Ride a Bike to or from Work

Yesterday I had one of the most terrifying experiences I've had in Chicago: I picked up a Divvy bike and rode it home. The bus was not coming, and I had already walked about a mile, and I needed to get home ASAP. I figured I would either get home quickly on one of those bikes, or die trying. Luckily, it was the former! Whether or not I'll do it again... Well, that's TBD.

Goals Accomplished: 81

Days Remaining: 79

Write a New 101/1001

I feel like this was my hardest list to write so far and took the most time. I was actually surprised when I counted up the list and found I was done. This list is certainly less heavy in running, and much more focused on creating and reading, but I'm ok with that. I need to branch out a bit.

So without further ado, a link for you! Third Time's the Charm, people.

Goals Accomplished: 80

Days Remaining: 80

Discover a Local Band I Like

Rich and I used to go to shows in Minneapolis all the time, and we were pretty involved in the local music scene there, but when we moved to Chicago, we didn't really know where to start. I purposefully put this goal on the list in order to jump that hurdle. We both missed seeing live music, and it was time to get back into it.

A small amount of research put me on the track of Archie Powell and the Exports, and I'm really excited. They remind me quite a bit of a couple of Minneapolis bands I loved. We are going to see them live next month at The Subterranean, and hopefully I like them live as much as I've been enjoying their album!

Goals Accomplished: 78

Days Remaining: 96

Complete the Insanity Workout

I did it. I. Fucking. Did. It.

Six days a week for nine weeks was no easy feat in and of itself. Add to that the fact that Insanity lives up to its name, and I couldn't possibly be prouder of myself. 

I didn't lose a ton of weight because I didn't change my diet (oh well, whatever), but I did gain a huge amount of strength. And I've gotten compliments from people on how good I look too. I'll take it!

Goals Accomplished: 77

Days Remaining: 116

Learn How to Arm Knit

My mom sent me a link to a video a while ago of this woman knitting with her arms instead of using needles, and I knew I had to try it. What a great way to make a quick gift! Even better, what a great way to reduce my yarn stash!

Today I finally tried it, and you can see the result in the picture. It was so easy, quick, and fun. I used a really chunky yarn in two colors, but I bet if you wanted to use a lighter weight yarn, you could just use more strands at a time. I think I'll try that. I really need to bust through my stash; I have too much yarn I don't have projects for...

Anyone want a chunky cowl?

Goals Accomplished: 75
Days Remaining: 120

Organize the Storage Closet

Believe it or not, this closet used to be so messy we couldn't even walk back there. The entire space was filled with books, memorabilia, and stuff we just didn't even know we had or what to do with. Not anymore! I got rid of a ton of garbage and organized everything into what you see here. It took me two days, but it was so worth the time. I'm feeling super accomplished right now. Buh-bye, clutter!

Goals Accomplished: 74
Days Remaining: 122

Create a Continuing Education Binder

This was a seriously long time coming. I've taken numerous classes over the past four years, and at each class I took a plethora of notes, and they have been scattered throughout our house in different notebooks and binders and on many tabletops. It was driving me crazy how messy it was, and the answer was simple. Yet I kept procrastinating on actually organizing everything until finally it just became time to get it done.

Truth be told, I was planning on doing it much earlier so I would have an amazing reference book for taking my Postgraduate Certification Exam (mentioned and completed a couple of posts ago), but I didn't do it in time. Well, that's all right because it's done now, and from now on when I take a class, all I have to do is file my notes. Whew.

Goals Accomplished: 72
Days Remaining: 135

Go to a Salt Cave

Today I finally went to a salt cave. I don't really know why I was putting it off; I guess I thought it would take more time or something. It was about a 25-minute drive, so if you multiply by two and add in the time spent in the cave... But I have to say that it was worth the time, and it really didn't feel like it was as long as I thought.

I should actually rephrase that because the time I spent in the cave itself felt much longer than the 45 minutes it was. The ambient music and lighting coupled with the cozy blankets and reclining chairs made time feel like it moved in slow motion. I took a nice snooze and woke up feeling refreshed and clean. I'm definitely going back again, and when I do, I'm spending more time walking on the salt. It felt like a massage on my feet!

Goals Accomplished: 71
Days Remaining: 136

Earn the Postgraduate Certificate of Achievement at The International Dermal Institute

This has been a long time coming. I kept telling myself I should get all of my notes organized into a binder before taking the exam, but the truth is, I didn't need to do that. Luckily, I didn't wait until I was done procrastinating on it -- although I still have to make that binder as it is a goal on this list...

I got the phone call today, and couldn't believe it when Jessica from IDI told me I passed with a 98%! I can't be sure because she wasn't specific, but I get the feeling that isn't par for the course. Feeling pretty awesome right about now. I get my certificate in April.

Goals Accomplished: 70
Days Remaining: 144

Take a Photo of Myself Monthly for 12 Months

September 2012

October 2012

November 2012

December 2012

Jenuary 2013

February 2013

March 2013

 

April 2013

May 2013

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

Goals Accomplished: 59
Days Remaining: 338

Make a String Art Picture

When I was a kid, we had a string art picture in our bathroom, and I was fascinated by it. I would stare at it and touch the strings all the time. Once I got to be big enough, I would take it off the wall and put it on the counter so I could try to figure out how it was made. Well, now I know, and the process is actually much simpler than I expected.

