31 Things to do while I'm 31

I know what you're thinking, "Really?  31?  What's so special about the year you're 31?"  Well, nothing really.  I don't even like being 31, mostly because it's an odd number and I have an irrational aversion to odd numbers (with the exception of multiples of 5).  But another reason being 31 isn't so great is because it means I'm truly, solidly in my thirties (sigh).  Thirty is exciting (at least to everyone around you who isn't turning 30), but nobody gets excited for  you when you say you're 31. 

But being 31 isn't why I've made a list again.  I'm doing it because I loved my thirty list!  I had so much fun, learned so much about myself and God's will for my life, and gained a new sense of purpose.  I spent some time this weekend with a friend who said that we should wake up everyday with purpose.  She's right, and this is something I have struggled with (unless I can count waking up on Saturdays intending to stay in my pajamas all day as a purpose).  I believe my ultimate purpose is to live my life for the Lord and to love the people he's placed in my life, but the bible says, "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" 1 Colossians 10:31.  Although the items on my list are small, together, they give me goals to work toward and make my life more interesting as I'm living out my bigger purpose for the Lord!

Here is my list of "Thirty-One Things To Do While I'm Thirty-One"

1. Castro Theater Sound of Music Sing along and/or Dueling Pianos at Johnny Foley's Pub

2. Have five friends teach me how to make their favorite dish (Taking volunteers!  It has to be something I will eat, as I'm trying to expand my repretoire of dishes)

3. Get jumper cables and learn to jump a car battery

4. Get a massage

5. Read a “Babysitter’s Club” book and relive my youth

6. Watch 5 movies from my youth (preferably with Jeni and Emily):
-My Father the Hero
-Far and Away
-Pure Country
-Speed
-A Walk in the Clouds

7. Try 5 new restaurants (taking suggestions!)

8. Learn to drive a stick shift

9. Go to Yosemite

10. Update the pictures in my frames

11.  Grow my own tomatoes

12. See a show (Wicked?)

13. Memorize 5 new bible verses

14. Camp by myself (not alone, but without my family to help me do everything)

15. Send a gift to Asnaku (World Vision adopted child) and her family

16. Plan a special day with Lauren (iFly? Repelling? Movie in Park?)

17. Plan a special day with Braden (Laser tag? Tandem bike? Caverns?)

18. Plan a special day with Grayson (Jelly Belly Factory? Go karts?)

19. Road Trip (destination unknown at the moment)

20. Buy an item of clothing that is out of my style boundaries

21. Make a scarf (knit or sew)

22. Take a picnic to the Monastery in Vina (Photograph it)

23. Watch a sunrise in a new, interesting place

24. Keep a prayer journal

25. Organize my hall closets

26. Go apple picking

27. Stop drinking soda for 3 months and see what happens

28. Pay off someone’s layaway at Christmas

29. Learn how to play chess

30.  Use a chainsaw

31. Wild Card! (Do something spontaneous)

Yes, that's right, I put "spontenaeity" on my list of things to do.  This just means that I want to always be looking for something fun and spontaneous to do.  Maybe it will be flying somewhere, maybe I'll start a food fight, maybe I'll ride in a hot air balloon....I'm leaving #31 open for the moment!

If you haven't made a list, I whole-heartedly encourage you to! If you haven't read why I decided to make a list last year, check out my first blog post, "The Beginning". 


*I reserve the right to amend my list whenever I darn well please.