30 before 30

I was inspired by seeing this idea on several other blogs in the past few months.  As my 29th birthday approached, I began to think of items that I would like to incorporate.  Since I already have a bucket list, I knew I wanted to focus more on everyday type things for this list.  I have a few far reaching items, but most are very doable.  Looking forward to the challenge!

Italics = update status each month on 24th

1 - read 12 books: 1) The Water Giver 2) Breaking Back 3) Four Perfect Pebbles 4) Gone Girl 5) Eat, Pray, Love 6) The Time Keeper 7) Semi-Sweet 8) Mind Gym 9) Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead 10) Before Ever After 11) A Friend Like Henry 12) 102 Minutes
2 - attend football games in (at least) 2 new stadiums: 1) Ravens (9.27.12) 2) Panthers (11.11.12) 3) Falcons (11.29.12)
3 - complete Year 2 (done March 2013) and Year 3 scrapbooks (layout done June 2013)
4 - prepare (at least) 10 new dinner meals: 1) sliders and tator tots 2) ham and sweet potatoes 3) grilled cheese and soup 4) loaded baked potatoes 5) cheeseburger pasta 6) penne alla vodka with chicken and broccoli 7) roast beef and carrots in crock pot 8) turkey bacon pizza 9) french toast 10) pumpkin alfredo ravioli
5 - don't eat at any fast food restaurants for 30 straight days (done 10.11.12 to 11.9.12)
6 - go to (at least) 6 broadway shows: 1) War Horse (July 2012) 2) Grace (Nov 2012) 3) Annie (March 2013) 4) Lucky Guy (April 2013) 5) The Call (May 2013) 6) Cinderella (June 2013)
7 - send one letter a month to friends/family
8 - visit England with Chris (might happen in the fall, but at least have reservations by July)
9 - read through the entire Bible
10 - complete a couple's study with Chris (began The 5 Love Languages study in Spring 2013)
11 - sort through clothes/shoes and make donation (done Aug 2012)
12 - blog more frequently - participate in more challenges, giveaways, etc.
13 - be able to comfortably run an 11-min mile at a 10k event
14 - run (at least) one half marathon (signed up for one, but it got cancelled...boo!)
15 - visit friends in Chicago
16 - visit friends in DC
17 - plan a really interesting/exciting/fun way to celebrate turning 30
18 - purchase (or receive as a gift!!!) Spanish Rosetta Stone and begin a journey to fluency
19 - give Brinley a unique 1st birthday gift (done May 2013)
20 - work on being more assertive and confronting issues/people when I feel I've been wronged
21 - set 3 goals each month and work diligently to accomplish them
22 - sign up for improv classes (one day class in August...still planning to do a 6-8 week classes sometime)
23 - watch all the Best Picture nominees prior to the Oscars: Reviews - Part 1 and Part 2 and My Picks
24 - FaceTime with Brinley (at least) twice a month - hope her parents are on board :)
25 - make better use of Twitter (find me @alhadventures)
26 - explore (at least) 6 new places/areas in NYC - 1) West 4th Street area 2) downtown courthouse area 3) Williamsburg (Brooklyn Brewery) 4) Dumbo (Smorgasburg) 5) Brooklyn Botanical Garden 6) Greenwich Village (Barrow Street Theater)
27 - plan (at least) one fun date night each month
28 - try (at least) 6 new foods: 1) meatloaf 2) asparagus and artichoke ricotta ravioli 3) homemade cranberry sauce 4) salad 5) split pea soup 6) white pizza
29 - join Instagram (done August 2012 - username: alhadventures)
30 - enjoy (at least) one girls' night each month