#30before30

I just turned 24. It honestly doesn't feel that weird. But on New Year's it hit me that in 2015 I'll be turning 25..

t w e n t y - f i v e

I don't know why my elementary aged self imagined 25 to be the year that I was going to be a successful art teacher jogging to work at Shenandoah Elementary with a Sharpei and Miniature Dachshund named Pooter and Vinyl and a barn full of horses and cats, but I vividly remember thinking that's what life would be like at 25.. short of a career change and a total lifestyle transformation I don't think that's in the cards.

I'm okay with that, but I am not okay with knowing I'm half way through my 20's. It's time to get moving with some goals. Not that the first 5 weren't great, I just feel that there is more to accomplish. So without further adieu, here is my list 30 things to accomplish before turning 30.

Create Music.

Yes. I'm doing it. I want to write it, sing it, collaborate with someone who is instrumentally inclined, then have someone record it and I'll give it to my mother for Christmas. 

or something. 

Host a Dinner Party.

 It just feels like the adult thing to do. 

Everyone who attends will comment on how I splurged and got the good beer. They will chuckle with delight over how the wine glasses had no water spots. I imagine stringed lights, a smattering of delicious food that I created with my own hands, good drinks, pretty table settings and beautiful weather. 

Yes. This will be.

Europe or Australia.

I will visit one or the other in some way. I haven't been to either of these continents yet. It's time. 

Who's down to go with!? You? Perf.

(Yes, I realize that's the Grand Canyon. I'm going for this dude's vibe. He's obviously an adventure champion.)

 

Route 66.

I cannot possibly express my love for Roadtrips. I love gas station food, shady hotels, windows down - music up, exploring little towns and new cities, switching drivers, walkie talkie-ing truck drivers... It's what my soul craves. 
Nothing embodies freedom like a roadtrip. - FACT. I've always wanted to drive across the country and Route 66 sounds like a pretty solid idea. 
Any one have good music tastes and money to blow on a couple weeks on the wide open road with a pal? 
(The pal is me.)  

Try Stand-Up.

I guess I don't want to limit it to stand-up because I just want to conquer the fear of being on a stage that I always forget that I have. So stand-up or just an open mic night of some kind... could be singing, spoken word or a stand-up  thing. 

Here's to overcoming fears! 

Get Healthy.

It's come to a point that I can no longer justify living this way. My body is constantly fighting itself. It's literally painful and I'm ready to get this stuff under control and connect with the Lord in a new way.  

Complete a 30 Day Challenge.

 This is another one with loose terms. Because it can be ANY 30 Day Challenge. I always start 30 day challenges.. from Stupid Easy to Ridiculously Unrealistic - Across the board I always quit. This USUALLY takes place within a week of trying. I just want to finish ONE. 

Suggestions? 

  

Live Alone.

 I just realized I was at the edge of singlehood the other day. It may not be for 10+ more years, but I'm not going to be single and/or childless forever. (idk, maybe I will) But I feel like I need to seize the opportunity to live by myself again before things get complicated. Living in a one bedroom apartment was so good back in 2011 lol. I was 20 years old, adoring freedom and what I thought was independence.  
At 24 - 30 I think it could be an even better (healthier) experience.

Take Regular Speaking Fasts.

First of all, I do a lot of talking. I think that is why I get so annoyed by people who speak incessantly. In my life words carry a lot of importance. I think it's really important to be thoughtful about what you put into the world.  

Secondly, every time I've taken a day of silence, I hear or learn something from God. It's a really beautiful practice. 

I want to try to do one at least once a month.

Study and Immerse Myself into Another Culture.

 This is a silly picture,but it is something I miss so much. As uncomfortable as it was changing cultures every month, it was an incredible experience to dive into a new community and way of life and partner with people in their own way. I feel like Central America is DEF worth another visit, or RWANDA.. I love and miss you, Rwanda. 

Apply to be on Reality TV.

You'll never get chosen if you never try. Right? I think for most of them you have to make a video of some sort of presentation, so if nothing else it could be a fun project. OR I could win ALL THE MONEYS in ALL THE WORLD and Be FAMOUS about it. 

...Seems Feasible.

Write and Illustrate 

a Children’s Book 

for Mia. 

Since I was a child I have always loved drawing, I was never good at it lol but I'm a pro at doodling. Specifically I really excel at drawing faces on inanimate objects. 

Recently, after a brief visit to a friends house that resulted in drawing faces on all of the fruit in his kitchen, it occurred to me that those fruits had very obvious personalities. I feel like I could write a pretty good childrens book out of it. 

