101 in 1001

The Challenge:

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 your part).

Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple challenges such as New Year’s resolutions or a ‘Bucket List.’ 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

* I will try my hardest to keep this list updated weekly for the next 1001 days.

Start Date:

1.1.14

End Date:

9.28.16

Finance:

•        Apply for a credit card to start building credit (6/1/14)
•        Put money from each paycheck in my savings account (Since I quit my job, I am aiming or putting money in savings each month!)
•        For each goal I complete put $10 in savings (101 goals = $1010 dollars saved) (2/101)
•        For each goal I do not complete donate $10 to charity 
•        Open a Roth IRA and start saving for my retirement
•        Donate $10 a month to a charity or to support someone on a mission trip/run/etc (8/33)
•       Go one week without spending any money

Sorority: 

•        Pay all my sorority dues on time 
•        Get a Little
•        Do something special for each of my sisters
•        Get matching “family” shirts with my family line

Fitness:

•        Complete a 30 miles in 30 days challenge
•        Run a 5k
•        Log 100 miles
•        Try stand up paddle boarding
•        Become a certified yoga instructor
•        Try Aero Yoga
•        Try Sup Yoga
•        Become a certified diver
•        Take a surfing lesson
•        Take a dance class
•        Take a barre class (1/29/14)
•        Take a Zumba class
•        Take a trapeze class
•        Participate in the Macon Mud Run
•        Participate in an Instagram Yoga Challenge

Travel:

•        Go Camping
•        Go tubing
•        Find 25 new geocaches (2/25)
•       Go out of the country
•        Visit 3 new states 
•        Go to an amusement park
•        Go to a Braves game
•        Go to 10 concerts (1/10)
•        Attend a multi-day festival
•        Participate in the Beluga and friends program at the Georgia Aquarium
•        Swim with the Whale Sharks at the Georgia Aquarium
•        Go on a Mother/Daughter beach trip (Done! -went to Savannah/Tybee for Spring Break)
•        Get a caricature of my boyfriend and I done on a trip
•        See 15 Sunrises
•        Find sea glass on the beach
•        Go to Disney World
•        Go to Sea World
•        Attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon
•        Go to the Georgia National Fair

College:

•        Be asked to join Phi Eta Sigma
•        Be able to graduate a semester early (in Fall 2016)
•        Take a Typography Class
•        Take a Sign Language Class
•        Take the GRE
•        Meet individually with each of my professors each semester to discuss grades/etc (3/7)

Domestic:

•        Get my own apartment (Done - 8/12/14 // Signed for my first house {Aug. 2015})
•        Complete 3 crafts from my Pinterest board
•        Cook 3 meals from my Pinterest board
•        *Once 21* Learn to make drinks
•        Make a meal in a crockpot
•        Learn how to juice
•        Cook my boyfriend breakfast (Done - many times... 12.22.14)
•        Cook dinner for my boyfriend and I (Check!)
•        Redo my “at home bedroom” with my mom (Done - Summer '14)
•        Grow Herbs
•        Sew/crochet/knit something on my own
•        Give 5 homemade gifts (Christmas '14 was a mostly homemade Christmas!)

Personal:

•        Donate Blood
•        Buy a lottery ticket
•        Get a Tattoo
•        Get my second holes in my ears (5/22/14)
•        Leave 50 Operation Gratitude notes (2/50)
•        Do my age in random acts of kindness on my Birthday (Ages 19, 20, 21) (Was not prepared for 19)
•        Have my first legal drink
•        Get a massage (4.30.14)
•        Get a facial
•        Get a pedicure (Did this with my favorite, Carlee!)
•        Read 50 books (8/50)
•        Blog weekly (at least) (so far so good)
•        Volunteer at the 2015 World Special Olympics in LA
•        Send out Christmas cards (12.10.14)
•        Play Monopoly
•        Become CPR Certified
•        Take pictures in a photo booth
•        Send 25 pieces of snail mail (10/25)
•        Leave a 100% tip
•        Go to the farmers market
•        Clean out my closet and donate/sell unwanted clothes (6/1/14)
•        Clean out my room/dorm and donate/sell unwanted items (6/1/14)
•        Send a message in a bottle
•        Throw a party for one of my friends
•        Volunteer 101 hours (21/101)
•        Wash my truck (5.3.14)
•        Go to a winery
•        Dye Easter Eggs (4.20.14)
•        Get my concealed carry license
•       Purchase personalized stationary
•    "Adopt a Soldier"  (1/22/14)

Love:

•        Go on a date with my boyfriend each month (12/33)
•        Go strawberry picking
•        Go pumpkin picking
•        Have a candlelight dinner
•        Do a 1000 pc puzzle with my boyfriend
•        Send my boyfriend a care package at college (just because)
•        Have my boyfriend participate in this list with me!

