Well, my 31st birthday has come and gone and I'm afraid (once again) I failed to complete all of my new things. For shame! But I sure had fun trying.
Some of my new things rendered themselves un-doable because of their inherent seasonality (truffles, I'm looking at you). A few things were out of my price range (trapeze class, sad trombone) and something were oddly hard to make happen (all my friends are afraid of paintball?). And some of them I've done but not managed to write about yet!
Some of my new things rendered themselves un-doable because of their inherent seasonality (truffles, I'm looking at you). A few things were out of my price range (trapeze class, sad trombone) and something were oddly hard to make happen (all my friends are afraid of paintball?). And some of them I've done but not managed to write about yet!
Of course (of course!) I've already started assembling my list of 32 New Things that I'm going to try this year.
1. Cook something with lemon grass
2. Eat a truffle (the mushroom, not the dessert)
3. Drink wine on a boat
4. Be an extra in a Bollywood movie
5. Try butter tea
6. Touch an elephant
7. Watch Gone With The Wind
8. Read The Da Vinci Code
9. Take two of my students out to dinner
10. Go shampoo-free for a month (switch to apple cider vinegar and baking soda water!)
11. Skydive
12. Sing at a night club (ala Jessica Rabbit)
13. Play paintball
14. Take a water aerobics class
15. Go to a stripper-cize class
16. Try absinthe
17. Run a 5k
18. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine
19. Write a fan letter
20. Do one pull up (one!)
21. Learn calligraphy
22. Visit a Marae
But I'm afraid I'm rather stuck after that! Do you have any ideas? They should be things that only take one day to do and are not prohibitively expensive.
Have you been trying new things? How has it been going?
Have you been trying new things? How has it been going?
49 comments:
Do 100 push ups in a set! They're different from chin ups :P When I started, I couldn't even do one real push up!
This site might help..?http://hundredpushups.com/
Any chance you'll swing by Sydney in the next year? There is a fabulous little Absinthe saloon in Surry Hills. Most brilliant experience really! They have 18 different types, so the hosts tell you all about them and help you choose.. then show you how to drink it properly (with a fancy water fountain to drip water through a sugar cube into the absinthe!) Totally brill. Well worth a visit if you're about.
I've been blogging about 100 things I want to do this year. Not all are as exciting as yours, but feel free to have a squiz! (Maybe skip down to the Random Jolliness section and ignore the Boring But Necessary bits!)
http://thisyeari.wordpress.com/the-big-100/
One of the things I want to put on my list is to spend a day speaking entirely in another language (for me that would be Japanese). I'd also like to try some different yoga classes.
May I suggest you replace Da Vinci Code with The Name Of The Rose ? I´m much more interesting, informative and challenging. DVC is crap.
I have tried butter tea, and it made me barf, which was a pity, since lots of people love it...
You mentioned calligraphy and I just found this in my Google Reader: http://vimeo.com/12733075
Probably the most tense 5 minutes of my day, but really gorgeous!
My 21st is tomorrow. Yesterday I put the finishing touches on my very own list of 21 things to do wile I am 21, completely inspired by you, of course. Some things on my list include: spending an entire afternoon cloud watching, having a caricature drawn, exercising with a personal trainer at least once, visiting a hot spring, and doing something entirely spontaneous.
I've also worked on a list of 21 habits to form while I am 21, though I still haven't come up with the 21st one.
Damn, girl, a month without shampooing is a tough goal--- not because of the getting-scalp-adjusted business, but because it takes a whole MONTH.
'Gone With the Wind' is gorgeous--- the score, the cinematography, the dysfunctional relationships, the history.... It's well worth the time. Plus, you can multitask; perhaps paint your nails or sort photos while you watch. I always watch a movie while I mend clothes.
Some suggestions for you:
- Make cleaning supplies from natural ingredients
- make your own cheese (this can be super easy - I promise! you can do paneer in an hour!)
- write a travel journal (already planned?)
- make your Halloween costume from scratch
- take a cooking class (preferably in a cuisine/style you haven't considered much before)
- become a tea/wine/coffee connoiseur
Have a no-motor day (only walk or bike to your destinations).
Make a t-shirt memory scarf.
Post or participate in a challenge on Challenge.gov.
Best wishes!
-Learn a magic trick
-Host a tea party (with scones and jam!)
-Learn how to make beaded jewellery
-Write a song
I'm also going skydiving this year!!
