8. Read 50 books (21/50) - in progress
I read "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison last week for my thesis. I liked it more than I expected to, and I also discovered the "third beer" quote I really liked from freshman year is actually from "Song of Solomon." And unliked "Mama Day," I think I can connect this one pretty strongly to my thesis.
14. Do a creative writing prompt (12/52) - in progress
I wrote about my bed in my nonfiction class the other day. We were working on creating rhythm with our prose and I chose to write about my favorite place... i.e. my bed. What can I say.
27. Follow Virginia Tech & Steelers games for a full football season - in progress
I watched Tech v. UNC, which they lost, but I missed the Tech game this past Thursday because of the Alternative Break Program lottery. And Steelers had a by last week... but they're playing the Broncos tonight for Monday Night Football, which will probably be the highlight of my day, sadly.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (17/143) - in progress
Accomplished for the past two weeks! In fact, I exercised quite a bit last week. The easier my weeks are with school, the more time I have to be healthier I guess. I also got my mom to lend me her yoga mat and bought a few yoga DVDs, so I can do those at home too.
62. Keep a food diary for a week, six times (2/6) - in progress
I kept one this past week, and this time I noticed I eat almost no vegetables. I really need to get better about that. I snack on fruit sometimes, and I've been drinking milk with dinner sometimes instead of soda, but I still am lacking on the veggie front.
--Till next time.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
End of October.
8. Read 50 books (20/50) - in progress
I finished "Mama Day" this past week, by Gloria Naylor. It was assigned, technically, for my honors thesis, but other than having the same culture and geographical setting, I'm not entirely sure how it relates to Ibo Landing. In any case, it kept my interest throughout and immersed me into the Gullah culture quite a bit. I'd probably recommend it to others.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (12/52) - in progress
I made chicken teryaki on Saturday, a pseudo-recipe that I stole from my roommate, Taylor. I say pseudo-recipe because the ingredients and steps were mostly in her head. But I copied it down onto an index card so I can remember it and make it again... I love meals over rice, so this was a winner in my book.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Saw some of the Tech v. Duke game last weekend, but I don't think I saw the ending and I also think I may have accidentally fallen asleep in the middle of it... oops. Steelers played the Lions, which I didn't get on TV but watched on gamecast. A lot of fumbles and interceptions. And then the Steelers played Vikings today--undefeated Vikings, might I add--and won! Their defense was really great in the fourth quarter. Also, I love that I make statements like that now, when less than a year ago I had trouble just finding which player had the ball on the field. Tech didn't play Saturday, but they have a Thursday game coming up.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (0/12) - in progress
I went to the JMU Homecoming game last weekend, where we played Villanova. We also stunk pretty badly--fumbles, interceptions, getting shut down nearly every play we tried, etc. It was a bit of a let down, but I guess we're not having that great of a season.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (15/143) - in progress
Nope, got nothing this week. I went to yoga, but between schoolwork, my thesis and The Bluestone, I barely had time to shower this past week. Definitely ready for the stress and piles of work to slow down for a while.
--Till next time.
I finished "Mama Day" this past week, by Gloria Naylor. It was assigned, technically, for my honors thesis, but other than having the same culture and geographical setting, I'm not entirely sure how it relates to Ibo Landing. In any case, it kept my interest throughout and immersed me into the Gullah culture quite a bit. I'd probably recommend it to others.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (12/52) - in progress
I made chicken teryaki on Saturday, a pseudo-recipe that I stole from my roommate, Taylor. I say pseudo-recipe because the ingredients and steps were mostly in her head. But I copied it down onto an index card so I can remember it and make it again... I love meals over rice, so this was a winner in my book.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Saw some of the Tech v. Duke game last weekend, but I don't think I saw the ending and I also think I may have accidentally fallen asleep in the middle of it... oops. Steelers played the Lions, which I didn't get on TV but watched on gamecast. A lot of fumbles and interceptions. And then the Steelers played Vikings today--undefeated Vikings, might I add--and won! Their defense was really great in the fourth quarter. Also, I love that I make statements like that now, when less than a year ago I had trouble just finding which player had the ball on the field. Tech didn't play Saturday, but they have a Thursday game coming up.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (0/12) - in progress
I went to the JMU Homecoming game last weekend, where we played Villanova. We also stunk pretty badly--fumbles, interceptions, getting shut down nearly every play we tried, etc. It was a bit of a let down, but I guess we're not having that great of a season.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (15/143) - in progress
Nope, got nothing this week. I went to yoga, but between schoolwork, my thesis and The Bluestone, I barely had time to shower this past week. Definitely ready for the stress and piles of work to slow down for a while.