BONUS: I could dedicate it to my first niece (or if there are more by then, to all of them).

 Become fluent in Spanish.

 

Honestly, it's the responsible thing to do. 

What ELSE am I doing with my life? 

Also I just think it would be super convenient and cool.

Watch IMDB’s Top 250 Movies.

I love movies. 

But I recently realized there are a bunch I have missed. I think it's because I rolled onto the movie scene a little late. That's not to say that this list is the authority on good movies, but I think it's a solid place to start.

Also, that's a screenshot from my IMDB profile on the top 250 chart. 

20% = Sad.

 Process the Race and Travel Again.

This is one of the only ones with a time frame, at least for the first half. I HAVE to process this year. (2015) It would be really convenient to take it month by month like I intended to last year. But life happens and excuses flow. So that stops this year. 

Processing WILL happen.

Invest in a Dope Lady Suit.

If Sigourney Weaver can rock a Lady Suit so can I.

Benefits of the Lady Suit:

#1 - The intimidation Factor.

#2 - A small step toward destroying Gender Roles

Stop drinking pop.

This one seems pretty self explanatory. 

Health benefits.

& $8 a week BACK IN MY POCKET. 

It adds up, people.

Learn the secret to 

Grandma’s Chocolate Pie

Perfect Excuse to bond over dessert? 

Yes. Please. 

I like the idea of passing on family traditions, however, I hate most traditions. lol But I LUUUUUUUH Grandma AND Chocolate Pie. 

Adopt a Pet.

Between finding that cat at my parents house and spending time with Fallon over the Holidays, I have not stopped thinking about adoption. I think I'm moving towards being able to take care of another living thing. 

Maybe I'll start with a plant and work my way up. 

Watch the Sunrise and Sunset 

on the Beach.

  
The idea is to catch the sunrise on the beach on one coast and drive across Florida to the other coast and watch the sunset on another coast.

This can be completed alone or with ONE other human.

Delete Facebook.

 I just want to be clear that I do not think facebook is a bad thing. I LOVE facebook. I think the idea is brilliant. As humans, we desire connection and affirmation. I get it. It's a great idea. It's just not healthy for me. 

Once I get all my pictures onto  a hard drive and learn to be more intentional with my long distance relationships - it's gone. 

Plant and Adore a Garden.

 I recently discovered the wonder of community plots. I think it's somewhat of an American Dream. 

Maybe I'll never own a house or run my own business, but I do desire to see the work of my own hands 

..and then eat it. 

Complete a Mini – Marathon.

This one seems a little lofty, perhaps.  

But I do have a few years to work up to it. This is one that requires other things to be accomplished first. Like getting healthy, taking up jogging and then running... 

lol I'll make a 5 year plan.

Finish (any) Degree.

There is nothing I hate more than school. lol But I think it would be easier to deal with if I could choose an interest. School (post high school) has been a bunch of boring classes with deadlines and grumpy classmates. But after this semester, I'll have all standard prerequisites done. So I should be able to finish a degree in a few semesters.
 

Be a Baller Aunt.

Finding out that my brother and sister-in-law were having a child was a surprise, that took me a long time to process. Finding out they're having a girl has kind of made it real. I am so psyched to meet her and fall in love. I've never been very good at kids; relating, entertaining, etc. But I think once I meet Mia it will click, like auntular instincts or something. 

Seattle Underground

I found out about this while watching Kolchak a few years ago and I thought it was just made up for the tv show. BUT IT'S REAL. It's an old underground city, with store fronts and houses and streets that just got covered and they rebuilt the city right on top of it. It sounds crazy and obviously I want to tour it. 

New Years in Times Square.

 This is just one of those things I have always thought would be fun. Once I have kids, I'll probably want to be with them. 

lol Right? 

Explore the West Coast

  Most of the cities I want to be apart of are on the west coast and I feel like I could hit them all in a week or two. This seems like a great idea.

Lead a Trip

This would take a lot of prayer and trust and financial provision, but I believe it's in my future. I feel like God blesses us with gifts that are supposed to be used. I'm good at discipleship. I love travel and I'm willing to listen and make decisions based in trust. So I'll be praying about it.

Forgive Christians 

and 

Join a Community.

This one is loaded, obviously. It's probably the most difficult and the most frustrating. I am full of grace for non - Christians, but I can't seem to get past the things that Christians have done. But I believe 100% that community is a huge part of life with Jesus, sooooo I have to forgive and move on.   

I'm giving myself a year.

So that's my list and I'm pretty excited to start working towards these goals and I'll be sure to update you all along the way. (: