Revisited :: Fall bucket list.

While the bottle shops are trying to trick us into believing fall is gone and winter has arrived (wtf is up with that?  And the wreaths in my bottle shop parking lot?  Too soon my friends, too soon), fall is here through Thanksgiving for me!  Oddly enough, I completed everything I can on my fall bucket list already!

1.  Run a 5k or a 10k.

I decided last minute to run the Old Reliable 10k which was part of the Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon & Half Marathon.  I got a coupon code from a friend, and I was sold.  For whatever reason, 10k races can be hard to find.  Since this one was practically in my backyard, it seemed it was meant to be.  It was an awesome race with a cool route.  While I originally thought the 10k was "my distance," it just didn't do it for me.  I crave that feeling, that achievement you get from running a half.  I've definitely got City of Oaks on my brain for next year!

2.  Carve a pumpkin (or two).

I am damn proud of this pumpkin!  I dug up a carving kit I bought at Target last year at the post-Halloween clearance and carved the hell out of this bad boy!  D had no interest in carving (lame), so there was just one this year.

3.  Visit a haunted house.

Just didn't happen.  The timing was off with traveling, and believe it or not all of the houses were a bit of a drive for us.  Next year...

4.  Bake a pumpkin flavored dish.

Well remember this fail?  Still counts.  I plan to delve into another dish that I'm not embarrassed to share at work ;)  Luckily it's only November, so I have time!

5.  Go to the fair.

Of course the fair happened.  Of course I didn't take more pictures.  I'm busy living life I tell ya!

Runner-up:
6.  Apple picking.

I just don't think it's going to happen.  All of the "good" orchards are so far away from us, and neither of us have the money (hello Christmas shopping!) to take a weekend trip.  Not to mention D just did not seem to be as "into" the orchard idea as me.

Four out of five/six ain't bad at all!

A list.

It's that time again.  I was wearing long sleeves, jeans, AND a jacket and my extremities were still cold.  Fall is one of those times for me where I always make big plans (in my head) and never follow through.  This needs to change.  Since I've done summer bucket lists the past few summers, it's time for a fall bucket list!  And as usual, I like to make my lists pretty easy to accomplish, so this one is short and sweet.

1.  Run a 5k or 10k.

Source: rippedandfit.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Coming off my second half marathon high (which I'll recap this week), I'm ready to rock out another race!  My problem with races is the money!  Shorter distances usually cost less, so I'm on the hunt for a local short distance race to run.

2.  Carve a pumpkin (or two).

Last year, I took the easy way out and "carved" this beauty.  I'm thinking I really want to carve a pumpkin this year.  October can be a hard month since D is out of town a lot.  This leaves the carving up to me.  I want to pick a warmish weekend and make this happen!

3.  Visit a haunted house.

I have literally said every year that I wanted to go to a haunted house.  Crazily enough, now that I'm thinking about it...I don't think I've ever gone to one with D!  I have to make this happen this year.

4.  Bake a pumpkin flavored dish.

Source: thepickyapple.com via Kristin on Pinterest

In the era of Pinterest, I have plenty of ideas for pumpkin dishes.  I typically make Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes every year for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, but there needs to be a pumpkin dish on the early fall docket!  The above pictured Pumpkin Crunch Cake sounds very similar to the gooey cakes, which is right down my easy baking alley.  I've also got my eye on these Chai Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint cookies!

5.  Go to the fair.

The NC State Fair comes to Raleigh every year.  It is literally one of my favorite things about fall!  The fried foods, the rides, the people watching.  I love it.  It's no question this is going on the bucket list.

The runner up:

6.  Go apple picking.

Source: melissajill.com via Barbara on Pinterest

Like I said, D has a pretty busy work/travel schedule in October and November.  I'm pretty sure that an apple orchard would be a drive from Raleigh.  I may still try to make it happen though!

What's on your fall bucket list?

Bucket list update.

I haven't updated my bucket list in a bit.  I've been focused on my 101 in 1001 list instead.  As I have grown and matured, I wanted to add some new items to the bucket list for life.  This is a re-post with a couple new additions to the bucket list.

