This is my take on a more specific version of the ever-popular “bucket/life/to-do” lists, the following items representing what I have on my heart and mind for 2010: places I want to be, people I want to see, challenges I want to hog-tie, ultimately: personal growth I want to foster, momentum I want to keep creating throughout the entire year ahead. (Nerd aside: This post will soon live as its own page, wherein I will edit and post updates, and as such, will also be accessible from the top navigation of my site. )
My mantra this year: Be brave, Kerri.
Ready? Me, too.
————-A Year Complete———–
Jump into the Pacific Ocean at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Take my first solo international flight.
Hike and photograph The Great Wall of China.
Wander around Beijing by myself and see how many times I get lost.
Finish both stories I’m currently writing.
Take the streetcar to work while I still live near it.
Spend ten amazing days in South Korea with babycarrot sister and Will.
Kayak along the Columbia River.
Kayak along the Columbia River during a full moon.
Be an encouragement to as many people as possible.
Move into an apartment or house where I’m paying less rent.
Spend a day surfing with my favorite surfing friend.
Run, run, and run some more (specifically)–
In the rain on the beach.
In Forest Park.
Shamrock Run (5k), March 14 with Rhi! and Kali! and Chris! and Hans! (Registered!)
Race for the Roses (5k), April 11
Lake Oswego Run (5k), May 8
Coeur d’Alene (5 or 12k), May 30
Columbia River Crossing (10k), October 3
Successfully turn Iggy into a running pug.
Journal daily (which is going to be great fun thanks to this little guy).
Write letters on real paper to friends and family for no particular reason.
Tell people “I’m a writer” and mean it.
Take the train to Seattle to visit my rad Seattle friends.
Volunteer in my community, maybe helping with an after-school reading program.
Kayak with Jen! on Lake Washington.
Get back in the pool. (Specifically: swim 2-3x/week.)
Visit the Portland Chinese Gardens (pictures here) and the Portland Japanese Gardens.
Read at least two books a month.
Spend a few days in New York in August, with a plethora of lovely, hilarious ladies.
Re-read Moby-Dick.
Bungee jump, here.
Spend more time near the ocean.
Enter at least one writing contest every two months.
Spend two days in Vancouver, B.C. in April.
Try out for the Rose City Rollers.
Plan and finish at least three scenic Pacific NW hikes; I’m thinking:
Pacific Coast of Washington
Cape Lookout (to go whale-watching)
Harts Cove
Watch one documentary a month.
Show Jen a Pacific Northwest Good Time when she visits PDX in May.
Bake a pumpkin pie with a homemade crust.
See Percy Jackson in February, Eclipse in June and Harry Potter in November, with a friend as excited to see all three of those movies as I am.
Get my buttercup tattoo.
Make a plan to be college-loan-debt-free by the end of 2011, and continue growing my savings every month.
Road trip it to Summerland to visit Angella, Amanda and their respective crews again, for a weekend this fall.
Attempt to paint an ocean-scape from a photo I’ve taken.
Attend an event at Omsi.
Research graduate programs for English Literature/decide if I want to teach at the collegiate level when I grow up.
Take a page from Sizz’s book and create a soundtrack for the year.
Tell my friends how amazing they are and how much I love them on a regular basis.
Laugh, a lot.
After this weekend, I think you’re covered in the laughing department. But keep it up, yo.
I’m going to break out the journals I bought at Powell’s and the pens I bought at Target (Hey, better than the cotton candy sweaters) and make a list of my own.
I may or may not post it, but I will write it. And that’s what matters.
Love you.
I love this. I’ve been thinking of some things I want to do now that I’m here and not just waiting to be here.
Love this list. And you. Did you know I’ve never read Moby Dick?
Kayaking is my favorite. If you need a kayaking buddy, call me up!
Great list full of awesome stuff. Can’t wait to see you embark on it. :-)
Great list…. I know you can do it all! :)
Inspiring list, though I think the last point is the most important one.
If you do go bungee-jumping, be the girl that actually pushes off rather than the one who has to be pushed off… in a weird, symbolic way that makes all the difference :)
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Oh, for sure. I totally plan on throwing myself off that ledge with gusto!
love the list!
loved the japanese gardens when we visited portland. that was one of my favorite stops – so serene!
look forward to watching your journey. :)
What an awesome list. I’m envious of your Portland living but then again, the small town, I can get anyway in 10 mins town of Bend is working but I miss shopping, culture, etc.
What a great list…..and I see that you’ve done plenty of things already. And that some of those are easy to accomplish…… it’s a great time of year to face all sorts of things that this worlds holds in store for us. Happy Days!
I like this list and am probably will join you on a few of these. I have been wanting to do some kayaking forever, ever since I found out REI does a sea kayaking tour of the San Juan Islands.
I think we have to strike the right balance between Book Club and Vodka Club, too.
What a great list—I’m working on my 101 in 1001 list and I love a few of these and might steal/alter. Also: I have roller derby aspirations, too! But I am a HUGE BABY. Boo.
I love this list!
Sounds like a REALLY great year. I think we should add monthly Kerri/Kali dates in there.:)
That you’re going to try out for Rose City Rollers just makes me all kinds of happy, this whole list is so good and I love that it brings out all of these corners of you.
There are so many great things on this list! Columbia River Crossing: YAY!!!! Can you pencil me in for a beer after?
This is SO awesome, Kerr. I can’t wait to do some of those hikes and/or runs with you! Love you! xoxo
You don’t need to do any of this to show how brave you are. I think this last year proves it. But, carry on!
What a great list! I’m due to revisit mine from last year to see what I’ve accomplished and what I still need to do.
sounds awesome!!
Love your list! So much running! and writing! and traveling! All things I totally *heart*. And roller derby? Sweet. What’s your name gonna be? (I remember Erin Cooks telling me if she ever joined a league, she’d be “Betty Clobber”–so fun!)
I’d like to do all the local races with you. Except, I CANNOT RUN OUTSIDE.
But, really, great list of goals, my dear! I know you’ll do great!
What an amazing list… got lost in the amazing imagery a few times.
But wait, you’re gonna move?
Delurking to say: Wonderful to read this list!
What a fantastic list! I hope you document some of the things here on your blog!
I love this list. Also, I am going to hereby invite myself to see Harry Potter in November. With or without a baby in tow. (I will figure something out.)
Man, you have enough here for two years! You’re not going to have time to sleep.
I’m so honored to be on your awesome list. It’s going to be fun to mark that one off together!
I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. You obviously know what you are talking about! Your site is so easy to navigate too, I’ve bookmarked it in my favourites :-D