Goal #6: Lose Weight and Keep It Off

I have never been skinny.  Mom says I was born chubby, so this has always been an issue for me.  I don't think I've ever liked my body, and with all the things you see in the media about how women have to be skinny to be beautiful, that doesn't help either.  So I'm trying to lose weight.  No, it's not because of today's ridiculous standards.  I'm doing it because I know my weight is unhealthy, and I'm hoping that, in losing weight, I'll gain confidence.  Even though having a larger chest is annoying sometimes, I do like being well-endowed, and I do enjoy being curvy.  Marilyn Monroe and Mae West were both curvy and I think it's one of the things that made them beautiful!  So, my hope is really to try and maintain the body features I like, but still lose the weight I need to.  The ultimate goal is to lose 50lbs.  After that, we'll see how I feel.  Maybe 10lbs more after that, if I feel I still need to.  So far this year, I've lost 15lbs.  Not bad.  I've been trying to eat healthier, eat less (a normal, healthy amount), and exercise.  I've been trying to go to the gym, go running, and do any other little things.  One of my friends showed me the 200 Sit-Up Challenge, so I've been trying to do that, too.  I'm a little stuck on that right now because the amount I'm up to is hurting my back to do.  So I'm just taking my time, doing what I can without hurting myself.  Doing all this can be really frustrating at times - I really miss eating whatever I want.  But I just have to keep my goal in mind.  Pinterest has given me a lot of great little ideas to keep myself going.  Maybe I'll update this goal again when I reach my -30lbs mark.

I wouldn't say it's going this fast for me, but I'm gonna keep going!

Goal #67: Do a Cosplay

So I was thinking about this goal the other day, especially with Connecticon being last weekend.  I attempted to do a cosplay of Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket, but it wasn't very obvious that's who I was dressed as.  I had to do an outfit that I could put together with clothing I already owned, so it was Tohru in a casual outfit she wears in an episode of the anime.  I'm not counting it as a cosplay.

BUT I did technically do an anime cosplay for Halloween when I was seven.  Sailor Moon was my favorite show, so my mom made me her outfit.  I was adorable, if I may say so myself!  Of course, this was for a Halloween costume, not for an anime convention, so I'm not going to count it either.  I am going to post it though, just because it's the closest I've gotten so far!

Aren't I cute?  My brother was supposed to be Captain Hook!

Goal #47: Meet Somebody Famous (Update)

I am on a roll!!!

Ya know, when I listed "Meet somebody famous" as a goal, I figured it would be awhile before my goal was met.  Within this past week, I met three more people!  Well, two and another band.  And of course it depends on who you consider famous, but I would personally put these people in this category!

Being the geek that I am, I went to Connecticon last weekend.  It is a con that was started about ten years ago, and each year has been getting bigger and bigger.  I've been going for four or five years now, and the last couple years I've debated going and at the last minute decide I want to go.  I have always gone with one of my best friends, Sam, and we usually have a good time.  This year, once again, I was leaning towards not going - it's expensive to get in ($60 for the weekend, which is expensive for a girl who still doesn't have a job), I didn't really have anything to wear, and last year Sam and I barely went to any panels because they all sounded boring.  Well, about a month ago, I found out two people who are big on the internet were going to be guests - Nostalgia Critic (Doug Walker) and BrentalFloss (Brent Black).  I love Nostalgia Critic's reviews, so I had to go!  And I was familiar with some of BrentalFloss's songs, so I figured that was a plus.

Nostalgia Critic had his panel on Saturday.  I was so excited to go!  In fact, I almost decided to dress up like him for the fun of it, but I couldn't find a black blazer at a price I could afford.  Sam and I went to go line up to get into the panel early, but there were already a TON of people waiting!  And then the con staff started moving us around, it was a disaster!  By the time they had us officially lined up, it didn't matter that Sam and I had been early.  There was no way we were going to fit in the small room where they were hosting the panel, so we had to give up.  I did catch a glimpse of the Nostalgia Critic as he went ahead into the room, but that was it and I was sooooo disappointed!  LUCKILY when Sam and I were at our last panel (around 10:30 at night), my friend Joe came in, sat next to me, and told me that Nostalgia Critic was hanging around in the hallway!  So when the panel was done, I had to find him!  He was standing in the hallways with a few other people, so I went over to him, told him I loved his videos and asked for a picture!  The picture is a little blurry, but that's okay, I got to meet him!

