Only 698 days to go.

698 days - that means less than 2 years for this list. Oh, well...if it gets done, that will be wonderful but I am pretty sure some things will not be accomplished. It is the journey that matters - so they say. Anyhow, here is a quick update:

Reading - Obviously, I have a eclectic reading list. Here are three books I read recently to indicate the diversity:


"Last Minute Sewing Gifts"
"Do You Remember Me?"
"Shock Doctrine" - currently reading
Also read (not in picture): "The Book of Negroes" & "The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor"

Creativity - Since my fabric is nicely ironed and folded, I knew I needed to attack the pile and make things. I cannot reveal what I made as Christmas is nearly here and some of my loved ones will be receiving "makesies" gifts this year.



Online dating - Have enrolled in one site, am looking at another one. There are no crazy adventures yet. I thought about doing another blog about funny things that happen in the pursuit of finding a mate but thought better of it. If you want to know any adventures, you need to ask me.

The Girls Weekend - so much fun to get away and drink wine and over analyze. Canmore is so close but you feel like you are a million miles away from normal life. It was fabulous.

Mending: My sewing basket is mostly empty. There are only 3 pieces left and they are not my size so there is no hurry. They will probably go to goodwill in the next go-around of purging.

Time moves quickly but many things on my to-do list are part of my daily life now so it is good. I still can't believe 300 days have already past since posting the list.

The 101 list is being neglected

I hope to re-start my list in November...life derailed slightly over the past 4 months and I was struggling with whether or not a life to-do list was even necessary or relevant to me. But what I realized is that my life is about how I live it and to grant myself grace when necessary. Doing things I love, that bring joy, that challenge me and that ultimately change me...that is what this list is about. So here is the past 2-month update:

10 km run - in untypical fashion, I made a mistake about the date of the run I signed up for thus missing the run. Technically, I have run 10 km....just not in a race but in lots of training. It was a tough day. However, to redeem myself (or punish - I am not sure which), I committed to running a 1/2 marathon next May...I am running with a friend so I should get the date right this time around.

Faith based community - the past 2 weeks, I attended a gathering which is fairly un-churchy. I plan to connect with their relational pastor and see what type of involvement there is...they speak of taking water to the world...being a blessing of love to people in our lives. It seems to fit with the journey I am currently on - love God, love others - simple faith.

Creativity - just some ink drawings...i love one in particular - a dragonfly. It may show itself on gifts this Christmas. I hope to make this holiday pure make-sies and philanthropic in nature. (just a warning to my family). I also made my Halloween costume - I was a gold digger. Pictures to follow in future post.

Friends over - I am making up for lost time recently. In the past week, I had friends over four times for dinner/lunch or breakfast. I hope to continue this habit.

Running - well, during the training for the race, I was running 3-4 times a week. I am now doing a once a week "regiment". In February, I will be upping the training in prep for the 1/2 marathon (am I insane?)

Photo printing - I printed Asia and Europe trip photos to put in frames. Still have a few more to print but it is progress.

Purging - Perhaps my purging is semi-annual. I took another load to charity in September. That is twice this year.
Fabulous women letters - I am just completing the first one tonight. It should be in the mail this week.

Sunrise - Ok, it wasn't purposeful. But I saw the most amazing prairie sunrise (and sunset) during a business trip to Northern Alberta. I left Edmonton at 7 a.m. when it is still dark and the sunrise did not disappoint. I am counting it!!!

Voting - participated in the Canadian federal election in October. For the first time, I did the advance vote as the actual election day was so busy for me.

Girls Weekend - am planning a girls weekend with 4 of the posse in Lake Louise for mid-November. Yeah!!!

However, despite the update of my 101 list, the simplicity of the following photo does hold appeal.

The update - it is necessary

Due to immense mocking of my detailed planning for the completing of my 101 things, I haven't really been focused on accomplishing the list. However, as September is a type of new year...I will re-commit to my 101 things. If there is one thing I did learn this summer, life is incredibly short and can change in a breath.

Quick update:
- backed up my music and photos by purchasing an external hard drive (my life is very exciting - I know!)
- am reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle and finishing "Can You Drink the Cup" by Henri Nouwen. I hope to begin "An Imperfect Offering" by James Orbinski very shortly.
- am slowly catching up on my runs - yesterday did 5 km in 31 minutes (thank you Jeremy for being my running partner!). My 10 km run is in 4 weeks!

So, I hope to have more regular updates as I get back into my groove here.

an update of sorts

- Started running again...way behind on my running plan...don't know if I will ever catch up.
- Watched three of the AFI movies: Easy Rider, Bonnie & Clyde, and Apocalypse Now. All very different but fascinating.
- Been reading too: The Last Word, and the Word After That by Brian MacLaren, and The Men I Didn't Marry (can't remember the authors name as have returned the book to the library)
- Had friends over last week
- Did some paintings with words/quotes and also played with Wordle
- This weekend, the plan is to purchase the macbook and the external drive - oh the joy!
- Bought a new bathing suit & it was not a painful experience at all. I was way less critical than I have been in the past. Are bathing suits made from different material these days versus five years ago? My new suit is keeping everything in the right place and the right shape...Fabulous!
That is a brief update with no pictures but this blog is about a list after all.

slacker

Okay, so I haven't been too diligent about my list lately. Even reading has slacked off. It took me almost 2 1/2 weeks to finish the book "Wicked" about the Wicked Witch of the West (the back story of the Wizard of Oz and the basis of the musical Wicked)

Having said that, my life has been full of great experiences and stories so I am not worried.

Until the next update...

a couple more down

A quick update...I went to Edmonton this weekend with my good friend PK to attend our friend's shower and stagette. It was a complete girls weekend. Lots of good conversations, a chocolate tasting, wine drinking and to top it off, dancing like no one was watching. Yes, it is true...I danced like a maniac and there are pictures to prove it apparently. I was told this morning that there is a montage of my dancing pictures.

As for other list items, I finished reading "28 stories of AIDS in Africa" and am currently reading "The Shack" by William Young. My friend in Turkey recommended this book to me. She says it is great but it will probably become the next "big" book in the Christian community so I should read it before the Prayer of Jabez/purpose driven life mania hits. It may already have hit but I am rather disconnected to the evangelical community that I don't have a clue.

Watched "All About Eve" so another film on my AFI list can be crossed off. Some blog post soon I will share with you all the movies I still have to watch. That will be an exciting blog!

I have now completed 8 things on the list and am in the process of completing 22 items. And that is just in 128 days. Oh my, how time flies when you are having fun or checking things off a list (really, those two things are synonymous to me).

Slowly but surely

It has been a month (almost) since my last blog tracking the progress of my 101 to-do's. Due to my travels, there has been limited time to fully track what I have done on the list. In fact, I inadvertently almost completed one to-do without realizing it. "To not hit the snooze button for a month" has happened - of course, for 3 weeks I was on vacation but I still had another 9 days of work where I didn't hit snooze. But I did it so it is now checked off the list.

During my travels, I met this fascinating women named Sally. She has this joie de vivre and is constantly trying new things, organizing trips with friends and basically seeing what is out there in life. On the day I met her, she had been at the London National Gallery in a drawing class learning the skill of drawing/painting drapery from the works of the masters. She was trying horseback riding the following day and organizing a trip for friends to the small town in England where they roll a wheel of cheese down a hill amid great festivities. She was an inspiration to me. I think I can get so caught up in my work life that it becomes my life and I forget that work is a means to help live my life.

Now for an update on the list, I have completed the following:

- Travelled to Prague

- Still doing alright with the biting nails but not quite there.
- Made a new friend
- Used some cards picked up in Berlin to make a art project of sorts (see below)

- Planted flowers on my balcony this spring

-Have read:
C.S. Lewis - Four Loves
Zadie Smith - On Beauty

-Am currently reading:
Stephanie Nolen - 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa [READ IT!]

Jane Austin - Lady Susan

As for other things on the list, there appearts to be a motivational issue - as in, my motivation is absent. These items include running, weight loss, finding a faith community and intentionally having people over for a meal.

In June, I have more plans for this list. Bullfrog Power now allows condo owners to purchase the wind power from them so I will sign up for that utility. I plan to start looking for fabric for my living room chair. I found a great website that gives step-by-step instructions to reupholster a chair. I also plan to purchase an external hard drive that will hold all my music and photos rather than taking up space on the computer. Oh, the excitement of my life.

I have an opportunity to help on a Habitat for Humanity build in Brooks, AB in a couple of weeks however, I will be in Banff for a client event the night before so I have to see if I can juggle the schedule.

Stay tuned, there are only 880 days left.

In Europe and still counting

Even being on holidays does not exempt me from my list. Here is a quick update:
- have learned 15 phrases/words and can count to 10 in German
- travelled to Berlin
- am reading another Paulo Coehlo book "The Valkyries"
- I am not biting my finger nails
- continuing to blog weekly

I know when I get home I will have to see where I am on my plan to achieve all of this by the Oct 29, 2010 deadline. Will put the plan up on -line (maybe).

the lack of progress

I now have 922 days left and have made very little progress this past month. Granted it has been an unusually busy month with a few new elements thrown into life. As "anonymous" noted, I may have become distracted recently...they speak the truth. However, I will get back on the 101 list and focus on it more when I return from my trip to Europe. In the meantime, here is a brief update:

- Finished reading: The Story We find ourselves In (McLaren) and am currently reading "A Generous Orthodoxy" by the same author.
- I have attended church twice...not sure if church as is traditionally defined will be the place I find a community or not.
- Am almost at 15 German phrases/words and will list them upon completion (next weekend)

I think that is all the update necessary for this week (or month).

943 days left

First, I want to know what happened to the last 58 days or even the last 7 days. I don't really remember this past week. Well, since there is no way to actually slow time, I will have to speed up my activities. Here is a quick update on things because I didn't post last week:


Books read:


- Eleven Minutes - Paulo Coelho
- Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway
- The Story We Find Ourselves in - Brian McLaren


AFI Movies watched
- On the Waterfront


Had friends over for dinner last night - Fajitas and Angel Food Cake - yummo! Every time I have people over, I wonder why I don't do it more often. Thanks to Mark, Nikki and Darcy for a fun evening mixed with a few trips down memory lane.


Have asked someone on a date but there seems to be some controversy on whether it counts as a date but I believe it counts so I am marking it as done. I think he is the only one reading this blog anyhow.


Have ran a couple times in the last couple weeks but definitely not on pace. Of course, it snowed quite a bit last night so my plans of running this morning were thwarted. Excuses - I know.

chugging or rather sputtering right along

Alright, another week is over and I think I may have lost some of my initial momentum. Need to find that again. But here is a quick weekly update:

Books I have read:
- The Devil & Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
- The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares (a guilty pleasure)
- Currently reading " The Story We Find Ourselves In" By Brian McLaren (same guy who wrote "A New Kind of Christian"
My reading tastes are rather eclectic

Movies I have watched:
- Ben-Hur (AFI)
- The Apartment (AFI - but I think I had seen it before or at least part of it...seemed vaguely familiar)
- A Place in the Sun (AFI)

I should probably have moved off my ass and run a couple of times instead of watching movies or reading books.

In the area of graphic design, I bought myself the book "DIY - Design it yourself". If I self-teach myself graphic design, will I need to take a course?? Hmmm, a question to ponder.

Cooking through the "Best of the Best of Bridge" Cookbook, I made banana muffins. I have hundreds (okay, at least 15) frozen bananas in my freezer and needed to use some. Maybe I will make banana bread for Easter weekend.

I scored some great picture frames from our work's storage room clean-out day last week. I saved them from the garbage bin...now I must frame some art, make some art, print out some photographs or something creative with it.

To encourage/motivate me, my new quote is:

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"

Until next week...

964 and counting

In my journey of completing my 101 to-do's in 1001 days, I have discovered that I am more willing to work on the items which only require staying in my cozy home in order to complete such as reading, blogging. I am not engaging in the items requiring interacting with others...such as dance, finding a faith community or writing a will. I am not sure if it is my anti-social, winter-blahs that I am emerging from underneath or if it goes deeper. I sense some fear when I think of a few of my to-do's. I need to learn to walk through the fear. Just some thoughts about this journey.


Here is my week update:


1) Am learning German. Have purchase the "German Phrases for Dummies" book to practise and learn. Have achieved counting to 10 (eine, zwei...),


2) Have started to work towards completing my #49 - reading all of Paulo Coehlo's books. I have now read five and have eight to go:

Just read:



Am starting:


3) Watch "An America in Paris" number 68 on the AFI 1998 list but not on the 2007 list.



4) Although I ran today, I am quite behind in my runs...especially with Melissa's Road Race coming this fall. I must run 2 more times this week.

5) Did some creativity - painted a canvas - see my other blog for details

6) Voted in the provincial election - I think it was rigged as the PC's swept back into power for the 35th straight year (or something like that). Actually, I think so many people are apathetic about our elections that they don't even bother to take part in the democratic process. Our veterans died so we would have these freedoms; 100 years ago, women were not considered persons and couldn't vote; people around the world are fighting to the death to have the right for free and democratic elections that most of us take for granted. These are all reasons why we should use the voting power we have in Canada. Remember, if you didn't vote, you better not be complaining about how the government handles things. And now, I will step down from my soapbox.

not much news

Little by little, I am achieving small goals in order to eventually cross off the big goals on the list. This past week was not my best week motiviationally speaking. I could have been more active. Read a couple of books, watched a couple of movies...that is about it.

979 days to go

Time is moving right along. What I realize is that my goals are not just the goal itself but actually many, many small steps in order to achieve each goal. It is actually quite rewarding because I am not procrastinating and feel a sense of accountability even if it is just to myself.

Here is my weekly update:

1) Reading - Finished "Saturday" by Ian McEwan and also read his book "Atonement" by Ian McEwan (am going to a matinee tomorrow before the Oscar party). I have to find something to read for this week.

2) AFI Films - Watched "Sunset Boulevard"...interesting movie and not all that flattering of Hollywood. I am surprised it was even made in the first place.

3) Registered for the 10km part of the Melissa's road race taking place in September and ran twice this week.

4) Checked out the Bow Valley club as a potential gym but it is v. expensive although v. posh too! Thanks to my friend for the free passes.

5) The once a month creativity was some pillows, button art and a painting I did for my new bedroom

6) I re-painted my bedroom - YEAH! I love it. See my other blog for pictures

7) Lost one more pound this week...actually being active and not eating Valentine's chocolate probably helped a lot.

8) I have committed to helping to serve lunch at the Drop In Centre in April.

Also, I found out that my company has this employee resource line which I can call and ask them to do research and gather background information for me on pretty much any topic. How great is that? It is like my own personal assistant free of charge. So I think I am going to use them to research the following to help me on my adventure:

1) Find a lawyer who does wills at a decent rate...perhaps even a lawyer that I can use for other contracts/legal stuff in the future.

2) Information on cooking classes, scuba lessons, photography classes, graphic design course, MBA programs and, of course, Bollywood dance lessons in Calgary. This resource line will find out all the details - costs, program info, location, etc

3) Insurance (house & car) costs

4) Gym membership costs...drop in rates...locations...equipment

The march goes on

I am need to think of a more creative way to update my 101 in 1001 journey. But for now...here is the update. This week, there really isn't much to update.


- didn't lose any weight this week. It may have had to do with the chocolate, shortcake and alcohol consumed this week...maybe!

- read like a machine. Finished Thornton Wilder's "The Bridge of San Luis Rey", read "The Audacity of Hope" by my bf Barack Obama and "Beloved" by Toni Morrison. I am now reading "Saturday" by Ian MacEwan (same author that wrote "Atonement" which is in theatres right now).

- finished memorizing the St. Francis prayer. so hard to live that but it is amazing how often the prayer comes to mind when life is not really going my way.

- My Lent practise of no complaining is a struggle and I forget. Complaining is so much part of our cultural communication. It is a difficult thing to not do. I suppose the awareness is the important thing. Next Lent, I am just going to give up chocolate or alcohol or something easier.

- I re-painted my bedroom. My regular blog will have pictures once I figure out art for the walls and pillows for the bed.