--Till next time.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October update.
14. Do a creative writing prompt once a week, 52 times (11/52) - in progress
I wrote about the first time I broke something the other day in my nonfiction class... which in my memory, was the dishwasher when I was maybe 9 and I heavily overloaded it with soap to the point that water and soap suds were everywhere in the kitchen. Probably not the first time I broke something, but a memorable time.
17. See five Broadway shows I haven't seen before (1/5) - in progress
I went home this past weekend and stood in line at the TKTS booth in Time Square with my sister & her friend & my dad. We ended up seeing Mary Poppins, which I originally made a face at. But it turned out to be pretty good--especially Mary Poppins' character. I liked it better than I remembered liking the movie, anyhow.
25. Learn to cook 52 recipes and organize them in one place (11/52) - in progress
I made a potato and egg fritatta tonight for Taylor & Amber & I. I was a little nervous because I hate quiche, but the potatoes in this recipe made everything perfect and it turned out to be absolutely delicious. And relatively inexpensive, which was also a plus.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Let's see. Since the last post, Steelers lost to the Bengals, which I am having trouble remembering... I do think I watched it though. Then I was in deadline for their win v. the Chargers, which I half-watched on gamecast. And then I was home this past weekend for their win against the Lions, which I watched with my dad and wore my jersey for and that was a lot of fun. Tech... won v. Duke, which I missed because of deadline, and then won v. Boston College this past weekend, which I missed because I was in the city. They play tomorrow, which I may see the end of after Homecoming... we'll see.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (15/143) - in progress
I think I exercised twice the week of the 26th, and I did twice the week of October 3 too. I walked at least 80 blocks in NYC on Saturday, which I think counts as exercise. This week, not so much. I did yoga on Wednesday, but I doubt I'll exercise tomorrow with all the Homecoming festivities going on. In any case, it's been 32 weeks since I started the 1001, so I'm not quite making my goal of exercising at least 75% of the time.
96. Add a new thing October 1, 2009:
So I decided to make #96 on my list to take Taylor and Amber to the Little Grill for breakfast before we graduate. I feel like this shouldn't be difficult since we could go Sunday morning, Thursday evening, or Friday morning... but we've been talking about it since the beginning of school and we haven't gone. So that's my added goal.
--Till next time.
I wrote about the first time I broke something the other day in my nonfiction class... which in my memory, was the dishwasher when I was maybe 9 and I heavily overloaded it with soap to the point that water and soap suds were everywhere in the kitchen. Probably not the first time I broke something, but a memorable time.
17. See five Broadway shows I haven't seen before (1/5) - in progress
I went home this past weekend and stood in line at the TKTS booth in Time Square with my sister & her friend & my dad. We ended up seeing Mary Poppins, which I originally made a face at. But it turned out to be pretty good--especially Mary Poppins' character. I liked it better than I remembered liking the movie, anyhow.
25. Learn to cook 52 recipes and organize them in one place (11/52) - in progress
I made a potato and egg fritatta tonight for Taylor & Amber & I. I was a little nervous because I hate quiche, but the potatoes in this recipe made everything perfect and it turned out to be absolutely delicious. And relatively inexpensive, which was also a plus.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Let's see. Since the last post, Steelers lost to the Bengals, which I am having trouble remembering... I do think I watched it though. Then I was in deadline for their win v. the Chargers, which I half-watched on gamecast. And then I was home this past weekend for their win against the Lions, which I watched with my dad and wore my jersey for and that was a lot of fun. Tech... won v. Duke, which I missed because of deadline, and then won v. Boston College this past weekend, which I missed because I was in the city. They play tomorrow, which I may see the end of after Homecoming... we'll see.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (15/143) - in progress
I think I exercised twice the week of the 26th, and I did twice the week of October 3 too. I walked at least 80 blocks in NYC on Saturday, which I think counts as exercise. This week, not so much. I did yoga on Wednesday, but I doubt I'll exercise tomorrow with all the Homecoming festivities going on. In any case, it's been 32 weeks since I started the 1001, so I'm not quite making my goal of exercising at least 75% of the time.
