101 in 1001: 2.75 Years and 101 Challenges

Stay Tuned

2011-10-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

List #2 will be up before 21 October 2011!

-rae

Travel

2009-01-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

Visit Vienna or Prague.

Preferably both!

Visit Roxane in France.

It makes me really happy that Roxy and I have kept in touch for the four years we haven't seen each other, but I'd love to go back to France and seeing Roxane is a really good incentive for me to put some heavy thought into it.

Visit Esmerlin in the Dominican Republic.

Esmerlin is my sponsor child, and I'd love to go to the Dominican anyway, so this is another twofer!

Visit Natosha and Gavin in Saskatchewan.

Natosha is almost like a big sister or a cool fun aunt to me, and I really miss her and her son. I'd love to go spend a week with them.

Visit Edmonton with Kelsey.

Oh dear. I live in Edmonton now.

Finally compile the France travelogue.

I've been meaning to turn my France journals and blog into a book for ages. I'd love to actually do it.

ykylm,

rae

93 in 807

2009-01-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

Finish a short story or other piece of fiction.

I wrote a story called Stability. It still needs to be edited heavily, but it has a beginning, middle and end, and I can easily say it's 'finished'. This is the first short story NOT for school that I've ever written - and finished.

94 in 827

2008-12-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

Donate blood.

Read 'Suite Francaise'

Done and done! I actually gave blood on the 13th of November. It went fairly well. I almost passed out after so they gave me some soup and called me a cab, which was nice because it was really cold and I had a headache and had not dressed for the weather.

Suite Francaise was a beautiful, beautiful book. I was so sad when it was over, because you could so clearly see where she had planned for the characters to go. (Irene Nemirovsky planned for Suite Francaise to be like a symphony in five movements, but she died when only the first two were finished). And yet it doesn't seem unfinished or hurried. It's beautiful. I liked the second 'book', Dolce, better, but I suspect the first, Storm in June, is better from a historical point of view - she doesn't miss any detail of the mass exodus from Paris. Oh, it's good. I highly recommend reading it.

96 in 892.

2008-10-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Buy a set of impractical underwear, just to say I own it.

Done! I just remembered that I had bought the top half before the list was made, and I recently bought a bottom half. They're so cute, goodness me.

Now I need to start doing some of the HARD stuff on this list.

Athleticism

2008-10-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Go camping, in a tent, for at least two nights.

It just occurred to me that I have, in fact, done this at grub camp. I guess I have to do it again, though. But why? I did it once!

Go parasailing.

This might be hard with the 'fear of falling' thing, and that's why I want to do it. It would be nice to do in, like, Hawaii.

Swim with dolphins.

A Ring of Endless Light turned me on to this idea. I know the dolphins aren't going to communicate with me using only their minds...but I'd like to swim with them anyway.

Take a self-defense course.

Especially with the Sketchy!Walk between me and work, I think this is becoming more and more of a good idea.

Attend a school sporting event. Cheer.

Hip hip for Les Centurions, the Golden Bears or the Pandas. Eh? Let's have some school spirit. I almost did this yesterday but I was too tired...sorry Craig.

Go snorkeling.

Apparently, I just want to go to the beach.

Learn to figure skate backwards.

The boy said he would teach me this. I would like to demonstrate some capacity for spatial awareness/athletic ability.

Kayak at least once in a real lake.

ditto.

97 in 892.

2008-10-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

One month, no television.

Done! It makes it a lot easier that I don't have a TV at residence, except in the salon; but I never go out there anyway, so there we go.

I have done a lot of reading - and a LOT of Facebook - instead.

98 in 918

2008-09-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

One week, walking/public transit only.

Done! Granted, this is kind of a freebie, given that I no longer have a car, but this week I did not drive myself anywhere: so much walking and public transit!

99 in 956

2008-08-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

Cook, prepare for, serve and clean up a family dinner.

done! twice over, actually. I made a turkey bolognese pasta dish one evening, and tacos another, and everyone ate and nobody died. definitely a good thing, and a positive sign what with me moving in not a lot of days.

ykylm,

rae

Languages

2008-07-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

(scrubs on TV)

LANGUAGES

Learn enough sign language to be able to have a conversation with my cousins.

