Nothing like having an normal, Saturday-Sunday weekend off -- plus an extra day on Monday!
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (25/25) - accomplished
When I was home last weekend, I was in the local bookstore downtown and I found four or five books that looked like ones I would love to read -- but in the spirit of not relying on my parents as much, I decided to write down the titles and check for them at the library instead of letting my mom buy me one. So I took out "You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know" by Heather Sellers, and then "The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love" by Kristin Kimball. (Side note: Why yes I did just try to search for that second title on Amazon for a few minutes -- to no avail -- to avoid getting up and walking the ten feet around my bed to just look at the book. Lazy day much?) I started reading the Sellers book, which is about a rare neurological disorder called face blindness, where you don't recognize people by their facial features. It sounds interesting, but I've been less than impressed through it.
But I will say, I love the library! I am not really that surprised that I didn't take advantage of it while I was in Harrisonburg because I rarely read for pleasure, but I am sincerely glad I got a library card when I moved because I enjoy being able to try new books without having to commit to them -- like if I'd spent money on the Sellers book, I'd probably have regretted it.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (4/12) - in progress
I feel like if this blog were under scrutiny, this would not count, but since it clearly is not: I went to Adam's third-grade basketball game when I was home last weekend. It was way too much fun to watch him play, and despite the fact I had to wake up at 7:30 a.m., I really did enjoy it. Kids' games are just fun to watch, I think. The parents around me probably enjoyed my running commentary less, but my mom thinks I'm funny. And what else is life about, really? That's right, moms know best.
55. Try six new workouts at home at least two times each (0/6) - in progress
This one has changed yet again because I finally joined a gym. But it doesn't have classes, so I went through the magazine workouts I'd saved and made myself a "Day Two" of weight-lifting exercises to do. My "Day One" is what I've always done, so the second option lets me try new things and work out different muscles. So that's workout No. 1, the first time.
56. Work out 2-3 times a week (35/143) - in progress
Made it last week -- only three times, but I was hurting from lifting my fun five-pound weights, which, by the way, might as well have Barbies on them for all the cred I have at the gym. Talk about starting slow...
-- Till next time.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Like a champ.
1. Redraft "Savannah" at least five times, at least one months apart (1/5) - in progress
Savannah is a short story I wrote in college that became strangely autobiographical soon after I wrote it. Despite the fact I was wildly proud of it when I first wrote it, when I re-read it now I can see clearly what everyone meant when they critiqued it. So I set up camp in Panera one Monday afternoon to work on it (finally). It's much harder than I expected it to be, but I suppose at least I started.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (37/52) - in progress
I made Buffalo Chicken Dip when I was home for the Super Bowl. It wasn't as good as I remember my aunt's being at Christmas, but then I brought some home and reheated it a few times for a snack and I think the secret is that it has to be very hot.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (24/25) - in progress
A copy of the third book in the Millennium trilogy, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" became available, so I took that out -- and then I picked up a new nonfiction called "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat," which was about relationships with animals and was surprisingly interesting.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (36/143) - in progress
Awww yeah, joined a gym. After approximately eight months of watching 900 hours of TV a week and sleeping till noon (and approximately three months of shivering under a heated blanket and starkly refusing to leave the warmth of my bed), I just committed to it. So I did the elliptical twice last week and then so far this week I did the elliptical once, treadmill twice and a yoga workout at home. Next week I might even venture out into weights. Look at me go, ya'll.
57. Get the HPV vaccine - completed
I got my last shot when I was home last weekend, so I'm three for three.
-- Till next time.
