I am a very, very happy and excited girl. Making plans to complete:
35. Pay a surprise visit to someone out-of-state
in March!
Also, I made an addition to #2, Try 5 new foods. We got oyster mushrooms yesterday in our CSA box, and I sauteed them with a bit of olive oil and garlic. I'm sure I've had them at some point in Chinese food, but I've never made them myself and I'm considering it a new food. Yummy!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Update 2.23.09
Time for a massive update. First, I'm thinking about swapping out some items on my list for new ones. I'm not sure if that's against the rules, but I don't really care. When I was making up the list, there were definitely some "filler" items because I had a hard time thinking of meaningful goals. Now that I've had some time to process all of this and get started, there are some other things that I wish were there. So I'll be doing that as I think of them.
Time for a little blurb on all of my in-progress goals:
2. Try 5 new foods: 1/5
I tried vegemite in New Zealand. The authentic way, on toast with lots of butter and just a dab of the vegemite. It wasn't nearly as terrible as I expected, but also not fantastic as the Aussies we were with claimed, in my humble opinion! There was nutella and jam on that breakfast table: give me either of those any day, any time and I'm a happy girl. I had 3/5 listed for this goal, but I can't remember what the other 2 are so I'm not counting it. Yeah, I'm strict like that!
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week for 1 month: 1/12
I started this yesterday. I'm actively trying to lose weight (see #19), so I needed to find a way to exercise that a) I would comply with and b) wouldn't aggravate my delicate herniated disc situation. Exercise has always been a HUGE obstacle/hurdle/challenge for me, and I've always dreamed of finding a way around the aversion. Well, I think I may have found it.
I borrowed a Wii Fit from our neighbors last week, as I was thinking about buying one and wanted to make sure I liked it before spending the money. I'm really glad I did this, because I learned that I love working out with the video game format, but I wasn't crazy about the Wii Fit. I had been losing weight and feeling great, then one day it told me I gained almost 5 pounds, made my avatar look fatter, and hung her head in shame. Not cool and not good for my often fragile state of mind.
So, Andy did a bit of research online and found the game My Fitness Coach. It got raves on Amazon. We had a hard time finding a copy in town, but finally tracked one down at Target. I used it for the first time yesterday, and the reviews were right, it's great! So that's session #1 of 12. My disc is hurting a bit more today, so I'm not going to use it every day like I originally planned. I'm hoping I can modify it enough to keep my back happy, because working out here at home (but not to a workout video, hate those) is really working for me. Yay!
17. Make a new friend: complete
I've actually made 2 new friends! How great is that? One is Bonnie, whom I met on Twitter. We had coffee last month and she's super cool. The other is Emily, who lovingly stalked me on Facebook after learning from our mutual wedding caterer that we both had/have Christmas Tree Farm weddings (she's getting married this summer). When she saw that we had mutual friends on Facebook, she messaged me and the rest is history! We had drinks a couple weeks ago and totally hit it off. I have a hard time talking to strangers but drinks lasted 3 hours! I hope to see them both again soon.
19. Get to my “magic #” goal weight and stay at or under it: in progress
This isn't something I really want to have out there on the internet, as it's pretty personal for me. For now. I'm sure I'll get antsy at some point and gush on about it. I'm just going to say I've been working really hard and it's going well!
20. Learn to cook 10 dishes well (2/10)
I added one more to this list: roasted asparagus. My mother-in-law taught me how (over the phone), and... YUM.
28. Photograph each item on this list as it's accompished: In progress
Well, failing miserably at this one, but I kinda have an excuse. Our camera broke in NZ and we've been fighting with the warranty people who are still holding it hostage. But still, I have ways around it and I could be better about this.
30. Subscribe to a CSA for one season with no wastefulness (i.e. use or share everything): in progress
I wrote about this here. Loving it!
36. Write 101 comments on other peoples’ blogs (42/101)
This one's still my favorite. I like letting people know that I was there and that I appreciate what they have to say. It takes really no time at all, and maybe it could brighten someone else's day. I just really have seen so many wonderful things come from connecting with people on the internet, and it feels good for me to keep making new connections.
53. Eat breakfast at home every day for one month (23/30)
This one's closely tied to #19. Eating at home in general is healthier and cheaper (obviously), but eating out has always been an achilles' heel for me. I never bothered to look up the nutrition information on the supposedly "low fat" blueberry coffee cake that I love at Starbucks until recently. It's amazing how little attention I had been paying to what I put in my body. No more, my friends, no more.
68. Take vitamins at least 50% of days (55/500)
The gummi bear vitamins from Trader Joe's are awesome. After this bottle's gone, though, I'm going to switch to a big-girl kind.
