Although I felt like I didn’t do that much in 2012, I really have made good progress on my original list. There’s never been a year where I accomplished every single goal I laid out for myself but that’s no bother because inevitably I also manage to do lots of things NOT on the list too!

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Dang. Another year where I didn’t do this. Shame on me.

#46 Scuba Diving: COMPLETED! Went to the Rock Quarry in July to keep up with my SCUBA skillz. Was relieved and proud to say that I actually remembered how to do it. As long as I keep going regularly, hopefully I won’t forget.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, but I’ve been tearing it up in regard to books I want to read. Which, after years of reading books I’m supposed to read, has been really nice. Total for the year includes: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Children of Men, Fight Club, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, Wicked, Less Than Zero, and Living with Miss G.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Moved to next year.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I was on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. (I’ve donated 7 total pints for lifetime). But then I started reading articles about how donating blood builds up scar tissue and makes it difficult for you to potentially get IVs and things you may need later in life. I don’t know. I need to do some more research on this.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Starting in late October I started working out at the gym with the “assisted pull up” machine. So far my max lift is 90 pounds; only need 50 more. Didn’t accomplish this one but I’m working hard on it for 2013.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED! I’ve been a few times but would like to go more. Definitely want to go “real” rock climbing next year.

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: About halfway through the year I kinda changed my plans and I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 191 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating).

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Drank 10 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: COMPLETED! The original task was to visit 10; I visited 13. This year I have been to: Natty Greene’s, Big Boss, Aviator, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Lonerider, Roth, Mystery, White Street Brewing, Carolina Brewing Co., Red Oak, NoDa Brewing, Birdsong, and Foothills.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: COMPLETED-ish! I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This didn’t happen this year. No worries!

One of my favorite things to do is to take advantage of opportunities as they come up, even if they aren’t on the list! After all, the true spirit of the list is to get you out of your comfort zone. So far this year I have also:

• I attended two Roller Derby Matches 
• I visited Natural Bridge
• I went Indoor Skydiving
• I went to a concert by myself (twice. I went to see Dave Matthews in December and it was truly wonderful. I’m definitely going to concerts by myself from now on).
• I did most of the Warrior Dash
• I went camping for the first time, climbed Grandfather Mountain, and managed to cross off Thing to Do #37: Make a Fire Without Matches (I went camping again at the beach in August and started a fire even more quickly and efficiently so I can actually say the first time wasn’t a fluke!)
• I went Zorbing
• I went to Bonnaroo
• I made beer (three times; the first and third time was pretty great, the second time was a bit of fail but that’s what you get when you drink whilst making beer!)
• I went to Niagara Falls and went into Canadia for the first time! (Adding to my work on #36: Visit Every Country)
• I raised $1,000 and rappelled down the side of the building at the “Over the Edge” event.
• I got colorful at The Color Run
• You know when you look on a map and see that pointy part of NC that juts out into the ocean? I went to that exact point of Cape Hatteras and watched the waves crash together. Rather cool. Still haven’t been to the top of the lighthouse though.

In my personal life:

There have been so many successes that aren’t even on the list, and in many ways I feel this has been the most successful year of my life. Professionally I continue to be satisfied and challenged by my work; a promotion in July brought a bit more stress and work load but I’ve enjoyed the new challenges.

Personally, I’ve discovered a lot about myself this year. It’s been a great time for self-reflection and looking inward. I’m still trying to work on some things but overall I feel better about having figured some things out.

Also in the personal realm, I’ve continued to keep the weight off from last year. I no longer diet; I rather eat what I want. But I do continue to attend Zumba 3 times a week. Through Zumba I’m still the same weight (anywhere from 139-143), but I’ve actually lost another dress size. At my biggest in April 2011 I weighed 164 and was a size 10; although I’m still 10 pounds more than what I was in college, I’m the smallest size I’ve ever been at size 4 (in college I was a size 8). Next year’s goals will hopefully see me finally do a pull up.

Financially I guess we could always wish for a little more but through contract work and my day job, I’ve managed to continue to maintain the lifestyle I want while being single. I became a landlord this year and that’s actually going well so I’m pleased with that decision and I have little by little been able to rebuild my wardrobe through Goodwill purchases and consignment shops.

