Running List--New and Improved!

While I really enjoyed creating my list of #30before30, and believe it shows me at a point in time, as I'm attempting to accomplish some of these items, I don't feel connected to some of them anymore. Therefore, with the start of a new year, I've decided to update some of my items. I've noted progress on items I've progressed on, and updated those I cared to update. 

1. Get married
2. Own a house--possibly completed!!
3. Go to Canada
4. Vacation with white sands and blue water
5. Start my career--started, love, and in progress!
6. Run a 5k--Half marathon trained for, ran, and COMPLETED!

7. Get published--satisfied, but still striving!
8. Go on a mission-type trip
9. Go zip-lining
10. Buy a car
11. Learn to golf--in progress; slowly but surely!
12. Visit Finland Europe (again)
13. Go to STL World Series/Playoff game
14. Get a pet!--COMPLETED!
15. Learn to ride a motorcycle  ?
16. Create a "Year in the Life" of pictures--COMPLETED!
17. Visit DC New England for extended vacation
18. Cook the majority of a holiday meal--COMPLETED!
19. Learn to successfully curl my hair
20. Own every Dr. Seuss book published
21. Pay off all undergraduate student loans--making good progress!
22. Be credit card/debt free--continually monitored, but success so far!
23. Purchase the "Happiness Bucket" books
24. Tour the White House--COMPLETED!!
25. Go to Disney World/Disney Land
26. Learn to ski/snowboard
27. Go to Convention--COMPLETED!
28. Become a certified fitness instructor
29. Go rock climbing
30. Try to enjoy the NBA--in progress!


Cheers to 2015!

#16. Create a "Year in the Life" of pictures

This may have been one of the hardest goals I put on my list--or at least, one that required the most diligence and motivation. I wanted to take a picture every day of a year and put it together into a book to keep and have the ability to look back onto and remember experiences more clearly.

It was not easy by any means. It was tough to continue to think of items to take a picture of, or to be creative at the end of the day when I realized I had forgotten to capture anything. But it was completely worth it.

As the year is not yet over, I am not yet done. However, I've made it 11 months, and so I'm not worried about the last month. Consider this checked off, proud accomplishment, and maybe just a keeper for future years.

#5. Start my Career

October marks the beginning of my second year working for Indiana University. Thanks to a great mentor at MU, and my persistent (and ever widening) job hunt, I landed a wonderful position to start my career. I get to work with amazing people, continuously learn and grow, help people who are helping their communities, and make pretty decent money while I'm at it. I don't think it's where I want to stay forever, but I'm happy knowing I'm working hard and making a difference.

#22. Be Credit Card Debt Free

When I made my list, I felt like I was drowning in debt from my student loans and credit cards. As mentioned last month, I wasn't making much when I wrote my list, and was still living like I made more than I did. Not the smartest way to spend your mid-twenties, but I almost think it's a rite of passage for many.

As one of my first financial goals when I started working full-time, I'm happy to report that my credit cards no longer have roll-over debt, and haven't since January. While this may seem like a small accomplishment, it's a state I wasn't in for many years prior to January, and am happy to have stayed in since. I do still use my credit cards, but on a MUCH smaller scale and with the ability to pay it off each month.

It's a glorious feeling, and one I hope I continue to experience! As of now, this is marked off my list, however, it is a constant goal to be monitored...

#21. Pay off all student loans

This was one of my more ambitious goals I set at 25 while in school and making about $1000/month; pay off nearly $40,000 (and growing) in student loans.

I had been making small payments to my loans after graduating from Missouri State (and realizing the growing debt I was in), but making about $1000 per month doesn't allow for much extra money for knocking out a large amount of debt. After graduating from MU, finding a job, and realizing how exciting it is to have a real job (with a respectable income and benefits), I've made tremendous strides towards this goal. I'm nearing my one-year anniversary of having a "big-kid" job, and in the past year, I've managed to pay off one of my student loans completely, and make a respectable dent in the others. It's definitely still in progress, but seeming more possible to reach by 30 every month.


Here's to continuing the progress in the next year!

#6. Run a 5k

For this one, I went a little above and beyond. When I made my list, I was a very infrequent exerciser--and when I did, it wasn't usually anything cardio-related. However, knowing I was tremendously out of shape (from where I could and should be), I added a 5k to my list.

Then I became friends with so many runners, and watched all of my friends compete and complete 5ks, half- and full-marathons, that I wanted in on the action. A bought me running shoes for graduation, and I slowly started running and training for a 5k; I figured once I graduated I needed a hobby, and preferably one that got me into shape! However, picking up a new hobby isn't easy, if you're not dedicated...