69. Read the last Harry Potter book: in progress
I've started it probably 5 times since it came out, and I don't know what it is, I just have the hardest time picking it up. I was, like most of the Western world, a huge fan of the rest of the books and got giddy chills recently seeing the trailer for the new movie. Something about this book makes it really hard for me to get through it, which is really unlike me. I tried again last week, though, so hopefully I'll be able to plow through. This weekend maybe?
72. Update this blog at least weekly with results and progress (see #28): In progress
So now I'm thinking weekly might have been a bit unrealistic. But as long as I keep doing updates like this, I'll let it slide.
75. Take 20 bubble baths (6/20)
This one's all about doing something nice for myself, because I tend to let that slide. One of my faves on the list for sure.
That's all for now. I'm looking forward to changing out some stagnant things on the list. In the meantime, I'm proud of myself for at least starting to follow through on a lot of these things, because without the structure of this list, I probably wouldn't have done any of them.
Time for a little blurb on all of my in-progress goals:
2. Try 5 new foods: 1/5
I tried vegemite in New Zealand. The authentic way, on toast with lots of butter and just a dab of the vegemite. It wasn't nearly as terrible as I expected, but also not fantastic as the Aussies we were with claimed, in my humble opinion! There was nutella and jam on that breakfast table: give me either of those any day, any time and I'm a happy girl. I had 3/5 listed for this goal, but I can't remember what the other 2 are so I'm not counting it. Yeah, I'm strict like that!
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week for 1 month: 1/12
I started this yesterday. I'm actively trying to lose weight (see #19), so I needed to find a way to exercise that a) I would comply with and b) wouldn't aggravate my delicate herniated disc situation. Exercise has always been a HUGE obstacle/hurdle/challenge for me, and I've always dreamed of finding a way around the aversion. Well, I think I may have found it.
I borrowed a Wii Fit from our neighbors last week, as I was thinking about buying one and wanted to make sure I liked it before spending the money. I'm really glad I did this, because I learned that I love working out with the video game format, but I wasn't crazy about the Wii Fit. I had been losing weight and feeling great, then one day it told me I gained almost 5 pounds, made my avatar look fatter, and hung her head in shame. Not cool and not good for my often fragile state of mind.
So, Andy did a bit of research online and found the game My Fitness Coach. It got raves on Amazon. We had a hard time finding a copy in town, but finally tracked one down at Target. I used it for the first time yesterday, and the reviews were right, it's great! So that's session #1 of 12. My disc is hurting a bit more today, so I'm not going to use it every day like I originally planned. I'm hoping I can modify it enough to keep my back happy, because working out here at home (but not to a workout video, hate those) is really working for me. Yay!
17. Make a new friend: complete
I've actually made 2 new friends! How great is that? One is Bonnie, whom I met on Twitter. We had coffee last month and she's super cool. The other is Emily, who lovingly stalked me on Facebook after learning from our mutual wedding caterer that we both had/have Christmas Tree Farm weddings (she's getting married this summer). When she saw that we had mutual friends on Facebook, she messaged me and the rest is history! We had drinks a couple weeks ago and totally hit it off. I have a hard time talking to strangers but drinks lasted 3 hours! I hope to see them both again soon.
19. Get to my “magic #” goal weight and stay at or under it: in progress
This isn't something I really want to have out there on the internet, as it's pretty personal for me. For now. I'm sure I'll get antsy at some point and gush on about it. I'm just going to say I've been working really hard and it's going well!
20. Learn to cook 10 dishes well (2/10)
I added one more to this list: roasted asparagus. My mother-in-law taught me how (over the phone), and... YUM.
28. Photograph each item on this list as it's accompished: In progress
Well, failing miserably at this one, but I kinda have an excuse. Our camera broke in NZ and we've been fighting with the warranty people who are still holding it hostage. But still, I have ways around it and I could be better about this.
30. Subscribe to a CSA for one season with no wastefulness (i.e. use or share everything): in progress
I wrote about this here. Loving it!
36. Write 101 comments on other peoples’ blogs (42/101)
This one's still my favorite. I like letting people know that I was there and that I appreciate what they have to say. It takes really no time at all, and maybe it could brighten someone else's day. I just really have seen so many wonderful things come from connecting with people on the internet, and it feels good for me to keep making new connections.
53. Eat breakfast at home every day for one month (23/30)
This one's closely tied to #19. Eating at home in general is healthier and cheaper (obviously), but eating out has always been an achilles' heel for me. I never bothered to look up the nutrition information on the supposedly "low fat" blueberry coffee cake that I love at Starbucks until recently. It's amazing how little attention I had been paying to what I put in my body. No more, my friends, no more.
68. Take vitamins at least 50% of days (55/500)
The gummi bear vitamins from Trader Joe's are awesome. After this bottle's gone, though, I'm going to switch to a big-girl kind.