BUCKET LIST UPDATED 01/2012

• Return to Cambodia with MPK:   My sister, MPK, is adopted from Cambodia.  My entire family ventured there the summer before my senior year in high school.  It was a life changing experience and I can't wait for the day that I get to take MPK back there and share that experience with her. 

 This is an older pic of MPK, she's now 9 years old!

• Visit Columbia with MGK:  My other sister, MGK is adopted from Columbia.  She was adopted while I was in college and I didn't get to venture down for that two month trip.  I want to do the same for MGK and see where she was born.

 MGK in 2008; she is now about to be 7.

• Visit California wine country:  I have never been to California at all; it's a bit of a feat when you live on the east coast.  D and I have heard wonderful things about wine country and are dying to go.  I mean what could be better than drinking wine all day?

[California wine country] 

• Eat in one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants:  That's right.  D and I are big fans of Kicthen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, and other mildly entertaining Ramsay shows.  I have to eat at one of his restaurants before I die.
• Travel to New Zealand
• Travel to NYC (DONE! April 2011)
• Meet Lady Gaga:  I'm trying to put things on my list that are mostly attainable.  This may never happen, but I at least have to try.  I think about the influence Gaga has had on me over the past year, and I know she is someone I want to meet in person.  Hmm...how to make this happen?

 One of my favorite Gaga pictures; Elle January 2010 photo spread

• Own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes: Just so I can sort of feel like I was once a character from Sex and the City.  Yes, they cost probably more than half of my wonderfully small teachers salary.  One day I will have a fabulous pair of heels that I will have nowhere to wear them to...

• Buy a house (DONE! February 2011)
• See a Broadway show (DONE!  April 2011)
• Travel to every continent:  Well...I've marked off Europe, South America, and Asia.  I'd love to go back to South America and Asia with D.  So maybe I should amend this bullet to include "with D."
• Run a half marathon (DONE!  November 2011)
• Become a teacher:  (DONE!  Got my official cleared teaching license in August 2011)
• Be in the audience for a taping of Ellen:  I love Ellen and her show.  I need to make this on a priority since you never know when shows will be pulled off the air.

• Ride in a hot air balloon:  I am pretty afraid of heights.  I think I'd be totally scared doing this, but I think it would be  so special.  Hot air ballooning over Cali wine country?

• Eat another Belgian waffle in Bruges, Belgium:  This was one of my favorite memories from our Europe trip.  I HAVE to go back and do it again.

 [My actual Belgian waffle...most amazing snack EVER.]

• Volunteer in an orphanage:  I think that people can never really understand the extreme poverty and situations people live in in other countries unless they see it.  I want to see and experience this again.

• Run a race in another country
• See the World Cup
• Backpack Europe: Check.  June/July 2009.  And got engaged :)
• Move out of Georgia: Check. March 2010.  ABOUT TIME.

Apparently 2011 was the year of the Bucket List.  I need to be more diligent about checking this list out more often!

101 in 1001 :: Another review.

I took another look at my 101 in 1001 list.  I seriously feel like this is so much better than the bucket list I started a while back (although I still want to update my bucket list for those big ticket items).  I mean it could be years before I marked something off on the bucket list.  With the 101 in 1001, I get to mark things off almost monthly.  I'm confident that once we get to really mark off the buying a house notch, many other things will come.  Buying a house is such a huge immediate cost (down payments, closing, inspections, appraisals, moving, etc.) that I'll be more than happy to have it all done with come Feb (fingers crossed).  In order to not make resolutions and start 2011 out on the right foot (by focusing on my little goals), let me review my list!

