shifting, and ever closer to thirty

Nearly a year and a half ago, I established some small life goals for myself.  In recent months, I found myself re-visiting these, and there are a number of things that have shifted and have a bit more meaning to me now, and others that don't make sense for me any more.

So, because it's my list and because I can, I edited my Thirty before 30 goals. 

Take a gander, as I've also highlighted my accomplishments thus far as well.

Self Improvement
Physical

• Run four times a week at least 3 months (nearly hit this last August-October!)
• Run two 10k races (1/2 complete - #1: December 2012, Angkor Wat)
• Return to mid-college weight and maintain for at least 2 years (non-consecutively is ok)
• Eat no overly-processed foods for at least one month (we'll be doing this in June- we're going to eat nothing by Khmer food for the final month before we go home!)

Mental/Spiritual

• Learn meditation techniques and meditate once a week for at least 4 months

Financial

• Create and stick to a monthly budget wherein I save at least 10% of my current salary each month so that I can pay for travel and items that I want. Maintain at least 2 years.

Things I Love
Baking

• Research and perfect ~50 recipes, including: (I've been researching! I can't wait to perfect come this fall!)
• 15 cookies recipes; 15 cake/cupcake recipes; 8 pie recipes; 15 "other"/bar/special recipes
• Take culinary classes on the following:
• Pastries; Cake decorating; Sauces & Soups; Undecided other
• Seek out ways to and begin to offer/sell my baked goods to family, friends and community

Blogging / Capturing Life

• Comment on 3 blogs a day for at least 3 months
• NEW GOAL: Keep a record [jot down one line a day, one photo a day for a year and keep record of the lovely little things in life on my blog.]

Reading

• Read at least 4 books a month for at least one year (Complete: 2012)
• At least 1 of the 4 must be nonfiction

Writing

• Outline and begin to draft novel
• NEW GOAL: Craft ten short stories

Knitting/Cross-stitching

• Actually finish a scarf for Chris. Maybe, MAYBE, attempt a blanket.
• OR
• NEW GOAL: Craft 5 cross stitch samplers well

NEW GOAL AND TOPIC: Cooking (aka, something I WANT to love)

• Research and prepare one recipe a week for a year.

Relationships  
Marriage

• Develop and honor a once a week date night and maintain for at least six months
• Do something kind/loving for Chris twice a week for at least six months
• Prepare mentally, physically and financially to have a child

 Family and Friends

• Write one email or call one person a week for at least one year
• Send a "just because" card or homemade item to a family or friend once a month for at least eighteen months

Career

• Take necessary credits/classes to renew teaching certificate
• Secure a job that excites/fulfills my passions, but also allows me to balance my work and life (so on my way with this.. I hope slash think!)

Begin date: November 1, 2011

End date: October 30, 2015