
I did them all by myself this year. Yay!
41. Develop an emergency fund with which I could support myself for three months
As soon as I recieve my tax refund, that is going into a savings account created for this purpose.
61. Develop a deep and mutual friendship with 10 people I admire. With whom I am not already close. (1/10)
Dustin and I talk about pretty much everything. Who would have thought that I would find a friend at UPS?
97. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
I did is last Thursday with Lauren. So much fun, and a great feeling afterwards.
Mar 21, 2008
58. Learn the basics of car maintenance – how to change oil, jump a battery, change a tire (1/3)
Yesterday I helped Ariel change her tire. It was not that difficult at all!
90. Watch 25 “must-see” movies (22/25)
Enchanted 3/8/08
Across the Universe 3/16/08
Diarios de Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries) 3/20/08
Feb 15, 2008
25. CLEP out AMAP
Working my way right now through the MIT OCW Intro Chemistry Course. Lecture 10 today!
39. Learn how to do my taxes
40. Do my taxes in January
57. Learn and be able to prepare 5 Filipino dishes from memory, and make 5 amazing desserts (4/10)
Garlic fried rice! It's really easy. I've made it four times in the past two weeks, once at home for Matthew. It has become one of my comfort foods.77. Attend the Vagina Monologues 2/8/08
I actually went to see "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer," a play by the the same writer as the Vagina Monologues. It was the tenth anniversary of the VM, and called V^10. I went with Ariel, bought the t-shirt, and got free condoms, lol. I'm glad I went, definitely worth it.
90. Watch 25 “must-see” movies (19/25)
I Am Legend 12/30/07
Remember the Titans 2/13/0895. Register to vote 2/8/08
Sent it in.
Jan 21, 2008
39. Learn how to do my taxes
Opportunity is arriving. I might use Turbotax.com.
40. Do my taxes in January
As soon as I receive my W-2s from Radioshack and UPS... I'm on it!
55. Learn how to drive a stick shift
Done! Last Sunday Laura taught Ariel and I how in a parking lot in Radcliff. It wasn't too difficult to learn, and soon I went on the road and drove for about fifteen minutes. I only stalled out once at a light, haha. It was fun. I'm so glad she finally taught me, I've been wanting to learn this skill for months. I'm sure if I travel a lot it will come in handy. Laura said that she'll let us practice with her car sometime.
71. Find or renew my passport
83. Spend a month in a Spanish-speaking country
SO so tempting to just go...
84. Have my upper lip, eyebrows, and legs waxed, and my teeth whitened.
Two weeks ago I went with Lauren to Scissorhands on Bardstown. I got my upper lip and eyebrows waxed. It wasn't too painful, and not very expensive either.
95. Register to vote
I picked up a form from the library. Next, fill it out and mail it.
97. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
All I have to do is contact Susan. I can do this soon, I have plenty of free time. Anyone interested in doing this with me?