**PURPLE = completed**

Start date:  September 1, 2010
End date:  May 30, 2013

Indulge

1. Buy a house

     -In progress as of September/October 2010
2. Buy something from Etsy
3. Get another tattoo

[Better/healed picture should be to come 12/21/2010]

4. Buy a new piece of jewelry that I’ll wear for years
5. See Kathy Griffin live
6. Get a new pair of glasses
7. Buy one full-priced piece from Anthropologie
8. Meet up with KD in a city and see Lady Gaga again
9. Buy a pair of TOMS
10. Spend a day eating/shopping/reading alone in public
11. Buy a bicycle
12. Get a couples massage
13. Buy a new piece of furniture
14. Buy my dad tickets to see Jimmy Buffett
15. Treat D to a fancy dinner anywhere on me
16. Have a spa day
17. Buy a fabulous pair of jeans in a smaller size (once I get there)
18. Get a bikini wax
19. Buy a blazer

[AND it was thrifted! 10/2010]

Create

20. Make a special anniversary gift for the hubby
21. Put together an awesome thrifted outfit
22. Grow something edible
23. Finish a puzzle

[Oh yes.  Charlie Brown.  It was a toughie.  12/2010.  Bring on the Vincent Van Gogh puzzle D got me for xmas.]

24. Finish writing another 101 list at the end of the 1001 days
25. Make a sewing box
26. Make a photobook of wedding pictures
27. Start a list of places I want to see/travel
28. Make a photobook of Europe trip
29. Start a compost pile
30. Make homemade sangria
31. Bake bread
32. Make a homemade pesto or hummus

Help
33. Send flowers to someone
34. Sponsor a child at Christmas
35. Donate blood
36. Eliminate all clothes that I haven’t worn since moving to Raleigh and donate them
37. Donate to Locks of Love
38. Volunteer somewhere
39. Buy someone a "Just Because" gift
40.  Give a loan on Kiva
41. Buy a lesson or class for someone
42. Donate all my old glasses
43. Donate at least 10 items from Raleigh Rescues Urgent Needs List (0/10)

Improve

44. Don't eat fast food for a month
45. Put away $25 for every goal completed
46. Take a sign language class

47. Have bi-weekly date nights with the hubby without cell phones (0/64)

     -Not completely happening.  We're working on it though!
48. Run another 5K  (10/31/2010)
49. Pay off my credit cards

     -Only about 5 more months!!
50. Get to my goal weight and maintain
51. Put something in savings every single month (0/32)

     -Definitely!  D and I have been saving like crazy.  I'll continue even if it's $10.
52. Start a 401K
53. Have sex in 20 new places (0/20)
54. Back up all pictures and documents on my laptop
55. Call my grandma at least once per month (0/32)

     -Definitely in progress and my grandma loves it :)
56. Make at least one new recipe per month (0/32)
57. Create a budget and stick to it
58. Go to the dentist regularly (every 6 months)
59. Play with the dogs outside at least once per month (4/32)
60. Purchase a piece of art for our home
61. Invite a new friend out for coffee/shopping/a meal (9/2010)
62. Purchase new bed sheets and comforter for our room

Explore

63. Ride in a hot air balloon
64. Visit NYC with KD & CAP in Winter 2011
65. Buy last minute airline tickets for a getaway
66. Eat at a renowned restaurant
67. Visit 3 of the 1000 Places to go Before You Die (0/3)
68. See a play on Broadway
69. Go to Spain/Greece
70. Visit KayD in Boston
71. Visit KD in Birmingham
72. Take a road trip
73. Visit my M-A kids who got adopted
74. Do an extreme activity in another country
75. Go to a winery tour
76. Go to a museum I've never been to before
77.  See a concert in another country
78. Go on 30 of the “60 hikes within 60 miles: Raleigh”  (0/30)
79. Eat 3 things I've never tried before
80. Visit 3 states I’ve never been before (0/3)
81. Bike the Greenway – past the sketchy areas
82. Eat at 10 new restaurants in Raleigh (1/10)

     -One that I can think of (12/2010), probably more

Expand

83. Identify 101 things that make me happy
84. Read at least 25 books from the 101 Books to Read Before You Die list  (10/25)

     -Ten out of the 25 as of 12/2010!  I've updated on most of them.
85. Bake a new dessert from scratch
86. Join a club
87. Watch all IMDB's Top 250 Movies

     -I've definitely got some time and work to do here.  69 movies watched as of 12/2010
88. Make a meal entirely from food bought at the farmers market
89. Convince D to participate in a race with me
90. Learn to make a new mixed drink
91. Sleep in the nude
92. Try 25 new sex positions (0/25)
93. Go skinny dipping
94. Send a postcard to PostSecret
95. Play kickball on a team
96. Wear heels 2x per month (0/64)