Sunday Sum-Up - Two Years in the Making

Yesterday (12.28.13) marked my two year dating anniversary with my boyfriend. Because of that I dedicate this weeks Sunday Sum-Up to the past two years and the past 104 Sundays I have spent with my guy.

Shopping with Dylan and my family.

 Putt-putt date.

 Archery!

 At the Savannah Rapids Pavilion - one of my favorite places on earth!

 Hunting Island Beach trip with Dylan and his family.

 Looking too dressed up for Sonic.

 Stone Mountain with Dylan and his family!

 That one time we saw The Maine and Mayday Parade on Halloween!

 When I was convinces to go play airsoft...

 Lights of the South 2012

 The best Valentines's Day ever...at the Circus.

 When I convinced Dylan to take me to the Riverwalk Market!

Ice cream makes us slightly crazy!

 That time Dylan took me to the Georgia Aquarium on my birthday!

 Lights of the South 2013!

 Alpha Gamma Delta Semi-Formal  <3

 Two-Year pictures with my dear!

Happy two years, my dear! I look forward to many more!

Christmas DIY

Normally for Christmas I go out and buy myself something nice. Usually I buy myself a new pair of shoes or a new sweater but this year was a little different. Being in college has depleted my bank account and I was not able to purchase myself something new. Instead, I decided to do a DIY project for myself with items I had in my house. I searched Pinterest until I found the perfect project.

I present to you my new squirrel wall art:

This project is actually very simple and I encourage anyone to give it a try. It takes very few supplies and I finished it in a little over a day. (the paint had to dry overnight....)

The first step is to gather your supplies:

• Canvas
• Paint/Paintbrush
• Old Magazines
• Modge Podge
• Scissors
• Silhouette of the animal/object you would like

Then simply want to paint your canvas and let it dry.

While it's drying you should look through magazines and rip out pages with backgrounds and colors that you like. (I chose mostly blues and florals for my squirrel.) Cut those pages into strips about half and inch wide. (You can also stagger short and long strips.)

After that, you should get a silhouette of the animal/object you are interested in making. You can freehand this if you like but I pulled up an image on google on my laptop and traced it onto paper. Then you cut out the silhouette and glue your strips to the silhouette. Once the glue dries you modge podge the animal/object to the canvas and you are finished.

If you give this a try, let me know what you chose to do!

Stay Crafty, 

Beth

Sunday Sum-Up 12.24.13

Its Christmas Eve!!!

I personally can not believe that in a few short hours it will be Christmas. I am so excited but also I am sad because the holidays are not the same anymore now that I have grown older. What used to be utter excitement at waking up and opening presents has turned into almost just another day. Christmas in my family used to be huge, we would have a bunch of people over for lunch and be merry all day. Now, it's my brother, my parents and grandparents, and myself. I do, however, appreciate the change. I enjoy a small family gathering as opposed to a big party with extended family. (but that's just my anti-social ways)

As for now, it's time to look back on my past week and the successes and failures of it.


Successes:

• I read two full books.
• I went shopping with my mother not once but twice!
• I ate some of the best food I've eaten since August. 
• I got to see my boyfriend!
• I got to wrap presents :)

Failures: 

• I read the last page of one of the books I was reading and knew the ending :(
• I did not accomplish many of the "academic" plans I made.
• I probably gained about 15 pounds from all the good food (no regrets)

 Presents!

Home Sweet Home

I also have some pretty awesome posts coming up in the next few days! Expect some DIY (which I'm actually happy with the turnout this time) and some other random posts!

Until next time, 

Beth

Goal 2

Good evening, 

My second goal of my Christmas break is to come up with a better theme than the generic template that is currently in use. Simple goal, right? We shall see if it happens!

I also wanted to give an update on my "Goal 1" post. I have, thus far, read two books on my break.

