Another Year Gone

Here I come and sign into my blog for the first time in...a while... and lo, and behold, it's almost exactly one year later. I'm not so good at keeping up on blogging.

The good news is, I can check off a couple of items, although not as many as I should be able to after another full year. Don't worry, it's always on my mind even if it's not always on my priority list. So here's what I've done:

#6, 7, 14, 15, 32, 33, 34, 47!

Right, it's been a while.

So the final result of my first attempt at the 101/1001 challenge was semi-success, although the blog was a pretty substantial fail. Here's the final tally for List One:

Completed: 55/101

1. Walk on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Oct. 13, 2006
2. Hold a koala Oct. 18, 2006
3. Feed a kangaroo Oct. 18, 2006
4. Go sailing in the Whitsunday Islands Nov. 22, 2006
5. Tour the XXXX brewery Nov. 8, 2006
6. Read 10 more of the 1001 must read books
7. Get an A- or better in 5 classes Dec. 2007
8. Listen to every song in my iTunes & get rid of the ones I don't like
9. Try Thai food Dec. 10, 2006
10. Eat a Moreton Bay Bug Nov. 18, 2006
11. Stand up on a surfboard
12. Visit Nicola and Lynsey in England July 23, 2007
13. Send out Christmas cards Dec. 2006
14. Run a 5k Sept. 22, 2007
15. Picnic in Central Park
16. See IMDB's Top 100 movies (done: 57)
17. Come up with 101 things
18. Own Lonely Planet’s Blue List Dec. 25, 2006
19. Really learn how to drive a manual car Jan, 2007
20. Sell something on eBay Jan. 6, 2007
21. Visit 2 new countries: New Zealand Nov. 23, 2006, Scotland July 25, 2007
22. Get a professional facial Jan. 9, 2008
23. Visit 4 new states June 8, 2008
24. Tour a winery
25. Have another OTC solo Feb. 21, 2007
26. Have a drink in NYC with Mom
27. Go on a college tour with Leslie
28. Go to Boston July 2007
29. Attend Christmas Eve church services Dec. 24, 2006
30. Go to a major league baseball game
31. Take a photography class May, 2007
32. Take a drawing class Jan-May, 2008
33. Go to DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival
34. Learn to juggle
35. Put the Rolling Stone’s top 100 rock songs of all time into my iTunes
36. Have a book of my photos printed
37. Go to Mardi Gras Feb. 14-18, 2006
38. See Something Corporate or Jack’s Mannequin in concert June 19, 2009
39. 365 Day Portrait Challenge
40. See Ground Zero Aug. 22, 2007
41. Get a tattoo Dec. 23, 2006
42. See IMDB's 101-250 top movies
43. See AFI's 100 Years...100 Films
44. Donate hair (at least 10") Sept. 2007
45. Recruit another person to do this list Jan. 24, 2008
46. Own a digital SLR camera Dec. 25, 2007
47. Go on a cruise March 8-15, 2008
48. Write my Australia diary
49. Run an 8 or 10k
50. Plant and harvest a vegetable plant
51. Do a photographic portrait study of someone
52. Raise/donate $1000 for various charities (so far: $285)
53. Take a yoga class
54. Collect my tips from the coffee shop for one month and donate to a local charity (TBD)
55. Own a Bible March 4, 2008
56. Read Bible
57. Run a marathon
58. Graduate cum laude May 11, 2008
59. Host a champagne brunch at my apartment May 10, 2008
60. Run a 5k under 25 minutes
61. Eat vegetarian for one week
62. Plant and grow a bonsai tree from seed
63. Try every tea in the coffee shop where I work May, 2008
64. Make a mini-list of recommendations of goals
65. Vote in the US Presidential election
66. Cook a romantic dinner for two
67. Refrain from gossip for one week
68. Learn the Thriller dance
69. Be able to play 5 songs on the guitar that I really like.
70. Apply for and receive BUNAC visa
71. Pay off my credit card before moving to London
72. Find an apartment in London
73. Find a job in London
74. Shadow a professional photographer
75. Sell a piece of glass art
76. See the AFI's 10 Top 10
77. Really, truly clean out my room
78. Save all important emails from my Richmond account
79. Learn how to make sushi
80. Have a photo shoot with my puppy
81. Visit Africa
82. Make a photo display in my room
83. Make a "Where I've Been" map to hang in my room
84. Knit a blanket
85. Download VH1's Top 100 Songs of the 80s
86. Download VH1's Top 100 Songs of the 90s
87. Run a half marathon
88. Start on nursing degree August, 2009
89. Write a great resume
90. Make the perfect 20-song running list
91. Paint the shelves in my room white June, 2009
92. Bridesmaid in Kerry's wedding May 30, 2009
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101. For every item not done, donate $10 to charity.

