March is drawing to an end and we're now 1/4 of the way through 2011. Unbelievable, no? I feel like I was just saying, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's 2009!!!" Ugh. Anyway, one of my resolutions for the year was to get halfway through my 30 Before 30 list, and I've been making a little bit of progress, sloooooowly but surely. Here's what I've been up to:
3) Travel to at least five new countries. (In Progress)
I got three under my belt with our Mediterranean cruise in December. (Spain, Malta, Greece) It should have been four, but alas, Egypt was not meant to be. So, I'm plotting and planning how to hit at least two more countries in the next year and 9 months. I'm working on coercing Colby into a trip to Germany and France later this year, so we'll see how that works out!
5) Run a 10K. (In Progress)
I'm thrilled that I'll be able to check this one off of the list after Saturday. I've been training for a 10K for a couple of months, and I'm actually feeling pretty excited about the run. Bring it!
6) Complete my Masters degree. (Complete)
It was a long and intensely frustrating road, at times, but in October of 2010 I officially wrapped up my final class for my Masters of Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. I finished with all As (including two -A) and someday maybe I'll even remember to send in my graduation application!
8) Read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. (In Progress)
I finished The Fountainhead, and found it very interesting. Troubling, but interesting. Which I guess was the point!
16) Learn how to sew and make a piece of clothing that I’m proud to wear in public. (In Progress)
I have indeed learned how to work my sewing machine, and have made a few things including an apron, a kleenex holder, and a small gift bag. I got together with a friend a couple of weeks ago and started working on this skirt, but hit a bit of a road block. We think we may have figured it out, so hopefully next week I'll be able to check this one off the list.
22) Finish all of the books in the top 100 of the Greatest Books List that I haven’t already read. (In Progress)
So far, I've finished Anna Karenina, All the Kings Men, and am almost through with Lord of the Rings.
24) Learn to make my mom’s spaghetti sauce so that it actually tastes like my mom’s spaghetti sauce. (Complete)
This one is certainly subjective, but with Colby and my own discerning palate (snort), I'm going to have to say, I've nailed it. I make a dang good pot of spaghetti now, and think I can officially be inducted into the family spaghetti sauce hall of fame.
27) Take a cooking class. (Complete)
I was lucky enough to knock this one out in one of my favorite cities in the world, Barcelona Spain. I still have happy dreams about the paella we made.
So, 3 complete out of 30, and only 8 in progress. Um, that's not so good. But it's a start, and I must remember, there is still time! However, I've been looking over my list and I realized that I was a bit overly ambitious in two main areas: Travel and Literature. I didn't really think about my list as a whole when I was writing it, and it's just a bit unrealistic to expect to complete all of the travel and reading that I have on my list in the next <2 years. So, these are the amendments I'm making to my list:
Changing: 22) Finish all of the books in the top 100 of the Greatest Books List that I haven’t already read to
22) Finish 75% of the books in the top 100 of the Greatest Books List.
Changing: 12) Go to the Kentucky Derby to
12) Go fishing!
The more I researched the Kentucky Derby, the more I realized it doesn't sound like as much fun as I thought it would be, and it was MUCH more expensive than I was expecting. So that was an easy one to cut. And I've never been fishing, so that seemed like a great South Carolina thing to do!
Also, it's also taking me a LONG time to read each one of these books on the Greatest Books List. They are looooong and not exactly page turners for the most part. I do think I could probably still finish them all, but I wouldn't be able to read anything else, and Angela cannot live on classics alone! So, rather than having to read 68 more of the Greatest Books (as well as Atlas Shrugged and The Bible), I have 43 to read. Much more realistic! And I can wrap up the other 25 in my 35 Before 35 list!
If you want to do the Derby, you should recall that I'm a Kentucky Colonel and have an inside track to tickets and events. We've never been either so maybe I'll but that on my bucket list.