So as a part of a 2013 Black Friday Sale (in November), I registered to run a half-marathon (in May 2014). Nothing like putting money down on a race you're nowhere close to prepared for, to give you motivation! I did a little research and planned out my training schedule; 16 weeks of running all leading up to Memorial Day Weekend.

And then Indiana winter hit...while the snow didn't trap me indoors so I couldn't run at the gym, it did severely drain my motivation to get started. Once I got started, life kept intervening, making it difficult to get my runs in as I should. All of which are merely excuses attempting to explain why I wasn't ready for my run last weekend. But I'm proud to say, I can happily mark this item as off my list, as I ran in the 2014 Go Girl Half-Marathon May 2014...

...and finished.


I overcame my excuses, incomplete training, and mental barriers all to get a medal the size of my face.

And it was completely worth it.

#7. Get Published

I have high hopes that I am able to do more to cross this off more definitely, however, I have worked hard to accomplish the minimum, so I'm marking it as progress.

When I started working at MU, publishing data briefs was on the wish list for my predecessor and both of my supervisors. I spent my first year treading water and adding to the wish list, so my second year I could start crossing items off. While I'm proud of my time at MU, my proudest accomplishment was the publication of eighteen data-briefs using the surveys I implemented and analyzed. I did not write them all, although I did write a majority, but I truly believe they wouldn't have happened without me (toot, toot, I know).

But perhaps the best part of this accomplishment, is that it didn't end after I left. July marks the end of the first year of my replacement, and I'm happy that they've accomplished another year of published data-briefs. Hopefully, this is an accomplishment that continues in the years to come!


(And for the shameless plug, if you're interested in learning more about College Students in Missouri, check out http://pip.missouri.edu/research.html)

#18. Cook the Majority of a Holiday Meal

After making my list the summer of 2012, I checked several items off pretty quickly. One of which was making my first holiday meal (with help from A) Thanksgiving 2012.

Since I had the whole week of Thanksgiving off from school (and mostly work), and he didn't have many vacation days, it was decided that I would come to Indiana and we'd spend Thanksgiving "just the two of us" for the first time.

Since we tend to be a pretty good team, our first Thanksgiving on our own was a team effort--a delicious effort, I might add!


After re-locating to Indiana, we ran into the same issue this past Thanksgiving--me with many days off, and us not wanting him to use his precious few to go back to Missouri for the Holiday. Instead, we had his parents come mid-month for a visit (and "holiday meal") and my parents for the actual holiday. As such, since creating my list, I've marked this item off several times--each one delicious and not too-disasterous.

Here's to hoping that streak holds for many more years!

#14. Get a pet

It has taken me awhile to go back through my list and write about items I've checked off, and as such, I've had this one crossed off for over a year.

December 2012 (almost January 2013), I convinced A that I needed to have a pet to welcome me home, and to give me a reason to go home and not work 12+ hour days. After much searching, and multiple visits to the various sites Columbia Second Chance had cats, I (on a fluke) found my perfect feline companion.

Miss Muffet was at the CSC Adoption Center outside of Columbia on I-70, but in a "quarantined" room because she was having stomach issues. However, I didn't know the room was one full of cats not ready to be adopted! She was so calm, friendly, and soft that I felt bad leaving! I was a little nervous, as I had started my search a little early and was worried she (or one of the others I liked) would be adopted out before I was able to take A with me to meet all of them.

My fears were a little warranted; of the seven I had wanted A to meet, four of them were adopted a month later when I took him to meet them. We started at PetSmart, and nearly adopted one there on the spot. She was friendly and playful, but I was worried she was a little too playful for my long-hour lifestyle. We headed out to the Adoption Center and little Miss Muffet appeared to remember me as she came and sat on my lap and purred her little heart out. I'm not sure if A liked her more, or just knew that I loved her, but we decided to take her home with us.

It took her a bit to warm up to us, and to some extent, I think she's still learning that she has a safe and loving home with us, but I like to think she's happy. We spent almost seven months in Columbia together, before I drugged her and moved her two states--a feat which she did not enjoy.

However, another eight months later, she seems to be quite happy and settled; she's got too many toys, meals on a regular schedule, and even a screened in deck to enjoy the outdoors.

We're all pretty lucky.

#30. Try to enjoy the NBA

As a result of my recent relocation to the heart of the Hoosier state, I tacked this goal onto my list. While I don't profess to have fallen in love with the NBA (the MLB and Cardinals will always hold my heart), I'm beginning to enjoy it with each new game we attend.

