Thursday, March 31, 2011

Dinner party! Sorta.

Well to start, I forgot to take pictures.

I went over to Kyle's around 4:30 last Thursday. Had to stop at Fry's on the way to pick up some groceries that Miranda didn't have/get beforehand, since she asked me to.

The Chicken Kiev takes about an hour, so I started that first. I'm trimming the chicken, and Miranda looks over and asks how I know which parts to cut off. So I know we learned something! So she did most of the measuring.

We made my Chicken Kiev recipe from the Inn Brittania cookbook (minus dipping the chicken in butter first). I don't feel like writing out the recipe right now. We also made some parm-crusted asparagus (adapted from here) and cheesy garlic biscuits rather than the focaccia recipe I found initially, because they would be much easier for Miranda to recreate (adapted from here).

The boys finished off the rest of the wine with dinner (go figure. Josh especially is a total beer man), and we made some chocolate chip cookies after dinner. The recipe lies. Definitely not the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. They were okay, but rock hard after they cooked. Not a big fan.

After dinner, Josh invited me out to the bar for Jay's last night out. He bought me a drink and the bartender provided free shots, so I didn't have to pay for anything. And holy strong drink! I couldn't even finish it. Way more than a 1:1 rum:soda ratio. I kicked butt at pool, and beat a boy!

Tuesday, Gloria and I went out to dinner at San Felipe's. <3 More on that later. I'm finishing up here in class and heading home to see my daddy!! He should have flown in a little earlier this morning, so he should be at the house by the time I get home.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Update on my 101!

I bought myself flowers last Wednesday. Safeway had daffodils on sale, and I bought 30 stems.

Wednesday, I spent the night at Kyle's. I talked to Miranda the next morning (Josh's girlfriend), and she said she's not exactly a whiz in the kitchen. So we decided that on Thursdays, we're going to get together and make dinner together and I'll share some of my recipes with her. 

Thursday, Kris and her husband came over for a real St. Pat's dinner. They've never made/had corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day, so I got a 3-lb. corned beef brisket and made all the fixin's. I poured a bottle of Killian's in there while it was cooking, which I haven't ever done before. It added a slight amount of beer flavor, but I think next time I'll pour another bottle in for good measure. 

Not sure that either of those really count as hosting dinner parties, but since I don't even own a dining room table, that's probably as close as I'm going to get. 

I also caught the scale saying 121 and change last week. I'm down under 125, which was my goal, and I am officially smaller than I have been in nine years!! (And then decided to reward myself with some mint moose tracks ice cream, which I am devouring right now. :) - Another goal, though. That's the only junk food I've bought all month! So I've spent less than $3 on fat snacks in the month of March.)

Nothing else exciting happening over here. I made some chicken piccata again last night because it's so delicious. Took the car in for some recall maintenance yesterday, and I get to spend the rest of my spare time this week cleaning the house for Dad's visit! <3

Monday, March 21, 2011

Hello there, MM ladies!!

A special shout-out to Pandora, I suppose. I am glad my life can provide you with some entertainment! :smooch

Pretty sad that your lives are so boring that you spend your spare time researching the lives of internet personalities that you haven't even encountered in a year. I'm glad I have brightened your day!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My love language

I know a lot of the ladies in the 101 challenge chose to discover their love language as one of their goals.

I have the book, and received it as a high school graduation gift from Dan - the old counseling pastor at the church that we saw as a family when I moved out of the house my senior year. My love language has always been Quality Time, but I wasn't sure where the rest of them ranked, or how things had changed, so I thought I'd take it again today.

My results from the Singles version:


8Words of Affirmation
11Quality Time
2Receiving Gifts
7Acts of Service
2Physical Touch




No surprise, Quality Time is still my #1. 


I also took the assessment for Wives, to see if there would be a difference, and I was VERY surprised by the results. 



6Words of Affirmation
8Quality Time
4Receiving Gifts
6Acts of Service
6Physical Touch




Quality time is still number one, but the rest of the results are very different, which I thought was interesting. 




There is also one for language of apologies, which I thought was VERY interesting. 



7Expressing Regret
2Accepting Responsibility
5Making Restitution
6Genuinely Repenting
0Requesting Apology


I appreciate an immediate apology, but I also want to be given time rather than asked "Can you please forgive me" right away. 


The definition of expressing regret:
“Expressing Regret” is the Apology Language that zeroes in on emotional hurt. It is an admission of guilt and shame for causing pain to another person. For those who listen for “Expressing Regret” apologies, a simple “I’m sorry” is all they look for. There is no need for explanation or “pay back” provided the apology has truly come from the heart. “Expressing Regret” is a powerful Apology Language because it gets right to the point. It doesn’t make excuses or attempt to deflect blame. Above all, “Expressing Regret” takes ownership of the wrong. For that reason, “Expressing Regret” is understood as a sincere commitment to repair and rebuild the relationship. The “Expressing Regret” Apology Language speaks most clearly when the person offering the apology reflects sincerity not only verbally, but also through body language. Unflinching eye contact and a gentle, but firm touch are two ways that body language can underscore sincerity.
I thought this was very interesting - particularly the bolded. I have tried to tell Kyle countless times that's the reason I couldn't accept that lame "apology" from Zak last year. The definition of genuinely repenting is much longer, but that's the one that I haven't gotten in my relationship with Kyle. I hardly ever feel that his apologies are sincere, because there is no behavior change.

Anyway, just thought that was interesting. I'm going to go back to picking up the house now! I need to find these stupid shot records so I can get down to Occupational Health tomorrow and get my TB test.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

First book down!

I was up reading last night/this morning until 3AM, and I finally finished my first book of the 100 on my list - The Manny by Holly Peterson. It was hilarious and sweet, and I even cried a little at the end. I started another library book, but I'm not a big fan of this one. It's not terribly interesting. I might move on to something else shortly.

I'm having a rough night tonight. I don't feel well. I'm sick to my tummy. I'm talking to Josh, who keeps insisting I come to the party tomorrow night and bring friends so I have someone to play beer pong with. Never been a big beer pong fan, thanks. Plus, I'm assuming that the reason Kyle didn't respond to my last email was because I made him mad, and I did mention in there that I would probably be showing up for a short period of time to the party tomorrow.

I'm bummed, and missing him tonight. I just keep wishing that things could be perfect, or even just good. I miss him. I miss his kisses. I was talking to Josh until probably close to 2 this morning, and I told him about the old Kyle - pre-deployment Kyle. The Kyle who wrote me love letters, and made the "I <3 U" things from plastic when he was working in Maine. The Kyle who, after an argument, left the house when I was in bed, went to the store, and got me flowers and stuff for breakfast. He had grabbed my bus pass on accident instead of the Safeway card, and looked so sheepish when he said we needed to go back to get a price adjustment. The Kyle who cried when I slept in the second bedroom, and after giving up the bed and taking the air mattress, still came in crying, asking if he could sleep on the floor because he missed me. The Kyle who was willing to seek counseling with me.

I had someone ask about my purse today, again (that's several times in the last week), and that didn't help either. I said it was a friend's uniform. Then went back later and said it belonged to my ex-boyfriend of four years, and now it's my only purse.

It just makes me a little sad inside when people talk about loving up on their man, kisses, hugs, spending time with them, etc. When Kyle was deployed, it was more of a "Yes! I can't wait until he's home so we can do all these things!" Now I just get sad because I wish I could do those things, but have no one to do them with. I even cried during... alone time several weeks ago (I think it was in the week between the California trip and dinner) for a similar reason.

And then I read these relationship books, and I realize what we don't have. Trust. Honesty. Communication. Emotional fidelity. Respect. That's not someone I want to spend the rest of my life with, but it doesn't make me any less sad.

And now it's time for bed. Nighty night!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Bye-bye silverfish, and The Big Decision.

I woke up this morning to find a nasty, nasty bug with super long antennae and a gross tail thing! It was on the wall above poor Raj's cage. So of course I called the office to get on the pest control list, went and dropped off my key, and left for my Genetics test. As I was walking across campus, it hit me. Time to turn the ring around. Got it off just fine (unlike the last time, which I took as a sign), and it's been turned around all day. I just thought I'd give it a shot and try to pull it off right now (at 11:10 at night), and I can hardly move it at all. It's definitely not coming off. That really helped bring peace to my decision.


