The 34 List

When I turned 34 last October, I didn't really feel like making a list of things I'd like to accomplish during that year, like I have in years past. I was still looking for a job, and quite frankly was in a sad place. Making a list was too hopeful when I feeling lost of hope. But then a couple of weeks ago, I changed my mind. These last few months have flown by, and I haven't been in the moment nearly enough. I haven't been happy with how I've spent my time. I've learned that I need to plan, and be deliberate about how I spend my time, or stuff won't happen. In comes the list.

I have a lot to cram into these few months, but I'm up for it. I cheated a little too and added a few things I've already done.

Let's roll.

1| Visit James J. Hill house
2| See plays at four new theaters (One down, 3 to go)
3| See five movies in the theater (One down, 4 to go)
4| Go on a girls weekend for my 35th birthday
5| Take a class (writing, fitness, Archiver's)
6| Have my nieces over for the weekend
7| Buy a queen mattress (Check)
8| Hire a professional photographer to take photos during Rick Fest
9| Dance all night (Check)
10| Try three new restaurants
11| Go to a Lynx game
12| Make three new dishes (One down, 2 to go)
13| Major blog overhaul
14| Write lots of letters
15| Hang B&W photos
16| Grow out my hair (Check)
17| Play lots of tennis
18| Volunteer somewhere new
19| Go to a Josh Ritter concert
20| Get a mani and a pedi
21| Buy new plants
22| Finish organizing/scanning old photos
23| Take day trips to St. Peter and Northfield
24| Read my growing pile of books
25| Be fierce (ala Kal Barteski)
26| Take a trip to the North Shore
27| Get healthy
28| Join a nonprofit board or committee
29| Get a new comforter
30| Make new connections. Nurture the old ones.
31| Advocate on Capitol Hill (Check)
32| Do more for others. Look outside myself.
33| Start a Twitter account
34| Document it all!

Summer Bucket List

Since I'm still looking for a new job, I knew my summer bucket list would
need to be primarily free activities. Surprisingly, the list came together really
quickly. I can't wait to get started!

//See an amazing firework display.

//Spend an entire day outside.

//Play lots of tennis.

//Have a water fight.

//Eat Smores

//Go to the arboretum (at least once!)

//See a movie at the drive-in.

//Eat as locally as I can. (The farmer's market is one of my favorite parts of summer.)

//Go to a Twins game.

//Attend free outdoor concerts. (There's one every week in a nearby park. Score!)

//Take a blanket, find a place away from city lights and enjoy the starlight.

//Visit another city in MN I've never been to before. (Still deciding where.)

What is on your summer bucket list?

See more of my lists here.

Things I'd Like To Tell My 18 Year Old Self

//Be brave. Take risks. You will regret it if you don't.

//He is not The One. You will feel like he is, but he's not.

//You don't need to figure everything out now. Relax.

//Keep going to school. Those extra degrees will come in handy.

//Do more for you. Do what you want. Be a bit selfish.

//Take more pictures.

//Stop eating like crap. Your body will thank you.

//People will disappoint you. Let it go and move on.

//You will disappoint you. It's ok. Don't be so hard on yourself.

//Keep writing. It will keep you sane.

//Mom is right. Taking a shower makes everything better.

//Everyone has a story, including you. Take the time to listen and don't be afraid to share of yourself.

//Good things will result from being kind.

//You are right. Family is everything.

See more of my lists here. 

10 Things I'd Rather Be Doing

1| Working. It's been three months of unemployment and it's no fun. No fun for the obvious monetary reasons, but also because I've always really loved working. I enjoy interacting with other people. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and making a difference. I miss it. I hope the next job is right around the corner.

2| Sitting on a beach with my feet submerged in the sand.

3| Walking around a lake with my sister or a friend.

4| Getting a pedicure.

5| Eating a chocolate filled croissant at a street side cafe in Paris.

6| Playing tennis.

7| Sitting on a patio sipping a cold drink.

8| Having a dance party with my nieces.

9| Reading a "can't put down" book.

10| Playing games with my family. Cribbage, 500, Clue, Battleship.

What would you rather be doing?

See more of my lists here. 

Favorite Books List

I love to read. I'm fairly particular about what I read. A book snob, some may say. My sister and mom go to the library and pick books off the shelf that look interesting. For me, I need a recommendation, or I need to have already read something else by the author, or it needs to be a classic.

Today's list is all about books. My top 10 favorite books of fiction.

A small caveat. I didn't think long and hard about this list or do research of books I've read. These are the first ones that came to mind when I thought about what books I loved. I'm sure I could easily come up with a list of 50 or more. Maybe I'll add to the list at a later time. 

Top 10 Favorite Fictional Books (in no particular order)

1| The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
2| Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
3| My Antonia by Willa Cather
4| Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
5| The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
6| Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
7| The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
8| East of Eden by John Steinbeck
9| The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
10| Empire Falls by Richard Russo

What are some of your favorite books?

See other lists I've created here. 

Road Trip List

I love lists. They are how I organize the world. I make lists for everything. A do list for the day, a grocery list, a list of stuff I want to do before my next birthday and on and on. I sometimes have lists within lists. I love crossing each item off when I'm done. Very satisfying. Sometimes, I'll put something on my list that I've already completed, just so I can cross it off. Yes, I'm that person. I thought it would be fun to share my lists here every once in awhile.

First up, a list of the top 10 places I'd like to visit.

1| South Africa
2| Paris (The French Open)
3| London (Wimbeldon)
4| Melbourne, Australia (The Australian Open)
5| Mykonos, Greece
6| Charleston, South Carolina
7| Savannah, Georgia
8| Portland, Oregon
9| The Grand Canyon
10| Naples, Florida

Where do you want to go?