Two of my cousins are deaf, and I've never really gotten to know them. They seem like such interesting people, so this goal could also go under familial.

Learn enough Spanish to be able to function in Mexico English-free.

YES! I love Spanish! I want to speak it!!! I also want to go to Mexico (Baja California) for a long period of time, and I won't do it till I can speak Spanish.

Visit Montreal and Vieux-Quebec, speak only French.

Loved what I saw of Montreal, and I think it would totally enhance the experience to really immerse myself and speak French.

Learn how to say 'love' and 'where is the bathroom?' in fifteen languages. (Three down, twelve to go!)

This just seems like a cool goal. It's a fun one.

ykylm,

rae

Reading

2008-07-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

(clear isabel-he moved me)

Read Wuthering Heights

Ugh, this one is taking forever. I get fifty pages in and then I throw it across the room and have to start over because I have no idea what's going on. I usually love Brontes! Jane Eyre! Come on!!!! This is a classic, I am GOING TO GET THROUGH IT.

Read War and Peace

I really liked Anna Karenina so I figured War and Peace was a good next step. The Russian names can really throw me off though, which is why this is one that I'll have to just sit down and do. I also need to read the Brothers Karamazov, but that didn't make the list-cut.

Read Suite Francaise

I have heard nothing but good things about this book and it looks really interesting.

Read the Sunday New York Times, cover to cover

So cool! What a challenge. What an expensive challenge-isn't it like a four-dollar newspaper? But I could spend a whole day with this paper, apparently.

One week, no gossip blogs or magazines.

This is in effort to try and focus on getting some of the other stuff on the list done, you see.

Meet Will Ferguson and have an intelligent and informed conversation

I LOVE WILL FERGUSON. I have entire chunks of 'How to be a Canadian' and 'Why I Hate Canadians' memorised. I quote him in everyday life. I took the Canadian History for Dummies book he wrote on a missions trip and my teammates laughed at me. He lives in Canada-in fact, I think he lives in Calgary-so the next time he does WordFest or something like that, I am there. I am SO there. (Man, what a fangirl).

Type up and make pretty the French favorite poems for my dorm room.

These are: Roman by Arthur Rimbaud, Liberté by Paul Eluard, Chanson (Si vous n'avez rien à me dire) by Victor Hugo and Hymne à la Beauté by Charles Baudelaire. You French speakers should look them up, they're all beautiful. This is so that I get into the spirit of French residence and whatnot, and I really like these poems. I might frame them and stuff.

One month, no television.

To have more time to read, you see...even though reading is pretty much all I do anyway.

Read the newspaper every day for two weeks.

Keeping informed, keeping informed, keeping infoooooormed!!

ykylm,

rae

next: languages

Familial and for others

2008-07-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

(emmy rossum, slow me down)

Watch a whole football game with Alanna and Dad. Don't complain.

Aw maaaaan. This is going to be hard, I don't LIKE football. But it's really important to family members and you BET it'll be a challenge. I could have done this yesterday but I so wasn't in the mood.

Cook, prepare for, serve and clean up a familial/romantic dinner. (This is two things, but their reasonings are the same).

I HAVE TO LEARN TO COOK. FOR MORE THAN ONE SETTING. AND MORE THAN ONE MEAL (THE STIR-FRY I CAN CURRENTLY CREATE).

Learn the basic premise of the game 'Halo' and play two rounds with Brett.

This is one of Brett's favorite things, so I'd like to understand it.

For a month, every time I want to see a movie, do volunteer (charity?) work instead.

Seriously, the amount of time I spend at the cinema's becoming a little ridiculous, especially in summer. And this is beneficial for others as well as a challenge for me.

Volunteer for a political candidate.

I did this once already, and I'd like to get more involved doing it again.

Recycle every can or bottle I use or come across for a month.

Hurray, environmental stewardship!

Donate blood.

Oh, I was SO close to this one. Still want to do it, it's so easy and so helpful.

Be a Big Sister for a year.

I hope I can actually do this in the timeframe.

ykylm

rae

Personal-Really Big Challenges

2008-07-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

(tim hughes-everything)

Welcome to the ones that are really taxing. If I can do every thing on this part of the list, I'll consider it a huge success.

