30 things for my year of turning 30!!!

Ok!!! I finally have started to come up with my list of 30 things that I have never done during my 30th year on earth.  I talked about it in an earlier blog and have been thinking and coming up with ideas. I had friends on facebook, twitter, and blogger give me suggestions and I appreciate them all.  I have taken some and tweeked others.  I have decided to post the list as a way of accountability. I don't turn 30 until the end of August and will start accomplishing the list then, but needed to write (or blog) them down before the date comes. I will keep people posted as some things are completed during the year. Please feel free to give suggestions on how to accomplish things or until my birthday....the list can change (but not by much)so I am open for new creative ideas! I will also creat a scrapbook chronicling the 30 things I will do. Things are listed in no particular order.  I am so excited!!!!

1. Get a tattoo (I will not punk out!)
2. Get my passport (overseas trip is not in the budget YET....but working on it, at least I can get prepared)
3. Go on a date
4. Complete 30 random acts of kindness to strangers
5. Read 30 books that aren't the typical books that I enjoy
6. Take a spontaneous road trip somewhere by myself, just wake up and go (I have to plan out everything....this is going to be hard)
7. Go white water rafting
8. Apply to Masters of  Public Health Program (2 are on the radar)
9. Write letters to 30 people who have had an influence in my life and tell them why
10. Run (not walk) a 5K
11. Walk the Music City Half Marathon (still praying on this one....Jesus give me strength!!!)
12. Save X amount of money (figure will not be disclosed to everyone, but will tell if it is met or not)
13. Donate hair to Locks for Love (length is almost there!)
14. Lose at least 30 pounds (aiming for more....but sticking with the theme of 30)
15. Purchase a Home (or be in the process...working on that now)
16. Become a Research Coordinator (next step in my career...making moves!)
17. Travel west of the Mississippi River (been to Arkansas and Missouri, but that is about it...but have been to all the states east of the Mississippi)
18. Purchase a big ticket item for my mother (have to see what she wants....I am thinking a REAL nice pair of earrings...this will be a surprise)
19. Clean out my wardrobe (closet full of clothes and shoes...don't wear half of them, shame!!!)
20. Visit the graves of my father and sister (have not done since the funerals)
21. Ask some tough questions of a family member (nothing bad....just unanswered questions)
22. Learn how to knit, love to crochet, everytime I try knitting I get frustrated :-(
23. Write the vision plan for the next big project in my life (can't tell you what it is...yet)
24. Go to a concert in a big venue (don't do crowds of people well, which is limiting me from seeing Maxwell in July...not cool)
25. Have my first kiss (yes I said it....don't trip)
26. Create a signature vegan dish for me (I love to cook...want to create something that people who are skeptical about vegan and vegetarian dishes will enjoy)
27. Complete a financial plan that will pay of my student loans before I die (I am so serious)
28. Purchase a piece of artwork that will be handed down to my next generation
29. Learn to speak my mind with no fear of others (some people might think I already do this....if you only knew!!)
30. Most important thing to do in my year of 30..... HAVE FUN!!!!

This is my list and I plan on accomplishing everything.  Will keep people posted as things are completed :-)  If my list inspires you to create your own or do things that you have never done, GREAT!!!

Write the vision, and make it plain....

This is the second post I attempted to write today...first post is on the backburner for now, it just wasn't flowing right.  Hopefully this one will go better...

This morning I was catching up on the blogs that I did not read over the holidays. A lot of them were about resolutions they were making for the new year and recaps of 2009.  This got me to thinking or gave me inspiration.  Do I want to do a resolution? NOPE! Do I want to recap the joys and pains that I have had over the past year?? NOPE!! So what will I do....

I have decided to start a vision book. I started this project with the kids I mentor and said I would do one also, but I never did.  I have started to do more research to get some ideas of how to work on it.  I almost said a vision board, but I don't think a board, or a single poster board would be enough for what I want to do.  Habbakuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, and make it plain..."  This is what I am doing.  I think seeing it written down gives you a level of accountability and inspiration. Making it into a book gives it some creativity and gives you something to work on and puts images and ideas in front of you.

I started to say a vision book for my life or myself, but my vision goes beyond me, and beyond my life.  I think everyone should leave a legacy.  I think too often people think about themselves too often and they don't think about how their actions affect other people.  One thing that I think about is generations to come...What I do can make an impact on people who are born long after I am gone.  Everyone leaves an impact in this world, rather it be big or small, bad or good.  Question becomes what legacy are you leaving????

This morning I picked up some items to start on my vision book (with a gift card from Christmas...one vision I have is to be debt free!!!) and I am excited about starting on it tonight. After work I am going to pick up a couple of more things (with more gift cards) and then I will have a great start.

2010 will be a new year. Don't know all that it holds, but I am excited!! I am excited for what the rest of 2009 brings!  One of my college classmates who has been through a lot this year posted this in her status today and it inspired me. I will leave you with this...

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

What is your vision?  What is in store for you in 2010?