# 65 Vote in the US Presidential Election

# 30 Go to a Major League Baseball game

Carolyn invited me to go with her to a Yankees game. They lost to the Cincinnati Reds, it was kind of a boring game but a fun time with Carolyn. Also, I paid $12 for one beer and one hot dog, but considering it was one of the last games ever played at old Yankee Stadium, I'm pretty glad I got to go.

One Year Left...

A year sounds like a lot of time, but in the past 636 days I've only managed to check 35 items off my list, and I still have 20 blank spaces on my list where I haven't even thought of a goal. I have a lot of work to do.

On the other hand, several of my goals are "in progress". Here's where we stand:
#6 - I think I'm about half done.
#8 is happening a little bit at a time.
#s 16, 42, 43, and 76 are also all happening a bit at a time. I might resort to NetFlix.
#17 is 79/101 done.
#50 is in progress- I have a tomato plant in a pot in my front yard. It's growing fast, but won't produce tomatos for a few more weeks.
#34 my Dad offered to teach me- he's pretty good at juggling.

Etc., etc.

I'm also re-starting the 365 Day Portrait Challenge today. I got about three days into it the first time, but now that I only have 365 days left, it's time to get serious.

Crunch time!

#23 Visit Four New States

Completed June 4, 2008

My friend Samantha asked me to come along with her when she moved out to Wyoming to live with her boyfriend. We roadtripped out, starting in Jersey, and going through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan by accident, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming, and I flew back from the Denver airport, so that was one more state. All together, I visited eight new states on this trip alone, as well has having visited California and Louisianna earlier for my first two.

#58 Graduate Cum Laude

Completed May 11, 2008

Cum laude means 'with honors'. My GPA was .01 away from doing this as of this semester, so it was in the back of my mind to bring my grades up just that little bit. I pulled it off- I graduated with exactly a 3.4

# 67 Refrain from Gossip for One Week

Completed April, 2008

At Bible study tonight, we were talking about sin and how it's constantly with us, partially because when we're told the rules, we immediately want to break them, but that that process is what makes us aware of the sin in the first place and allows us to make an effort not to give in to it. Our 'homework' for the week until next time is to not gossip, which Ray defined as saying anything about a person outside of their presence that you would not say to their face. Honestly, this could be really difficult- I know I'm going to slip up, but I'll do what I can. It's going to take a lot of awareness on my part. I would say the completion of this goal is a judgement call- since I can almost guarantee I won't succeed, I'll have to decide if I made an honest enough effort to give myself credit. I'll probably have to evaluate at Bible study next week- I'll let you know how it goes.

Update: It was tricky, but I think I gave it a good effort.

#47 Go on a Cruise

Completed March 8-15, 2008

I just got back from an amaaaazing cruise for spring break. Jessica, Sarah, and I left from Charleston, SC on Saturday, March 8. After 2 days at sea, we arrived in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The three of us did a combination kayak and snorkel trip on Seven Mile Beach, apparently one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean. Afterward we got lunch, drinks, and layed on the beach - it was really nice. The next day we arrived in Cozumel, Mexico. Sarah and I got a ferry to Playa del Carmen on the mainland, where we got to walk through the town to our bus, and took a 45 minute bus ride to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. They were gorgeous, but the beach they were on was incredible- best beach I've seen in my life. The water was perfect. Our third stop the next day was Key West, where Jessica's dad met us and drove us around the island and to a beach, then out for cocktails. We had one more day at sea and then it was back to Charleston. All in all, it was a really great experience, and I can't wait to go on another one.

