Update 12.6.08, Parte Dos

I just plowed through and finished #44, 30 things I like about myself. It took more than the month I allotted myself, but I've officially finished my first goal!

This one was much harder than I anticipated. I can't believe I'm about to share this on the internet, but I have really low self-esteem. I hoped that this exercise would help me recognize some worthwhile qualities in myself, and I think it did. At times, it had the opposite effect because it was so hard to think of anything, but overall I'm glad I tried it.

Maybe someday I'll find the balls to post the list here. Until then, I'm celebrating 1 goal down, 100 to go!

Update 12.6.08

It's December! That means New Zealand, birthday, and holidays! We leave a week from today on our month-long belated honeymoon to NZ. I'm so thrilled that I'm feeling well enough to go. While I'm much improved from when I first threw my back out, there's still a very long road to recovery and I have limited mobility, numbness, and a good amount of pain. Trying to keep a positive attitude, do my physical therapy homework, and keep a positive attitude. Can't say that enough.

Anyways, here's what I've been working on:

#36 Commenting on blogs. I'm at 13/101. I've been slowly gaining confidence about randomly commenting and coming out of my shell. Twitter has helped with that (be my friend! i'm @amy_i). I've been enjoying this goal a lot. I went a couple weeks making comments and forgot about accounting for them here, so instead of estimating I'm just not counting those.

#44 30 things I like about myself is almost finished. I'm at 28/30. Hoping to finish before the trip, and it will be the first completed goal!

I had NZ on the brain when I was developing my 101, and will be crossing some things off the list over the next month. Here they are:

#15 Drive on the left side of the road (in a place where it’s legal)
#58 Spend my birthday and New Years' in another country
#80 Drink Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough
#92 Be among the first in the world to ring in 2009

I'll be back here in mid-January, hopefully with lots of updates.

Update 11.23.08

Well, I'm still struggling with my back pain/nerve damage ridiculousness, but I'm trying to forge ahead in small ways. I'm still working on #44, my list of things I like about myself. Though I haven't been able to do it every day, I'm getting closer.

I also got started on #20, learn to cook 10 dishes well. I recently re-discovered cous cous and it's so easy and yummy. It's a fantastic, quick dish to have in my back pocket.

Finally, I'm rethinking #16 (finish MSW, graduate with 4.0). With everything going on right now, I feel like it might not be healthy to pressure myself into getting straight A's. I have absolutely every intention of continuing with the program for now, but I may edit out the GPA stipulation.

Even though I'm going through a rough patch, my list is often on my mind... going to keep on truckin'!

Update 11.15.08

Hi there. The list is semi-on hold at the moment. I have some health issues that I'm working on healing in time for our trip to New Zealand next month. In the meantime, I'm still working on #36 (commenting on blogs) and #44 (writing 1 thing I like about myself each day for a month).

Oh, and I also got off to a great start on #2 (try 5 new foods). Andy brought back some interesting candy and treats from China, so I tried something called Hawthorn candy (Hawthorn is apparently a fruit). It was... interesting.

Hopefully I'll be back sometime soon and more in full force.