Friday, January 29, 2010

Falling Behind

There is an item on my list that I am supposed to be doing every week. I put it on the list partly because it's something I should already be doing and something I want to be better at doing, but when I think about it, I kinda cringe a little. It's been three weeks since I started this project and I am sad to say that I am 0 for 3.

62) Call a family member/friend once a week just to visit (0/143)

It sounds easy enough, and it probably is for a lot of people. My problem is that I really don't like talking on the phone. It doesn't really bother me when it's for work, in fact, I really like doing it when I have a real purpose for my call but calling someone up just to shoot the breeze isn't my thing. I would much rather talk to them in person. Unfortuneately I only get that opportunity once every couple months, if that, with most of my friends and family who live hours away.

I could list several reasons I don't enjoy it, like awkward silences and nothing to talk about, but it really comes down to me being lazy and selfish with my time. I need to change this. I value the relationships I have and want them to last. I want to be a part of the people's lives I have moved away from, even though it may be remotely. And even though, I may prefer email, Facebook or person to person conversation, I resolve to disregard my feelings and commit to staying in touch!

So, if you feel like chatting, give me a call! I am going to do my best to overcome my instinct of pressing that convenient little ignore button or silencing my phone. I will turn off the TV, put down the book, stop whatever I am doing and actually give my full attention to the person on the other end.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

A Case of the Mondays

On Sunday afternoon, I was feeling a little under the weather. Although I didn't really want to get sick, it seemed like this might be a great excuse to stay home the next day and sleep in. After I attempted to take a nap and failed, I decided to make hummus for my lunch the next day, secretely crossing my fingers that I wouldn't get to eat it at work. I made the hummus and everything went pretty smoothly.

41) Make Hummus

The next day started off like any other Monday. I woke up a little disappointed that I was feeling great and the reality set in that I would be eating hummus at work instead of on the couch watching re-runs of Saved by the Bell.

The first low point came when a potential client hung up on me because of a mistake I had made. When I called back to apologize, she hung up on me again, not a good way to start off the week, but at least I had a good lunch to look forward to.

When it was finally lunch time, I took my lunch box out of the fridge. I opened the container I had packed and what did I find inside where I thought my hummus was? Black Espresso Beans!!!! I had grabbed the wrong container! Even though I LOVE coffee, I didn't think it would go with the whole wheat tortillas I had packed.

After lunch at Subway, I was back to work. The day seemed to be getting better until I somehow managed to download a virus, a nasty, nasty virus that managed to shut down my computer. Even after my boss, who just returned from vacation (Welcome back!) spent two hours on it, it still wouldn't work.

At five to five I declared that I had had it with Monday and left.

I came home crying and Matt assured me that the next day would be a new day, and it was! My computer got fixed and I came home to beautiful flowers from my loving hubby and a delicious meal!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Drum Roll Please....

Today is the official start date of this huge project I have taken on, completing 101 things in 1001 days.  I have to admit, I am pretty excited about having a project and am even more excited about some of the things I get to do.

Let's start things off by crossing something off the list!

1) Start a blog


Finally! Phew! I did it! I started my very own blog and now it is out there for all the world to see, which, I must say, is a little intimidating, but I'll get over it. It just fills good to have my first task completed.

Looking over my list, I am most excited about:

5) Create a photo book on Blurb.com (If you have not been to this website, check it out. This is a really fun way to get creative and do something with all those pictures you're saving)

9) Memorize 50 new verses (0/50)

12) Buy a new dress and wear it Easter Sunday (I am always excited for new clothes!)

25) Get my hair cut with bangs (I am in desperate need of a new look)

60) Go to a Taylor Swift Concert (This might be a long shot, but a girl can dream)

72) Use an exercise ball as a chair at work for one month (I seriously laugh out loud just thinking about this)

79) Plan an awesome surprise anniversary trip for my hubby and I

93) Get Pregnant (This might not happen for awhile since we are not "trying" as of yet, but it's so fun to think about)

I am a little nervous about: 

68) Complete a USA Today puzzle section all by myself (This one might end up costing me, those things are hard!) 

75) Run/walk a marathon

93) Get Pregnant (From what I have heard, child birth isn't a walk in the park)

There you have it, all the emotions I have attached to this thing. Next up: Making Hummus! I have my can of chick peas and am ready for some yummy in my tummy!



Friday, January 8, 2010

About the 101

Why The 101?
I have been wanting to start a blog for months but worried I didn't have anything to write about. I stumbled upon a friends blog who just began this project. Being a fan of lists myself, I thought this would give me something to write about and it would be fun too!