Click here to see the review he did at the con!  BrentalFloss is in it too!

On Friday, BrentalFloss did a concert with a bunch of his songs.  I didn't know many of them, but his Tetris With Lyrics is so funny!  Joe introduced his music to me, so I wanted to show Sam!  The concert was great (he even had Nostalgia Critic come out and they did Randy Newman impressions!) and on Sunday, he had a Q&A Panel.  It was really interesting to hear him talk about how he creates his songs and he even showed us a video sketch of an animated video he's doing with someone for another song.  After the panel, he told us that if we came to his booth in the Online Media Guest room, he would do autographs.  So of course Sam and I went!  I got an autograph AND a picture!

Lastly, a few days ago, I went to an Enter the Haggis concert with Sam.  She and her mom are big fans and they thought I would like them, too.  The music was awesome, rock with celtic instruments thrown in.  Really great, if you haven't heard them before, I definitely suggest looking them up!  Anyway, after the concert they were outside for a meet and greet with the fans, so Sam and I got a picture with the group.  Sam says she's never been able to get one with the entire group before, usually they're all talking to different people so she's only gotten separate pictures.  Guess I'm her good luck charm!

Here is a link to a song by them that I really enjoyed!

Not bad for a week's time, huh?

Goal #46: Become better at doing manicures and painting nail designs (Complete)

I'm listing this one as complete, but there is always room for improvement!  I love doing manicures and always try to take good care of my nails.  While I have gotten pretty good at doing designs, I don't have any pictures of my nails with a painted design.  Instead I have pictures with different nail techniques I know, so I'll post those.  Yes, those are my real nails.

Galaxy nails

Marbled nails

Gradient colors

French manicure

Goal #47: Meet somebody famous (Update)

So, I know I've already completed this goal, but I met another famous person!  Well, a band.  The All-American Rejects!  I'm not a huge fan, but a few weeks ago, one of my friends invited me to go to one of their concerts with her.  After the show, if you bought something from the merch table, you were given permission to meet the band and get an autograph.  Unfortunately, they weren't allowing pictures, so I just took a picture of my ticket that they signed!  The signatures are messy, but all of the members signed it!

Goal #59: Finish the dolphin cross-stitching I've been working on for years! (Complete)

In all fairness, I actually completed this one a couple years ago.  I had a picture of it on my phone, and being the tech-disabled person that I am, it took me a long time to get it off of my phone!  I didn't want to post about it until I had the picture (and no, I couldn't take another picture with a normal camera because the cross-stitch has been packed away somewhere).  Anyway, I got this cross-stitch when I was maybe about ten years old from one of my aunts.  I was just starting to learn how to cross-stitch, but this one was much larger than what I was used to, so I was too intimidated by it to start.  I eventually started a few years later, but ended up losing the pattern I needed!  It wasn't until about three years ago that I found it, so I finally finished it!  I used to love dolphins, so I really like this one.  Since then, I have done a smaller design of a geisha with an umbrella, and now I am working on a really big one of four kimonos!

Goal #30: Work on my signature (Complete)

I figure it's about time I post this.  I am finally satisfied with the way my signature looks.  I did this one a couple of days ago.  I just hope it keeps looking this way!  So far, so good!

Goal #23: Go to at least 10 other countries

I love to travel.  Since my first trip outside of the country to Poland, I've caught the travel bug and all I want to do is visit as many countries as possible!  I love learning about other cultures (to the point that I wish I had chosen Anthropology as my major) and want to experience as many as I can!  

1. Poland
2. Japan

Note: I will post journal blogs with each country I visit!