- Tuesday is registration day for Melissa's Road Race...hopefully I can get in.

- The habitual practises on my list are a work in progress...biting nails, recycling, working out.

Well, 985 days to go. Goodbye until next week.

the update

I am done another week of this crazy to-do list. Sometimes I think I need to question my sanity. I have updated the list with notes and progress so you can check that out. But here are the other highlights:
1) Join Weight Watchers....I am going to get those last 15 pounds off before my European adventure so I can enjoy the beer of Germany!!
2) Finished two books: Three cups of Tea, A New Kind of Christian and am currently reading "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" by Thornton Wilder (a new fiction author I have never read.) I just saw "Our Town" at Theatre Calgary a couple of weeks ago so Thornton Wilder has been popping up in my life recently. Speaking of theatre, I am attending "Enchanted April" this week...so lovely. Looking forward to it.
3) Am trying Lenten observance of no complaining. This is a very difficult thing to abstain from.
4) I have memorized the first half of St. Francis prayer.
5) Watched "Citizen Kane" - top movie on the AFI lists for both 1998 and 2007.
6) Booked my flight to Europe for end of April - YEAH!!

So it begins

Friday marked day one of my 1001 day journey. I spent the week before semi-planning when I should focus on each item. It is going to be a pretty full schedule to complete this list. What I have realized is that this list will allow me to live life intentionally. I will be able to determine what will need to be done based on this list.

So an update on the journey:

- started a book "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortensen (my book for the week)

- heading to the library today to get 3 more books for the month. Am considering Time Magazine's 100 top books. I did find out that I read quite quickly this week. Did a speed reading test and read 527 words a minute.

- rented "Citizen Kane" and "Some Like It Hot" movies on the AFI list. Watched "Some Like It Hot" on Friday.

- invited friends Jenn & James for dinner in February. Awaiting their response

- Have been good at not biting my nails this week.

- today I will be booking my flights to Europe!!

The List

On February 1, 2008, I begin a new adventure to accomplish 101 things on my life to-do list within 1001 days. This journey actually began in late 2007 as I noticed the rate of completing items on my life list was dreadfully slow. Since the length of my life is unknown, it seemed better to set a time limit. Through the inspiration of the web site http://triplux.stilljournal.com/dayzero/default.asp, I went to work creating the list. Finding 101 things is actually harder than it seems because I wanted to set realistic, objective goals that would stretch me personally but not unrealistically stretch my resources of time and/or money.
Periodic updates on my progress will be posted here as well as thoughts about the journey between February 1, 2008 and October 29, 2010. Here is the list (in no particular order of importance):


101 things to do in 1001 days – start date: Feb 1/08


"And above all watch, with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. - Roald Dahl –