Around november/December - I'[m so excited :D
It's funny how people differ... I'm 30 now and I've already done more than half the things on your list!
But then there are other things that you have already done that I haven't.
Good luck with your challenge.
I tried absinthe in Italy last year; it's INTENSE. But...well, it was a good night :)
I love the no-shampoo idea. I've been considering that for awhile too so I'm exciting to see how your experience goes!
I did a stripper-cize class with some gal friends from college a year ago or so - it's SO FUN! We managed to find the one 70-year-old stripper-dance-teacher in our whole city and we all just goofed off, learned a lot, got a HUGE workout, and had fun.
You won't regret that one.
idears, idears, idears...how about you paint some artwork using no brushes? only body parts like hands, feet, and lips? and maybe walk a pack of dogs? say 5+ at one time? how about swapping lives with a friend for a day? you live her/his life while they live yours? sort of freaky friday style, but without the freaky part?
alas, my 26th birthday is this saturday, and i'm thinking i should make a 27 new things list for this next year of my life. if you're gonna live life to the fullest, i should at least TRY, right? hehe. thanks for the beautiful idears :)
That's a great list! A suggestion I have is to be a nude art model once. It's really fun!
One thing I have had a lot of fun doing in the past was learning dances from other cultures. Why not take Greek dancing, Belly dancing, African dance, etc...
It would also be a perfect way to meet people and learn a little more about one of the countries you are planning to visit. Plus it is a great way to workout without feeling like you are. That is always a plus in my book.
some ideas-
*have a chocolate tasting party with chocolates varying in percentages from milk to dark
*donate your hair
*pick a work of classic literature you hear referenced often and read it (e.g. pride and prejudice, war and peace, or some shakespeare)
*pay for the grocery bill of someone in front of you
*make your own pickles
I have done the following on your list:
- Cook something with lemon grass (I made chicken spring rolls and lemongrass was an ingredient... summer is the easiest time to find it!)
- Read The Da Vinci Code (WAY better than the movie, and the chapters are short so it's easy to read a bit here and there)
- Try absinthe (try to get the authentic stuff, like from Slovakia... and have a chaser handy because it will sting like you swallowed mouthwash)
- Run a 5k (VERY rewarding to finish, even if you walk for part of it!)
- Write a fan letter (wrote one to Steven Spielberg when I was in 6th grade, and he sent me his autograph!)
Great list! Very inspiring... I'd LOVE to be able to do one pull-up! Very interested in reading about that one!
happy birthday! Hope it was fun :)
my suggestion is to learn one song on guitar/piano/any other instrument. could be fun! pick your favorite crowd pleaser!
two items on my personal life-list (that's not written anywhere) are go in a helicopter and go in a hot air balloon. I'm afraid I've done neither. Unfortunately I think those are what is considered "prohibitively expensive".
PS I went shampoo free for at least a month, and I didn't replace it with anything. Just rinsing and rubbing the scalp every day in the shower. The first few days were kind of a grease-fest and then the hair compensated and stopped producing as much grease!
One that is always on my list is to write thank you notes to teachers I loved during elementary school. I think they'd get a real buzz from it!
Love your list so far!
omg, be an extra in a bollywood movie?! so awesome, my dream too.
how about host/actively participate in a progressive dinner party?
this is a great idea! I especially like the one pull-up :)
How about seeing an outdoor movie, grow some spices on your window sill or blow soap bubbles?
Someone previously mentioned this, but make yourself something pretty, like a piece of jewelry. So cool when someone says "I like that!" and you can say "I made it!" Should appeal, considering you have to tell people about your bargains :)
Or: be a tourist in your own town
Or: get a makeover from a makeup counter in a fancy department store
Hmm. I think I need to make my own list.
Looovely! I'm gonna be in Mumbay in November and Bollywood is totally a goal of mine too :D
Also, the shampoo-free month is super interesting! I couldn't do it, because I have problems with my scalp and get dermatitis so easily that I always have to use a special oily shampoo :S
Maybe you've already done this, but how about trying shiatzu massage? I honestly don't know how much it would cost in the Us, but since you're gonna be in Asia soon it might be easier there...
Ooh! Ooh! I know! Segway tour of Minneapolis. Just because it's hilarious.
Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you did something really fun.
I've never done it, but zorbing looks like masses of fun. So perhaps you could add that to your list. :D
Here are some fun things off my list of things to you I thought you might enjoy!