Goal #4: Go to Japan (Complete)

I went to Japan!  I am so excited!  Even though I graduated, I got to go with the Japan travel class at my school for ten days.  I had asked the professor about it last semester and he said that even though I wouldn't be doing the actual class, I could still go with them!  Japan was amazing.  Absolutely beautiful.  I went with seven other students and two teachers and their wives.  We traveled to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kurashiki, and Tokyo.  We visited lots of different shrines and temples, a few castles, and BOTH Imperial Palaces, in Kyoto and Tokyo.  It's hard to pick my favorite parts.  I'm posting a separate blog that follows the journal that I kept on the trip!

http://2japanjournal.blogspot.com/

Goal #55: Take Yoga Classes (Complete)

As mentioned in my last post, I had to take two gym classes in order to graduate from college.  My school offered a yoga class, which fulfilled another goal!  I actually liked yoga.  My mom had told me for years that I should try it in an attempt to relax myself, so it was a good idea for that reason, too.  I have to admit, though, I didn't find it very relaxing.  Some of those moves are pretty straining!  I guess it was relaxing when you were all done and were doing the last poses, like "Child's Pose" or "Corpse Pose" (disturbing, huh?), but the rest of it could be pretty difficult.  It was interesting, though, and if given the opportunity, I guess I would do it again.  But I don't see myself becoming one of those yoga people, doing it every day, seeking out calming beaches and mountains where I can contort myself into strange positions and seek tranquility.  I'll leave that to the people who are graceful, I just look silly trying to do that stuff haha!

Goal #29: Learn Self Defense (Complete)

When I was in college, I was required to take two gym classes.  Knowing that this was one of my goals, I decided that I should take a women's self defense class.  My friend Bee and a couple other girls I knew were in the class as well, so I figured it was a good time to try it.  The class was okay.  We learned a lot of moves in a short period time.  I have to admit, I didn't retain much.  Even after each class, Bee and I sometimes struggled to remember what we learned.  It was an interesting gym class, though, and I did learn some interesting things.  It was also fun flipping the instructors over!  Even if I don't really remember any moves now, I'm sure they'll come flooding back to me if I'm ever attacked (God forbid).  Watch out villians, I'm going to kick your butt!!!

Goal #47: Learn to play an instrument

The past couple of weeks, I've been trying to learn how to play piano.  When I was little, maybe around 6, I had been taking lessons but I wasn't enjoying them.  I tried again in high school for a short period of time, but I was learning from the same teacher who was giving me voice lessons, and the voice lessons were more important to me.  So here I am, trying again.  I found a book from the library and I'm basically trying to teach myself.  It's going okay, but I have to admit, I'm getting stuck and slightly frustrated.  I also haven't played in a few days, but I gotta stick with it.  I don't want to lose the progress that I've made so far!

Goal #47: Meet Somebody Famous (Complete)

Wow, I thought this one was going to take awhile, but I finally met somebody famous!  Granted, he isn't as  famous anymore, but he was on Nickelodeon for years!  Drake Bell.  Best known for being on "The Amanda Show" and "Drake & Josh."  Not only is he an actor, he is also a musician.  Earlier in February, I was on the website of a music hall that's a few towns over from me, and I found out he was going to be playing there!  It's funny because that was the first time I had been on the website, and as far as I know, they don't normally have names like his playing there.  So I told my friend Sam and we decided to go.  The show was great!  I loved the two opening acts, and Drake Bell was a lot of fun to listen to.  After the show, Sam and I got his autograph on our ticket stubs and we got a picture with him!

Goal #8: Get my BA in Broadcast Communications

My diploma came in the mail about 2 weeks ago!  I can't believe I finally got it!

Goal #39: Donate My Hair (Complete)

Also in August 2011, I finally donated my hair, completing goal #39.  My hairdresser usually objects when I tell her that I want to cut my hair short (because she says my hair's too pretty!), but I guess this time it was okay because I was donating it!  I donated it to Locks of Love.  It's strange to think that somebody is probably wearing my hair right now, but it's nice to know I was able to help someone who needed it.  Plus, I loved my haircut!