96. Add a new thing October 1, 2009:
So I decided to make #96 on my list to take Taylor and Amber to the Little Grill for breakfast before we graduate. I feel like this shouldn't be difficult since we could go Sunday morning, Thursday evening, or Friday morning... but we've been talking about it since the beginning of school and we haven't gone. So that's my added goal.
--Till next time.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Haven't updated in a while...
12. Keep Flickr updated - in progress
Just added new photos today. The link again, is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chainse.
14. Do a creative writing prompt once a week, 52 times (10/52) - in progress
I decided that writing exercises I do in class can count for this, since the point is to compile a notebook or folder of writing ideas and pieces that I can develop or call upon later. I've written one for my screenplay class about an emotional scene, and three for my nonfiction class: one on character, one on setting, and one on a recurring thought.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers for a full football season - in progress
Okay. In the past three weeks: Tech lost to Alabama, terrible game. Won against Marshall, boring game. Won against Nebraska, good game that I missed the second half of because I was trying to get into the stadium for the JMU game, where I was denied access because the student section was full. Won against Miami today, which was a good win for them, but a less than thrilling game because they won by so much. Steelers -- incredible game v. Titans a few Thursdays ago, terrible loss last Sunday. But I get excited for football on the weekends now.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (13/143) - in progress
Missed one week in the past three, but I'm liking the clubhouse and having the option of walking to exercise. And as usual, I love UREC.
83. Visit the Mosaic Garden in Philadelphia - accomplished
I went to Philly yesterday for research on my thesis, and the Mosaic Garden was only a few blocks from the historial society. It was incredible -- that's what the new pictures on Flickr are. I wanted to go there daily and study, or read, or essentially live. Very cool.
--Till next time
Just added new photos today. The link again, is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chainse.
14. Do a creative writing prompt once a week, 52 times (10/52) - in progress
I decided that writing exercises I do in class can count for this, since the point is to compile a notebook or folder of writing ideas and pieces that I can develop or call upon later. I've written one for my screenplay class about an emotional scene, and three for my nonfiction class: one on character, one on setting, and one on a recurring thought.
27. Follow Virgina Tech & Steelers for a full football season - in progress
Okay. In the past three weeks: Tech lost to Alabama, terrible game. Won against Marshall, boring game. Won against Nebraska, good game that I missed the second half of because I was trying to get into the stadium for the JMU game, where I was denied access because the student section was full. Won against Miami today, which was a good win for them, but a less than thrilling game because they won by so much. Steelers -- incredible game v. Titans a few Thursdays ago, terrible loss last Sunday. But I get excited for football on the weekends now.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (13/143) - in progress
Missed one week in the past three, but I'm liking the clubhouse and having the option of walking to exercise. And as usual, I love UREC.
83. Visit the Mosaic Garden in Philadelphia - accomplished
I went to Philly yesterday for research on my thesis, and the Mosaic Garden was only a few blocks from the historial society. It was incredible -- that's what the new pictures on Flickr are. I wanted to go there daily and study, or read, or essentially live. Very cool.
--Till next time
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What a week.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (10/52) - in progress
I made Zucchini Linguine on Wednesday, which was OK. It was made with whole milk, and so I think I expected it to have more of a creamy sauce, which it didn't. Maybe I'd make it again. It would need much more zucchini. Anyways, last night I made Black Bean Veggie Burgers (and sweet potato fries!) which were pretty good. For a veggie burger. The texture was definitely not the same as a normal burger -- definitely could tell I was eating a bean patty. But it was fun to make.
27. Follow VT & Steelers for a season - in progress
Hokies v. 'Bama tonight in the Georgia Dome!