Overall I guess I would say 2012 was somewhat quiet and subdued; not quite the like the year I had in 2010! But if we gauge our success not in trips and adventures but in happiness and security, I’d easily say 2012 was by far my most successful year yet.

How was your 2012? What are you looking forward to for 2013?

Although I feel like I haven’t done that much this year, I really have made good progress on my original list. There’s never been a year where I accomplished every single goal I laid out for myself but that’s no bother because inevitably I also manage to do lots of things NOT on the list too!

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing on this one yet. I PROMISE I’m doing this one this year.

#46 Scuba Diving: COMPLETED! Went to the Rock Quarry in July to keep up with my SCUBA skillz. Was relieved and proud to say that I actually remembered how to do it. As long as I keep going regularly, hopefully I won’t forget.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, but I’ve been tearing it up in regard to books I want to read. Which, after years of reading books I’m supposed to read, has been really nice. Total for the year includes: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Children of Men, Fight Club, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and Wicked.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Ok. I’ve got my bar picked out and I know the perfect time to do it. And I’ve had news big enough to do it (Hel-lo promotion!) so really no good excuse on this one.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I was on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. (I’ve donated 7 total pints for lifetime). But then I started reading articles about how donating blood builds up scar tissue and makes it difficult for you to potentially get IVs and things you may need later in life. I don’t know. I need to do some more research on this.

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: My sporadic rock climbing has not helped with this so I think I may need to step it up at the gym or something.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED! I’ve been going about once a month or so.

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Have watched 3 of 100. But halfway through the year I kinda changed my plans and I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 191 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating).

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Have drank 8 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Have visited Natty Greene’s , Big Boss, Aviator, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Lonerider, Roth and Mystery. 3 more to go for the year.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: COMPLETED-ish! I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): FAIL! I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This didn’t happen this year. No worries!

One of my favorite things to do is to take advantage of opportunities as they come up, even if they aren’t on the list! After all, the true spirit of the list is to get you out of your comfort zone. So far this year I have also:

• I attended a Roller Derby Match 
• I visited Natural Bridge
• I went Indoor Skydiving
• I went to a concert by myself
• I did most of the Warrior Dash
• I went camping for the first time, climbed Grandfather Mountain, and managed to cross off Thing to Do #37: Make a Fire Without Matches (I went camping again at the beach in August and started a fire even more quickly and efficiently so I can actually say the first time wasn’t a fluke!)
• I went Zorbing
• I went to Bonnaroo
• I made beer
• I went to Niagara Falls and went into Canadia for the first time! (Adding to my work on #36: Visit Every Country)

Coming Up:

• I’ve never done “hoity-toity” afternoon tea so I hope to do that sometime.
• I’ve reached my goal for raising $1,000 for the “Over the Edge” event. So I’m doing that next weekend (October 6th); Stay tuned for details of that adventure!
• I’ve registered for The Color Run in Charlotte, November 17th

In my personal life: from the promotion I got in July, I’ve been working just a little bit more, as well as I continue to copyedit dissertations most nights at home. Thing to do #30 on my 40 before I’m 40 list was to begin bringing in money through contract work. Originally that was meant to be that I was writing grants but just in editing this year I will be close to making $10,000. I think that’s pretty considerable and maybe enough to check that item off the list.

Between my day job and my side job and still making time for family and friends (as well as religiously attending Zumba 3 times a week), my blog has continued to suffer. In addition, I haven’t been visiting YOUR blogs either, which makes me sad. I hope you are all doing well and I hope to catch up with you soon!

Also, I feel like I’ve focused a lot more on things I’ve been putting off that aren’t necessarily on the list. Even simple things like reading books or catching up on television shows have been wonderful luxuries I feel I’ve denied myself for the last few years.

How are you doing with your goals for 2012 thus far?

I’m sorry for not being around more lately but…honestly? I’ve just not been feeling it. After blogging pretty regularly for 3 years, I guess I’m a bit burnt out. Between that and traveling a good bit and getting a promotion at my job (yay!) and working furiously copyediting dissertations, I just haven’t had the energy. And I guess it kinda means I haven’t had the energy to DO stuff on the list either. Not to worry – I’m still doing a bit. Updates below.

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing on this one yet. I PROMISE I’m doing this one this year.