I've been a little weepy tonight. March 7th last year, Kyle finally landed back in the states. March 9th, he bought his ticket here, and March 13th, he was back in my arms. I got really emotional remembering where we were at this time last year - picking out UL wall decals for the house and looking at wedding photographers. And today, I turned my ring around - indicating that my heart is no longer protected by someone else's loyalty (though I suppose emotional loyalty is debatable) and is ready for the taking. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Part one of the 5,000 question survey!

1. Who are you? Brianna!

2. What are the 3 most important things everyone should know about you? I love Jesus. I am a total math nerd. And I am a redhead!

3. When you aren't filling out 5,000 question surveys like this one what are you doing? Wasting time on MSOS.

4. List your classes in school from the ones you like the most to the ones you like the least (or if you are out of school, think of the classes you did like and didn't like at the time).  Current classes? Favorite = Sex, Lies, and Spies: Women's Literature of Germany. Then Genetics, Animal Physiology, Organic Chemistry II, and my Race, Medicine, & the Body class comes in dead last.

5. What is your biggest goal for this year? Get my GPA up, definitely.

6. Where do you want to be in 5 years? In medical school!

7. What stage of life are you in right now? I'm in my sixth year of college, so I'm hoping to be in the "starting a family" stage soon, but for now I'm stuck in the "oldest person in my classes" stage.

8. Are you more child-like or childish? Hopefully child-like. 

9. What is the last thing you said out loud? "I love you very much. Yes, goodnight!" to Raj.

10. What song comes closest to how you feel about your life right now?  I could never pick just one, but the one that describes my relationship right now is "Tomorrow" by Chris Young.

11. Have you ever taken martial arts classes? Yes. I started at age four. 

12. Does your life tend to get better or worse or does it just stay the same? It has its ups and downs. Life is what you make it! 

13. Does time really heal all wounds? Not alone, but yes.

14. How do you handle a rainy day?  Sitting inside, loving the sound of the rain on the roof. 

15. Which is worse...losing your luggage or having to sort out tangled holiday lights?  Losing your luggage. It happened to Dad and I when we flew over to Germany.

16. How is your relationship with your parents? Better than I had ever imagined! My mom is one of my best friends. 

Will you miss them when they are gone? Of course.

17. Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you?  Up to date on news and politics? No. My physical surroundings? Absolutely. Call me hypervigilant. 

18. What is the truest thing that you know?  Music is the most beautiful expression of emotion there is.

19. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was five, I wanted to be a pilot. 

20. Have you ever been given a second chance?  At a few things.

21. Are you more of a giver or a taker?  I definitely try to be more of a giver, but I don't always succeed. 

22. Do you make your decisions with an open heart/mind?  Not always, but it is something I try to do.

23. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?  Being molested at 14.

24. What is the most emotionally painful thing that has ever happened to you?  Watching the man I've loved for nearly 4 years slip away before my eyes.

25. Who have you hugged today?  No one. 

26. Who has done something today to show they care about you?  Nat listened to me this morning. <3

27. Do you have a lot to learn?  I will never stop learning.

28. If you could learn how to do three things just by wishing and not by working what would they be?

A  Organic Chemistry

B  Basic home maintenance

C  Easily resolve conflict

29. Which do you remember the longest: what other people say, what other people do or how other people make you feel?  How they made me feel

30. What are the key ingredients to having a good relationship?  Trust, honesty, communication, fidelity, and shared values.

31. What 3 things do you want to do before you die?

A  Visit all seven continents. 

B  Have a successful career.

C  Start a family. 

32. What three things would you want to die to avoid doing?

A  Get bit by a snake.

B  Ever see a scorpion in my home.

C  Get in a car accident.

33. Is there a cause you believe in more than any other cause?  There are causes that I am passionate about, yes. My favorite organization I have volunteered with is the National Veteran's Wheelchair Games. 

34. What does each decade make you think of:

The 19..

20's:  flappers

30's:  The Great Depression

40's:  WWII

50's:  McCarthyism and the Rosenburgs

60's:  Woodstock and bra burning

70's:  Disco!

80's:  My birth year & fall of the Berlin wall. 

90's:  Internet for everyone!

2000s:  High school graduation, Europe trip.

