15 Before the Next

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Since I have now been 23 for a little over a month, I was able to put the finishing touches on my new birthday list. A few days into the creation of my new list I couldn't come up with 24 things. I decided that instead of spreading myself too thin, and listing things that weren't really a priority, I would stick to fifteen things that I really wanted to achieve by next September. Like last year I've included personal, professional, and fun goals, that will help me get the most out of the coming year!
 

1. Do a 3 day weekend somewhere we both have never been before. 

2. Buy a new car (doesn't have to be new, just new to me)  

3. Donate 12-15 inches of hair to Locks of Love

4. Do the 100's at a 45 degree angle. 

5. Throw a dinner party 

6. Make beef bourguignon Julia Child style (a repeat from last year, because I want to do it!) 

7. Get my next tattoo 

8. Apply for Grad School 

9. Go to Disneyland 

10. Learn to French Braid my hair 

11. Go to a movie (in the Theater) at least every six weeks 

12. Eat Sushi 12 times 

13. Volunteer at least one weekend every month

14. Attend blog conferences, take more pictures, and grow this blog

15. Obtain full-time employment and get ahead

These are all important things to me, and I think that by having a smaller list, I'll be able to focus on the goals and getting the most out of them, rather than just crossing them off the list.

Currently

Reading: I finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green last week, and have been thinking about it ever since. The story left me heartbroken, aching for more interaction with the two characters Hazel and Gus, and the whirlwind romance that the book was about. I knew that the book would be sad, but for me it was so much more, it was a reminder to live everyday to its fullest potential, because 'life is not a wish granting factory'. I've also been up to my ears in political readings for my American Political Ideas class. We are currently evaluating the constitution and have been introduced to Samuel Adams. Pretty fascinating, but Hazel and Gus have won my heart this past week.

Listening To: Lenka Radio on Pandora, Iron and Wine (my go to for fall/winter months) and also a lot of Jack Johnson.

Watching: Watching the new (to us) season of The Walking Dead and New Girl on Netflix. The Walking Dead has gotten so intense that even after agreeing to only watch one episode a night, Brandon and I find ourselves saying 'next one!' after almost every episode. I cherish our nights together and a shared interest in the show. I am also ready to get back to Parks and Recreation, but homework has been keeping me busy, and I know I can't stop at just one episode!

Eating/Drinking: The baked cinnamon apple tazo tea (see above) is absolutely insane. The best way to describe it is that it is fall in a glass. I seriously can't get enough of the flavor and scent. It has quickly become a fall favorite.

Dreaming About: The endless possibilities for Brandon and I when I graduate in December. On MSN there was a list of the cheapest cities for renters, and it was fun to flip through and imagine moving to one of the growing cities. Lots of dreaming about change.

 

23 before 23: A wrap up

Before I go into my 23 before 23 I just can't get over how amazing my little corner of the internet looks!!! The process wrapped up on Friday and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. After going back and forth with Jenny Highsmith, she created a design that is 100% me, and so much more fun than the baby blue I had before. Everything from the colors used to the polka dots are things that I love and things that make my space more unique. I never imagined it being that easy, and this rewarding, thank you Jenny!! This little change has pumped me up for posts and for the upcoming Pepperologie, and Alt Summit I will be attending in the coming months. It's so much easier to share this blog with others when my space is something I also enjoy looking at.

Now for my wrap up; this 22nd year has brought me so much joy, and has provided me with challenges I willingly put myself through (this list) and others that have made me so much stronger than I ever thought I could be. This was a successful year for my list, and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for me!

A wrap up of my list and how it went.
1. San Diego Trip
2. Eat Sushi 12+ times August = sushi two times a week, so I definitely achieved this!
3. Go to 12 Yoga Classes: I started going to Pilates (which I enjoy so much more than yoga) and have gone about 8 times
4. Write more handwritten letters to friends: Semi-achieved...would still love to do this more
5. Save up $2,000
6. Recruit 10-15 Student Council Members
7. Buy a pair of heels and walk in them comfortably: nope, I'm coming to terms with the fact that I may never wear heels. And I'm ok with that.
8. Get 4 massages: only got one this year...massages are expensive.
9. Do NOT cut hair, trims only: DID IT!!! My hair is long and healthy and I'm happy <3
10. Make beef bourguignon Julia Child Style: Not yet, but I will do this...someday
11. Tucson Trip with April
12. Ikea Trip
13. DIY Corkboard for office (Anne the Adventurer did one and it is amazing)
14. Read 6 personal choice books: Not 6 but I did read Room and The Fault in Our Stars, and a ton of great history books
15. Drink cocktails in my fancy red dress. Did this at Cafe Roka and it was awesome!
16. Send out birthday cards-on time! Going Strong!! :) Still have some left for the year
17. Purchase a fuel efficient vehicle: Didn't happen, but we are getting closer each day
18. Graduate with Honors: we shall see!
19. Walk on treadmill 3 times a week: Didn't happen, but walks did, and so did Pilates, and that is progress!
20. Style hair more, work on curling techniques
21. Shred unnecessary papers once a week
22. Create a cleaning checklist and stick to it
23. Get my passport: That's the b-day present from my grandparents! <3

I love this feeling of accomplishment, and accountability; now to start the next list!

UA Fall 2013

Classes started this past week, and it is already clear that this will be the busiest semester of my undergraduate career. I'm taking 15 credits for my last semester, one class, and twelve credits of internship and independent study. This semi-full schedule starts to become overwhelmed with the addition of my day job, and my role as President of Student Government for UA South.

In addition to this all, Brandon and I are facing some huge life decisions that need to be ironed out/discussed heavily before December. Graduate School is #1 on the list and it seems like it's going to be the hardest things to deal with. We toured the University of Washington when we were in Seattle and I absolutely fell in love. Museum work is where my heart is, but I fear that in this economy moving to Seattle wouldn't provide us with the job stability and hours that we have here in Bisbee. We were recently reminded of how lucky we are when our friend who has worked at Costco for almost a decade told us how she still hasn't been able to get her schedule changed so she has weekends off.

I feel so lucky, and although I'm all for change, I can't help but feel anxious when thinking about leaving stable jobs, a county/area I've known for my whole life, and a climate that I love. Another issue that has us wondering what moves to take has been buying our first car. We currently drive an almost 20 year old V8 truck who uses so much gas, sometimes I find myself close to tears at the gas station. We know what we can afford, but moving in the middle of paying it off scares me because if our budget/monthly income changes (which I'm sure it will) we will be doomed. 

I keep telling myself there is no 'right' way to do things or to live our life. I have been repeating 'comparison is the thief of joy' over and over in my head, to keep myself grounded and remind myself that when I start comparing my life to others it will take my joy away (and it does). This time has been such a transition, and I know that it is only the beginning. As of right now, I'm staying focused on the positive constants in my life; my amazing family, loving friends, and a fiancé who is here for anything and everything.

My deadline for my 23 before 23 has 20 days left! I've made significant progress (in the sushi department) now to see what I can tackle before the 24th! ;)