BEFORE

AFTER

Goal #17: Get a Tattoo (Complete)

On August 30, 2011, I got my first tattoo!  My friend Kaitlyn went with me to Nightmare Tattoo in Westfield, MA to get it done.  She decided to come so she could watch me and see how much pain I was in, to decide whether she really wanted to get one in the future or not, haha!  It really wasn't bad.  I guess the best way to describe it is its like getting a deep scratch on a sunburn.  The tattoo artist was really cool, he joked around with us a lot.  I had decided to get cherry blossoms on my right leg, with the kanji for "beauty."  I am very pleased with how it came out!  I would like to get another one in the future, but it won't be for awhile.

Goal #20: Start a mini business selling my jewelry (Complete)

So this is one that I had debated listing as "complete" or not, but I figure I've done enough to qualify it as such.  I have loved to bead jewelry since I was little.  What started out as my stringing plastic beads onto string eventually led to buying nice glass beads and real jewelry wire, and becoming more creative with my designs.  For awhile, I had just made jewelry for myself and as gifts for friends, but during the summer of 2009, I was unable to find a job, so it led to my creating a website and posting my jewelry designs.  I called my business Beading Bee.  The website isn't really in good condition anymore (I need to update it, I haven't had the time to do anything to it in awhile), but the website itself was something I was very proud of because I had done it by myself and all in basic HTML code.  And considering, it came out really well!  And of course, I was very pleased with the creations that I had been producing.  And I sold more
jewelry than I thought I would.  All of my customers were people that I knew, whether they were friends, family, or my mom's coworkers, but I had really loyal customers!  Between June 2009 and March 2010 (when Beading Bee was active), I had 22 different customers and sold 70 items!  I say that's pretty darn good!

Beading Bee isn't really active anymore, but I'm hoping to start it up again.  A lot of work goes into it.  I've already made a few different pieces over the past couple weeks, so we'll see what happens!

Goal #9: Get a minor in Marketing (Complete)

As previously mentioned, I have finally earned my degree in Broadcast Communications, and with that, I have also earned a Marketing minor.  I wanted to pick up marketing because a few summers ago, I started a small jewelry business and decided it would be interesting to find out more about business.  I decided marketing would be the most interesting.  I liked Marketing, but some of the classes were almost too easy to just slip by in.  I really liked Consumer Behavior.  It really looks at all the variables of how to attract consumers, in ways I wouldn't have really thought about before.  Maybe I can find a job in it?

Goal #8: Get my BA in Broadcast Communications (Complete)

I have just finished my final semester at MCLA, majoring in English/Communications, concentrating in Broadcasting.  In fact, I finished a semester earlier than I was supposed too!  I should be receiving my diploma in the mail in a few weeks, and I'm still planning on attending the graduation ceremony in May.  I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing with it - I'm not interested in Broadcasting anymore, but I didn't know what else to study.  The Broadcasting program at MCLA wasn't bad, but I have decided it doesn't really fit me.  At least I've got a BA in something, now let's see what I can do with it.

Here's a PSA I made for fun.  It's not great, but I enjoyed doing it, and my friends were the talent for it =)

Goal #1: Get My Driver's License (Complete)

I received my driver's license in August of 2008, when I was 18.  I originally had no desire to drive, and didn't even get my driver's permit until I was 17.  Both my parents taught me how to drive, but my mom spent the most time driving around with me.  When I finally decided I was ready to take my test, I went with my dad and found out that I needed a car that had a hand break.  Guess I didn't read the test information close enough.  I had to call the local driving school and take a lesson with them so I could borrow one of their cars for the test.  On the day I finally went to take the test, it was raining out, so I was very nervous about driving.  Luckily, the man that I took the driving lesson with came with me and the tester for the road test.  It seemed that the two men knew each other, so the entire ride, the instructor was talking to him.  Despite my nerves, I did well and passed my test!  I sometimes wonder, though, if I passed because the instructor was distracting the tester while I was driving, haha!

