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!!