For A's birthday, I bought us a package of tickets to watch the Indiana Pacers this season. I haven't been able to make all of the games I bought tickets for, but I have enjoyed going! While I could mark it off my list, as I do "enjoy" the games, I'm marking it as still "in progress"--why settle for "enjoying" when there's a whole world of excitement and fanaticism on the other end?

Running List

Took someone unexpected reminding me I had neglected this blog, to get me back into it. A year less than when I started, here's the whole list at once:

1. Get married
2. Own a house
3. Go to Canada
4. Vacation with white sands and blue water
5. Start my career
6. Run a 5k
7. Get published
8. Go on a mission-type trip
9. Go zip-lining
10. Buy a car
11. Learn to golf
12. Visit Finland
13. Go to STL World Series/Playoff game
14. Get a pet!
15. Learn to ride a motorcycle
16. Create a "Year in the Life" of pictures
17. Visit DC for extended vacation
18. Cook the majority of a holiday meal
19. Learn to successfully curl my hair
20. Own every Dr. Seuss book published
21. Pay off all undergraduate student loans
22. Be credit card/debt free
23. Purchase the "Happiness Bucket" books
24. Tour the White House
25. Go to Disney World/Disney Land
26. Learn to ski/snowboard
27. Go to Convention
28. Become a certified fitness instructor
29. Go rock climbing
30. Try to enjoy the NBA

As I'm going back through them, I've already marked some off! Descriptions to come...

The List, Part VI

Okay, I know the top five are the most anticipated items. And I'll admit, I chickened out a little when I started my list, as most of these things are things that I really think will happen. Not necessarily adventurous, but still life-goals (and hopefully attainable life goals!).

1. Get married
     A actually joked about just running down to the courthouse today to cross this one off my list. Not going to lie, as it gets closer to unemployment and no insurance, it's looking better and better...
However, extenuating circumstances aside, I'd really rather have a wonderful, semi-small wedding with all the people I care about (and that care about me) there.

2. Own a house
     This one is a little more challenging, as it is predicated on actually finding a city/town to settle down in after graduation, in addition to being somewhat financially stable. But I think it can happen. And there's just so many great things that can come once I'm in someplace of my own--decorating, gardening, having a garage, and of course, a dog!

3. Go to Canada
     It seems odd that the country is so close and I've spent so long on Earth and not visited it. Shouldn't be too hard to check off, I wouldn't think...

4. Vacation at an all-inclusive resort. Preferably a beach somewhere beautiful with white sands and clear water
     I think this one goes without explaining...

5. Start my career
     After graduation, I hope to find a wonderful job, doing things that matter. I have a knack for numbers, analyzing data, and solving problems--I just hope I can find a good jump off to start doing all of the above for the foreseeable future...

The List, Part V

Had a slight hiccup with the past few posts not posting, but I think I've gotten it figured out. If there happened to be anyone out there who was just dying for the last few items, I'm sorry! (although, I'm sure I'm the only one who was really upset they didn't go out!)

Onward!

6. Run a 5k
          I had several friends run in the 'Color Run' in KC this past summer. On my list was to run a 5k, but after seeing the pictures of their adventure, combined with reading about it, it sounds like too much fun to miss! I've heard that it took awhile to get the color out of your hair and skin, so maybe I'll think about running it in a hazamat suit with an over sized t-shirt (also, how the hell do you correctly spell 'Hazmat'? Blogger is telling me I misspelled it, but is not being helpful in offering suggestions...). I suppose any 5k will work, but seeing as how I easily get bored when working out, it'll need to be a fun one!

7. Get published
          Likely looking at writing a journal/research article for this one, as that's where my knowledge and higher chances lie. However, I'll take whatever! I'd like to be able to be published in something that people will read, not just something that people I know will read. I'm sure my 'rents will read anything I eventually get published, but it would be nice for someone out there I don't know to read something I wrote, because it was published. I think it can definitely happen, I just should probably get to work sooner rather than later...maybe after completing the job hunt? Or maybe complete this one before the job hunt begins?

8. Go on a mission-type trip to help others in a foreign country
          Considering I had once considered making this my life work (i.e., moving to Africa and working in a school/hospital/community to help others), it only seems right that it end up on my list. I don't necessarily want to/need to travel with a religiously-affiliated organization, however, those seem to be the likely conduit for the trip. I currently have friends living overseas, living this life, so I think I could easily follow their footsteps and do it for a few weeks or a month. Perhaps longer, but it's tough to go longer when you're scheduling around school, job hunting and career working...