#46 Scuba Diving: Gonna head to the Rock Quarry in August.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading on the list, although I’ve read a good amount of books I want to read including: the newest Sookie book, Dexter is Delicious, The Hunger Games, and The Help. Currently reading The Children of Men.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Ok. I’ve got my bar picked out and I know the perfect time to do it. And I’ve had news big enough to do it (Hel-lo promotion!) so really no good excuse on this one.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I’m on pace with 3 pints donated so far for the year. 3 more to go for the year. (I’ve donate 7 total pints for lifetime)

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Hopefully rock climbing will help with this.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED!

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Have watched 3 of 100. I’m actually kinda working more on the IMDB Top 250. Of these, I’ve watched a total of 182 (although this list is always changing, which can be frustrating)

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Have drank 8 of 20 (20 was my goal this year)

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Have visited Natty Greene’s , Big Boss, and Aviator. 7 more to go for the year.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: I did take one private dance lesson. I’m supposed to go back for a group lesson and then a “dance social.” But the one private dance lesson showed me I have a long way to go!

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: COMPLETED!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): I think I missed the opportunities this year.

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): I think I missed the opportunities this year.

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This isn’t happening this year. No worries!

So far this year I have also:

• I attended a Roller Derby Match 
• I visited Natural Bridge
• I went Indoor Skydiving
• I went to a concert by myself
• I did most of the Warrior Dash
• I went camping for the first time, climbed Grandfather Mountain, and managed to cross off Thing to Do #37: Make a Fire Without Matches
• I went Zorbing (post with video coming up soon!)
• I went to Bonnaroo (post also coming with LOTS of stories!)

Coming Up:

• I’m going to try my hand at brewing my own beer.
• I’ve never done “hoity-toity” afternoon tea so I hope to do that sometime.
• Thinking about trying out hang gliding at Kitty Hawk in the fall.
• I’ve signed up for the “Over the Edge” event for October 6th. (If you haven’t contributed to my goal of raising $1,000 yet, please consider it. Even $10 helps!)
• I’ve registered for The Color Run in Charlotte, November 17th

In my personal life: I got a promotion with a company I continue to love, went to my 10 year college reunion, moved to the big city of Raleigh and became a landlord. I also continue to keep the weight off I lost last year, actually losing just a bit more, taking me down to 30 pounds lost total.

This year may not be one of the most visibly exciting years of my life, but its been one of the most satisfying and truly I am the happiest I’ve been in a long while.

How are you doing with your goals for 2012 thus far?

Well, if there is one thing I’ve learned in my 31 (almost 32) years on this Earth is that you can’t plan life, although I’ve certainly tried! But I’m learning to deal with it. Afterall, the fun is when opportunities come up that you weren’t even expecting.

My Goals for 2012:

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list): Nothing on this one yet. I PROMISE I’m doing this one this year.

#46 Scuba Diving: Gonna head to the Rock Quarry when it gets warmer.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I’m failing at reading in general lately. I’ll do better.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): Ok. I’ve got my bar picked out and I know the perfect time to do it. Now I’m just waiting for news big enough that warrants me shouting in a bar.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): I’m on pace with 2 pints donated so far for the year. 4 more to go for the year. (I’ve donate 6 total pints for lifetime)

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): COMPLETED!

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up: Hopefully rock climbing will help with this.

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: COMPLETED!

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Have watched 3 of 100. I need to pick it up!

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Have drank 2 of 20

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Have visited Natty Greene’s and Aviator. 8 more to go for the year.

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: My dance lessons are scheduled for April.

#37 Start Using Coupons: I’m kinda halfheartedly doing this. Baby steps.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: Waiting for it to get warmer

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): Not yet but opportunites are coming up

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): Not yet but opportunites are coming up

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: This isn’t happening this year. No worries!

Also:

• I attended a Roller Derby Match 
• I visited Natural Bridge
• I went Indoor Skydiving

Coming up:

• I’m going to try my hand at brewing my own beer.
• I’ve never done “hoity-toity” afternoon tea so I hope to do that this spring.
• I’ve got some interesting musical experiences ahead of me in the coming months, including going to a concert by myself…
• Thinking about trying out hang gliding at Kitty Hawk in the fall.
• I’ve signed up for the “Over the Edge” event for October 6th.
• As soon as registration opens, I’m signing up for The Color Run in Charlotte, October 27th

How are you doing with your goals for 2012 thus far? I personally need to read more, watch more films, and drink more beer!