My Goals

1. Get my driver's license
2. Get my motorcycle license
3. Learn Japanese
4. Go to Japan
5. Do volunteer work overseas
6. Lose weight and keep it off
7. Wear a bikini
8. Get my BA in Broadcast Communications
9. Get a minor in Marketing
10. Get at least a minor in Asian Studies
11. Adopt a child
12. Live in the country
13. Fall in love
14. Get married
15. Own a Volkswagon Beetle
16. Buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle
17. Get a tattoo
18. Have a garden
19. Gain more self-confidence
20. Start a mini business selling my jewelry
21. Become a better singer
    
22. Get a dog
23. Travel to at least ten other countries
24. Meet my Kenyan pen pal, Hilda
25. Go on a cross-country trip
26. Learn how to sew
27. Write a book
28. Learn how to hot wire a car
29. Learn self defense
30. Work on my signature
31. Learn more origami
32. Make a quilt
33. Swim with dolphins
34. Figure out the mystery of Gramma's family
35. Read Shakespeare's complete collection of works
36. Learn how to salsa
37. Learn how to ballroom dance
38. Go into an airport and buy tickets for a random flight
39. Donate my hair
40. Beat a videogame
41. Run in a 5K
42. See Wicked 
43. Learn how to make pottery
44. Learn how to read palms
45. Learn how to play an instrument
46. Become better at doing manicures and painting nail designs
47. Meet somebody famous
48. Learn sign language
49. Get a job I love
50. Learn how many licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a Tootsie Pop
51. Read The Art of War
52. Learn how to play Go
53. Learn calligraphy
54. Learn how to read tarot cards
55. Take yoga classes
56. Learn how to pole dance
57. Be a bridesmaid
58. Have my own home library
59. Finish the dolphin cross-stitching I've been working on for years!
60. Visit all 50 states
61. Go skydiving
62. Volunteer at a nursing home
63. Make a scrapbook for my trip to Poland
64. Visit the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Museum
65. Follow a presidential election and vote
66. Go to graduate school
67. Do a cosplay
68. Survive 2012
69. Be in a musical
70. Learn how to make chain mail jewelry
71. Learn how to belly dance
72. Learn how to throw knives
73. Learn to to meditate
74. Go surfing
75. Visit 6/7 continents
76. See the Northern Lights
77. Go on a cruise
78. Go stargazing
79. Live in another country
80. Ride an elephant
81. Model for something or someone
82. Learn to fly an airplane
83. Hike the Appalachian Trail
84. See the Grand Canyon
85. Buy my own diamond
86. Live on my own
87. Learn CPR
88. Go snorkeling
89. Learn how to drive a stick shift
90. Drink from a coconut
91. Go to Hawaii
92. See the Amalfi Coast in Italy
93. Learn how to sword fight
94. See Pompeii
95. Go to a cherry blossom festival in Japan
96. Learn glass blowing
97. See all of Mae West's movies
98. Go to a drive-in movie theater
99. Dye my hair a fun color
100. Learn how to snowboard

The Beginning

"Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive."  -Mel Brooks

I am twenty-one.  One of my biggest fears is growing old and realizing that I haven't done anything with my life, of waking up and saying, "How did I let my life pass me?  Why didn't I really live my life?"  I am part of a generation that is constantly connected to technology.  We are always on the computer, watching television, playing videogames, etc.  Like many others, I know I am one of those people who just stares at the computer when I'm bored, not really doing anything to fix my boredom, constantly refreshing Facebook hoping for something interesting to happen.  I'm not satisfied with that.

In my freshman year of high school, my Health teacher, Ms. Mickey, assigned my class project options that would illustrate who we are.  I chose to write a list of 100 life goals.  It wasn't an easy assignment.  While I could have just made up goals, I really wanted to think about what I wanted out of life, no matter how impossible it may seem.  While I have since lost that original list, I have continued to focus on goals that I really want to reach in my lifetime, and made a second list of these goals a few years ago.

I would like to use this blog to record my goals and to write about achieving them.  It is my hope that, in doing this, it will help me be more motivated and will keep them in mind.