30 before 30 (continued)

Last week I posted the first 15 items on my 30 before 30 list.  Because my list is pretty extensive I decided to split it into two parts.  Yes, I know I am only 26 and I have a few years before hitting the big 30, but some of these might take me a little bit to accomplish:

16. See a Pyramid.
 I think the pyramids are fascinating and I would love to head to Egypt to explore them and see them up close.  With my already long list of places to travel adding in Egypt might be hard, but its worth adding to the list.  

17. Go Rock Climbing. Now that I am 26 and realize when I was 18 and crazy, 
I realized I will consider indoor rock climbing to count as well. 

18. Stay at an ICE Hotel.  I think these are only in Sweden right? I better start googling this tonight. 

19. Buy a new car.  
I have had the same car since I was 19 and I would really love to trade her in for a newer model before I turn 30.  I want to start fresh with keeping her clean and in top working condition. As much as I love my lady liberty, there will be a time to let her go.  

20. Become a master chef.   

Or at least become a master chef in my own kitchen.  I am practicing with this one.  

21. Learn how to ballroom dance.  

I am currently taking classes, and although I won't be heading to competitions in this lifetime.
I want to continue taking these yearly to brush up on my skills.

22. Learn how to make raviolis just like my grandmother.  

My grandmothers are the best chefs I know.  Since I was little I have always wanted to be like them in cooking the best Italian and Swedish dishes.  Before its too late I want to learn how to make their specialty dishes exactly like they make them.  

23. Learn Calligraphy.  

I have always loved the soft romantic curves of perfectly written notes and letters from the past.  I would love to learn how to write wedding invitations and love letters like the professionals. 

24. Put together my family tree. 

Now that I work at a place that allows me to research my family tree I should really put it to use.

25. Find out more about my grandparents childhood

Sometimes I forget to have conversations with my grandparents about their childhood.  I should take more time to finding out about their lives before children and grandchildren.  

26. Start a garden

I have always wanted to start growing herbs of my own and maybe even a few tomatoes.  Although I don't own a house yet I can start growing a few things on my back patio.

27. Learn How to Knit

I swear I am not 85, but I have always wanted to learn how to knit.  I even have the yarn and needles I just have never learned to to actually make something with them.  

28. Buy a sewing machine and put it to good use

I always have wondered how much money I would save if I could mend and make things with a sewing machine.  During high school I learned how to use one, but after so many years of not using it I would have to teach myself again.  

29. Read more Often (10-12 books a year)

I have never really enjoyed reading, and I recently joined a book club which forces me to utilize my library more often, however, I am still not reading as much as I would like each year.  I would really like to start improving this.

and number 30 is.....

30. Fall in Love.   

Although I have had my ups and down in the past, I want to learn how to really
love in the next few years and find out what it is to be loved back.

Well, although the 18 year old version of myself was a little less mature and often thought about high school basketball games more than my savings account, I am pretty proud of my 30 before 30 list.  

I better start working on checking off things today!

30 before 30

So I have approximately three years and some change left before I turn thirty.

 I know, I know why am I talking about something that is 3 years away...

However, when I was 18 I started writing a list of things I wanted to do or accomplish before I turned 30.  Its funny now to look back and read these.  No judgement please.  

Lets just see if I can actually accomplish what 18 year old me really wanted to have.

1. Learn how to mow the lawn with a real lawn mower.  Right now at my current house we have just a small patch of grass out front that we use an old time push mower.  Its fun because it gives me a great arm workout, but I want to learn to use the real thing and feel like it is necessary before I get married.

2. Get out of debt.  This is a major one for me since I have been in debt since 2007 and I really want to get out of debt soon.  Its actually one of my 2011 goals, but I realize it might take more time than I would imagine.  

3. Pass the CMP, CSES, and get certified as a Bridal Consultant.
One of my biggest goals before turning 30, was to become certified in three areas of meeting and event planning.  I recently passed the CMP so I have two more to work on in the next three years.  

4. Have $40,000 in my 401K.
I better start working on this one quickly. 

5. Have 60,000 in savings.
Again, poor girl in the city making ends meet by saving her pennies, if in 3 years
I have this I will be so excited.  

6. Own my own house.
Am I nuts? I have been renting for the last 6 years, but I guess anything is possible right? I mean if I watch House Hunters enough maybe I will magically gain $400,000
 so that I can afford a place in the middle of nowhere. 

7. Visit Ireland, France, Italy, Green, New Zealand, England and Sweden.
I already went to Italy and Greece, but hey, I don't mind circling around again.  I better start making my travel plans in the next year to hit all of these locales by then.
For the record I would like to add Costa Rica to the list. 