Run a 10K race. Run 60% of the way.

I have always wanted to be able to run. Part of the reason I don't is the lovely spectre of exercise-induced asthma, but if I was in shape, I don't think it'd be that big of a deal. I have an inhaler. Let's be honest with ourselves. This one requires me to train and stuff, and that's going to be a huge challenge.

Take a biology course.

I realised in Bio 30 this year that I love biology-especially genetics-but that there's enough in the entire subject that I don't like that I stop trying at some points. I'd like to take-and pass-a university biology course. This one is really just for me.

Jump off the 10m platform at a dive tank.

I used to take diving, and I couldn't even bring myself to jump from any higher than the 5m. Diving from the 3m was a challenge (in fact, I don't ever think I did it; I stuck to 'fall-ins'). And I love to dive even though I'm not very good at it. This is another one to help me get over the fear of falling.

Keep my dorm room so clean...mother unannounced...

I am a messy person. I'm not generally dirty, but I'm messy. Clutter, while not 'comforting' exactly, doesn't bother me at all. However, I think moving is a good time for me to make some big changes, and so this is one of them.

Own a fish. Keep it alive.

Feed it, change the water. Keep it alive means for six months. Goldfish don't really live that long, do they?

Buy a small bikini and wear it to the pool. Feel good about myself.

Oh, boy, the self-image issues. I really need to do this, and I think it's going to be a reward for doing a lot of the health stuff.

Own two houseplants. Keep them alive.

Okay, Robyn, I'll take the spider plants. I like the idea of living things being dependent on me.

Take a ballroom dance class. Sign up without a partner.

My boyfriend can waltz and I fall over my own feet. Does this seem rather backwards to anyone else? Seriously, the lack of grace I possess is appalling. The signing up without a partner is because most people do these classes with someone they know, and I think it'd be really cool to split up and meet other people. (Robyn, you can still take the same one as me! Let's not push the 'alone' business).

One week, no texting.

Oh, maaaaan. This is going to be really hard. That's all I can say!

One week, no makeup.

Again with the self-image issues. I am going to have to make a real bloody effort, too, to pick a week where I actually am going out in public.

Memorise a book of the Bible.

I must qualify this one with 'and make it one that's longer than 3 John.' But I would like to know that I have a whole book memorised, and yet again, in order to do this I'm going to have to spend some quality time with the Bible.

One month, no picking at cuticles, pulling out eyelashes/eyebrows or biting nails.

These are my stress habits and the reason that I have messed up hands and eyebrows. I'm going to replace them with something creative.

Eat at a restaurant and see a movie alone.

Rachel did this once in Friends, didn't she? This is a huge challenge because people notice when you do things alone, it makes you the centre of attention.

Put 10% of every paycheque into a savings' account.

This one starts with the next paycheque I get. I am really bad at saving money, and I need to do it. Point final.

next-familial and for others.

ykylm,

rae

100 in 989

2008-06-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my mother, I now own a little black dress. Actually, it's a little black dress with embroidery and sequins and stuff, but it is little, black, and serves the time-honoured purpose of a LBD, which is to be the go-to dress that is little and black.

It came from Coldwater Creek yesterday! it's very pretty. now I need somewhere special to wear it.

ykylm,

rae

Personal-superficialities

2008-06-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

Pick a hair colour. Stick with it and maintain it for six months.

Well, I've picked it. The sticking with it and maintaining it happens now. I have to stop dying my hair every time I'm bored.

Buy a set of impractical underwear, just to say I own it.

This is just superficial and fun. I've bought the top half and it's just so funny and incongruous with my usual set of boring underwear.

Spend a whole day at a spa. No cellphone.

Relaxing! I'm not very good at it. Cellphones also get in the way of relaxing.

Buy a 'To Write Love On Her Arms' t-shirt.

Great cause. Great shirt.

Learn how to neatly braid hair.

I'm so close to this one. My braids are neat eight times out of ten.

Buy a MAC eyeliner and do not immediately lose it.

SERIOUSLY. I've bought three MAC eyeliners in the last year, and not one of them has lasted more than a week before disappearing. It's a curse.