#44 Donate Hair

Completed September, 2007

A little belated, but I did cut off almost 12" of hair to send to Locks of Love. They make wigs for children with allopecia (not cancer), free of charge. Here are my before and afters:

#55 Own a Bible

Completed March 4, 2008

I got Dave to take me Bible shopping because, well, there are about a million different Bibles and I knew he'd be able to help me pick out one that would be best for me. I ended up with The Journey, which is an NIV version that's kind of geared toward people who are just starting on the path towards becoming a Christian and exploring their faith.

We went to Bible study at Ray's house right afterward so I got to use it right away (we were talking about Luke 15 8-32 - I know that's not the right way to write it but I'm new to this). The conversation got pretty intense- I brought up two of the major points I've been wrestling with lately and Ray helped me think through them- I'm drained. It was almost disheartening to realize how much thinking and soul searching I need to do, but I suppose it's exhilarating at the same time. At least now I can start getting a grasp on the actual word of God and start answering some of my questions.

#63 Try Every Tea in the Coffee Shop Where I Work

Completed May, 2008

I worked in the university's coffee shop in the library (8:15 @ Boatwright), which is basically a Starbucks but for some reason not technically licensed. We sell Tazo tea, just like Starbucks does. In an effort to be more health-conscious, I've been trying to drink less coffee/espresso beverages and more tea. On that note, I'm trying to branch out from China Green Tips, which I usually get. We have 12 different kinds, and I liked all of them except for Green Ginger. Zen is my new favorite, and Wild Sweet Orange is really good but it's decaf.

#21 Visit Two New Countries

Completed July, 2007

After leaving Australia and before coming back to the US, I flew to New Zealand for 5 days- New Country #1.

This summer, after visiting Jim, Nicola, and Lynsey in England, Nic and Ash and I flew up from Scotland where we spent a few days roadtripping between Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and a whole bunch of stuff in between- New Country # 2.

Of course, now that I'm planning on moving to London in September 2008, I might have to make a new goal of several new countries to visit.

#64 Make a 10-Item Mini-List of Recommended Goals

I saw this on someone else's blog- it's a small list of suggestions of goals, things that I had already done before I started this list and so I can't actually put on my own list, but which might inspire someone else. What I have so far is:

1. Become an organ donor.
-It's checked on my license, but I think I might have to actually register.
2. Have a conversation in a foreign language with a native speaker.
-I've done this in French, Japanese, and kind of in Spanish.
3. Learn to read music, then play an instrument.
-I sing, and I played violin for 6 years and piano for one.
4. Become CPR certified.
-My certification ran out, but I could probably remember the basics.

# 62 Grow a Bonsai Tree from Seed

In progress

Someone a while ago got me a kit to grow a bonsai tree including the pot, soil, seeds, manual, etc. but I've only just gotten around to planting it. The instructions were a bit vague and I've had the kit for a while, so I don't know if it'll work. If not, I'll try again- maybe I'll grow one in my 'flat' when I move to London!

# 45 - Get Someone Else to Participate in This Challenge

Completed Jan 24, 2008

A conversation about upcoming movies with my boss at the coffee shop turned to "The Bucket List", which turned to the 101 things in 1001 days challenge. I think Kristen liked the idea of the time limit to get her moving, so she started writing down some of the things she had in her head. She has 9 items or so in a notebook now, including 'fly on a plane' and 'ride a New York taxi cab'. Good luck, Kristen!

# 39 365 Day Portrait Challenge (in progress)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/365days/

Basically you take a self portrait every day for a year. You can keep them simple or the website has ideas for mini challenges such as taking a photo of yourself that recreates a movie poster, etc. I'm starting on my 22nd birthday (Nov. 10, 2007), so we'll see if I stick with it.

