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

Volunteer at a Race

On Sunday, Rich and I volunteered at the Cinco de Miler put on by RAM Racing. They tout it as Chicago's only 5 mile race. This year the course was at Montrose Harbor.

Somehow we were designated the captains of the first aid station. I don't know why. We had zero experience volunteering at a race. But there we were at 7 AM with the guys delivering the truck of supplies figuring out how much of everything we needed and where to put it.

I asked Rich to take charge of the Gatorade stations, and I prepped the water tables. We each had a total of 6 volunteers -- teenagers sent with their teachers from a couple of local schools to get their service hours. The kids did a pretty good job staying on task, and despite running out of Gatorade half way through the runners, I think we did a great job. I don't think we will do it again, though. I just like running races better than helping to organize them.

Goals Accomplished: 22
Days Remaining: 794
Money Saved: $427

Visit My Parents in Arizona

I hate Arizona. I don't understand why someone stopped in the desert and said, "Hot as hell here. No water. I know! I'll build a house and live here." But they did, and now there are a lot more houses here, including my parents' house in Fountain Hills. And since every time my mom comes to Chicago she ends up in the suburbs and I hardly get to see her, it just made sense for me to go to her for a real visit.

I got in Sunday night and we went to a sports bar for dinner before heading home. As Chicago is two hours ahead now, Monday morning I was up before the sun, but we didn't get going until a little while later. My mom is a docent at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), and she really wanted to take me there. I went, not realizing just how large the place is and how many installations they have. I was very impressed, and I highly recommend a visit if ever you make it out there.

On Tuesday morning we hit the gym so I could get in my 3.5 mile training run, came home for lunch, and then did some shopping. Surprisingly, I really didn't buy that much. There were two items from MAC I was planning on getting just because the tax is cheaper here and I didn't have time at home before I left, but otherwise I just got a lip gloss and a hair product at Sephora. Totally thought I was going to find some clothes or a scarf or something, but we actually didn't even go into any clothing stores. Anyway, after that we grabbed dinner at Blue 32 where we met Rich's parents. It was a nice night, so we sat on the patio outside and my two dads smoked cigars.

Wednesday was spa day. We went to Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. We each had a massage and pedicure, a Cobb Salad (which was delicious!) for lunch, and then hung out by the pool for a bit and took advantage of the sauna, whirlpool, eucalyptus inhalation room, and waterfall treatment pool. We were there for about 6 hours, and it was truly a needed and appreciated break! Once we got home, we took my mom's dog, Zory, for a walk and a short hike up the mountain before hitting the showers and going out for drinks and dinner with my mom's friend, Kylie (who is actually my age).

Today is going to be another trip to the gym and lunch, and then it's back to the airport and homeward bound. Overall, I've had a really great trip, and I'm glad that I came. I needed some Mommy and me time!

Goals Accomplished: 21
Days Remaining: 841
Money Saved: $370

Take a Chicago Architectural Tour

Today I took a 2 hour tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. I didn't realize it, but they actually have quite a large selection of different tours you can go on. I selected the Chicago Old and New: Intersections walking tour.

The docent for my group was Max, who was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed her presentation style, and I learned so much about a few different types of architecture and some great Chicago history. It was an entertaining and educational way to spend a beautiful day, and I'd really like to do it again.

Goals Accomplished: 20
Days Remaining: 849
Money Saved: $352

Make a Craft from a Pattern on Ravelry

This is a really horrible picture of the awesome hat I made from a pattern I found on Ravelry. It was really fun to make, and I learned a bunch of new knitting techniques all during one project! I'm giving this one away, but I'm excited to make one for myself too. I think I might add a pocket to it...

Goals Accomplished: 19 
Days Remaining: 852
Money Saved: $339

Write 101 Yelp Reviews

Today I wrote my 101st Yelp review. This was a pretty fun and interesting goal to achieve. I've actually become pretty active in the Yelp community as a result, and I even acquired Yelp Elite status. I'm excited to keep writing more reviews and hopefully go to an Elite event soon. It would be nice to meet the people in person who I've been interacting with in the Talk threads! If you are on Yelp too, friend me.

Goals Accomplished: 18
Days Remaining: 856 
Money Saved: $325

Watch the Sex and the City Box Set

My in-laws gave me this set as a holiday gift about four years ago, and I never opened it. I really wanted the set, and had asked for it, so it was just silly and a waste that I hadn't watched any of it in four years.

I didn't have HBO while the show was airing, so I had seen some of the episodes, but always edited and not in any particular order. Well, now I have seen every single episode, unedited, in order from beginning to end of all 6 seasons. I even went through all the bonus material, including playing those ridiculous games. And while I may watch some of the episodes again, I will definitely never do that again.

Goals Accomplished: 16
Days Remaining: 899
Money Saved: $262