Report Cards

I love getting report cards.  Or I did, cause pre-college I only got one B, the rest A's in my 13 years of academic life.  In college I did pretty well, only a couple complete disasters (Engineering calculus and statistics ruined my "high honors" chances).  So for the most part I liked being accountable to my tasks cause I was good at them.  Why yes, tell me how great I did so I can run home and show my parents and revel in their pride!  Now that I'm an old foggie though, I no longer know how well I'm doing.  So I decided its time for my review of how my 26 things are going.  Boring cop out post I know, but handle it!  

26.) Run that Motha’ F-in Marathon. Yes, Swearing is allowed.

Okay. Actually running a marathon sucks ass.  Finishing the marathon isn't even that great cause you've pushed your body to its absolute limit.  I was disappointed by the whole thing for about two weeks.  I hurt, my time sucked, etc.  But then...in a conversation I was having at the bar one night I got to drop in, "oh, I did the marathon in Austin."  That, my friends, felt incredible.  To just say, "I did it Mo-fo's!!  I'm strong!  I'm tough!  Yeah, check me out, only a .1 of the population ever does one!" So yeah, after about 2 months I finally recognized how big of an accomplishment it was, and I was finally proud of myself.

Which is why I want to run another one next year...on a flatter course.

25.) Go to the "O" conference and see Oprah speak. Yeah. It'll be awesome!

People.  Oprah has been on television as long as I've been alive.  I credit her show with helping me be a more thoughtful, open minded, better person.  I am actually getting upset as we wind our way closer to the end.  When her last show comes on I'm insisting my sister come over for cocktails and tissues so I'm not alone else I fall completely apart.  Anyway, no talk of the O conference yet this year.  So this may end up as a mulligan.  But I did watch her Master Class which was inspiring and wonderful.

24.) Join 3 clubs, stay involved with 2.

Meh, I've kinda joined my sister's "Girl's Night Out" group.  I'm counting that, else this would be a complete failure.  I still want to find a book club, but I fear by shooting for 3 I'm over extending my desire on this one.  Oh well, I still have approx 7 months to get this done.

23.) Only spend 1000 decorating/furniturizing new apartment

Win!  But only cause my sister gave me her furniture and my Mom bought me a bunch of stuff when they visited (bedding, rugs, hutch).  I've only really bought a massive mirror (love it!) for 86 dollars, 3 bar stools at 60 a piece (180), a 5' by 6' poster for 90, and a coffee table/trunk for 45.  I still want a desk.  But this counts as a win cause right now I've only spent around 400 thus far.  

22.) Leave a “Big” tip

No luck, I've yet to have either really awesome service or encounter a really awesome person (you know, the waiter that is personable and chatty and comes off as genuinely awesome) as a waiter.

21.) Cook one completely *new* meal a month. Actually follow recipes-will not modify to the point that recipe becomes a microwavable wonder.

Hmmm, I went to a cooking class in January and made Bolognase, made cookies in April, but this one isn't going that great.  I've decided though that I can still win this one by doubling up in the coming months.

20.) Take a Trapeze Class. Because a.) I’m afraid of heights, b.) It would be cool

No progress.

19.) Go to 40 Pilates classes.

I'm WINNING this one, I'm at 11 classes done and I'm getting into much better shape.  So yes, this is going well.  I absolutely love my classes and love how toned I'm getting.  Win.

18.) Write 5 Thank You Notes to People Who Made a Difference

I'm at 2/5 for this one.  On my last week on the job I sent my boss a thank you note that seemed to have resonated.  I also sent my therapist a long letter a couple of weeks ago.  I know the next letter I want to send will be to my old Drama coach, but I need to track down an address.

Expressing gratitude is important.

17.) I would like to do a retreat of some sort, totally by myself.

I want to go on a weekend cleanse of some sort with a good book on spirituality that doens't bore me, good views, healthy vegetarian food, and yoga.  Still looking into this.

16.) Eat Vegetarian 4 days per week (its good for the planet!)

I have no idea how I'm doing on this one.  I eat vegetarian a lot when I'm home for dinner, but in terms of entire days I know I'm not doing well.  I have converted to buying all my meat free range.  Not sure how impactful this is, but I'm working on it.  I also picked up the Omnivore's Dilemma for some educational reading on this subject.

15.) For two months-make 400 of discretionary spending on gas/groceries/fun last. This will recoup finances lost with 25.) and 23.)

Thus far, huge fail.  I've had too many visitors and shopped way too much.  Oddly I anticipate due to my work schedule that June and November will be these months out of sheer volume of work hours.

14.) Donate $600-1000 (depending on raise situation) to charity.

Right now I've donated to Kayvie's soap project (50) (which got fully funded!), magazines and books for a dialysis clinic in Austin (75), and to relief in Japan (100).  My new job has greatly improved my financial situation so I will be going for the higher number.  I'm definitely going to donate to Ari's shelter and I want to find an organization that supports families with children with cancer.  I watched a special on a group that sends siblings of cancer patients to camp-to give the parents a break and time to spend with their kids in the hospital and the sibling access to some fun and people who understand what they are going through.  I think this is a pretty great idea and I would be pleased that my money could go to something like that.

13.) Teach Ari manners. I deplore boys with bad manners (or anyone for that matter) so I should not allow my cat to bulldose around.

Ah, my little cutie!  He is very sweet when we have guests, he just needs to not claw on things or get on counters when we have company (or at all), but I think he's improving.

12.) Sing Karaoke

WIN!

11.) Have a Girls Weekend with the College Classics (may combine with 2. For sake of finances)

This is good thus far, I've had a couple of my bestie's visit me here, and I'm planning on coordinating a weekend in NYC or Vegas depending on my schedule with work.  This will happen!

10.) Meet a few of my Jennaventures Regulars-I'm looking at you, Texas frequent commenter’s, oh the intrigue of meeting "stranger friends"

WIN!  I loved meeting Susie.  I hope if Sara from Le Petite Village comes to Austin this summer I get to meet her as well.

9.) For one month NOT GO OUT TO LUNCH during the week

May.  This is my goal for May.

8.) Go on a "blind" date...after my 8 month reprieve from dating is over--of course. The vouched for person is going to be key to this-Nobody with a police record for harassment and a false sense of grandeur.

Winning, I met Honey Badger on a blind date, and according to my Popsie he doesn't have a record of anything.  

7.) Would like to be super assertive about something when someone I know is trying to get me to do something I don't want to do. Saying NO, ya'll.

Harumph.  I am a "Yes" girl.

6.) Write three blogs per week

I was doing great-December/January/February/March...my change in job circumstances may make this one difficult now, but I am going to continue to try.  

5.) Get really good at parallel parking again

Meh.  I'm decent-ish.

4.) Go to 6 different concert events

I nailed this at SXSW.

3.) Retry 3 foods I dislike

No progress

2.) Travel to do a half marathon in another State

I want to do the Disney Princess half, but that's not until next year.  

1.) Take an Art class

No progress