Posted by: Old Warrior | March 31, 2011 at 05:52 PM
You should definitely come to Germany this year. Then you could visit me! =)
Posted by: Kendra | March 31, 2011 at 06:20 PM
I love your list! I should have made one a year or two ago and just forgot. I do have one year left though before I turn 30--maybe I can still do it if they are reasonable...hmmmmm
Posted by: Sara | March 31, 2011 at 06:21 PM
I was actually thinking this sounds quite impressive -- even the ones in progress! Also, I've always respected you but I respect you even more knowing you finished Anna Karenina. I've picked that book up several times and just can't make it through. I so badly want to.
Posted by: A Super Girl | March 31, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Yesss! Definitely come to Germany! Visit me, and check off Germany and France...and while you're in the area, you might as well check off Luxembourg too for extra credit! ;) If you make the trip, let me know if you'd like to stay with us at any point - we'd be thrilled to have you guys visit!
Posted by: Christie | March 31, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Wow, awesome job on getting a lot of those on your list completed! I'd love to take a cooking class but it'd be nowhere near as fun and cool as your cooking class experience was because obviously it was in Spain! :)
Posted by: steph anne | March 31, 2011 at 08:01 PM
This is quite the list -- and you've done a great job ticking things off/working toward finishing them. Good luck on your 10k on Saturday! You'll do great! :)
Posted by: Abby | March 31, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Sometimes the making of the list can be as much fun as the completing. I am way impressed about the reading. I don't read chick lit, but those classics can be um...tedious? Anna Karenina? Really? Take care of yourself with the running. That is an impressive accomplishment. I realize that these are fairly random sentences instead of a cohesive paragraph, please forgive. Having been fishing and caught shrimp with a shrimp net, I might encourage the latter. I'm sure there is someone who would loan you a net and help you use it. I found it much more interesting and edible. Good luck! (Take the Old Warrior up on the offer, I can't wait to see your hat!
Posted by: sophie | April 01, 2011 at 03:29 AM
I didn't realize that was a perk!! I don't know when we'll fit it in the schedule, but that's definitely something we should do some day!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:13 AM
Oh, that is most definitely a part of the plan :)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:13 AM
Absolutely! Just tailor it to how much time you have to complete it and what's feasible for you. I'd love to see your list!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:14 AM
Aw, thanks :) And yes, Anna was brutal. Unfortunately, not one of my favorite books, but I'm glad I read it. If you do read it, I highly recommend one with footnotes on the page--there's a lot of foreign languages and customs that would have gone right over my head if I hadn't had footnotes as a resource!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:15 AM
I like the way you think! I really hope we can get over there this year. I'll be keeping you in the loop for sure :)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:15 AM
Well, the Spain part definitely was fun, but I'll bet you could find an awesome cooking class in your local area!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:16 AM
Thanks girl! I'm actually kind of looking forward to it!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:16 AM
Haha, I love your random sentences :) We have a friend who goes crabbing each year, and that sounds like a lot of fun too. I think the whole setting of traps or using nets definitely sounds a bit more appealing, but I just think there's something so old timey Norman Rockwell American about putting a worm on a hook and waiting for a fish to bite!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 01, 2011 at 04:18 AM
I am mighty impressed with what you've accomplished!! Especially the 10k, traveling, and Masters degree. If I didn't think you were awesome before (and I did), you definitely are now!
Posted by: Jen | April 01, 2011 at 05:04 AM
Congratulations on completing your masters! Isn't that a great feeling?
You have another year and half until you hit 30, right?
Good luck this weekend!
Posted by: Thoughts Appear | April 01, 2011 at 02:49 PM
oh my gosh...i feel soooo lazy reading this post. you're a rockstar!! i know what you mean, it seems like we just rang in the new year, like, last week. good luck convincing your hubs into the next two countries! is he a beer fan? 'cause ya know, oktoberfest is quite the party....could be a nice incentive. :)
Posted by: beth @ {expeditionary family} | April 01, 2011 at 06:11 PM
CONGRATS on finishing your masters degree! That is a huge accomplishment, and it sounds like you were quite a student. I love all the things on your list, especially the change to go fishing. I haven't been fishing since I wa a little kid but its a good time!
Posted by: Melissa | April 01, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Congrats on all your successes! I think you will enjoy fishing. It is actually a lot of fun and relaxing. Can't wait to see what else you do on your list.
Posted by: Megan C. | April 02, 2011 at 04:01 AM