Savannah is a short story I wrote in college that became strangely autobiographical soon after I wrote it. Despite the fact I was wildly proud of it when I first wrote it, when I re-read it now I can see clearly what everyone meant when they critiqued it. So I set up camp in Panera one Monday afternoon to work on it (finally). It's much harder than I expected it to be, but I suppose at least I started.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (37/52) - in progress
I made Buffalo Chicken Dip when I was home for the Super Bowl. It wasn't as good as I remember my aunt's being at Christmas, but then I brought some home and reheated it a few times for a snack and I think the secret is that it has to be very hot.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (24/25) - in progress
A copy of the third book in the Millennium trilogy, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" became available, so I took that out -- and then I picked up a new nonfiction called "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat," which was about relationships with animals and was surprisingly interesting.
56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (36/143) - in progress
Awww yeah, joined a gym. After approximately eight months of watching 900 hours of TV a week and sleeping till noon (and approximately three months of shivering under a heated blanket and starkly refusing to leave the warmth of my bed), I just committed to it. So I did the elliptical twice last week and then so far this week I did the elliptical once, treadmill twice and a yoga workout at home. Next week I might even venture out into weights. Look at me go, ya'll.
57. Get the HPV vaccine - completed
I got my last shot when I was home last weekend, so I'm three for three.
-- Till next time.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
I am a delinquent.
There's something to be said for summer, despite the fact I refused to even barely use my air conditioning and thereby sweated through the whole season... and then discovered maggots in my trash can.
But summer sunshine and warm temperatures encourage me to be active, more social, more productive and, I think, altogether happier. I get stuck in winter, when it's too cold to do anything and nobody even wants to get in their icebox of a car to go anywhere. What's that, you say, would I like to stay in bed all day and read a book? Why yes I would. For three months in a row.
I also saw a commercial yesterday for an arthritis medicine that said an object that is still tends to stay still, while an object in motion tends to continue in motion. Well thank you, creators of that arthritis commercial. I am stuck in the standstills of winter. Hence the zeros posts in two months and the general lack of enthusiasm for some of the ideas on here.
Alas, I have accomplished a few things
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 (37/100) - in progress
I watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid some time before Christmas. I apparently got pretty wrapped up in it, because when the ending finally came I was like a heartbroken hot mess. Well-played, director. Maybe not something I would watch again, but maybe it is.
13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 and '11 (2/3) - in progress
Finished 2010, listed below:
1. So Far Away xx Carole King
2. When the Sun Goes Down in Georgia xx Corey Smith
3. Need You Now xx Lady Antebellum
4. Telephone xx Lady Gaga f. Beyonce
5. Cudderisback x Kid Cudi
6. Bulletproof xx La Roux
7. Chicks Dig It xx Chris Cagle (Exit 245!)
8. Airplanes xx B.o.B. f. Hayley Williams
9. Dynamite xx Taio Cruz
10. Let Her Cry xx Hootie and the Blowfish
11. Still Fighting It xx Ben Folds
12. Dog Days Are Over xx Florence and the Machine
13. Toxic xx Glee Cast
14. Just A Dream xx Nelly
15. Happy Frappy xx Guster
16. Marry You xx Glee Cast
17. Black and Yellow xx Wiz Khalifa
18. 99 Problems xx Hugo
19. Breakeven xx The Script
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (22/25) - in progress
I finally got Charlie St. Cloud in English, and read that over Christmas. I was less than impressed with it, to be honest. It felt too short, or too rushed, or maybe both.
72. Attend at least 10 free community events (5/10) - in progress
A co-worker and I trekked up to Harrisburg on Sunday to see the farm show. It was an experience, to say the least. I've always thought of myself as a fairly country girl. Yes, I grew up in suburbia, but come on, I've eaten grits and been on a tractor like once. Well the farm show was a rude awakening, because I was not prepared for the livestock. I felt bad for the animals who were locked up in pens (like the newly shaven sheep that looked naked and the pigs squealing incessantly from their baths) but I was also wildly uncomfortable with the cows the size of Paul Bunyan's ox that were just loosely tethered with their behinds about a foot from where I was walking. Upside: I can say I went, and their milkshakes really are incredible.
