in this edition: the top 5 things i want to accomplish in 2008.
1. knit. more. first, finish the scarf and knitted bag i started in 2007. then, complete a hat [for which i already have the yarn, a lovely slate blue tweed], and this pair of fingerless gloves. after that, i don't know - i guess just knit more . my ultimate goal is to knit enough in 2008 that i can, by the end of the year, tackle the leaf sweater. i've already bought the pattern.
2. audition to be a resistance [weight-lifting] instructor at 24hour. the instructor training classes i took last year were awesome; it's time to finish what i've started and seriously prepare for an audition that will get me a slot on their group exercise calendar. to that end, i'm looking to get a few sessions with a personal trainer to be sure my form is spot-on. more to come on that.
3. run a race. just a 5k. and, just one will suffice. by the end of the year. [this one scares me the most. even more than that audition. but then i read this: What you are afraid to do is a clear indicator of the next thing you need to do. and i wonder if it might not be even a little bit true...]
4. live more simply. buy selectively and purge much, much more. there are things in my storage unit that make me scratch my head and wonder why, oh why, have these items moved with me from colorado to california to this, my second apartment in portland? for instance: i have four boxes of notes and books and binders from college. four boxes? seriously? i could go on...
5. buy handmade. whenever possible, when buying gifts and items for myself, i'm trying to think handmade first - and ask myself, "could i make it? or buy it from the person who did?" frankly, the monthly crafty wonderland craft fair, the plethora of local boutiques that sell jewelry from portland-based artists, etsy.com, and poppytalk handmade make this a pretty easy goal; to be honest, the biggest challenge here is just thinking further ahead than i usually do, so i'm not constantly late in my gift giving. [like i am, for instance, with erica's birthday present. part one of which went out the door today, lil' sis.]
also, i've committed myself to a personal challenge for the year: i'm calling it "pescatarian with a once-a-month exception." i'm allowing myself to eat meat only once per month [one meal - not one entire meat-filled day of hedonism, ha ha]. except, i'm not counting fish as meat. i'm not doing this as a protest to the eating of animals. i'm not even doing this to take a stand for the environment. i'm just doing it because it's hard for me to do - which is kinda what makes it a challenge. and, can i tell you, 25 days in? i miss chicken.
i like recording these here, as a record i can refer back to throughout the year and at the end, to see how far i've come.
now you tell me: what do you hope to accomplish this year?
i hate chicken
mine are "green" like yours
use my resuable grocery bags
TRY to drive less (i actually need lots of help with this one)
Posted by: lauren | January 25, 2008 at 01:00 PM
I'm with Lauren...to drive less. Especially since work is 1.5 miles away, my favorite hangouts are a mile away and I have three bikes. It got cold! Really cold!
Write ten usable songs and have a draft cd.
Not work any more mid-shifts.
Posted by: S | January 26, 2008 at 05:04 AM
What are my goals for this year?
I must admit I do not have any (sad but true). For sure I will not give up chicken and I don't think I can drive less. I guess I will need to get creative for my list. Check later on that.
I love the leaf sweater especially with the 3/4 sleeves. Bet it would look great in a deep red, rust or maroon color for fall.
LOL, Mom
Posted by: mom | January 26, 2008 at 11:09 AM
serious craft envy on the knitting you've got planned - both the gloves and the sweater will look great on you! if only i could wear needlepoint!
i have until mid-may to wrap up my '101 things in 1001 days' list, so i'll be plugging away at items on that - donating platelets, going to the gym, saving money, reading various books i've been trying to avoid (gravity's rainbow and tristram shandy, i'm looking at you). i won't be driving less (i haven't used anything other than my feet for the last week, but i can't take much credit for that - i live in manhattan), but i WILL, like lauren, be trying to use my cloth grocery bags.
i'll also be trying to go to iceland - here's hoping the dollar is in better shape by the fall!
Posted by: lauren o | January 28, 2008 at 11:52 AM
That would be so cool to take classes to be an instructor...how fun. I actually took classes to start the process of becoming a fitness trainer and it was awesome.
I love how you said about running a 5K that "one will suffice". That is an awesome goal...you will still be one of my hero's when you do this.
And I totally appreciate your "live your simply" goal...holy heck, I gotta do that :)
Posted by: Krystin | February 01, 2008 at 07:05 PM
by the way, got your gift! whoooo! i can't even begin to think how you remember all the small stuff i say (dad made some sarcastic comment about too much time on your hands, but i am really amazed) i loved the gift and the scent is wonderful!
love you and thank you!
Posted by: Erica | February 04, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Enjoyed reading your goals. GO GO GO on the running the race one and I understand your anxiety. I'm all about the living more simply too. Wade and I LOVE to purge our attic, garage and closets! LOL It's hard with two kids watching though, let me tell ya! LOL
Posted by: Leslie | February 07, 2008 at 10:44 AM