42. Try 15 new restaurants (14/15) - in progress
I ate at Dona Rosa on Thursday, which is an "authentic" mexican restaurant. The food was insane -- very delicious & for an appetizer, a lot of food and reasonably priced -- and fishbowl margaritas (36 ounces!) were $10. I split one with a friend. Overall, a very good experience. I'd definitely go there over El Charro.
44. Bookmark heyitsfree.net and check it regularly - in progress
Been getting some good things from heyitsfree recently -- got a free song from Amazon.com, which was awesome because I had been having trouble finding it anywhere, even on iTunes. And I signed up for swagbucks.com, which gives you free "bucks" when you use their search engine and you can redeem them for prizes. They have a lot of good gift certificates - Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc. Thing is, their search is powered by Google & Ask.com, so if it wins me free things in the end, OK.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (11/143) - in progress
Walked home three times this week, I think... and took two UREC classes.
64. Learn to make a decent cup of coffee - accomplished
I'm just going to go ahead and say this is done. I make coffee every morning now and I think it's pretty sufficient. And, I lost the scoop I'm supposed to use, so I've been using a teaspoon and even with that I think it's pretty OK coffee.
92. Acquire a credit card - accomplished
Done! Applied for it in August and received in the mail & activated it this week. I used it at Wal-Mart yesterday and felt funny not pushing my pin after I swiped. But this way I can build my credit history and get on my way to becoming an adult... :)
--Till next time.
I made Zucchini Linguine on Wednesday, which was OK. It was made with whole milk, and so I think I expected it to have more of a creamy sauce, which it didn't. Maybe I'd make it again. It would need much more zucchini. Anyways, last night I made Black Bean Veggie Burgers (and sweet potato fries!) which were pretty good. For a veggie burger. The texture was definitely not the same as a normal burger -- definitely could tell I was eating a bean patty. But it was fun to make.
27. Follow VT & Steelers for a season - in progress
Hokies v. 'Bama tonight in the Georgia Dome!
42. Try 15 new restaurants (14/15) - in progress
I ate at Dona Rosa on Thursday, which is an "authentic" mexican restaurant. The food was insane -- very delicious & for an appetizer, a lot of food and reasonably priced -- and fishbowl margaritas (36 ounces!) were $10. I split one with a friend. Overall, a very good experience. I'd definitely go there over El Charro.
44. Bookmark heyitsfree.net and check it regularly - in progress
Been getting some good things from heyitsfree recently -- got a free song from Amazon.com, which was awesome because I had been having trouble finding it anywhere, even on iTunes. And I signed up for swagbucks.com, which gives you free "bucks" when you use their search engine and you can redeem them for prizes. They have a lot of good gift certificates - Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc. Thing is, their search is powered by Google & Ask.com, so if it wins me free things in the end, OK.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (11/143) - in progress
Walked home three times this week, I think... and took two UREC classes.
64. Learn to make a decent cup of coffee - accomplished
I'm just going to go ahead and say this is done. I make coffee every morning now and I think it's pretty sufficient. And, I lost the scoop I'm supposed to use, so I've been using a teaspoon and even with that I think it's pretty OK coffee.
92. Acquire a credit card - accomplished
Done! Applied for it in August and received in the mail & activated it this week. I used it at Wal-Mart yesterday and felt funny not pushing my pin after I swiped. But this way I can build my credit history and get on my way to becoming an adult... :)
--Till next time.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Finally exercised.
12. Keep Flickr updated - in progress
I added a few pictures I took when I was in Georgia doing my thesis research... mostly ruins of plantation buildings, and then a few shots of the marsh at Igbo's Landing. The link, again, is http://www.flickr.com/photos/chainse.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (10/143) - in progress
There is a path through the arboretum to campus that takes 20 or 30 minutes depending on how motivated I am to get to where I'm going... walked that three times this week. And I went to UREC twice! Here's the thing, I love being active. I just need the right opportunities.
66. Stop using plastic grocery bags - in progress
I'm about to go to the grocery store right now, and there were free reusable Kroger bags in our mail room the first week, so I'm going to bring those and use them and feel very environmentally responsible.