87. Send Christmas cards at least one year - complete
I'm not entirely sure that they all made it to their intended recipients by Christmas, but I sent out thirty or so cards. As it turns out, postage is expensive. I think I will stick with Christmas e-mails for the next few years. Although it is fun to get them in the mail.
-- Till next time.
But summer sunshine and warm temperatures encourage me to be active, more social, more productive and, I think, altogether happier. I get stuck in winter, when it's too cold to do anything and nobody even wants to get in their icebox of a car to go anywhere. What's that, you say, would I like to stay in bed all day and read a book? Why yes I would. For three months in a row.
I also saw a commercial yesterday for an arthritis medicine that said an object that is still tends to stay still, while an object in motion tends to continue in motion. Well thank you, creators of that arthritis commercial. I am stuck in the standstills of winter. Hence the zeros posts in two months and the general lack of enthusiasm for some of the ideas on here.
Alas, I have accomplished a few things
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 (37/100) - in progress
I watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid some time before Christmas. I apparently got pretty wrapped up in it, because when the ending finally came I was like a heartbroken hot mess. Well-played, director. Maybe not something I would watch again, but maybe it is.
13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 and '11 (2/3) - in progress
Finished 2010, listed below:
1. So Far Away xx Carole King
2. When the Sun Goes Down in Georgia xx Corey Smith
3. Need You Now xx Lady Antebellum
4. Telephone xx Lady Gaga f. Beyonce
5. Cudderisback x Kid Cudi
6. Bulletproof xx La Roux
7. Chicks Dig It xx Chris Cagle (Exit 245!)
8. Airplanes xx B.o.B. f. Hayley Williams
9. Dynamite xx Taio Cruz
10. Let Her Cry xx Hootie and the Blowfish
11. Still Fighting It xx Ben Folds
12. Dog Days Are Over xx Florence and the Machine
13. Toxic xx Glee Cast
14. Just A Dream xx Nelly
15. Happy Frappy xx Guster
16. Marry You xx Glee Cast
17. Black and Yellow xx Wiz Khalifa
18. 99 Problems xx Hugo
19. Breakeven xx The Script
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (22/25) - in progress
I finally got Charlie St. Cloud in English, and read that over Christmas. I was less than impressed with it, to be honest. It felt too short, or too rushed, or maybe both.
72. Attend at least 10 free community events (5/10) - in progress
A co-worker and I trekked up to Harrisburg on Sunday to see the farm show. It was an experience, to say the least. I've always thought of myself as a fairly country girl. Yes, I grew up in suburbia, but come on, I've eaten grits and been on a tractor like once. Well the farm show was a rude awakening, because I was not prepared for the livestock. I felt bad for the animals who were locked up in pens (like the newly shaven sheep that looked naked and the pigs squealing incessantly from their baths) but I was also wildly uncomfortable with the cows the size of Paul Bunyan's ox that were just loosely tethered with their behinds about a foot from where I was walking. Upside: I can say I went, and their milkshakes really are incredible.
87. Send Christmas cards at least one year - complete
I'm not entirely sure that they all made it to their intended recipients by Christmas, but I sent out thirty or so cards. As it turns out, postage is expensive. I think I will stick with Christmas e-mails for the next few years. Although it is fun to get them in the mail.
-- Till next time.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Artistic.
13. Complete a soundtrack to '09, '10 & '11 (1/3) - in progress
Added a few songs -- four, to be exact -- for the fall.
98. Added October 26: Paint my picture frames and hang them on my wall in my living room - accomplished
OK credit for this goes entirely to Miss Mayhew for motivating me to finally get off my butt and get the spray paint at Home Depot. I painted them over two days last week and then hung them up today. I like them a lot, although it's not quite what I'd expected.
I also didn't want to put holes in my wall, so I used the 3M picture hangers and I'm absolutely terrified of hearing one crash to the floor when I'm trying to fall asleep tonight. On a brighter note, I was so dang handy putting them up. Used a level and everything.
-- Till next time.