     -I think I've been accomplishing this on!
97. Be a vegan for a week
98. Go skiing
99. Go bowling
100. Stop watching TV for one week at home

     -Technically I've completed this one but if we include Netflix and online shows, nope.
101. Donate $5 to charity for each goal I don't finish

  

1001 Days?

I've been browsing around finding so many new, wonderful blogs lately (not sure if I'll ever be able to keep up reading and writing when school starts back).  While browsing around, I found something very intriguing from Ramblings of a Small Town Girl.  She's doing the 101 in 1001 Project.  Now, I am copying and pasting from her post (her link will lead you directly to the post) about the project:

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

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

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 organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities."

It is actually known as the Day Zero Project.  Go to the blog or the website to check out some of the stuff.  What Small Town Girl did was separate her 101 things into categories such as Indulge, Create, Help, etc.  I really love the idea of this.  It's more in depth than my Bucket List and you set a timeline for yourself.  My fear is that I might set my goals too high (I had thought about putting to attend yoga/pilates once per week) and then failing within the first month.  Then what?   Have I failed at that goal for my 2 years?  I want to put a little more thought into it.  I though about maybe doing one together with D.  I'm thinking more about doing one of my own and posting it on the refrigerator, maybe at school and on my mirror.  If I don't have the constant reminder of it, chances are my opportunities will slip away without my knowing.  What about 1001 days?  Doable?  Sure.  I have to make sure not to put too many travel destinations on there.  Obv I can't travel too many places within 3 years.  I'm going to work on this and hopefully post it for you guys as an auto post while I'm away.

Thanks to Small Town Girl for the inspiration :)

Bucket List update.

This is a re-post with a couple new additions to the bucket list.

A while back I was inspired by Kathy Griffin* to write a Bucket List.  In a wonderfully hilarious episode of "My Life on the D List" in which Kathy gets her mom to write a Bucket List, I figured I should make my own.  Through all of our moving, I have of course misplaced my written Bucket List.  I figured I'd publish what I remember and chronicle along the way as I mark things off.

BUCKET LIST UPDATED 06/2010

• Return to Cambodia with MPK:   My sister, MPK, is adopted from Cambodia.  My entire family ventured there the summer before my senior year in high school.  It was a life changing experience and I can't wait for the day that I get to take MPK back there and share that experience with her. 

 This is an older pic of MPK, she's now 9 years old!

• Visit Columbia with MGK:  My other sister, MGK is adopted from Columbia.  She was adopted while I was in college and I didn't get to venture down for that two month trip.  I want to do the same for MGK and see where she was born.

 MGK in 2008; she is now about to be 7.

• Visit California wine country:  D and I have never been to California at all.  We've heard wonderful things about wine country and are dying to go.  I mean what could be better than drinking wine all day?

 [Californiawinehikes]

• Eat in one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants:  That's right.  D and I are big fans of Kicthen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, and other mildly entertaining Ramsay shows.  I have to eat at one of his restaurants before I die.
• Travel to New Zealand
• Travel to NYC  (I obviously have lots of places I want to travel)
• Meet Lady Gaga:  I'm trying to put things on my list that are mostly attainable.  This may never happen, but I at least have to try.  I think about the influence Gaga has had on me over the past year, and I know she is someone I want to meet in person.  Hmm...how to make this happen?

 One of my favorite Gaga pictures; Elle January 2010 photo spread

• Own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes: Just so I can sort of feel like I was once a character from Sex and the City.  Yes, they cost probably more than half of my wonderfully small teachers salary.  One day I will have a fabulous pair of heels that I will have nowhere to wear them to...

• Buy a house:  Where?  Who knows.  When?  Who knows (except all I know is that I can't wait to upgrade from this little house).  We will though.  
• See a Broadway show
• Travel to every continent:  Well...I've marked off Europe, South America, and Asia.  I'd love to go back to South America and Asia with D.  So maybe I should amend this bullet to include "with D."
• Run a half marathon:  Maybe I can eventually amend this to whole marathon...but let's don't get too far ahead of myself.
• Become a teacher:  Working on this one.  I'm not technically going to cross it off until I am officially certified as a REAL teacher
• Be in the audience for a taping of Ellen:  I love Ellen and her show.  I need to make this on a priority since you never know when shows will be pulled off the air.