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e. represent some amount of work on your part). I will document, as best I can, the completion of each task.

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Check out some other list makers....
Jesstagirl 101 
My Sweet Song

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

THE LIST

Start Date: January 9th, 2010
Completion Date: October 6th, 2012
Items that are struck out are completed
Items in italics are in progress


GETTING CREATIVE
1) Start a blog
2) Make an article of clothing
3) Write a book review
4) Give a homemade gift
5) Create a photo book on Blurb.com
6) Post something on Etsy
7) Make something out of wine corks

GOOD FOR THE SOUL
8) Memorize a verse in each book of the Bible (0/67)
Genesis 12:2 "You shall be a blessing"
9) Memorize 50 new verses (1/50)
Romans 5:8
10) Read the entire Bible
11) Join the 5 O'Clock Club and attempt the 28 Day Challenge

'TIS THE SEASON
12) Make and send Valentine's Day cards
13) Buy a new dress and wear it Easter Sunday
14) Color Easter Eggs
15) Watch "It's a Wonderful Life" from beginning to end and try to gain a new appreciation for it
16) Make another Christmas video for my Grandparents
17) Build a snow man
18) Make and send Christmas cards
19) Go ice skating

JUST FOR FUN
20) Fill out a well researched March Madness Bracket
21) Finish the LOST Series
22) Learn to play poker
23) Enter a contest
24) Learn 5 new songs on the piano (0/5)
25) Get my hair cut with bangs
26) Try a new restaurant in ABQ once a month (0/34)
Nob Hill Bar and Grill
27) Apply to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune
28) Learn to line dance
29) Read a Harry Potter book
30) Read "My Life in France" by Julia Child
31) Buy something off of Etsy
32) Try a Turducken
33) Try an egg cooked every way possible
34) Ride a moped
35) Find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop
36) Try all 31 flavors at Baskin Robins (0/31)

HOMEMAKING
37) Finish our Honeymoon Scrapbook
38) Make a new dish by myself every night for a week
39) Have a fondue night
40) Find something to put on the bare wall in our dinning room
41) Make Hummus
42) Make a cobbler
43) Make all the dishes in my family recipe book
44) Bake a cake from scratch
45) Organize my closet once a year (0/3)
46) Host a Murder Mystery Party
47) Make Birthday, Thank you, Congratulations cards to have on hand
48) Learn to knit

OUT & ABOUT
49) Hike another 14,000 foot mountain
50) Go on a picnic
51) Go 2 stepping
52) Visit a state I have never been to
53) Go to a wine festival
54) Go somewhere I have never been in New Mexico
55) Visit the Grand Canyon
56) See a Ballet
57) Go on a bike ride
58) Ride on the Rail Runner
59) Go back to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria
60) Go to a Taylor Swift Concert
61) Visit a Napa Valley Winery

RECONNECTING
62) Call a family member/friend once a week just to visit
63) Have a guest in our house at least once a month (1/34)
64) Send 10 "thinking of you" cards (0/10)
65) Bake cookies and give them to our neighbors

EDUCATIONAL
66) Read an entire newspaper front to back
67) Read 3 Biographies (0/3)
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
68) Complete a USA Today puzzle section all by myself
69) Watch 3 Documentaries
70) Learn Conversational Spanish
71) Read 3 Historical books

GOOD FOR THE BODY
72) Use an exercise ball as a chair at work for one month
73) Workout over my lunch break for two weeks straight
74) Do 10 push ups all at once
75) Run/walk a marathon
76) Get at least 10 hours of sleep everyday for a week
77) Go a week without caffeine

IN THE NAME OF LOVE
78) Write a love note
79) Plan an awesome surprise anniversary trip for my hubby and I
80) Actually pull off the surprise part
81) Buy sexy PJ's and throw out those old baggy shirts
82) Spend an entire weekend computer/internet free once a year (0/3)
83) Spend an entire day doing only what Matt wants to do
84) Read one book on marriage a year (0/3)
The 5 Love Languages

ME TIME
85) Get a make over
86) Spend a weekend by the pool
87) Get a professional massage
88) Order Room Service
89) Go to a real spa
90) Spend an afternoon at a book store
91) Get a pedicure

THE BIG STUFF
92) See Matt graduate from Law School
93) Get Pregnant
94) See my little brother get married

WORK RELATED
95) Get to work early everyday for a week
96) Earn a $300+ bonus
97) Discover 5 new pieces of business

MISCELLANEOUS
98) Pay for a stranger's coffee
99) Donate an entire day to charity
100) Go an entire day without multi-tasking
101) Donate $1 for every task not completed