1. Ask someone on a date (0/1)
2. Write my will
3. Drive on the opposite side of the road (as in England)
4. Grow a herb garden successfully
5. Fly first class
6. See the northern lights (not just faint lights but the real deal)
7. Volunteer in a soup kitchen (or other social service charity) serving clients face-to-face at least 5 times (0/5) [This is one of the goals my friend Holly has set for me & it is to be accomplished by end of 2008] Will be doing my first volunteer shift on Apr 3/08 at the Drop In Centre
8. See all AFI top 100 films from both the 1998 and 2007 lists (5/67)
9. Watch a professional soccer game live in Europe
10. Give blood at least 3 times (0/3)
11. Get a manicure and a pedicure
12. Learn 15 phrases and count to ten in German (2/15)
13. Take a photo a day for a year (0/365)
14. Practice Lent truly at least once (0/1)
15. Watch all BBC planet earth series
16. Buy nothing except the essentials such as food for a month
17. Become a Big Sister at Big Bros & Sis
18. Quit biting my nails -in progress
19. Re-upholster my living room chair
20. Go to New York City
21. Finish my maritime business plan
22. Blog once a week consistently for one year (5/52)
23. Cook my way through the Best of the Best of Bridge Cookbook
24. Set-up automatic giving to a charity/non-profit of choice
25. Set aside 10% of my pay cheque for retirement savings
26. Look into cheaper car & home insurance
27. Read a book a week (9/143)
28. Find a faith-based community [Holly's 2nd goal for me to be completed by end of 2008]
29. Make something creative once a month (1/33)
30. Recycle everything possible at home (get down to one small garbage bag/week)
31. Have friends over for dinner at least once a month (0/33) missed February - will have to double up in March or April
32. Memorize St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” - done - Feb 15/08
33. Backup my photos and songs from my computer
34. Purchase a laptop to replace my archaic and slow desktop
35. Take salsa (or other dance) lessons [This is the 3rd goal from Holly to be completed by end of 2008]
36. Learn how to scuba dive
37. Run at least 2 times a week (2/286) I am 6 runs behind. I will have to catch up pver the next couple of weeks.
38. Sign up to wind-power for my electricity bill
39. Be able to point out 10 constellations in the sky (2/10)
40. Buy a good mattress
41. Try no-complaining for a week straight (at least) - this is proving a tough thing. I am trying it for Lent this year.
42. Print out the good photos from my travels
43. Scan my old printed photos into my digital database
44. Purge my unneeded/unwanted belongings once a year and give excess to charity or have a swap-a-rama or hold a garage sale or sell it all on ebay (0/3)
45. Write fabulous women letters to 5 of my closest friends (0/5)
46. Have a suit made specifically for me by a tailor
47. Finish writing my events/celebration book
48. Read all of the Harry Potter books
49. Read all of Paulo Coelho’s books
50. Visit Prague - booked my ticket to Europe
51. Re-paint my bedroom - Done Feb 18/08
52. Re-tile my kitchen
53. Go to PEI
54. Get a massage at least 4 times a year (0/12)
55. Give up alcohol for at least 6 months
56. Give up coffee for at least 6 months (it was going to be caffiene but then I realized that would also include chocolate & I am not ready for that goal!)
57. Start a book club
58. Start a supper club
59. Make 5 new friends (0/5)
60. Purposely get up and watch the sunrise at least 5 times (0/5)
61. Dance like nobody’s watching at least once (0/1)
62. Go whale watching
63. Take a photography course
64. Get up without hitting snooze for 1 month straight
65. Sharpen my ice skates and use them at least 5 times (0/5)
66. Go cross country skiing
67. Install hardwood or laminate in my condo
68. Fly in a helicopter
69. Buy a new bathing suit with a joyful attitude (in the process, try on a bikini – just for kicks)
70. Buy a sari
71. Learn about wine pairings
72. Host a wine-tasting party
73. Bike around Glenmore Reservoir
74. Run a 10K race - Registered for Melissa's Road Race in Banff happening Sept 2008
75. Each year, discover a fiction author I have never read before - read Thorton Wilder and Toni Morrison (I wonder if I can take one of these authors into next year?!)
76. Try on-line dating
77. Lose the final 15 pounds (2/15)
78. Take a Public Relations course to continue life long learning
79. Take a graphic design course
80. Look into MBA programs
81. Plant flowers each spring on my balcony
82. Be able to do 50 push-ups in a row
83. Do not eat out at restaurants for 4 weeks straight
84. Try teeth whitening
85. Photograph and/or compile household items for insurance purposes
86. Do yoga twice a week for at least 6 months (0/26)
87. Be an educated voter in every municipal/provincial and federal election - trying to stay on top of the issues for our provincial one on March 3rd
88. Purchase Adobe Creative Suite or another graphic design software and create works of art
89. Have a girls weekend once a year
90. Pay off all my debt (except mortgage - unless I win the lottery)
91. Take a cooking class
92. Take my lunch to work for at least one month straight
93. Buy an original piece of art
94. Reach 2500 on my list of things that make me happy - in progress added another 26 and am at 1958 things.
95. Buy an iPhone
96. Get new windshield wipers for my car
97. Make all the alterations/mending in my sewing basket (and any new ones must be done within a week of arrival into the sewing basket)
98. Join a gym
99. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
100. Visit Berlin - booked my ticket to Europe
101. Make another 101 things in 1001 days list

"There is no use trying" said Alice, "One can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven't had much practice" said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!" - Lewis Carrol