30 by 30

On New Year's Eve I turned 28 years old. I awoke in the morning feeling just like I did every day. Nothing unusual, I felt like myself. I treated myself to a quiet day at my favorite spa then treated myself to a crème brûlée instead of a birthday cake.

While 28 is generally not considered a significant birthday it does remind you that you will be 30 in two years. Considering the way time seems to fly by in the blink of an eye, it's going to be here before I know it. After reading several blogs and lists through various websites I became inspired to make my own 30 by 30 List.

1. Learn to speak basic French.
• I went to Paris almost 3 years ago. I was able to get a couple of phrases down before going, but it would have been so much easier if I had been able to have a conversation with someone. Luckily, English is spoken there as well. I have every intention of going back in the future, but I will be better prepared the next time around.
2. Host a girl's night. (Done! 5/23/15)
• My girlfriends and I get together periodically throughout the year. But I've never been the one to host our gathering. Now that I have my own place, no excuses. 
3. Learn to cook (more than just breakfast).
• Growing up with 10 nieces and nephews, I learned to cook breakfast of varying kinds. However, I never really learned to prepare and cook other meals. It's time to start.
4. Take motorcycle lessons.
•  In preparation for #5, I want to make sure that I have the best education before I hit the road. This is something I've wanted to do for many years and I am soooo excited!
5. Buy a motorcycle! 
• I believe I have the bike that I would like to buy, but I need to test drive it first. What a beauty. :)
6. Plant a small herb garden.
• Planting an herb garden will be beneficial for a few reasons, mostly numbers 3 & 15 but also to practice keeping plants alive. I haven't been good at in the past, I think it's time for another shot at it.
7. Take Burlesque lessons.
• I was going to do this last year, but I went through a job change at the time I was going to go. Plans fell through. I'm ready for it now. 
8. Learn to French braid my hair.
• I've always had others to do this for me and it comes in handy quite often if you need to get your off of your face.
9. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.
• When I was 13 my sister took me with her to a hot air ballooning festival and I was part of the crew. Unfortunately the winds were too strong and we weren't able to follow through with the set up. After witnessing this gathering, I've wanted to go up in one myself.
10. Run another 5k (this time train better).
• My first 5k I participated in was the Color Run, I found it difficult because I didn't train well enough prior. Then I did my first 10k, the Beat the Blerch Run, and it was even more difficult. Each time I had a great time but it would have been so much better if I had taken the time to train properly. Now I just need to pick one and make a plan.
11. Learn how to sew (again).
• When I was younger my mother enrolled me in a sewing class. I hated it but I learned a few useful skills along the way. Now as an adult I find I am quite particular about what I wear and walk away from most stores empty handed. If I can learn how to eventually design and make my own clothes I'll be happier with my wardrobe in the long run. But first I need to relearn the basics.
12. Host a tea party by myself.
• Among my circle of friends I am known for my love of tea. I have even co-hosted tea parties in the past. But I would love to host my own. Let's make it happen!
13. Earn a stripe or two at my Jiu-Jitsu school.
• In November I enrolled in a Jiu-Jitsu school. I love how each class I walk away from I feel like I really learned something and I had a great workout. It's not easy, but I feel that in time I will improve. Earning a stripe is a good goal to work for. 
14. Make my own blackberry jam.
• I LOVE blackberry jam, as long as it is made right. My favorite is imported from France, if I can make my own it will be more cost effective and it will give me even more pleasure than it does now.
15. Stock my own all natural medicine cabinet.
• Some types of medicines that you get from the store are just what you need. Others you could replace with something natural that will be better for your body.
16. Remember: Quality over quantity. In all things.
• The goal here is to replace clothing, etc. with good quality pieces. I have been working on this over the last few years but I really want to make sure that when I do go shopping I am keeping this in mind.
17. Improve my writing skills.
• I love writing, though my busy lifestyle has pushed this to the side over the years. Inspiration has been harder to summon. That is part of the reason I started this blog, even from my first post I have felt the urge to write increase. In the next two years I will find what kind of writing schedule works best for me. 
18. Dig into my family genealogy.
• From an early age I was involved in digging into the genealogy of my family. On my mother's side we have been able to go back pretty far, my dad's side is much more difficult to track. Hopefully I can get answers to some questions that have arisen.
19. Publish an ebook.
• This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Hopefully with working on number 17, this will come to pass.
20. Take better care of my body.
• For this one it is all about eating right, exercise and just taking better care. I've started putting some pieces into motion with Jiu-Jitsu and I have a couple of books to refer to for my day to day intake. 
21. According to Elle magazine, these books had a great effect on women. My goal is to read or reread these 15 books: 
• The Vindication of the Rights of Woman by: Mary Wollstonecraft
• Pride & Prejudice by: Jane Austen
• A Room of One's Own by: Virginia Woolf
• The Second Sex by: Simone de Beauvoir
• The Golden Notebook by: Doris Lessing
• Sex and the Single Girl by: Helen Gurley Brown
• The Feminine Mystique by: Betty Friedan
• Ariel by: Sylvia Plath
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by: Maya Angelou
• Fear of Flying by: Erica Jong
• The Woman Warrior by: Maxine Hong Kingston
• The White Album by: Joan Didion
• Ain't I a Woman by: Bell Hooks
• Paula by: Isabel Allende
• The Conflict by: Elisabeth Badinter
22. Finish a scrapbooking project.
• Currently I have several scrapbooks sitting partially done or empty on a shelf. I also have quite a bit of supplies and boxes of photos. Time to get some done!
23. Save money.
• This past year I moved into my own house. This depleted my savings significantly and that makes me nervous. Time to get it back up to normal. 
24. Participate in NaNoWriMo and finish!
• In November there is a writing contest to write a novel by the end of the month. I was going to participate last year, circumstances didn't really allow it. Aiming for this year for sure!
25. Get a credit card.
• One of my least favorite goals, but I know I need to do it. I got rid of my credit card when I was in my early 20s. It was for a store that I worked for and was pretty much useless. I've lived within my means ever since. But I know I need to build up my credit score for the future. After some research, I'm going to try to find the best one for me.
26. Go visit my best friend in Florida! 
• My best friend moved to Florida to finish school and ended up following her dreams there. I miss her more than words can say. We've been through so much together, but I haven't been able to visit her there yet. I'm hoping to link it up with number 30.
27. Maintain my blogs!
• In addition to Wonderland Musings, I also set up another blog for my travel writing. I have yet to make an entry.  
28. Get outside more.
• I love being in the outdoors! Growing up in the Northwest gave me so many choices for running around outside. Whether it was by the ocean or in the mountains or even in the hotter region of Eastern Washington. But I haven't been getting out as often as I would like. Aiming for more during the next two years.
29. Spend more time with my nieces and nephews.
• I have ten nieces and nephews ranging from infant to 20 years old. I adore each and everyone of them and would love to spend more time with them. <3
30. Travel to another country for my 30th birthday!!!
• It's been almost three years since my last trip out of the country. I'm feeling that travel bug quite strongly now. My sister and I were talking about travel not long ago and we came up with the idea of going to Europe for my 30th. She has never been to Europe and I think it would be a great way for her to experience it. If I can, I'm going to tie in number 26 along with this trip.