--Till next time.
I added a few pictures I took when I was in Georgia doing my thesis research... mostly ruins of plantation buildings, and then a few shots of the marsh at Igbo's Landing. The link, again, is http://www.flickr.com/photos/chainse.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (10/143) - in progress
There is a path through the arboretum to campus that takes 20 or 30 minutes depending on how motivated I am to get to where I'm going... walked that three times this week. And I went to UREC twice! Here's the thing, I love being active. I just need the right opportunities.
66. Stop using plastic grocery bags - in progress
I'm about to go to the grocery store right now, and there were free reusable Kroger bags in our mail room the first week, so I'm going to bring those and use them and feel very environmentally responsible.
--Till next time.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Update!
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 list (22/100) - in progress
I watched Double Indemnity last week, which was about a man who helps a woman murder her husband for insurance money. It was OK... it was in black and white, which I didn't expect because I didn't pay attention to the year it was made, and that kind of threw me. But it kind of played out like Law and Order, so it gets a six maybe.
8. Read 50 books (19/50) - in progress
I read "God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man" by Cornelia Bailey, which reads like a memoir of her time growing up on Sapelo Island in Georgia. I read it because I thought I was going to tour Sapelo and meet Cornelia when I was down doing research for my thesis, but that ended up not happening, and in the end I don't really mind because her book was so interesting. I liked it a lot.
13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 & '11 - in progress
I updated from this summer, but I only have a few songs, so that might be changed... I think I have ten or fifteen for the year right now.
27. Follow Virgina Tech and Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Wrote all the Steelers & televised Tech games into my calendar... I really wanted to watch the Steelers/Redskins preseason last night, but I don't get the NFL network... which is all just as well, because they lost. Oops.
37. Own a plant for at least a year without killing it - in progress
An orchid plant came into my possession August 13, 2009. It was from Chris... sometime during my sophomore year, I think... but I had taken it home over Christmas and forgotten about it. So I brought it back to school and I'm going to mother it. We'll see.
42. Try 15 new restaurant (13/15) - in progress
Went to Moe's when I was in South Carolina, which was a lot of food, and good in that sense. But I'm not such a fan of fast food mexican places -- Chipotle, Qdoba, etc. But Moe's was alright.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (9/143) - in progress
A no-go for the past two weeks. I worked out on Monday but I didn't do it again this week. I'm here at JMU now though, so I have UREC.
--Till next time
I watched Double Indemnity last week, which was about a man who helps a woman murder her husband for insurance money. It was OK... it was in black and white, which I didn't expect because I didn't pay attention to the year it was made, and that kind of threw me. But it kind of played out like Law and Order, so it gets a six maybe.
8. Read 50 books (19/50) - in progress
I read "God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man" by Cornelia Bailey, which reads like a memoir of her time growing up on Sapelo Island in Georgia. I read it because I thought I was going to tour Sapelo and meet Cornelia when I was down doing research for my thesis, but that ended up not happening, and in the end I don't really mind because her book was so interesting. I liked it a lot.
13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 & '11 - in progress
I updated from this summer, but I only have a few songs, so that might be changed... I think I have ten or fifteen for the year right now.
27. Follow Virgina Tech and Steelers teams for a full football season - in progress
Wrote all the Steelers & televised Tech games into my calendar... I really wanted to watch the Steelers/Redskins preseason last night, but I don't get the NFL network... which is all just as well, because they lost. Oops.
37. Own a plant for at least a year without killing it - in progress
An orchid plant came into my possession August 13, 2009. It was from Chris... sometime during my sophomore year, I think... but I had taken it home over Christmas and forgotten about it. So I brought it back to school and I'm going to mother it. We'll see.
42. Try 15 new restaurant (13/15) - in progress
Went to Moe's when I was in South Carolina, which was a lot of food, and good in that sense. But I'm not such a fan of fast food mexican places -- Chipotle, Qdoba, etc. But Moe's was alright.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (9/143) - in progress
A no-go for the past two weeks. I worked out on Monday but I didn't do it again this week. I'm here at JMU now though, so I have UREC.
--Till next time
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