Writing Change

Finally. And by finally, I’m really saying – F I N A L L Y ! ! ! But enough of the celebration for now – any more distractions and it may never be posted. Which is the polar opposite of completion (the goal of this exercise).

“Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.”

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

Start Date:  August 2nd, 2009

End Date:   April 29, 2012

EDUCATION:

1. Return to Penn State and finish my chosen degree. (Enrolled!)
2. Take writing/journalism courses and receive no less than an A in both. (0/2)
3. Decide on multiple majors – no matter the time or costs. (Chose BIO & ENG)
4. Learn the entire Italian language.
5. Take CPR certification.
6. Apply for Zinch scholarships for college.
7. Study artwork and visit museums. Review my likes vs. my dislikes.
8. Learn design principles as well as PhotoShop for web development.
9. Take drawing/digital photography courses.
10. Learn to cook.

TRAVEL:

1. Schedule a Las Vegas trip with close family and friends. Gamble at least $1000.
2. Return trip to Disney World, either through Disney Cruise or full week stay in the park.
3. Get my passport.
4. Visit Busch Gardens and ride The Alpengeist.
5. Schedule a trip to the Bahamas.
6. Schedule a trip to the Grand Canyon and hike the trails.
7. Schedule a trip to Italy – Vatican City, Rome, etc.
8. Visit and meet Angie in Boody, IL. By train or car.
9. Schedule a trip to the Superman Museum Metropolis, IL.
10. Buy tickets for Supernatural Convention as soon as they go on sale. Meet Jensen Ackles.
11. Take regular trips to the following: NJ Shore, NYC or State College, PA. Buy Postcards.
12. See and swim in the Pacific Ocean.

PERSONAL:

1. Rid myself of excess fears.
2. Sell all unwanted items not being donated on Craigslist.
3. Update life journal at least 1x per month. (3/33)
4. Complete all unfinished scrapbooks. (0/3)
5. Update my LiveJournal account at least 4x per month. (25/132)
6. Complete pregnancy journal.
7. Regular doctor/dentist visits yearly. (1/6)
8. Regular appointments to have my hair trimmed/styled quarterly.
9. Digitize all photos of family and friends and store online.
10. Return to Church. Mark on calendar.
11. Phone the best of friends at least 1x per week to catch up and stay in contact.
12. Mail out “just because” cards to select persons at least 1x per month.
13. Order updated pictures through Shutterfly every 2 months.
14. Schedule professional portrait photography for Bella every 4-6 months.
15. Place a 1,000 word message in an antique bottle and send out into Pacific Ocean.
16. See at least 1 sunrise/sunset every year. (0/6)

FITNESS:

1. Try a new food at least 1x per month. i.e. – Sushi.
2. Eat at least 1 fruit per day. i.e. – Apples, Bananas, etc.
3. Run 2 miles at least 3x per week, increase as endurance grows.
4. Swim 3 laps at least 2x per week, increase as endurance grows.
5. Purchase a new bike. Road/Mountain hybrid.
6. Weigh 130 lbs.
7. Invest in a TreadClimber machine. (Borrowing 1 from the Carroll’s!!)
8. Purchase gymnastic balance beam mat. Use 3x per week.
9. Schedule swimming lessons for Bella.
10. Reduce chocolate/soda consumption to a very bare minimum.

CAREER / FINANCE:

1. Cash in change to TD Bank 1x per year. (0/3)
2. Save all $1 bills that come into my possession. Tally total 1x per year. (0/3)
3. Pay car loan in half the amount of time. ($450 per month)
4. Regular transfers to ING Direct Savings account. At least $50 bi-weekly.
5. Nothing less than $1,000 in my account for an entire year straight. (0/1)
6. Pay all bills through online bill pay at least 2 days early. (Saves paper!)
7. Open a savings account (ING) for Bella and deposit funds whenever available.
8. Sign up for credit monitoring and regularly check score.
9. Pay down debt owed to credit cards and student loans by setting up monthly plans.
10. Open a photography business. Begin with online website.

HOBBIES:

1. Construct dollhouse purchased for my mother when I was 12 years old. Give as surprise.
2. Complete 1 scrapbook per year. (0/3)
3. Read 1 new book every month and write a detailed review. (0/33)
4. Reproduce Disney drawings for Bella, frame and hang in her room.
5. Use the Nikon D40 everyday; become expert.
6. Create icons/banners/wallpapers for personal and social use.
7. Compete all unfinished works of fiction. (Including Nanowrimo 2008/2009).
8. Complete Nanowrimo each November. (0/3)
9. Write 1 short story per day based off of “A Writer’s Book of Days.”
10. Visit an antique store 2x per year. Mark on calendar. (0/6)
11. Create my own “Wall of Weird” from newspapers and internet postings of strange happenings.
12. Watch 50 new movies. (23/50) The Incredible Hulk; Bee Movie; District 9; The Soloist; Paranormal Activity; 27 Dresses; The Ugly Truth; The Proposal; Marley & Me; Quarantine; Changeling; He’s Just Not That Into You; Up; Inglourious Basterds; What Happens in Vegas; Adventureland; Shutter Island; 17 Again; Ghost Town; Zombieland; Clash of the Titans; Sunshine Cleaning; Law Abiding Citizen;
    
13. Update HNO a least 2x per week.
14. Update personal flickr account 3x per month.
15. Listen to 1 new music album per week and review.
16. Purchase new sketchbook and complete original drawings.
17. Post quotes from famous individuals from an older, different time on HNO.

RECREATION:

1. Take boxing lessons.
2. Join The Mid-Atlantic Scuba Center and learn to scuba dive.
3. Visit multiple theme/water parks throughout the summers.
4. Play and/or organize softballs games throughout the summers.
5. Attend at least 3 Phillies games per season. (1/9)
6. Attend at least 1 Penn State Football game per season. (0/3)
7. Go ice skating for the 1st time.
8. Camp again; 1x per winter season. (0/3)
9. Take long weekend trip to upstate PA and hike the trails.
10. Complete LiveStrong Challenges each year. (0/3)
11. Walk/run for a cause 3x per year. (0/9)

CHARITY / DONATIONS:

1. Donate all unwanted/unused books to schools or libraries.
2. Donate funds to Ocean/Animal rights organizations.
3. Donate funds to UNICEF.
4. Donate old clothes/shoes 1x per year.
5. Participate each year in the “Toys for Tots” program at Christmastime.
6. Involve myself in Iraq war. Letters/packages, etc. until every solider is home.
7. Donate funds/goods to Angie’s domestic violence center.
8. Donate 1,000 grains of rice through FreeRice. (100 grains as of 8/10/09)

OTHER:

1. Attend concerts for the following artists: The Goo-Goo Dolls, Jimmy Eat World & Breaking Benjamin, to name a few. (Saw 30 Seconds to Mars; Mute Math; Neon Trees - 4/24/10)
2. Attend a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert each Christmas. (0/3)
3. Design personal websites.
4. Spend $500 at any Atlantic City casino. On red. And black.
5. Open a ’swear jar’ to collect misc. funds for misc. reasons.

SPECIAL:

1. Have a 1001 days completed party.
2. Document every accomplishment with photographs.

As a personal afterthought – many thanks in advance for all the support and love I know I will have on this 1001 day mission.

All I do, I do for her.