• Ride in a hot air balloon:  I am pretty afraid of heights.  I think I'd be totally scared doing this, but I think it would be  so special.  Hot air ballooning over Cali wine country?

• Eat another Belgian waffle in Bruges, Belgium:  This was one of my favorite memories from our Europe trip.  I HAVE to go back and do it again.

 [My actual Belgian waffle...most amazing snack EVER.]

• Volunteer in an orphanage:  I think that people can never really understand the extreme poverty and situations people live in in other countries unless they see it.  I want to see and experience this again.

• Backpack Europe: Check.  June/July 2009.  And got engaged :)
• Move out of Georgia: Check. March 2010.  ABOUT TIME.

...To be continued.


*I used to be a hater of Kathy.  After watching "My Life on the D List, I seriously could not get enough of her.  She is a lover of the GLBT community, her mother, Maggie, and all things related to being an attention whore.  Love her.

To be accomplished.

A while back I was inspired by Kathy Griffin* to write a Bucket List.  In a wonderfully hilarious episode of "My Life on the D List" in which Kathy gets her mom to write a Bucket List, I figured I should make my own.  Through all of our moving, I have of course misplaced my written Bucket List.  I figured I'd publish what I remember and chronicle along the way as I mark things off.

BUCKET LIST UPDATED 04/2010

• Return to Cambodia with MPK:   My sister, MPK, is adopted from Cambodia.  My entire family ventured there the summer before my senior year in high school.  It was a life changing experience and I can't wait for the day that I get to take MPK back there and share that experience with her. 

 This is an older pic of MPK, she's now 9 years old!

• Visit Columbia with MGK:  My other sister, MGK is adopted from Columbia.  She was adopted while I was in college and I didn't get to venture down for that two month trip.  I want to do the same for MGK and see where she was born.

 MGK in 2008; she is now about to be 7.

• Visit California wine country:  D and I have never been to California at all.  We've heard wonderful things about wine country and are dying to go.  I mean what could be better than drinking wine all day?

 [Californiawinehikes]

• Eat in one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants:  That's right.  D and I are big fans of Kicthen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, and other mildly entertaining Ramsay shows.  I have to eat at one of his restaurants before I die.
• Travel to New Zealand
• Travel to NYC  (I obviously have lots of places I want to travel)
• Meet Lady Gaga:  I'm trying to put things on my list that are mostly attainable.  This may never happen, but I at least have to try.  I think about the influence Gaga has had on me over the past year, and I know she is someone I want to meet in person.  Hmm...how to make this happen?

 One of my favorite Gaga pictures; Elle January 2010 photo spread

• Own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes: Just so I can sort of feel like I was once a character from Sex and the City.  Yes, they cost probably more than half of my wonderfully small teachers salary.  One day I will have a fabulous pair of heels that I will have nowhere to wear them to...

• Buy a house:  Where?  Who knows.  When?  Who knows (except all I know is that I can't wait to upgrade from this little house).  We will though.  
• See a Broadway show
• Travel to every continent:  Well...I've marked off Europe, South America, and Asia.  I'd love to go back to South America and Asia with D.  So maybe I should amend this bullet to include "with D."
• Volunteer in an orphanage
• Run a half marathon:  Maybe I can eventually amend this to whole marathon...but let's don't get too far ahead of myself.
• Become a teacher:  Working on this one.  I'm not technically going to cross it off until I am officially certified as a REAL teacher
• Backpack Europe: Check.  June/July 2009.  And got engaged :)
• Move out of Georgia: Check. March 2010.  ABOUT TIME.

...To be continued.


*I used to be a hater of Kathy.  After watching "My Life on the D List, I seriously could not get enough of her.  She is a lover of the GLBT community, her mother, Maggie, and all things related to being an attention whore.  Love her.