Get ready. Set. Go!

 

New Year, New Beginning

Happy New Year!!!

I am so excited to start the new year off with a brand new project!

The coming of a new year brings a fresh look on life. However, I don't believe in resolutions as many around us usually do. They tend to be unrealistic and are abandoned a couple of months in. For myself, I love the idea of setting some goals that are easy to hit.

Here are the ones that I have chosen.

• Believe that anything is possible.
• Eat more real food.
• Make time to read more.
• Get out of your comfort zone.
• Write more each day.

 In addition to these goals I found a pin on Pinterest that talked about picking a "Word of the Year". You choose one word and use that as your inspiration all year long. The word I chose is "Thrive".

The reasoning behind this is because I'm living on my own for the first time in my life. I am unattached and living in a house all to myself. Nothing can hold me back. I seek to thrive in the coming year. And watch how my life will change and blossom into something new.

Another tidbit on Pinterest that inspired me is about having a Time Capsule & Book Jar. The Time Capsule is a yearly one, I'm going to add little memories to it throughout the year and open it up on New Year's Eve. If you look closely you can see I have written my word of the year on it as well. The Book Jar is a similar concept. Every time that you finish a book, you write the title on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. I believe it will be a fun way to wrap up the year to see what realms I've explored. Below is a picture of my jars. :)