I finished Eternal Eden, which was very good towards the ending but not something I will read again. 

I also read The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. My goal was to read Tuesdays with Morrie but as luck would have it my library did not have it. However, The Time Keeper was such an impressive book. I was truly amazed by the journey this book took me on. It had so many good ideas and some really deep thoughts that really changed my view on the idea of time. I would suggest this book to anyone who is looking to be moved by words. This is a book that I will be rereading in a few years. 

That is all, 

Beth

Goal 1

I have decided that during my Christmas break I will set a goals list and try to accomplish the entire list. This list will include crafts I have been aching to try, meals I have been wanting to cook, and books I have been dying to read. 

My first goal on this list (which I am still making in my head) is to read several good books. I have decided that since I have 3 weeks at home, I will finish at least 3 books. 

My book list for this break includes: 

• Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams (I bought this on my Nook over the summer, and I think it is time I finish it.)
• The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (I picked up this, along with the first book in the trilogy at Salvation Army while at college and am looking forward to reading it.)
• Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom (I am in LOVE with Mitch Albom and have read some of his other books. I have heard great things about this book, and I hope my local library has it!)
• The Best of Me or The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks (Both of these are going to be made into movies in the next few years, so I want to read them before I see the movie. Plus, how can you go wrong with Nicholas Sparks? My heart will never fully recover from Message in a Bottle.)
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Just Because.)
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (I added this to my wishlist on my Nook a while back, and if I can find it at the library I will indulge in it. Plus it has great reviews, and I trust other people who read books.)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Why not read it?)

I would also like to read the Divergent series when I get time, but I am not aiming that high for my Christmas reading list. 

I have listed much more than three books but I like to keep my options open!

Keep reading ya'll, 

Beth

Sunday Sum-Up x2

Good Evening!

Its been about two weeks since I have posted on here, meaning I missed my last Sunday Sum-Up but that's ok! I have successfully completed my first semester at Mercer University. This past week was filled with books, notes, concentration music, and a lot of time in isolation studying for my finals. I am so excited to be done with finals week and to be at home for the next three weeks.

However, I did slip in a few fun activities these past two weeks...

I went to my first semi-formal for my sorority. My date was none other than my boyfriend! How cute are we?

I also attended a tacky Christmas sweater party with some of my sisters. This year was the first year I have gotten to attend a tacky sweater party, and I must say I loved it. I just love tackiness! I went "thrifting" and found my sweater at Salvation Army for $3 which fits right into my small budget.

My residence hall's Hall Government (which I am community service chair for) hosted an ornament decorating Christmas party. We had a good turnout and it turned out to be a successful and fun night.

Last but not least.... my best friend from home came to visit me last night and she brought these awesome glasses.

She knows me too well!

I should be posting more often now that I am home. So stay tuned...

Until next time,

Beth

Sunday Sum-Up 12.1.13

Happy December!

First of all may I just mention how crazy it is that it is already December. I can not believe that in 25 short days it will be Christmas, and even better in 28 short days it will be my two year dating anniversary with my guy!

This past week has been so relaxing and enjoyable. I traveled home and spent a lot of time doing nothing.

I spent time with my family on Thanksgiving day watching the parade on television, eating lunch, and watching the National Dog Show as well. It was a lazy day and I could not have asked for a better day.

On Friday (yes, Black Friday) I decided to skip out on spending the money I do not have and instead I spent the day with my mom and boyfriend! My guy and I took holiday pictures (which turned out really well thanks to David Stembridge Photography) and then he took me out on a date to the Lights of the South. This year was our third year going to the Lights of the South and as tradition would have it, I tripped several times. This year we decided to go through the Christmas tree maze, which we usually skipped out on, and boy was it fun! It took us a while but we managed to find our way through.

The next day I had to return to school to work the GISA State Championship football game. By the end of the day, I was frozen but I did get to see my old high school principal and also a coach from my high school. It was so nice to see people from my hometown in my new town and it was worth standing outside in the cold for.

Dylan and I at Lights of the South. 

Christmas Maze! The best part of Lights of the South.

Holiday Pictures with Dylan!

Our gingerbread men we decorated tonight.

Morgan, Lauren, and I eating our gingerbread men that we decorated!

And with that, I'm out! 

Beth