32nd Recap

Here’s the rundown of my year:

1. Skydive
2. Purchase a work of art – I’m saving up for this. Art ain’t cheap people!
3. Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner
4. (Finish) coloring an entire coloring book
5. Europe scrapbook
6. Finish watching Breaking Bad
7. Divvy for a day
8. Stand on the Sears Tower Ledge
9. See Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
10. Start a worm bin  – you guys should see my worm bin. I have healthy, happy worms.
11. Work out 10 times a month – I didn’t do this for the months of June, July, August, and September because I was still nursing a foot injury. But by the time October came around I was back at it. So I’m going to take half credit for this one.
12. Crochet (something that actually looks good, lol)
13. Do 1 new thing each month – I started out strong with this one and I’m fairly confident that I did, in fact, do one new thing each month. But my laziness got the best of me and I didn’t record any of the new things. So I guess I won’t be crossing this one off the list.
14. Stick to budget – I had 4 budget goals this year: (1) Rent apartment (check!), (2) Max out my Roth IRA (check!), (3) Save $10,000 in an emergency fund (this did not happen), and (4) Pay down $5,000 on my debt (also did not happen). Incidentally, the money that I didn’t save or pay down on my debt is almost the equivalent of my health insurance deductible, so I have a feeling that had something to do with this. Therefore, I’m also going to give this one a half. (I find it hilarious that I feel the need to justify these things to you, dear reader).
15. Get through Level 3 in Spanish – I made such a silly mistake when I make this goal. I didn’t realize that Rosetta Stone is set up by Levels. Within each level, there are 4 units. And within each unit there are 5 lessons. And within each lesson there are anywhere from 6 – 13 sections. Which means I would have had to complete a lot of Spanish. Lesson learned and I’ll be adjusting this goal for next year.
16. Run a half marathon under 2.5 hours – I’m not making excuses, but a foot injury had me sidelined for most of the year (alright alright, I am making excuses).
17. Watch Parenthood
18. Move into a new apartment
19. Volunteer at the Chicago Marathon
20. Watch a sunrise
21. Get a promotion
22. Go on a blind date – do tinder dates count? Because I’ve got a handful of those I could regale you with.
23. Read 1 professional development book each month – Ugh. This was the worst goal that I set for myself. I had started out so well and then I attempted to read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. And man, that book is t e r r i b l e and completely slowed my motivation (it took me 5 months to complete it and when I did, I couldn’t bring myself to read another professional development book for another 4 months). I did read Drive, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Design of Business, and David and Goliath. I won’t be trying this again.
24. Stand up paddleboard
25. Whole 30
26. Attend Loyola 10 year reunion
27. Go to a Chicks Night at Fleet Feet
28. Watch an Oscar-winning movie each month – I didn’t post about this, since it was sort of an on-going goal. Here’s the list of movies I did watch this year:
Philadelphia (Best Actor in a Leading Role – Tom Hanks; Best Music, Original Song – Bruce Springsteen)
The Iron Lady (Best Actress in a Leading Role – Meryl Streep; Best Achievement in Makeup)
Annie Hall (Best Picture; Best Actress in a Leading Role – Diane Keaton; Best Director – Woody Allen; Best Writing)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Best Music – Original Song; Best Music – Scoring)
The Hours (Best Actress in a Leading Role – Nicole Kidman)
Sophie’s Choice (Best Actress in a Leading Role – Meryl Streep)
Terms of Endearment (Best Picture; Best Actress in a Leading Role – Shirley MacLaine; Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Nicholson; Best Director; Best Writing)
Ghost (Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Whoopi Goldberg; Best Writing)
Flashdance (Best Music – Original Song)
The Hurt Locker (Best Picture; Best Director; Best Writing – Original Screenplay; Best Editing; Best Sound Mixing; Best Sound Editing)
Fargo (Best Actress in a Leading Role – Frances McDormand; Best Writing – Screenplay)
Selma (Best Music – Original Song)
29. Spa day with friends
30. Take a class at Paper Source
31. Watch a Cubs game from a rooftop
32. Go to a climbing gym

There’s more in store for next year. Take a look at my 33rd list here.