EDIT: I've officially started- I now have 2 self portraits done and I'm looking forward to more!

#52 Donate $1000 to Various Charities (in progress)

Originally I was going to aim for $1000 just to breast cancer research, but there are so many totally worthy charities that I think I'll aim to spread the love a little wider. I'm counting anything I personally raise or donate out of my own pocket, but that's pretty much it. My a cappella group donates a percentage of CD sales to charity but that's a collective effort and technically it's the group's money so that doesn't count. Anyway, here's where I am so far: $286

Contributions welcome!

# 16 See IMDB's Top 100 Movies (in progress)

IMDB.com has a voter-determined Top 250 movies list, and it's one of the better lists I've come across in terms of films I'd actually like to see, plus it's a good mix of American and foreign as well as new and old movies. It can change anytime as people vote, so I copied down the list as of a certain date and I'm going by that. I'm still working on this one, so I'll keep progress updated here.

Done: 57

1. The Godfather
2. The Shawshank Redemption
3. The Godfather: Part II
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5. Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, II (The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly)
6. Casablanca
7. Schindler’s List
8. Pulp Fiction
9. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
10. Shichinin no samurai (The Seven Samurai)
11. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
12. Star Wars
13. Rear Window
14. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
15. 12 Angry Men
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark
17. The Usual Suspects
18. Cidade de Deus (City of God)
19. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
20. Goodfellas
21. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
22. Psycho
23. Citizen Kane
24. C’era una volta il West (Once Upon A Time In the West)
25. North by Northwest
26. Memento
27. The Silence of the Lambs
28. Lawrence of Arabia
29. It’s a Wonderful Life
30. Sunset Blvd.
31. Fabuleux destin d’Amelie Poulain (Amelie)
32. Fight Club
33. American Beauty
34. The Matrix
35. Vertigo
36. Apocalypse Now
37. Taxi Driver
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
39. Se7en
40. Paths of Glory
41. Leon
42. Chinatown
43. To Kill a Mockingbird
44. American History X
45. The Third Man
46. Der Untergang (Downfall)
47. The Pianist
48. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
49. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
50. M
51. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away)
52. The Bridge on the River Kwai
53. Alien
54. Das Boot
55. L.A. Confidential
56. A Clockwork Orange
57. The Maltese Falcon
58. Requiem for a Dream
59. Hotel Rwanda
60. The Shining
61. Double Indemnity
62. Metropolis
63. Reservoir Dogs
64. Saving Private Ryan
65. Rashomon
66. Singin’ in the Rain
67. Sin City
68. Raging Bull
69. Modern Times
70. Aliens
71. The Manchurian Candidate
72. Rebecca
73. Some Like It Hot
74. The Great Escape
75. All About Eve
76. 2001: A Space Odyssey
77. Touch of Evil
78. The Departed
79. Amadeus
80. Million Dollar Baby
81. La Vita e bella (Life is Beautiful)
82. Det Sjunde Inseglet (The Seventh Seal)
83. Forrest Gump
84. Jaws
85. The Sting
86. Strangers on a Train
87. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
88. Batman Begins
89. On the Waterfront
90. El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labarynth)
91. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
92. Braveheart
93. The Wizard of Oz
94. Full Metal Jacket
95. The Elephant Man
96. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
97. Blade Runner
98. The Apartment
99. The Incredibles
100. City Lights

#31 Take a Photography Class

Completed January - May, 2007

I've wanted to take a photography class for a while, so I finally signed up for it. You have to provide your own film SLR camera, so that held me back for a while until I could borrow my aunt's. Anyway, I learned how to manually adjust aperture and depth of field and all that, and learned how to develop my own black and white film. I really liked it; unfortunately I won't be able to take the second level for scheduling reasons, so maybe I'll be able to find one at the local county college when I move back in with Mom after college...which is a whole 'nother story.

PS - I got an A-