The concept of this blog actually started months ago, but I pulled this post together tonight. I made my list in October, while I was in the FINAL steps of a divorce (that felt like it went on forever). I had so many goals for my life, and was looking at turning 29. I had heard so many people talk about the things they wanted to do before they turned any milestone, and that got me thinking about what I wanted to do in life... And what I wanted to do before I turned 30...
First, a little about me... Some of you know me, and some of you will never meet me. I am obviously not 30 yet. I like reading all the time, I live with music in my head, and my running shoes are next to my bed. I teach special education during the day, and I dream of the places I could go at night. In my spare time I love photography, and I write really bad haikus. I love cooking, hiking, exploring, daydreaming, cloudwatching, and really at this point just existing. Life is good. :-)
Now, this is where the mission comes in. I have always had goals. I am a goal-oriented person by nature. I remember making a list of things to do before I turned 25, and I did almost all of them (except go to Russia), so I am fairly impressed with myself. I have a Masters degree, a good job, a great family, two kids, good friends, and a fair amount of free time to pursue what I like. This makes my project that much more exciting. :-)
My bachelors degree is in sociology, and I have a fair amount of social research courses between my bachelors and masters degrees. I wanted to pursue this project from a very analytical standpoint. I know some of you are already saying "lighten up and have some fun!" :-) Now, you have to also understand that in my job my daily goal is task assessment. I write and assess the completion of goals for a living. So, even though I am putting a rough draft of my goals up here tonight, I am sure to revise them in the upcoming days to make them concrete. If they are vague, it will be hard to measure if I complete them. I don't do well with wiggle room. If I can find a way to get around something, I will do it in a heartbeat! I have known myself my whole life, and I know that I will do all I can to try to skate by without fulfilling my part of the bargain. ;-)
So, here is the list of the 15 items I wrote in October. I like the list because it is random, and it touches on many different areas of my life. There are many areas that need improvement. I also like it because I already did some of them (see? I already told you I would try to get by without doing work!):
Michelle's 15 Before 30:
- Learn to play the drums.
- Read ten great works of literature.
- Catch a fish.
- Learn how to create a website.
- Run a 10K.
- Learn how to decorate a cake.
- Learn 20 words in Italian.
- Fly first-class.
- Eat vegetarian for one month... and enjoy it! :-)
- Ride a hot air balloon.
- Visit a new country.
- Raise $1,000 for a charity.
- Karaoke... in public...
- Buy and drink a REALLY expensive bottle of wine.
- Get in much better physical shape- making my numbers look much better at my physical before 30.
Now you can already see that some of these aren't really measurable. I will say that I like all of them, and they will remain on the list. I have a friend that has committed to helping me with number 6 (thanks Becca!).
I have done Number 13 in December, but does karaokeing for a class of middle and high schoolers count? Wait... as I write this, I have already answered my question... of course that counted... that would have to be a group of the toughest critics out there... and they could all REMEMBER the performance!
I am working on Number 15 right now. I have so far lost 61 pounds, so I believe all of the numbers will be in my favor. As the year progresses, I will be looking at an even better report from the doctor. In a later post, I will touch on my past medical info that will give you a glimpse at what an awesome deal it will be for me to run a 10K again. :-)
I am absolutely thrilled to look at this journey for the next 10.5 months. It has been a phenomenal 29 years so far, and the best is yet to come. I have led a random life, full of stories and insight that few can attain in twice or three times the years. I think this project will add some variety to my life, and will also give me back a little of the "social research" I had been missing when I sat in my undergrad classes long ago. Along the way, this blog will serve as a diary to record my thoughts and progress. It is neat to think that all of these things can and will be done in a short period of time. :-)
Happy New Year!
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