2010s:  Kyle's deployment

35. Which decade do you feel the most special connection to and why?  2010s, because that's what I'm living right now! 

36. What is your favorite oldie/classic rock song?  Hell's Bells - AC/DC

37. What country do you live in and who is the leader of that country?  USA - Barack Obama.

If you could say any sentence to the current leader of your country what would it be?  "Sorry about the birthers."

38. What's your favorite TV channel to watch in the middle of the night?  I don't own a tv. 

39. What Disney villain are you the most like and why?  Probably one of the stepsisters from Cinderella. They are fairly girly and appear to crave the attention of men. I don't crave male attention, but I do crave positive male interaction. 

40. Have you ever been a girl scout/boy scout?  Yes, I was a girl scout when I was much younger.

41. If you were traveling to another continent would you rather fly or take a boat?  Fly. While I think it would be interesting to go sailing, the thought of a boat in the middle of the ocean in a storm makes me sick. 

42. Why is the sky blue during the day and black at night? Black = the absence of light. 

43. What does your name mean?  It is the feminine version of Brian, and means "strong."

44. Would you rather explore the deeps of the ocean or outer space?  Oh wow. Probably the ocean. 

45. Word association

What is the first word that comes to mind when you see the word:

Air:  all around us.

Meat:  steak.

Different:  same. 

Pink:  baby girl.

Deserve:  ice cream (not sure where that one came from.)

White:  snow!

Elvis:  is dead. :(

Magic:  James

Heart:  beats.

Clash:  The Clash (the band)

Pulp:  Fiction

46. If you could meet any person in the world who is dead who would you want it to be?  I would like to spend time with my family - my great-grandparents' parents. On my mom's side, they emigrated from Poland/Germany. I would love to meet them.

47. What if you could meet anyone who is alive?  Barbara Bush. She seems like a pretty neat lady. (Plus, she's not a Palin fan!)

48. Is there a movie that you love so much you could watch it everyday?  Rent.

49. You are going to be stuck alone in an elevator for a week. What do you bring to do?  I hope I have food and water! But I would bring a bunch of library books and probably a deck of cards. And my little turdy bird, because he is a source of never-ending entertainment and lights up my life every day. <3

50. Have you ever saved someone's life or had your life saved?  No.

51. Make up a definition for the following silly words...

Fruitgoogle:  A really stupid google search.

Ambytime:  Time for Amber to relax and destress alone.

Asscactus:  Total jerk. Someone who walks around / treats others like they have a cactus up their bum. 

52. What was the last thing you made with your own hands?  I made lunch today (that involved the stove). I fixed the sink stopper last month, and I knitted Gay a scarf for Christmas. 

53. What was your favorite toy as a child?  The one I remember was my Digipet. 

54. How many TV’s are in your house?  zero!

55. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  just observe and appreciate nature. 

56. How do you feel when you see a rainbow?  I smile inside. 

57. Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true?  I generally don't remember my dreams. 

58. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader? No.

59. What is your idea of paradise?  Being surrounded by beautiful things, with no pain.

60. Do you believe in god and if so what is he/she/it like?  Yes, I do. I believe he is all-powerful, all-knowing, and is still caring. 

61. Do you believe in Hell?  Yes.

62. What one thing have you done that most people haven't?  Never dyed my hair and never broken a bone.

63. What is the kindest thing you have ever done?  I don't know, to be honest. I have done a lot of volunteer work in my years, but I can't think of a random act of kindness that sticks out. Maybe babysitting for the neighbors on my 16th birthday so they could go out?

64. Are you a patient person?  I would say yes. 

65. What holiday should exist but doesn't?  That's an interesting question. Maybe Christmas, in the true sense of the holiday.

66. What holiday shouldn't exist but does?  Presidents' Day. We already have a day to celebrate the founding of this nation. It's silly to celebrate a founder's birthday on top of that. 

67. What's the best joke you ever heard?  It might not be the best, but the one I have retold (even on a job application!) is the fly in the beer joke. It's to long to type out at 1AM. 

68. Where is the most fun place you have EVER been?  Probably Southern California. The opportunities are limitless! Shopping, learning history, going to the beach, Disneyland, Sea World, etc. etc. 