Buy a Little Black Dress.

I'll get to mark this one off in about a week!!!

ykylm,

rae

Spirituality and faith

2008-06-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

(kelly clarkson, sober)

Go back to FFHM.

Foundation for His Ministry is my favorite place in the world, and I've only been there for two weeks out of my whole life. Visiting and working in a place where everything is so, so about God was a really good influence in my life. I like the feeling of not doing things for myself. On top of which, I love the people there, and I'd like to spend another amount of time there. It'll probably just be a week, but I'd love for it to be more.

Read the Bible cover to cover.

I think I've done mostly all of it in chunks, but I've never sat down and read the whole thing through, and I think that's important. It'll also be a good grounding for me, and I think I'd like to do this before I leave for school, so I'll do it this summer most likely.

For one month, get up half an hour early to pray.

This is one of those ones that I'm hoping becomes a habit if I start it as part of this list. One of the recurring things that has been popping out of sermons at me lately is the importance of SPENDING TIME WITH GOD, and I don't think I do enough of this. So I'm going to start this one this summer too.

Go to Sean's church one weekend.

Sean's religion really interests me on an intellectual level, and I'd like to go to his church once to see it for myself.

Go to a Catholic church one weekend.

I've only been to a Catholic church once, for Christmas Eve mass, and it was really cool. I find the pageantry and tradition of the Catholic church really interesting and beautiful, and I'd like to see an 'everyday' Catholic mass, I guess.

Find out everything, in general, that I can about saints.

I think this stems from reading 'Catherine, called Birdy,' actually. But saints and martyrs are really interesting. Some of them are kind of wacky, and some did some really awesome things. So I'd like to find out how a saint becomes a saint and about some of the major and minor ones.

ykylm,

rae

next: personal-superficialities.

Creativity

2008-06-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

(taylor swift, picture to burn)

I woke up way earlier than I meant to, so I thought now that Jenny's gone is a good time for me to perhaps make a little blog entry. So next on the list is creativity.

Go one month without using the word 'fuck.'

Why is this under creativity, you ask? I read somewhere once that offensive language is an excuse to be lazy and not find a better word. And also, sounding like a truck driver is not really number one on my to-do list.

Sell or publish one poem.

This is a really big deal. Some of you may have seen on my other blog that I posted two poems in a venue where a lot of people I know could see them. I had a few in the iconographer this year too, and that was a big deal. Selling or having published one poem would be a really big accomplishment for me.

Finish a short story or other piece of fiction.

Especially when I was younger, I would start writing these pieces of work that if I had stuck with, could have been good. This will force me to sit down and WRITE.

Complete a set of 'Adult' piano books, theory included.

This mostly goes with the next one, and also: I really love playing the piano and I wish I hadn't quit. You win, Mom! You said I'd be sorry!

Write a whole song: lyrics, melody and accompaniment.

I can do the lyrics and melody fairly well. It's the accompaniment that's the problem, and hopefully: the adult piano books will help! You see the connection.

Attend an art show.

(I seem to recall once telling Sean I wasn't as pretentious as I pretend to be). Actually, I really want to go to an art show: see some interesting art! Also, the idea I have in my head of an art show is a really cool thing, and I'd like to see how it matches up.

Learn to knit and knit a scarf ROBYN would actually wear.

Robyn has claimed this scarf that I am going to knit, so it had better be good.

Make a piece of visual art, like a collage, for the dorm room.

This will force me to be careful because if other people are going to see it, it can't be sloppy. And it will be fun.

Learn guitar. The opening lick to Seven Nation Army and the James Bond Theme do not count.

Such a dream. I really meant to get on this this year, but it just never happened. Now that Brett has a guitar it's even more motivation.

Get my eyebrow pierced/get my tattoo.

Also both dreams. I'm a grownup now, let's get 'er done.

Take a stained-glass course.

I was reading a description of a beautiful stained glass piece in a book called 'Mercy', and that was my inspiration. I love stained glass, I think it's beautiful, and I know you can take a course on how to do it. So I want to.

Trim my own bangs.

This one is a little silly. But think! It would be prove that I do possess hand eye coordination.

