#24 - Take A Community Education Class

Jill and I took a watercolor class through Lakeville Community Ed. It was SO much fun. At first I was a little leary. At the first class we had to go around the room to introduce ourselves. Everybody else at the class wanted to learn watercolor for an activity to do after they retire (so we definitely were not going to be meeting any single guys at this class!) We had to learn patience during this class - you have to know when to stop - you have to wait while it dries - most importantly, you have to learn how to mix color (which I started liking more and more towards the end!)

I definitely would take another class. I think next time it would be fun to do an acrylic or oil paint class (even if it would be REALLY expensive to buy more paint and brushes and whatnot).

See pictures below (sorry the pictures aren't the best!)

The first class was a lesson on trees, snow and shadow. Second class was rocks, mountain and more trees.
In the third class we used masking fluid to make snowdrop flowers (top picture from class - bottom made at home).
The fourth class we used ink to outline the barn and then dropped in color.
Since the barn was such a quick painting we also were able to bring in a picture of our own to paint. I went with a picture of the Grand Canal in Venice, also using ink and dropping in color.

In the last class, we did a water picture with both still and moving water and using all colors (I have to give credit to our instructor on the birds - I had such a hard time with those!)

#7 - Knit/Crochet A Scarf

With the FREEZING cold temperatures lately I decided I needed to finally finish my scarf. I stayed up really late to finish the thing so that I could wear it to work the next day (as the snow was falling). It's wonderfully warm and really really fuzzy. I love the underlying yarn. I almost wish I had made it without the furryness. Maybe I can convince Jill to make me some gloves without the furry using the cool yarn!

#2 - Get someone else to do the list with me

Yippee!! Jill has made her own list! Check it out here: http://jillslist101in1001.blogspot.com/

Picture to come soon :)

#19 - Read 25 Non-Fiction Books

4. The Butterfly Garden by Chip St. Clair ( 02/14/08 ) - Fascinating book. The book is a memoir about St. Clair’s life - his father was on the Top 10 Most Wanted List for murdering children. His childhood was incredibly abusive but his ability to overcome everything and help others who are in similar situations is inspiring. (Thanks for the book Becca!)

#19 - Read 25 Non-Fiction Books

3. Million Little Pieces by James Frey ( 12/23/08 ) - I debated on whether or not this should be considered a non-fiction but decided to let it slide anyway. Oddly, I was very fascinated by this book. I originally didn’t think that I would enjoy it. The writing style was completly different from anything I have ever read. I do recommend it though. I will have to read his next book to see how it compares.

#19 - Read 25 Non-Fiction Books

2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (12/03/08 ) - This is a great book. I really enjoyed it and it makes me want to go on the same journey that she did….to visit Indonesia and India, spend time with a medicine man and a guru. What an experience that would be!

#19 - Read 25 Non-Fiction Books

1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom ( 11/02/08 ) - I’ve read this book before but really wanted to read it again. I started reading it for the second time right after I found out my Grandma was about to pass away. It was perfect timing and really made me think about and value the time and memories I had with her. Morrie's advice and wisdom was perfect.

#56 - Attempt to Ski (cross country and downhill)

So the adventure began with cross country skiing. We headed to Cleary Lake where they have very nice groomed ski trails. We got our skis rented, somehow got clipped into the skis and headed out on the trails. It was freezing cold but a ton of fun. It is definitely a new winter hobby. It's a great workout - but luckily I wasn't sore the next day!



The "hills" on the trail were a little more tricky. Most people wouldn't consider them hills but to Jill and I...they were HUGE! I think I only wiped out once the whole time but there were a few near falls :)

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

7. Mancini’s, St. Paul - Another pre-Swarm game dinner. We went a little higher class this time I ordered the chicken (go BRAVO STICKER) with a baked potato. The bread - amazingly goodly buttery delicious. AND I saw JM hanging on the wall (thanks for showing me Andie) AND we got to sit near a senator with an incredible HOT (and when I say HOT I mean HOT) sweater. Golf themed with the entire golfer depicted on the sweater. Wow.

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

6. Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub, St. Paul - Well. Since we go to all the Swarm games (since we ARE season ticket holders) we decided to try a different restaurant before each game - and this week it was Tom Reid’s. Hmm…well this was the start of a really tipsy evening. When we got into the restaurant we found a both (it was overrun with Vulcans!) and it took a really long time to get service. There was a small menu (maybe it was an event menu?) so I just ordered a burger. Nothing too exciting. I would much rather eat at McGovern’s.

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

5. Zelo, Minneapolis - We went to eat a REALLY quick dinner here before watching Spring Awakening at the Orpheum. The food was very good. Since we were in such a hurry we started by sharing the Bruschetta Sampler - Avocado, Wild Mushroom, and Roasted Sweet Peppers and Mozarella. So tasty. My favorite was, of course, the Avocado. We then shared a Wood Grilled Chicken and Artichoke Flatbread and a Molinari Sicilian Sausage Pizza. Both were extremely tasty and hit the spot.