9. Go zip-lining
         As afraid of heights as I can be, and as much as I hate roller coasters, there's something about zip-lining that intrigues me. I've done it once--on a very small course in central Missouri. However, the sights were purely trees and the rushing closeness of the guides. I'd like to go someplace a little more exciting (i.e., the Amazon!) but would settle for a different course in a different part of Missouri. I'd love to go skydiving too, but somehow I think I might not be able to get outta the plane...zip-lining seems to be a good alternative.

10. Buy a car
          After talking to A., this one may not be necessary to accomplish before 30. As much as I love Cinderelly, I have a feeling she will need to be traded in for a newer model within the next few years. And since that's likely to happen, I put it on my list with the intent to be able to afford one/be in a place to buy a car, and to get one that I want. However, it seems like I might not need to when it gets time to trade her in, so I suppose this goes with the debt item, and I want to be able to buy a car if I need to...

The List, Part IV

While I've had quite the adventure this past weekend, none of them fell completely within my list! No worries though, I hope to have more than 30 adventures the next five years...

11. Learn to Golf
          A is a good golfer, and has an incredibly strong swing (from what I can tell). Part of me wants to be able to be a golfing couple as we get older, but most of me just wants to wear the cute outfits and be able to back it up with at least a decent golf game. However, I am not the greatest sports learner, so it may take actual lessons from people who teach for a living, as opposed to lessons from A.

12. Visit Finland
          With one of the best education systems in the world (nerd, I know), plus being in a different portion of Europe, it's hard to not put it on my list. I have other countries I wanna go to, and will try to work in, if I ever make it to Europe (i.e., Italy & Spain for sure), but for now, the obsession is with Finland.

13. Go to a St. Louis Cardinals World Series (or playoff) game
          When I was in 8th grade, I joked with a friend that I wanted to be important enough to sit in the green seats behind home plate. Since I managed to accomplish that before I made my list (lucky slide), I've upped it to going to a playoff game. I'd like to go to the WS, but since playoffs are more plentiful, I'm aiming there first...

14. Get a pet!
          This is one of those givens; I'm sure in the next five years A and I will have at least one pet. However, I want one that I can pick out and is "mine", but I want to wait and make sure I'm in a good place before I get one. Ideally, I'd get one while living alone and finishing school, but that doesn't quite seem fair to the pet! We shall see...

15. Learn to ride a motorcycle
          I used to want to own a bike, likely more of a sports-bike, as opposed to a Harley. However, as I've gotten older, I'm not sure it's such a feasible idea. Also considering I don't have the strongest health or life insurance, it might not be the best idea. Plus, I kinda like not dying and being in accidents. That being said, I've really wanted to ride one since undergrad, so I'm taking it one step further and hoping to learn to ride one myself.

The List, Part III

I think the idea of planning my list to come out with five items each week was genius, if I can say so! Gives me a reasonable goal to post weekly, a topic to post about, and enough weeks of posting to get me through the period where I'm doubting events will happen! Plus, I can schedule them in advance--because as this is being published, I'm currently about to land in D.C. And before you ask, no, it doesn't count for the White House tour or for #17 below. It's not quite that extended of a vacation. And with that, 16 thru 20...


16. Create a 'Year in the Life' of pictures
           I had a friend who found a blog/pin of an individual who created a 'year' scarf; one row each day to match the color of the sky. While this won't be that crafty, I do wanna take a year and set out to capture every day in a picture. However, if that is beginning to look unlikely, (or I keep forgetting), I'll settle for a years worth of pictures, documenting each day of a month. (i.e., set the goal to document each month, day by day, to total a year...)

17. Visit D.C. for an extended vacation
           As mentioned, this trip doesn't count--two days isn't "extended", no matter how long of a time it seems to be away from work! I know it would be nearly impossible to see everything DC has to offer, but there are some typical (and not so typical) touristy things I'd like to do. Plus, it just seems so beautiful!

18. Cook the majority of a holiday meal
          I'm sure when I'm older the job of cooking a holiday meal will fall to my generation, and even possibly me. Therefore, before I hit that point, I wanna make sure I can do it! By majority of a meal, I mean a meat and a couple of sides. My family is quite large at holidays, and we always have way too much food. I don't mean a majority of the food provided, but the majority of a normal sized meal...

19. Learn to successfully curl my hair. In a reasonable amount of time.
          My current hair styling ability is straightening and leaving it down, or pulling it back. Such variety, I know. My hair can curl, however, I cannot manage to curl it. I'd love to become successful at fixing it with curls, and even to have the ability to wear it curly occasionally (when the occasion isn't me being with my friends who can fix it).

