I decided to look at my 34 Things to do before turning 35 list (deadline for completion: November 17) today to see how things are coming with the list since I don’t often refer to it. The cool thing is that the list has become pretty synergistic; even though I don’t look at it all that often, the things on the list are things I really want to happen and so I work towards them anyway. This is a huge leap forward from 9 or 10 years ago when the list was things that I thought I should do (like learn how to drive stick shift which was on the list for about 3 years before I finally just gave it up) and so I did too many of them reluctantly, liking taking cod liver oil.
Some of the things that I have checked off so far include: get an assignment in at least 2 magazines out of list of about 5 that I was targetting (I landed in 3, hopefully– their pub dates are October so we’ll see for sure then), take control of my calendar, research scholarship program options and do something with the information, swim with dolphins, learn how to sail, go snorkeling, make a Kiva loan, have at least twelve weeks of a spending freeze, clean out the attic, and reduce my carbon footprint.
A few more that are well on their way: my earning goal for this year, read 34 books (24 done and 2 more should be completed this week),
A few that are a stretch but possible: remodel the guest bathroom, getting a second book contract (one proposal is out and another is soon on its way out and that’s the part I have control over), complete the novel I started (70 pages are done. Only 200-250 to go), work up to running 6 miles at a stretch (although the bursitis is kicking my tail),
A few that probably won’t happen and that’s okay: go to trapeze school, go hanggliding (these 2 crack me up given my fear of heights but it’s not my fear of heights keeping them from happening. It’s location, location, location), cleaning out my parents’ attic (the spirit is willing; the flesh is weak).
