30 before 30

So, it's officially the last day of 2012 here in The 'Merica. I've been thinking about goals for next year thanks to my brother and his "Finish List" and my dear friend and her "30 before 30" Instead of whining that I have less time before the 3-0, I sat down and did what I always do. . .stole Karen's idea and wrote my own list.

I have kind of incorporated ideas about a finish list (so go read Phil's series of posts) in creating a set of challenges for myself to accomplish in the next 8 months and 11 days. However, there are a few that I have allowed myself the luxury of taking until Karen's next birthday.

I want to finish this list for a couple reasons. . .but mainly because I want to be incredibly purposeful in how I fill the time that has been eaten up by the Master's monster for the last 2.5 years. By creating and working towards finishing this list, I'm hoping that fewer evenings will be spent as a blob on the couch while episodes of "Friends" play on a loop as background noise.

So without further ado, the list (in no particular order)

Beth Shimer's 30 before 30 (with a few extra thrown in)

1. Write 30 blog posts (yes, you'll be hearing more from me)
2. make 15 new recipes
3. have 30 people over for dinner (not all at once, but it will help with the 15 new recipes)
4. lose (at least) 15 pounds
5. complete 3 photo-a-day challenges
6. memorize 30 passages *parameters to be determined
7. write 30 letters to people I don't normally keep in touch with AND MAIL THEM
8. read 30 new books including some non-fiction
9. hang 15 new decorative items on my walls (pictures, canvases, origami projects, shelves)
10. make 15 crochet projects and give them as gifts
11. complete 30 weeks of my read through the Bible adventure
12. get 3 stamps in my passport 
13. complete 15 pinterest ideas
14. initiate and hang out with 15 people one-on-one
15. write 3 completely brand-new units at school 
16. live sugar-free for 3 weeks
17. have 3 "China" experiences *this one may take a bit longer, and I don't exactly know how I'll define "China"experiences, but I definitely want to learn more about the country in which I live.
18. be able to write 300 Chinese characters
19. see 10 movies in the theater
20. finish my origami crane curtain
21. eat at 3 new restaurants that I've always been curious about
22. make 3 photo projects
23. have a professional article published/present at a conference *this one may take a bit longer, but I figure as long as it gets done, right?!?
24. make 3 art projects
25. try a new hairstyle
26. host at least one movie marathon
27. host 3 parties
28. learn a new skill
29. make a music video (hopefully a parody music video)
30. pay off 15 % of my student loans
31. be able to run for 30 minutes
32. know 30 yoga poses, and be able to do them seamlessly
33. replace a bad habit with a good habit
34. this one is a secret until Karen's birthday ;)

The unofficial list (either because I already have plans to do it or I'm not quite brave enough to do it on my own)

1. disappear for a weekend and just relax
2. go on a cruise (Mediterranean 2013 baby!)
3. get a tattoo
4. go on a date