Type my last three journals so I have a legible copy of them.

I like to type, and I would really like to have a copy of my journals because the first one, the purple one from France, is starting to fade. This will be slightly embarrassing, but worth it.

Buy and fill a 16G iPod.

Consumerism! Yay!

next time: spirituality and faith.

ykylm,

rae

Health

2008-06-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

(sia: breathe me)

To me, part of keeping a 101 in 1001 blog is explaining the reason behind my choices.

So to that end, I'm taking a section at a time, going through and kind of talking them out. If that bores you, please do wait until the 21st when I start this thing in earnest and will have actual progress reports.

HEALTH.

This is probably the biggest category, even if it doesn't have the most items. Basically the whole reason I decided to really go for this 101 in 1001 thing was personal growth, and pretty much anyone who knows me knows I have a long way to go to being physically healthy.

So without further ado, things from the health list.

Don't drink Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero or Diet Pepsi for one month, on top of the one month drinking only water.

This is just obvious. The amount of Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Diet Pepsi that I drink is patently ridiculous. The caffeine addiction has to end somewhere, friends. This will probably be one of the hardest things on my list.

Spend one month drinking only water.

(I've decided that this includes my one glass of milk a day, because I don't want to get osteoporosis). Once again, this just stems from a basic desire to be healthier. If all I can drink is water, I'll drink more of it. Everyone wins.

Walk Mozart every day for a month.

I had better get on this one before I move. Good for the dog, good for me. I'm pretty sure everyone will appreciate this: my parents, who will see both me and the dog getting out more; my siblings, who won't have to walk the dog; Mozart, and me.

Climb the hardest up and down wall at Stronghold.

Climbing has always been something I wanted to get into, and now, it'll help me get over the crippling fear of falling.

Go on a real hike, on a trail not marked 'easy', with trail mix and everything.

Getting in touch with nature? Check! Good things for respiratory and circulatory systems? Check! Refreshing mix of almonds, raisins and m&ms? Check!!

Go two weeks without eating meat.

This is just a real personal challenge. And a veggie diet is supposedly quite good for you if you do it right.

For one month, do one hundred sit ups a day.

Ugh...well, at some point, I'd like to prove to myself I have abdominal muscles. This has to get easier the more I do it, right?

Do the yoga routine every day for a month.

I printed this really easy, beginner's yoga routine that I enjoy doing. So why do I never do it???

One week, no refined sugar.

Ugh again, yet again with the abs. Plus my teeth will probably thank me. I just realised that that will necessitate cutting out Coke again.

One week, be in bed by ten thirty and up by six thirty.

I am such a night owl and my sleep habits suck. Mom's always telling me that the hours you get before midnight count the most, so maybe I should get some.

One week on top of the water month, no coffee.

Caffeine is a drug, friends.

Wear sunscreen every day for two months.

This one starts, like, the 21st. Pale is the new tan.

One month, no fast food.

My wallet and my waistline will be really grateful for this. Besides, there comes a point where fried stuff no longer sounds good.

Go swimming, at least twenty lengths, once a week for six months.

I love to swim and this will be good for my arms.

Be goal weight. (Lose twenty pounds).

I am hoping that everything in the above list helps out with this one. Seriously, I think I can really do it.

One week: walking/public transit only.

This helps the environment, my bank account and my health. Done and done!

ykylm,

rae

The List

2008-06-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most people have seen the list on my other blog, but since this is the 101 in 1001 blog officially, it belongs back up here too.

It's also fulfilling one of the items on the list, which is to keep a 101 in 1001 journal, but I'm pretty sure it counts.

So, then, the list.

HEALTH

Don't drink Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero or Diet Pepsi for one month, on top of the one month drinking only water.

Drink only water for one month

Walk Mozart every day for one month.

Climb the hardest straight up and down wall at Stronghold.

Go on a real hike, on a trail not marked 'easy,' with trail mix and everything.

Go two weeks without eating meat.

For one month, do one hundred sit ups a day.

Do the yoga routine every day for one month.

One week, no refined sugar.

One week, be in bed by ten thirty and up by six thirty.

Wear sunscreen every day for two months.

One month, no fast food.