-Go Zorbing (google it, it's basically rolling down a hill in an inflatable ball)
-Invent a recipe for a yummy sangria
-Volunteer with OxFam
-Take a salsa dancing lesson
-Take a hot air balloon ride
-Try hot yoga
Good luck finishing your list :)
~Janice
jungleejuice.blogspot.com
I like your list a lot. Since I am rapidly approaching 30 and sulkily refusing to look back at the things I said I would do, maybe I should or make a new one.
As for a suggestion... I think you should send an idea of a television sitcom to a local (or national) station, then call them to follow it up. It's the idea and the sending it that's the important thing.
Mine has been going all right ~ I'm doing a 30 before 30 and giving myself two years to accomplish them because I need to travel extensively to get some done - and they all involve food ;)
I can help you with that lemon grass challenge, by the way. Do you like Thai curry?
I'll try to think of some ideas to add to your list ~ :)
I love this idea. I have but one goal - to learn how to ride a bike well.
Agree with make your own cheese- so much fun!
Sounds good! Skydiving sounds exciting!
make a pinhole camera! you can usually do it with cheap household items (just look online).
I always have a neverending list of these kinds of things...
How about learn how to salsa dance? ;)
I started making a list when I first read about yours. I really must get around to committing to it. Some non-expensive ones -
Take a roll of lomo pictures every month
Get fresh fish from the fish markets
Try eveything I'm not allergic to at Sushi train - could be expensive ;)
Make a balloon animal and give it to a kid in a park.
Do the splits.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
Visit an animal shelter and pet all the cats and dogs.
Do the lemon juice detox for three days.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2337328_make-lemon-detox-diet.html
I'm working on my 22 while I'm 22 list and I can't quite seem to find exciting, feasible goals to finish my list either!
From my 22 Before 22 list
+Feed a tiger
+Learn to lasso something
FYI - baking soda and ACV is the best thing that ever happened to my hair!! I used to use fancy fancy shampoo (like $30 a bottle, I'm embarrassed to say it now) that stuff doesn't even compare to how gorgeous, healthy, and SHINY your hair will be. Your hair will smell like vinegar until it is dry, so make sure you allow proper drying time for any occasion where you'd rather not smell like a salad :)
If you have any questions you can email me rhburlingame@gmail.com
I adore lemongrass! This is my favorite recipe:
http://sooperfarmerjo.blogspot.com/2009/10/lemongrass-salad.html
I also have one for Tom Ka soup, which is super easy and fast. I love your lists! :)I need to make one for 33 at 33!
I like to mix in some opportunities to give back into these kinds of lists. I love the other cool things too but I won't suggest any since you have a million and one suggestions already. What about volunteering at a soup kitchen for an afternoon or spending a day doing construction with Habitat for Humanity? Or whatever type of cause floats your boat, I bet you could think of one that you like the sound of.
Hey! That looks a lot like my 21 New Things (which, two months into it I still haven't finished making the list). I'm also going to attempt to run a 5K and learn calligraphy.
I love the suggestions to volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry. I have done both (food pantry regularly; soup kitchen just on Christmas) and it's an amazing experience that really puts things in perspective.
Good luck with the absinthe! My husband and I tried it a couple of years ago. I thought it tasted like black licorice and death. Oh, also? My husband's tongue went numb after three tiny sips. So, good luck!
Sarah! One of the items on my "Things to do before I die" list was also to "Pet and ride an elephant" - and I was able to do so just this past weekend! There are elephant rides for $4 at the MN Renaissance Festival ($17-21 admission), which is open for the next three weekends. The best part is you can also stand at the fence and pet the incredible creatures as they walk past - and sometimes they reach out with their trunks and pet you! I'm attending again in two weeks to experience it all over again. Do go go go! :D
I wrote a 101 things in 1001 days list a couple of years ago which sadly fell by the wayside. However, one of the things on it that I REALLY still want to be able to do is say the alphabet backwards as fast as I can forwards. No idea why, just think it would be a really fun thing to be able to do.
kia ora Sarah :)
ko catherine taku ingoa, he uri no ngati raukawa me ngati maru. Im cat hailing from the tribes of ngati raukawa and ngati maru in NZ. just wondering when you planned on visiting a marae and if it was going to be in nz or out in the islands? please dont go to some cheesy touristy venture where they make you stand up and look like idiots doing the haka with a japanese tour bus full of people :)
flick me an email if you dont have any Maori contacts in Aotearoa. cat.ariana.page@gmail.com heart your blog!
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