I made this for my friend, Melanie, as a going away present upon her last day as my coworker. I chose this pattern because it represents to me the Heart Chakra, and no one's is bigger than Melanie's. I'm proud and delighted to report that she loves it, and hung it in her office.



Goals Accomplished: 55
Days Remaining: 395

Visit a Major US City I've Never Been to Before

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Rich and I went on a long weekend vacation with some friends to Louisville over Memorial Day to hit Bourbon Country. It was so much fun! Our favorite spirit is definitely whiskey, and I really enjoyed learning all about how it is made, bottled, and distributed.

We were extremely lucky to score private tours at Barton, Buffalo Trace, and Jim Beam. Not only did we get to experience the tour given to the general public, but we also got to touch, taste, and smell the bourbon during every process of production, right down to bottling some Knob Creek.

This was, hands down, one of my favorite vacations Rich and I have ever taken.

Goals Accomplished: 54
Days Remaining: 409

Make Candles

Making candles is actually a lot easier than it seems like it would be, although if I chose to do it more often, I'd like to perfect my aroma mixtures first. I used a blend of sandalwood, jasmine, and neroli, and it turned out quite well, but certainly involved much more on the spot dropping and mixing of oils than I would have preferred.

Goals Accomplished: 49
Days Remaining: 467
Money Saved: $1024

Make a Craft from Craftgawker

So maybe it's not exactly a craft, and it's definitely not perfect, but all in all, I consider it successful. And yeah, I guess I have a thing for rainbow pastries.

Goals Accomplished: 48
Days Remaining: 505
Money Saved: $976

Sew a Clothing Item for Myself

I enjoyed my first class at The Needle Shop so much, that I decided to take a second one, and I figured I may as well knock off another goal while I was at it.

I took the Bias Cut Skirt class, and this is what I made! I'm really pleased with it, and I've already gotten more fabric to make another one. Quick, easy, and not terribly expensive. I see a lot of skirts in my future.

Goals Accomplished: 38
Days Remaining: 659
Money Saved: $722

Take a Vacation

Privelege Aluxes, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Rich and I went to Mexico for a short vacation at the beginning of August, and even though it rained for one of the days, it was still really great to get away. And since we were getting wet in the rain anyway, we just hopped in the pool and hit up the swim-up bar. Because when you are on an all-inclusive vacation, you take advantage of all weather conditions to grab a piña colada -- or six.

I think probably my favorite part of the vacation, even though I behaved like a panicked child for some of it (luckily my husband is very patient and knows just how to calm me down) was when we went scuba diving. Floating underwater with the fish is such a surreal experience. We saw lobsters, an eel, a huge school of fish, barracuda, puffer fish, stone fish, lion fish, a freaky looking stick animal thing, and so many other forms of sea life. I told Rich when we were done that maybe diving just isn't for me because I get so seasick (which is what makes me panic), but I don't know if that's true because I do actually enjoy the underwater part. I think I just need to go more often, which means more vacations. Yeah, I think I could handle more vacations.

Goals Accomplished: 32
Days Remaining: 701
Money Saved: $620

Visit the Willis Tower Skydeck

I'm sure my parents must have brought me here when I was a child, but I don't remember. So it seemed like a visit as an adult was appropriate. Plus, with the new glass ledge, I knew the Skydeck was a must-see on my exploration of my new home city. Standing on that glass ledge gave me the sensation of falling. After about five minutes I had to step back onto firm ground, but I'm glad I did it.

My one piece of advice if ever you visit: make sure to buy the Fast Pass. Otherwise the line is horrendously long, and full of people you don't really want to spend several hours with.

Goals Accomplished: 30
Days Remaining: 726
Money Saved: $575

Design and Get Third Tattoo

I accomplished this task today kind of by accident. One day I realized what I wanted my next tattoo to be, and today I was getting it. As I was sitting on the couch tonight, it suddenly dawned on me that I finished one of my goals. Bonus!

It means, "This too shall pass." My grandmother used to say it all the time, and while my relationship with her was never very close, I appreciated this lesson. And now I'll have it with me forever.

Goals Accomplished: 28
Days Remaining: 733
Money Saved: $498

Make the Super Epic Rainbow Cake

It took me three hours, and it ain't as pretty as I'd like it to be, but it was really fun and it tastes delicious. I don't care for meringue or butter cream frosting, so I used a lemon cream cheese icing. So freaking good. I think I am in a sugar coma now.

You can find the original here, but I must warn you, it's much more polished and beautiful than mine.

Goals Accomplished: 24
Days Remaining: 758
Money Saved: $483

Break Three Personal Records at Work

This goal definitely helped keep work a more interesting challenge, and also forced me to be more diligent in tracking my progress each day. The cherry on top is that not only did I set new personal records, but I also broke company records!

Without further ado, they are:

1. Highest service dollars in one month (April)
2. Highest retail dollars in one month (April)
3. Highest service dollars in one day (6/9/12)

Goals Accomplished: 23
Days Remaining: 761
Money Saved: $470