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

4. Black Sea Restaurant, St. Paul - Character. This place has great Character. From the owner cleaning the tables, taking the ordering, making the food, and serving the food….it doesn’t get much better. It was a busy place…with only 7 tables in the place seating was hard to come by. Luckily people were about to leave right as we arrived. We sat and were squished in once everyone arrived. Appetizers - Sarma (cabbage rolls, olives, feta, tomatoes) and Hummus with pitas. I ordered the Tavuk Doner (rotisserie chicken gyro). It was SO delicious. Jill and Amy had orange tea and Iskender Kebabs (beef/lamb gyros), Kat had Acili Kofte Kebab (spicy Turkish meatballs) with Turkish coffee after dinner and Andie had Tavuk Sis Kebab (marinated chicken kebab). Everybody enjoyed their food. After dinner we of course couldn’t pass ice cream by so we went to the Grand Old Creamery. Ice cream was of course delicious (Peppermint BonBon and Chocolate Fudge Brownie) but my favorite part was the waffle cone. Wow was that tasty.

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

3. The Buffet @ Mystic Lake Casino, Shakopee - Holy crapload of food. I literally cannot breathe right now. Dessert section….nothing to write home about. We pretty much left most of it sitting on the table. I'm not sure I would necessarily go again unless we had a coupon or discount or something of that sort. (P.S. I HATE the smokiness in Mystic...blah!)

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

2. Panino Brothers, Apple Valley - Good. Recommended. HUGE servings. We decided to go here for dinner after looking through our dining club cards (a coupon never hurts!) Jill and I each got different ones and then split them. There were definitely leftovers from this meal.

#82 - Try 50 New Restaurants

1. Skywaters, Minneapolis - Special meal prepared by executive chef. Very fun (and I ate an Orchid!)

See more detailed description HERE!

#45 - Start a Tradition

On Monday we held the first annual Mother/Daughter near Christmas time event. It was a blast I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We started out with dinner at the townhouse. The attendees: Jaime and Becky, Jill and Rita, Andrea and Mary, Becca and Diane, and Amy (we were without Amy’s Mom who was at the choir concert). For dinner we had BBQ pork sandwiches, broccoli grape salad, raspberry jello salad and an INTENSE dessert (that was SO cute in the shape of a snowman with earmuffs and all!)

After dinner we headed to downtown Minneapolis for the Tonic Sol-Fa concert. All I can say is I LOVE JARED! He is cute and his deep bass voice….so sexy I was disappointed though….none of my three favorite songs were sung NO JOSEPH’S SONG, NO GOODNIGHT, and most importantly…NO KING OF GLORY.

Overall the night gets a very high rating. I think everyone had a great time and would definitely be willing to go again next year!

#55 - Mail Christmas Cards (on time!)

And this task is complete (note the date - 12/3). Christmas cards were ordered and the majority (except for the few that need addresses) were mailed today. Wait until you see it…it sure is interesting. I’m definitely getting more and more in the Christmas spirit. It seems like it is just right around the corner and I still have SO much to do before then! At least Christmas cards are checked off the TO DO list!

#33 - Become CPR/First Aid/AED Certified

It’s official. I’m certified. Just need to wait for the “official” card in the mail. The training was oddly fun and interesting. First though there was 4 hour of computer training. I learned many many things like Brown Recluse Spider and Black Widow Spider bites are really bad and you should call 911. AND I learned 30/2 and ABC. Fun times.

Our mannequin was hot. Or not. I had to use the special barrier device. The AED is pretty sweet. I like how it gives you instructions for EVERYTHING and can tell you if you have done anything wrong.

Oh…and we were given free gloves and a barrier device from TR to keep in our purse so we have it for future use. Very cool.

I feel special now and feel like I could really help someone if something did happen.

#85 - Get tipsy with good company

The FIRST completed task! WOO HOO! Last night we (Andie, Kat, Jim, Amy, Greg, Janet, Jill and I) went out for the dinner I won at the Matt Blair Celebrity Golf Tournament auction. We got a four-course meal made especially for us by the executive chef at SkyWaters in the Minneapolis Hilton. We brought 4 bottles of our own wine (as wine service was included in the meal) and drank them all over the course of our meal. And then had another drink after the meal (Limon and Diet). The meal was absolutely amazing. So delicious (read the other blog for more descriptions!)

First course: Casaba Melon Carpaccio Salad,

Second course: Plantain Soup with Chicken Confit,

Palate Cleanser: Raspberry Sorbet,

Third course: Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops,

Fourth course: Mocha Creme Brulee and Pistachio Cake Duo.

Eating the Orchids! After dinner we headed to Brits for a drink (another Limon and Diet). We soon decided there was no good eye candy and headed over to The Local (which was PACKED!!). There I had a Lemon Drop Shot and a Raspberry Kamikaze. Delicious but by that point I was pretty well lit already!

When we finally decided to leave the bar (WAY before bar close) Taco Bell was on my mind. We exited on 50 to go through the drive-thru and then someone had an epiphany. Honey Mustard Dressing from Perkins. YUMMY! We immediately made a U-Turn and headed to Perkins for more laughs and some delicious turkey sandwiches with a crapload of honey mustard. Umm Umm GOOD!