69. Read the last Harry Potter book: in progress
I've started it probably 5 times since it came out, and I don't know what it is, I just have the hardest time picking it up. I was, like most of the Western world, a huge fan of the rest of the books and got giddy chills recently seeing the trailer for the new movie. Something about this book makes it really hard for me to get through it, which is really unlike me. I tried again last week, though, so hopefully I'll be able to plow through. This weekend maybe?
72. Update this blog at least weekly with results and progress (see #28): In progress
So now I'm thinking weekly might have been a bit unrealistic. But as long as I keep doing updates like this, I'll let it slide.
75. Take 20 bubble baths (6/20)
This one's all about doing something nice for myself, because I tend to let that slide. One of my faves on the list for sure.
That's all for now. I'm looking forward to changing out some stagnant things on the list. In the meantime, I'm proud of myself for at least starting to follow through on a lot of these things, because without the structure of this list, I probably wouldn't have done any of them.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Update 1.13.09
I'm back from New Zealand with much to share! While we were gone, I accomplished 6 goals, some planned, some unexpected!
15. Drive on the left side of the road (in a place where it's legal!)
Andy did most of the driving, but I pitched in a bit!
58. Spend my birthday and New Years in another country
There's a whole story behind my birthday and the strange B&B we were staying at in Rotorua, but you probably had to be there. The great thing was, I got 2 birthdays in a row-- we celebrated on the 18th in NZ, and then again on the 19th while it was still the 18th in the US! New Years in Queenstown was amazing.
66. Go sailing
This one was not planned in advance! We had the opportunity to sail on an antique sailboat around Akaroa harbor on the Banks Peninsula. This beautiful bay is the home to Hector's Dolphins, the world's smallest and rarest dolphins. They're super friendly, and loved swimming right alongside the boat!
80. Drink Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough
This picture was taken on our 6 month anniversary. Yummy local wine!
88. Finish a NY Times crossword puzzle (any day) on my own
My mom had randomly given me printouts of NYT crossword puzzles to kill time on the long plane rides. While waiting in Brisbane for our flight back to LA, I busted them out and finished one quickly and easily! Granted, it was a Monday puzzle, but I was still proud of my little accomplishment.
92. Be among the first in the world to ring in 2009
You can't tell from this picture, but we were dancing in the rain with thousands of other partiers on the streets of Queenstown. It was pretty sweet.
15. Drive on the left side of the road (in a place where it's legal!)
Andy did most of the driving, but I pitched in a bit!
58. Spend my birthday and New Years in another country
There's a whole story behind my birthday and the strange B&B we were staying at in Rotorua, but you probably had to be there. The great thing was, I got 2 birthdays in a row-- we celebrated on the 18th in NZ, and then again on the 19th while it was still the 18th in the US! New Years in Queenstown was amazing.
66. Go sailing
This one was not planned in advance! We had the opportunity to sail on an antique sailboat around Akaroa harbor on the Banks Peninsula. This beautiful bay is the home to Hector's Dolphins, the world's smallest and rarest dolphins. They're super friendly, and loved swimming right alongside the boat!
80. Drink Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough
This picture was taken on our 6 month anniversary. Yummy local wine!
88. Finish a NY Times crossword puzzle (any day) on my own
My mom had randomly given me printouts of NYT crossword puzzles to kill time on the long plane rides. While waiting in Brisbane for our flight back to LA, I busted them out and finished one quickly and easily! Granted, it was a Monday puzzle, but I was still proud of my little accomplishment.
92. Be among the first in the world to ring in 2009
You can't tell from this picture, but we were dancing in the rain with thousands of other partiers on the streets of Queenstown. It was pretty sweet.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Update 12.8.08
I just finished another goal, #64 Watch Hannah Montana to see what all the fuss is about. I must admit, this was one of the very last goals I came up with as I was finishing my list, and was totally grasping at straws trying to come up with a few more to make the 101.
I tend to adore everything that 8 year old girls do, because I'm awesome like that. I was curious about this enormous cultural phenomenon, and had to see it for myself (and secretly thought there was a small chance I'd enjoy it). Well, the timing was right this evening, I was bored and flipping around the channels (which I rarely do), and it was just starting.
It took every ounce of willpower to KEEP it on after I put it on, because I lost interest after about, oh, 2.5 seconds. But now I can say I've seen it, and cross another goal off the list!
I tend to adore everything that 8 year old girls do, because I'm awesome like that. I was curious about this enormous cultural phenomenon, and had to see it for myself (and secretly thought there was a small chance I'd enjoy it). Well, the timing was right this evening, I was bored and flipping around the channels (which I rarely do), and it was just starting.
It took every ounce of willpower to KEEP it on after I put it on, because I lost interest after about, oh, 2.5 seconds. But now I can say I've seen it, and cross another goal off the list!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
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!
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.
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.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
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'!
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'!
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