69. Is your hair natural or dyed?  Natural. 

70. Do you have any deep dark secrets or are you pretty much up front?  I am pretty up-front.

71. What is under your bed right now?  Two plastic totes - one for undies and one for socks. 

72. If you were in the Land of Oz would you want to live there or go home?  I would much rather be home. 

73. If you drive do you frequently speed?  You could say that. However, I've never been ticketed or even pulled over for speeding. 

74. What is the world's best song to dance to?  Chris Young - Center of my World.

75. What song was on the last time you danced with someone?  I believe it was New Year's Eve, in the kitchen with Kyle. If it wasn't then, then before my mom came to visit, over Christmas break, also in the kitchen. 

76. Do you prefer Disney or Warner Brothers?  Warner Brothers. They did Tom & Jerry!

77. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo?  I don't generally run anywhere. I grab a map and take a tour of the whole place. 

78. Would you consider yourself to be romantic?  Not really. I like romance but I am not particularly romantic. 

79. If the earth stopped rotating would we all fly off?  Yes.

80. What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it?  Sing. I'm not sure what sacrifices would have to be made, but I may very well lose my will to live if I lost my voice. Music is my passion. 

81. If you (and everyone) had to lose one right or freedom, but you could pick which one everyone had to lose, what would you pick?  Freedom of assembly.

82. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole?  Equator!! Much warmer there. 

83. Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television?  Watching tv, obviously, since I don't have one.

84. What do you think makes someone a hero?  Selfless acts, humility, courage - that's a tough one to define. 

85. What cartoon would you like to be a character in?  Tom & Jerry! That was my favorite show when I was younger. 

86. Name one thing that turns your stomach:  Anchovies. 

87. What was the last thing you paid for?  Gas when I filled up yesterday. 

88. Are you a coupon clipper?  Yep! I am participating in an MSOS exchange right now!

89. Get anything good in the mail recently?  A huge envelope of coupons from Caitlin! They came in the mail today. 

90. Which would you rather take as a gym class...dancing, sailing, karate, or bowling?  Dancing. 

91. In Star Trek people 'beam' back and forth between different places. What this means is they stand in a little tube and their molecules are deconstructed and sent to another tube somewhere else where they are reassembled. Only problem is when the molecules are deconstructed the person is dead. When they are put back together it is only a clone that has all the dead person's memories. So...

Is the person who gets beamed the same person on both ends?  First, they're not sent to tubes. And I love ST, so I'm going to say yes. 

92. What insects are you afraid of?  Beetles. They terrify me. 

93. If you could print any phrase on a T-shirt, what would it say?  I'm not a big fan of shirts with slogans. 

94. What's the most eccentric thing you have ever worn?  My silk jacket that I used to wear for Youth Court in high school. 

95. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be?  All forms of pasta! 

96. What are your parents interested in?  Mom is a triathlete and Dad loves motorcycles. 

97. Have you ever caught an insect and kept it as a pet?  I probably did when I was younger. I certainly haven't recently. 

Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal?  Um, obviously not. 

98. What is more helpful to you, wishes or plans?  Plans. I am a huge planner. I make a to-do list pretty much every day. 

99. When do you feel your life energy the strongest?  When I am happy. 

100. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. What do you bring?  A flashlight, a blanket, and a man to ward off intruders. 

Sunday, March 6, 2011

101 in 1001

Copied from Sarah! Jessy, Sam (from Msos) and I are doing this together.


101 Goals in 1001 Days
Start Date: March 7, 2011
End Date: December 2, 2013

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 organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


My 101 Goals



0/101 Goals Accomplished




Haven't started
In progress
Goal completed


Academic:
  1. Make a 3.0 GPA or above for Spring 2011.
  2. Make a 3.5 GPA or above for Fall 2011.
  3. Make a 3.5 GPA or above for Spring 2012.
  4. Score a minimum of 30 on the MCAT.
  5. Get an A on a Biochem exam.
  6. Graduate with my B.S.
  7. Do not skip class. Classes where lectures are recorded and put online are okay to miss as long as the catch-up is done before the next class period. 
  8. Apply for medical school at UW. 