My task was definitely complete. Check on the TIPSY and Check on the Good Company!

The Complete (Edited) List

The List has been completed!

Start Date: November 9, 2008
End Date: August 7, 2011

Purple means the task is In Progress
Teal means the task is Completed

General
1. Blog about each of the tasks on my list (1/101)
2. Get someone else to do the list with me
3. Take a picture of each completed task (1/101)
4. Put $10 in savings for every completed task and $20 for every uncompleted (0/101)

Hobbies
5. Take a photography class
6. Take a photo every day for a month (0/30)
7. Knit/crochet a scarf
8. Finish scrapbook from trip to London/Italy/Switzerland
9. Finish Shutterfly book for Brother

Help Others

10. Pay for the next person in line at the drive-thru
11. Clean out closet and donate clothes
12. Give to a charity
13. Volunteer
14. Plant a tree
15. Do something nice for someone who will never find out
16. Leave a HUGE tip to a waiter/waitress
17. Buy Christmas presents for a family in need
18. Buy something for a stranger off of their WishList on Amazon.com

Knowledge Inhanceme
19. Read 25 non-fiction books (1/25)
20. Apply to MBA Grad School
21. Make a quilt
22. Learn to say ‘Hello’, ‘Thank You’, and ‘I Love You’ in 10 different languages (0/10)
23. Learn a new language
24. Take a community education class - Watercolor - Jan-Mar
25. Learn to change a tire
26. Read the Bible
27. Learn sign language
28. Learn about other religions
29. Complete a Top/Best movie list
30. Complete a Top/Best book list
31. Do the A-Z author challenge (1/26)
32. Take a cooking class

Self-Improvement
33. Become CPR/First Aid/AED Certified
34. Take vitamins daily for a month…and hopefully longer (1/30)
35. Lose 50 pounds (0/50)
36. Write a letter to myself to be opened in 10 years
37. Write in a gratitude journal once a day for a month (0/30)
38. Do 25 selfish things (0/25)
39. Do 25 unselfish things (0/25)
40. Leave work ontime at least once a week (5/140)
41. Go 7 days in a row without swearing (0/7)
42. Complete 2 5Ks (0/2)
43. Figure out retirement plans (401k/Roth IRA)
44. Find a job I love
45. Start a tradition
46. Attend a church service in another language
47. Go rock climbing
48. Find my passion
49. Keep my room clean for a month (0/30)
50. Overcome a fear
51. Learn how to take a compliment
52. Try 5 new classes at the gym (1/5) - Vinyasa Yoga 12/10/08
53. Learn the names of stars/constellations (and be able to find them)
54. Laugh until I cry
55. Mail Christmas Cards (on time!)

Outdoor Activities
56. Attempt to ski (cross country and downhill) - (CC - Dec 19th COMPLETE!)
57. Watch a solar eclipse (Annular - Jan 26, Total - Jul 22)
58. Eat an icicle
59. Fly a kite
60. Take a walk in the rain
61. Send a message in a bottle
62. Lie on the grass and watch the clouds
63. Run barefoot in the snow
64. Catch a snowflake on my tongue, make a snow angel and make a snowman
65. Go ice fishing
66. Blow bubbles
67. Pick apples and bake something with them

Travel
68. Travel to Croatia - March 2009
69. See Olympic game in person - February 2010
70. Take a road trip with no predetermined destination
71. Fly first class
72. See the Northern Lights
73. Visit Skocjan Caves in Slovenia - March 2009
74. Vist Međugorje (even if it isn’t credible) - March 2009
75. Take a tour of surrounding communities as if I were on vacation
76. Have a weekend away with friends
77. Take a segway tour
78. Drink Starbucks in Seattle

Social Activities
79. Host a board game night
80. Send 25 snail mail letters (0/25)
81. Watch a ballet
82. Try 50 new restaurants (4/50)
83. Host a movie marathon
84. Organize a picnic
85. Get tipsy with good company
86. Take a trip to the zoo
87. Visit a museum
88. Go to a drive-in movie theatre
89. Have a Wine and Cheese Party and Try 10 different cheeses (0/10)

Just Because Fun
90. Solve a Rubik’s cube
91. Get up early and watch the sunrise
92. Join www.postcrossing.com
93. Send a postcard to PostSecret
94. Join the local library and check out books
95. Go bowling
96. Go to a fortune teller
97. Buy something off of Ebay
98. Smash something on purpose
99. Go ice skating
100. Complete a puzzle
101. Watch the Wizard of Oz at the same time as listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon

Extra Credit (because I couldn’t stop!!)
102. Play Beer Pong
103. Watch a movie with the directors commentary playing
104. Go on an organized pub crawl
105. Go on a tour of a candy/chocolate factory
106. Read a book in a day
107. Make homemade ice cream from scratch
108. Invest in art
109. Write a letter of thanks for a good product/customer service
110. Dance on bubble wrap
111. Drink a VERY expensive bottle of wine
112. Make my handwriting into a font

The Mission

The Mission from Day Zero

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

Changing Sites

I'm changing my websites because I don't like how the other one is set up....find new posts here :)