One week on top of the water month, no coffee.

Go swimming, at least twenty lengths, once a week for six months.

Be goal weight (lose twenty pounds).

One week: walking/public transit only.

CREATIVITY

Go one month without using the word 'fuck.'

Sell/publish one poem.

Finish writing a short story or other piece of fiction.

Complete a whole set of 'Adult' piano books, including theory.

Write a whole song: lyrics, melody, chords and accompaniment.

Attend an art show.

Learn to knit and knit a scarf someone would actually wear.

Make a piece of visual art, like a collage, for the dorm room.

Learn guitar: the opening lick to Seven Nation Army and the James Bond Theme do not count.

Get my eyebrow pierced.

Get my tattoo.

Take a stained-glass course.

Trim my own bangs.

Type my last three journals so I have a legible copy of them.

Buy and fill a 16G iPod.

SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH

Go back to FFHM

Read the Bible cover to cover.

For one month, get up half an hour early to pray.

Go to Sean's church one weekend.

Go to a Catholic church one weekend.

Find out everything, in general, about saints that I can.

PERSONAL-SUPERFICIALITIES

Pick a hair colour. Stick with it and maintain it for six months.

Buy one set of impractical underwear, just to say I own it.

Spend a whole day at a spa, no cellphone.

Buy a 'To Write Love on Her Arms' t-shirt

Learn how to neatly braid hair.

Buy a MAC eyeliner and do not immediately lose it.

Buy a little black dress.

PERSONAL-REALLY BIG CHALLENGES

Run a 10K race. Run 60% of the way.

Take a biology course.

Jump off the 10m platform at a dive tank.

Keep my dorm room so clean my mother could drop in unannounced at two in the morning, no issue.

Own a fish. Keep it alive.

Buy a small bikini and wear it to the pool. Feel good about myself.

Own two houseplants. Keep them alive.

Take a ballroom dance class. Sign up without a partner.

One week, no texting.

One week, no makeup.

Memorise a book of the Bible.

One month, no biting nails, pulling out eyelashes or picking at cuticles.

Eat at a restaurant and see a movie alone.

Put 10% of every paycheque into savings account.

FAMILIAL AND FOR OTHERS

Watch a whole football game with Alanna and Dad. Don't complain.

Cook, prepare for, serve and clean up a family dinner.

Cook, prepare for, serve and clean up a romantic dinner.

Learn the basic premise of the game 'Halo' and play two rounds with Brett.

For a month, every time I want to see a movie, do volunteer work or charity work instead.

Volunteer for a political candidate.

Recycle every can and bottle I use or come across for a month.

Donate blood.

Be a Big Sister for a year.

READING

Read Wuthering Heights

Read War and Peace

Read Suite Francaise

Read the Sunday New York Times, cover to cover

One week, no gossip blogs or magazines.

Meet Will Ferguson and have an intelligent and informed conversation

Type up and make pretty the French favorite poems for my dorm room.

One month, no television.

Read the newspaper every day for two weeks.

LANGUAGES

Learn enough sign language to be able to have a conversation with my cousins.

Learn enough Spanish to be able to function in Mexico English-free.

Visit Montreal and Vieux-Quebec, speak only French.

Learn how to say 'love' and 'where is the bathroom?' in fifteen languages. (Three down, twelve to go!)

ATHLETICISM

Go camping, in a tent, for at least two nights.

Go parasailing.

Swim with dolphins.

Take a self-defense course.

Attend a school sporting event. Cheer.

Go snorkeling.

Learn to figure skate backwards.

Kayak at least once in a real lake.

TRAVEL

Visit Vienna or Prague

Visit Roxane in France

Visit Esmerlin in the Dominican Republic

Visit Natosha and Gavin in Saskatchewan

Visit Edmonton with Kelsey

Finally compile the France travelogues

OTHER

Eat at a vegetarian restaurant

Buy a Flick Off bag and use it.

Watch all three LOTR Extended Editions in a row.

Keep a 101 in 1001 blog or journal and update it with progress.

Frame at least 10 pictures of my friends for dorm room.

Write in my (other) blog at least three times a week for six months.

There you have it, friends.

ykylm,

rae