Financial:

  1. Maintain a balance of $10,000 in savings at all times.
  2. Use coupons in every grocery trip.
  3. Pay my credit card down to $0.
  4. Buy a desk!
  5. Purchase a water cooling system or similar so I have tasty water easily accessible.
  6. Upgrade my camera.
  7. Buy new glasses. 
  8. Buy myself flowers. (completed 3/16/2011)

Relationships:

  1. Make a new close friend.
  2. Do something special for 5 friends just because I can.
  3. Fall in love.
  4. Get engaged.
  5. Kiss someone on New Year's at midnight.
  6. Kiss in the rain.
  7. Watch the Northern Lights with someone I love.
  8. Go down to a Senior Center and play bingo.
  9. Write a thank-you letter to Mr. Brown and Mrs. Phillips.
  10. Send a care package to my parents.

Cultural:

  1. Go see five theater productions. (1/5 completed)
  2. Go to two concerts.
  3. Watch 10 new-to-me movies that were in theatres more than five years ago.
  4. Go to the symphony.
  5. Read an entire book in German.
  6. Learn a new song on the piano, and memorize it.
  7. Learn 101 phrases in ASL.

Travel:

  1. Take 3 roadtrips (not including the trips about to be mentioned!)
  2. See the Grand Canyon before I leave Arizona
  3. Hike back into Supai/Havasu Canyon and camp. 
  4. Get another stamp in my passport.

Food:
  1. Cook 50 new recipes and blog about them (with pictures!).
  2. Start my own herb garden.
  3. Visit five new restaurants and blog/yelp about my experiences!
  4. Host a dinner party.
  5. Eat buffalo meat.
  6. Go on a picnic.
  7. Drink 64 ounces of water in one day.
  8. Cook 10 new slow-cooker recipes and blog with photos.
  9. Give up soda for 30 consecutive days.
  10. Bake a cake from scratch. 
  11. Tour a winery.
  12. Try 10 new kinds of tea. 

Fun:
  1. Complete a puzzle of 1,000+ pieces by myself.
  2. Read 100 books. (1/100 read)
  3. Knit my first hat.
  4. Knit a pair of socks.
  5. Finish knitting the afghan. 
  6. Learn to French braid.
  7. Visit 10 museums. (1/10 visited)
  8. Blog every day for 31 consecutive days.
  9. Ride a tandem bicycle. 
  10. Make a list of 101 things that make me happy.
  11. Write a letter to myself, to read in 10 years. 
  12. Do something to pamper myself every week - even if it's something as simple as a bubble bath. 
  13. Write my name in the sand. 
  14. Sleep out under the stars. 
  15. Get dressed up for no reason.
  16. Complete the 365 photo challenge.
  17. Go to a hot springs.
  18. Go out dancing.
  19. Send a postcard to Postsecret.
  20. Go ice skating.
  21. Go kayaking.
  22. Send a message in a bottle. 
  23. "Couchsurf" once.
  24. Sit on a rooftop.
  25. Complete the 5,000 question survey
  26. Make something at a pottery shop/studio.
  27. Play slots at a casino.
  28. Ride in a hot air balloon. 
  29. Complete a cross-stitch. 

Body:
  1. Achieve and maintain my goal weight of 125 lbs. 
  2. Stop buying crap food! No more than $5 per month on junk food and sweets. 
  3. Discover my blood type.
  4. Run one mile without stopping. 
  5. Floss every day for 30 consecutive days.
  6. Get my eyebrows threaded.
  7. Get a new tattoo or piercing. 

Charity:
  1. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice(5,000/1,000,000 currently donated)
  2. Log 100 volunteer hours at Banner Desert. 
  3. Complete a random act of kindness for a stranger.
  4. Host someone from CouchSurfing.org
  5. Complete my testing for the bone marrow registry.

Organization:
  1. No more clothes hoarding! Do not add anything to the closet without getting rid of another clothing item first. 
  2. Keep the house clean and "company ready" four or more days per week.
  3. Organize the new office!
  4. Find my camera cord. 
  5. Get my jeans hemmed.

Miscellaneous:
  1. End every day with prayer. 
  2. Make my own laundry detergent.
  3. Start collecting memories and mementos in a shoe box. 
  4. Do not log into facebook for 14 consecutive days. 
  5. Watch a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. 
  6. Be able to recognize all countries on a map.