8. Learn how to drive stick shift.
Yep, thats right, I am from the middle of no where PA but I have never learned to drive stick shift.  I wonder if anyone around here is willing to teach me.  Future husband perhaps??

9. Learn another language.
I have one month of free Italian lessons that I purchased off a groupon site,
so I guess I will schedule that lesson this summer.

10. Pay old debts: To my parents.   For as long as I can remember I have gotten myself into some kind of financial trouble (mostly circling around my car) and have needed to borrow a few dollars here and there from the folks.  Before I am 30, I want to be debt free from student (or rather DAUGHTER) loans.

11. Fly in a hot air balloon.
This is one of my favorite ones on the list.
I have always wanted to do this and hope that even with my fear of heights I can accomplish this!!

12. Go Skydiving. My boss actually asked me to join her this year but sadly I had to decline (for financial reasons).
I am shooting for this one in 2012!

13. Weight between 130-140 for three consecutive years.
Yep, you heard that right, which means I need to get to that weight this year and stay at that weight for the next three years.  Putting my sneakers on as we speak to head to the gym.

14. Own my own business.
It has always been a dream of mine to own my own business.  Whether it be that cute little gourmet food shot, or my own event and wedding planning business, this has always been a dream of mine.

15. Take a photography course.
I have always enjoyed capturing life's little moments on camera, but I have never been one to be skilled at bringing those moments to life on film.  I want to take a course that teaches me the ins and outs so that when I am a mother I am sure to capture it all. 

...to be continued...

Accidental 3-Way

Tonight I got some exciting news in the mail.  After waiting 6 weeks to find out the results of my recent certification exam, I finally got the letter in the mail.  I had been sick to my stomach since I left the exam room that fateful day in January and as I walked in the front door today there it sat on the foyer table.  After debating for 2 minutes on whether or not to open it, I ripped open the letter and slowly folded back at the crease.  


All I saw was one word: CONGRATULATIONS!


I was so ecstatic that I immediately tried calling my parents.  Bad news was neither were answering my text or phone calls.  What was going on? I wanted to share the good news with them, but I couldn't see them anywhere.  Since I was on such a high I decided to dial my grandparents instead. 


Let me prep the next part by saying I have had major difficulties with the calling feature on my smartphone. The sensitive touch screen and delayed dialing make it hard to place calls normally.  


After a few rings, my grandma, on my father's side, answered and we chatted for a bit about the weather and her health.  All of the sudden in the middle of the conversation my phone starts ringing.  


What was going on??? Had I lost my grandmother on the line??


Nope, my phone just decided to take matters into its own hand and start dialing in a second number.  My heart began to beat faster as my dark phone screen, that was now not responding to my touch, prevented me from seeing who was now being dialed into our conversation.  Enter Grandma Rose (my mother's mom). Talk about the most confusing three way conversation with two women over the age of 85.  I mean these women have no idea what cell phones are let alone three way calling.  To say the least it was the most amusing three minutes of my life. Between finding out I passed the test and having an accidental three way with my grandmothers it was turning out to be a very entertaining evening.


Side note, my parents were excited and my mom tried to celebrate with me over drinks via the phone.  Too cute!

WWBJD

I channeled my inner Bridget Jones today and I realized I need to step up my diet and fitness regime.  I have a lot of events coming up that should help serve as motivation for me to achieve my goals. I know, I have to be realistic when writing this, but I also want to try hard to put this goal into action.  I mean WWBJD. (What would Bridget Jones do).

The plan is as follows:

April 7 (51 days from now)-- My spring/summer hobby of kickball begins and I hate to rejoin the team with the addition of my dear friend hips and double chin.  -- Weight loss goal for this date 10-15 lbs

May 7 (81 days from now) -- Stopping by a rugby game where I will inevitably run into my college boyfriend and a recent hiccup in my life.  OBVIOUSLY I want to look my best when I just "happen" to run into them.  -- Weight loss goal for this date another 5-10 lbs

June 4 (109 days from now) -- My one and only 2011 wedding.  And since I am starting to become a pro at this whole bridesmaid thing, I might as well turn my focus onto losing some of my junk in the trunk.  -- Weight loss goal for this date is an additional 5-10 lbs

September 16 (213 days from now) -- My 5 year class reunion for college.  How am I having a reunion for college already? Didn't I just graduate? By this date I want to be at the weight I was when I graduated college. -- Weight loss goal for this date is 10-15 more pounds from the previous weigh in.  

Totaling 30-40 lbs between now and September. I feel like I can do this. I just need to put more pressure on myself to do so.  

Goodbye Valentines Day sweets and treats...hello zumba, pilates, and yoga.

Guess I better choose wisely at the Italian restaurant I am heading to this evening.