28 for 28

While I could be coming down from the cloud 9 whirlwind that has been this past year of wedding prep fun, I'm happy to say I'm on cloud 11. Who knew it was out there? I'm so grateful for the amazing and inspirational people in my life. Maybe there is something about being in the latter part of your 20's that you stop fretting about the career (as much) and realize that relationships & non-work experiences are more rewarding. Or at least taking the time to realize it - and taking advantage of it when you can. Or it's what an MBA professor calls a "chemical bath" of joy, which in my case would be newlywed bliss. I'll probably freak out about the career next week, but for the time being I'm not.

The latest wave of inspiration comes from Amy's discovery of the birthday list. Her 28 things to do while 28 list is the coolest thing since Photo Week. (I don't have a creative job - can you tell an ounce of creative energy elates me to no end?) What I like about these lists is that they're a combo of little things, with a few largeer "New Year's" type items scattered throughout. Little things that you can easily forget to do unless you write it down. Then when you see it and get around to crossing it off the list, the experience from the little stuff (here comes the cheese/cliche) packs a punch.

With my 28th birthday a little over a month away (Nov. 25), I'm really eager to post my list in an effort to hold myself more accountable to it. Here goes:

1. relearn Spanish
2. get my aquatic fitness instructor certification
3. read two classic novels
4. write in my journal at least once a week
5. update our travel scrapbook
6. become a tutor at IPS
7. write my grandparents monthly
8. shave 8 minutes from my triathlon time
9. camp out in the backyard
10. create a landscape plan & find the names of all the plants in our yard
11. meet more neighbors
12. bike the entire Monon Trail
13. go on a hike
14. confront my fear of math
15. have Sophie and Macy (nieces) over for a slumber party
16. go to a show at Radio Radio
17. surprise someone
18. take Ruby to a dog park
19. plan another girls weekend
20. attend Spirit & Place festival
21. compete in a 5K with my parents
22. bake an outrageous dessert
23. have a fun family game night
24. organize our file pile
25. learn how to use the functions on the Canon camera
26. do a 5K
27. walk to The Meridian Restaurant for dinner
28. swim in an ocean