Added a few songs -- four, to be exact -- for the fall.
98. Added October 26: Paint my picture frames and hang them on my wall in my living room - accomplished
OK credit for this goes entirely to Miss Mayhew for motivating me to finally get off my butt and get the spray paint at Home Depot. I painted them over two days last week and then hung them up today. I like them a lot, although it's not quite what I'd expected.
I also didn't want to put holes in my wall, so I used the 3M picture hangers and I'm absolutely terrified of hearing one crash to the floor when I'm trying to fall asleep tonight. On a brighter note, I was so dang handy putting them up. Used a level and everything.
-- Till next time.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Oh hi November.
I guess I took an unintentional (and rather long) hiatus from updating, but the good news is, I have done a few things in the past six weeks.
25. Learn to cook 52 recipes and organize them in one place (36/52) - in progress
-- My own pizza dough! Half whole wheat, half white flour. It was super delicious, although the recipe I had makes a bit too thick of a crust for my liking. I know making your own dough or bread takes the whole afternoon and is a lot more effort than buying it at the grocery, but it feels so rustic and I take probably too much pride in it when I'm done.
-- A greek chicken / orzo dish that was absolutely delicious. The oregano and the feta and the kalamata olives were all delicious. And as it turns out, so is orzo.
-- Barbecue pulled chicken in the slow cooker. Surprisingly few ingredients, and the slow cooker just makes everything so easy. Except when it comes time to do the dishes.
-- Beef stew. It's my mom's recipe, and it seemed expensive to buy all the ingredients at the grocery, but once it was done I think I have like nine or 10 servings. Used the slow cooker for this one too, so all I had to do was chop everything up and check back four hours later.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (21/25) - in progress
I went into the library about a month ago because my copy of Charlie St. Cloud was finally available on hold, and while I was there, I picked up "This Is Just Exactly Like You" on a whim in the new fiction section. Turns out I checked out Charlie St. Cloud in Spanish, so I returned that and stuck with TIJELY. It was about an autistic kid and his parents' struggles, and although I'm not sure I really liked the ending, I did like the book.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (3/12) - in progress
I went to my cousin's water polo meet (match?) at Cumberland Valley this past weekend, and despite never having seen a water polo meet/match and really not knowing anything about it, I got REALLY into the game. It's OK though, we won. And by we I mean North Allegheny, my cousin's team.
72. Attend at least 10 free community events (4/10) - in progress
I went with one of my co-workers to a cake competition / fundraiser for Project SHARE / PR event for CPYB's premiere of Hansel & Gretel a few weeks ago. It was some free cookies and a chance to voice on these super elaborate cakes that pastry chefs had constructed. It was fun, and it was also my first time downtown in Harrisburg.
91. Acquire a new cell phone - completed
Truth, ladies and gentlemen. After six years, three months and 15 days... I got a new cell phone. It was strange to go into the Verizon store because I all of a sudden realized I didn't know what I was doing at all -- because I'd never replaced my phone. My six-year-old phone was my only phone I'd ever had. Oh the memories... But I really like my new phone, so bonus.
98. To be added October 26, 2010
Shoot. Guess I should've checked back on this earlier. Although I knew almost immediately when I saw this what I wanted it to be -- Paint my empty picture frames and put them on my wall. I've wanted to make this collage since I moved in May, and I've had the frames since August. I need to get off my laurels before it starts snowing and get it done.
-- Till next time... which hopefully is sooner than six weeks :)
25. Learn to cook 52 recipes and organize them in one place (36/52) - in progress
-- My own pizza dough! Half whole wheat, half white flour. It was super delicious, although the recipe I had makes a bit too thick of a crust for my liking. I know making your own dough or bread takes the whole afternoon and is a lot more effort than buying it at the grocery, but it feels so rustic and I take probably too much pride in it when I'm done.
-- A greek chicken / orzo dish that was absolutely delicious. The oregano and the feta and the kalamata olives were all delicious. And as it turns out, so is orzo.
