365 Days - Redux

Almost 365 days ago, I turned 29+1 and made a pledge to finish some things before I turned 29+2.  While the year wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be (I hate being 30!), I finished quite a few on the list - not all but some.  However, I'm still lacking in the get up and get out there department. Maybe this year will be more fruitful...

1. I will, once and for all, stop biting my finger nails! - For 3 months I had fingernails, then they broke. I'm in the process of growing them back out so I'm calling this one complete!
2. I will continue to try whatever I'm offered. - Complete!
3. I will nail down the one, end-all, be-all perfect recipe for macarons and they will become my specialty. - Haven't quite nailed this one down yet.  I'm a cheapskate and I just can't bring myself to buy the $12 almond meal required.  I made them 2 times, but perfect would not be the word I'd use to describe them.
4. I will go on a date (hopefully more than one but why be greedy?) - I actually went on a few.  None of which actually went anywhere so I suppose I'll be a bit more specific this year...
5. I will visit 2 other countries. - England and Scotland
6. I will see Shakespeare in the Park (Comedy of Errors this year!) - Unfortunately, Shakespeare in the Park is only performed at night so if I wanted to see it I would have to spend the night in the city so while the show is free, the hotel would eat up the budget.  But I did get to see lots of other Shakespeare so that's a plus.
7. I will (try to) be me.  I will enjoy what I enjoy, do what I like to do, eat what I love, and dress the way I feel comfortable, contrary to other opinions. - Still working on this but it's becoming a bit easier.
8. I will attend an O's and a Caps game (I'd say Ravens too but since they're now World Champs, the ticket prices have jumped from ridiculous to obscene.) - One O's but no Caps or Ravens : (
9. I will (try to) stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks. - I've come to the conclusion that this is impossible!
10. I will learn how to code/program mostly to understand the really fun web design stuff and not feel like such an idiot when computer-y people at work try to talk to me. - I gave this the whole college try but god is it ever boring!  I'll stick to being crafty in other ways which is unfortunate since no one ever pays for pretty scrapbook pages...
11. I will save more money instead of buying things I don't need. - Managed to save money for vacation, pay off my car and a credit card.
12. I will continue to decipher crocheting - so easy yet so difficult at the same time. - Also, slightly impossible but I did take a class so that has to count for something.
13. I will attend at least 2 shows and 2 concerts. (Clybourne Park and Richard II are set but what concerts to choose?) I saw 3 shows but no concerts.
14. I will become a tourist in my own state. I always want to travel outside of Maryland, but I should probably discover a bit more of what's close to home too.  This will of course be after the camera purchase referenced in #25.  I've become a bit more adventurous but there's still a great deal I haven't seen.
15. I will attempt to amass enough crafty output to populate an (admittedly small) Etsy shop. - The Scrap-Happy Traveler (fingers crossed) will be open this spring.
16. I will find a course or seminar on Book Arts and finally learn the ins and outs. - Nope.
17. I will learn to sew or embroider (Not even sure what embroidery entails so this may pose a problem...) - I can sorta kinda embroider but I haven't really perfected it yet.  It's progressing nicely though.
18. I will travel to at least 3 other states. - New York, Virginia & Pennsylvania - in other words, the 3 states I travel too every year.
19. I will eat authentic Dim Sum, Ramen and Indian (even if I have to go myself!) - Tried Indian and wasn't a fan.  No Dim sum or Ramen but I did try hand-pulled noodles and was sorely disappointed.
20. I will take a yoga class. (Confession: The only reason I haven't done this yet is that I haven't a clue what to wear...) - Nada.
21. I will blog about each thing I tick off this list which will hopefully account for 30 blog posts.  I never actually complete this list so I'm trying really hard this year!) - I accomplished this one fairly nicely if I say so myself.
22. I will complete at least 1 race for charity (very slowly, most likely) - Unfortunately I didn't complete it in this year but I am signed up for the DC Color Run this May.
23. I will master the art of the chopsticks. - Impossible!
24. I will volunteer for at least 1 event or charity. - I am a terrible person...
25. I will purchase and learn how to use a good DSLR camera before my European adventure. - Purchased and still learning.
26. I will grow a back-bone and try to speak up for myself. - Nope, still a pushover.
27. I will re-read the Harry Potter series since I've forgotten so much of what has happened in them...but there are about 30 books that are screaming my name to tackle first. - I read the first 2 in 2 days but then the rest of my reading list got the better of me and I turned away from Potter.  Books 3-7 are on the agenda for this year.
28. I will throw a tea party, after I master the art of macarons.  You can't throw a proper tea without post desserts! - No macarons, No tea party.
29. I will try to organize old photos in some semblance of order. -  Complete!
30.  I will jump back on the healthy eating and exercise path I was following last summer. - Not so much but I'm working on it.

Should be Interesting...

So this is happening.  A few months ago, I first heard about the concept of a Color Run aka the Happiest 5K in the world. From what I gather,  you run 5 kilometers and every few meters, you get pelted with powdered paint in a variety of colors.  At the time, I thought it was pretty nifty but wasn't really interested.  Since then, I've heard it come up a few times but never gave it much thought, until today that is.  A few girls at work are doing it and decided to create a team then sucker me into joining them.

In an attempt to get a life, I said yes.  Being adventurous is all well and good, but I don't know how to run.  I tried it once, made it a few feet, thought I was going to die and decided that I would never run again unless my life depended on it.  Also, I really hate getting messy. Cooking, baking and crafting may create whirlwinds of stuff in my house, but I draw the line at getting things all over my clothes; intentionally that is.  

At least the race isn't until May.  That gives me 5 months to come up with some life-threatening reason as to why I can't  do it (powdered paint allergy, maybe?).  If I can't create a plausible one, you'll find me walking (there's just no getting around the lack of oxygen and stamina I have to make a run for it) in DC wearing a tutu (apparently that's the uniform for our team - and who do you think is making those?  that's right -me.  I'm quote-unquote the crafty one...) and trying desperately to avoid flying paint.

A Bit of a Backbone

One of my 30 for 30 this year was to grow a backbone.  I've been trying quite hard actually.  And I finally seem to be getting somewhere.  I haven't argued any cases for myself or told anyone exactly how I felt at exactly the time I was feeling it. But I was able to let someone know that I was frustrated and annoyed today without really having to raise my voice.  I think it may have done some good.  It most likely hasn't stopped this person, as she's quite dead-set on making my life better (to her standards of course) but she finally found out that I wasn't too happy with her tactics.

It's not much but it's a little win in my book!  Now doing this on a regular basis would be a much bigger win....and something that's most likely not going to happen any time soon.