20. Own every Dr. Seuss book published
          I alluded to this earlier, when I mentioned the Happiness Bucket books, but it has been a goal of mine to own every Seuss book. While in undergrad, I used to go buy books when I was having a bad day. And what brightens a day more than silly pictures, with sillier words, all that can teach valuable lessons? At some point (in the near future) I'll organize what I have and create a list of books to get and keep that updated for the next few years!

The List, Part II

Still counting backwards, we've got numbers 20-24 below.


21. Pay off all undergraduate student loans
          While this seems ambitious (as most loans are set up for 10 year repayment, and I haven't officially started my repayment yet), I also feel like I can do it. Maybe. It's a good goal to have and work towards. Plus, it's be really nice to accomplish this one in order to help me with the next one...

22. Be credit card/debt free
          Right now, at 25 and living right at (if not above) my means, this one also seems ambitious. While the original goal was to be debt free, I'm also hoping to add to my assets by the time I'm 30, and I fully realize those things may not be paid off. Ideally, if I accomplish #21 and don't have undergraduate loans, I'd like to also not be using my credit cards to live, but rather to put big purchases on to build points. If I can manage this when I turn 30, I'll consider this accomplished.

23. Purchase/own the "Happiness Bucket" books
          Along with my somewhat child-focused desire to own Dr. Seuss books, I've also added a series of three (or more) books about teaching children to be kind to those around them. While I think I've gotten the gist of being kind to people, having little inspirational books is a little thing of mine. Plus, I was running low on ideas at this time...

24. Tour the White House
          I don't anticipate ever having "in-house" connections again, but I'd really love to go to D.C. to explore and act like a tourist! And what better way to be a tourist, than to see the White House?! There are plenty other landmarks I'd love to see (those requiring advanced notice and not), but seeing the White House (and also getting a picture in the press room) would be fabulous!

25. Go to Disney World/Disney Land
          I'd prefer to go to Disney World. Let's be real; how can you say no to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? I'm not even sure this needs any more explanation...

...more to come!

The List, Part I

I've decided to break my list of 30 adventures into six lists of five. Mostly so my running story of adventures has more posts, and because I can't write about them all that quickly...(just being honest)

I've started at the end of my list, so numbers 25 thru 30. As I mentioned, the list took me much longer than I originally thought it would. Consequently, some of these items are less adventurous, and more odd...


26. Learn to ski/snowboard
          I've been to Colorado two separate times, once I even stayed in the mountains, but I've never even attempted to ski. I'm sure I'll be horrible at it, as my balance isn't the greatest. However, I have decent footwork, and if I'm going to break a leg, I should probably do it while I'm younger as opposed to older!

27. Go to Gamma Phi Beta Convention
          When I joined Gamma Phi Beta in 2008, I never anticipated it meaning as much as it does to me. I see my sisters go to convention and come back different individuals, more alive and on fire with the love of the sorority. I don't want to be a forever collegian (for real!) or even a forever, completely involved sister. But it's given me such great memories, I want to keep making them! Denver didn't work out for me this year, so I have my sights set on Seattle in 2014. (Plus, who doesn't want to visit Seattle?!?!)

28. Become a Certified Fitness Instructor
         This one may be a stretch--literally. I enjoy sitting on my couch, watching movies, or staring at my computer screen. However, I do also enjoy a good workout...when I decide I'm tired of the previous three things. I'm sure with a little dedication and work, it could make for a good side job. Plus, I anticipate my future career to consist of a lot of sitting, walking to meetings, and lunches at my desk. I need something to balance all of that out...

29. Go Rock Climbing
          I once dated a guy who loved to rock-climb. It didn't work out that well for us, and I have very little upper body strength to pull this off. However, there was a point in my life when I was so excited to go camp, climb and be adventurous, that it made the list. My only hope is that I work on having some sort of arm strength before this attempt, mainly so I don't completely waste a trip and embarrass myself. 

30. Try to like the NBA (specifically, go to at least 3 games and give it a fair chance).
          When I was in high school, I loved watching both high school and college basketball. When I went to college, I became an even bigger college basketball fan. However, I've never made the jump to enjoying professional basketball. I understand the guys are very talented, well-paid, and famous. But really? Can't quite stand to watch the games. With the anticipated move within the next year, there will be a NBA team with easy access in the city. Plus, my favorite MU player getting drafted helps my chances of fulfilling this goal...let's go Pacers and Pistons?



...check back next week for the previous five!