-- Barbecue pulled chicken in the slow cooker. Surprisingly few ingredients, and the slow cooker just makes everything so easy. Except when it comes time to do the dishes.
-- Beef stew. It's my mom's recipe, and it seemed expensive to buy all the ingredients at the grocery, but once it was done I think I have like nine or 10 servings. Used the slow cooker for this one too, so all I had to do was chop everything up and check back four hours later.
30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (21/25) - in progress
I went into the library about a month ago because my copy of Charlie St. Cloud was finally available on hold, and while I was there, I picked up "This Is Just Exactly Like You" on a whim in the new fiction section. Turns out I checked out Charlie St. Cloud in Spanish, so I returned that and stuck with TIJELY. It was about an autistic kid and his parents' struggles, and although I'm not sure I really liked the ending, I did like the book.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (3/12) - in progress
I went to my cousin's water polo meet (match?) at Cumberland Valley this past weekend, and despite never having seen a water polo meet/match and really not knowing anything about it, I got REALLY into the game. It's OK though, we won. And by we I mean North Allegheny, my cousin's team.
72. Attend at least 10 free community events (4/10) - in progress
I went with one of my co-workers to a cake competition / fundraiser for Project SHARE / PR event for CPYB's premiere of Hansel & Gretel a few weeks ago. It was some free cookies and a chance to voice on these super elaborate cakes that pastry chefs had constructed. It was fun, and it was also my first time downtown in Harrisburg.
91. Acquire a new cell phone - completed
Truth, ladies and gentlemen. After six years, three months and 15 days... I got a new cell phone. It was strange to go into the Verizon store because I all of a sudden realized I didn't know what I was doing at all -- because I'd never replaced my phone. My six-year-old phone was my only phone I'd ever had. Oh the memories... But I really like my new phone, so bonus.
98. To be added October 26, 2010
Shoot. Guess I should've checked back on this earlier. Although I knew almost immediately when I saw this what I wanted it to be -- Paint my empty picture frames and put them on my wall. I've wanted to make this collage since I moved in May, and I've had the frames since August. I need to get off my laurels before it starts snowing and get it done.
-- Till next time... which hopefully is sooner than six weeks :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
And it's been a while
So it's been a solid three weeks since I've updated, but I also haven't done anything on the 101 in those three weeks.
I will say though, that my phone has not been holding a battery charge for more than a day (like, really less than 24 hours) and I'm thinking a new cell phone might be in my near future.
I'll try to get moving here on the other things.
-- Till next time.
I will say though, that my phone has not been holding a battery charge for more than a day (like, really less than 24 hours) and I'm thinking a new cell phone might be in my near future.
I'll try to get moving here on the other things.
-- Till next time.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Time to change the calendar...
Thank God it's September, because I was just really not feeling the August picture on my calendar above my desk. Plus when I get tired of my closet full of clothes (i.e. every day), I keep telling myself I have tons of fabulous clothes I can wear once it's fall. Bet you twenty bucks if you talk to me in October, I'll wish for summer again.
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 (36/100) - in progress
I watched Saving Private Ryan on Monday. I don't think I'm a war movie kind of person, because I thought the battle scenes went on entirely too long. It did make me think about Iraq & Afghanistan, although I guess those wars are less like D-Day. I watched it with a friend, who was convinced I was going to bawl my eyes out, but I fell asleep during the middle hour, so I think I lost part of the emotional pull. I'm telling you, three-hour movies are tough.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (32/52) - in progress
I made a steak salad this weekend, with arugla and blue cheese and plums. I thought it was pretty fabulous, and definitely something I'd make again. It was my first time buying beef at the supermarket, so I looked like a total dummy asking the butcher to point out flank steak... I also had a wild excursion in search of grass-fed beef before I finally gave up and headed to the grocery, but I'll explain that in a minute.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (2/12) - in progress
This is an ultimate fail, seeing as how there have been six seasons since I started and I've attended two events, but I forgot to put the Senators game in here when I went with my mom & Adam in August when they visited. It was a lot of fun, I thought, which makes me wonder why I never followed through on going to JMU games when I was there -- baseball or basketball. Probably because I barely had time to breathe in my last year / semester at school.
65. Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day, 30 times (0/30) - in progress
I applied (?) for a free pedometer a few weeks ago. Applied is not right word though, because I really just gave a company my name and address and they sent me a free piece of junk that does not count steps unless you swing your hips out to kingdom come. Although it did count me pulling down my shorts to go to the bathroom as two steps. I think it's faulty. The most golden part though, is they addressed it to 'Sarah Hollerback,' which is so far from my last name it's insane. But I do have a pedometer, so I guess I could try the 10,000 steps thing.
69. Shop at a farmers market during the season for fruits & vegetables I buy - completed
I'm going to go ahead and check this off, because I try to buy my produce at the farmers market or a farm stand -- I check there before I go to the grocery. Ultimately I'd like to go fully seasonal and only buy what the farmers market offers, but for now I am happy with my progress. I came close to buying some farmers market beef this past week, going as far as giving my name and number to a farmer (don't be jealous) and he was going to call if he had a flank steak at his other market, etc. But that fell through, so I went to the grocery. But there's something fun about being outdoors and buying fruit from a four-man operation rather than scanning a plastic carton of arugula.
-- Till next time
7. Watch all movies on AFI's top 100 (36/100) - in progress
I watched Saving Private Ryan on Monday. I don't think I'm a war movie kind of person, because I thought the battle scenes went on entirely too long. It did make me think about Iraq & Afghanistan, although I guess those wars are less like D-Day. I watched it with a friend, who was convinced I was going to bawl my eyes out, but I fell asleep during the middle hour, so I think I lost part of the emotional pull. I'm telling you, three-hour movies are tough.
25. Learn to cook 52 new recipes and organize them in one place (32/52) - in progress
I made a steak salad this weekend, with arugla and blue cheese and plums. I thought it was pretty fabulous, and definitely something I'd make again. It was my first time buying beef at the supermarket, so I looked like a total dummy asking the butcher to point out flank steak... I also had a wild excursion in search of grass-fed beef before I finally gave up and headed to the grocery, but I'll explain that in a minute.
32. Attend at least one sports event a season (2/12) - in progress
This is an ultimate fail, seeing as how there have been six seasons since I started and I've attended two events, but I forgot to put the Senators game in here when I went with my mom & Adam in August when they visited. It was a lot of fun, I thought, which makes me wonder why I never followed through on going to JMU games when I was there -- baseball or basketball. Probably because I barely had time to breathe in my last year / semester at school.
65. Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day, 30 times (0/30) - in progress
I applied (?) for a free pedometer a few weeks ago. Applied is not right word though, because I really just gave a company my name and address and they sent me a free piece of junk that does not count steps unless you swing your hips out to kingdom come. Although it did count me pulling down my shorts to go to the bathroom as two steps. I think it's faulty. The most golden part though, is they addressed it to 'Sarah Hollerback,' which is so far from my last name it's insane. But I do have a pedometer, so I guess I could try the 10,000 steps thing.
69. Shop at a farmers market during the season for fruits & vegetables I buy - completed
I'm going to go ahead and check this off, because I try to buy my produce at the farmers market or a farm stand -- I check there before I go to the grocery. Ultimately I'd like to go fully seasonal and only buy what the farmers market offers, but for now I am happy with my progress. I came close to buying some farmers market beef this past week, going as far as giving my name and number to a farmer (don't be jealous) and he was going to call if he had a flank steak at his other market, etc. But that fell through, so I went to the grocery. But there's something fun about being outdoors and buying fruit from a four-man operation rather than scanning a plastic carton of arugula.
-- Till next time
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