30 for 30

Upon realizing that 30 is the numeral after 29, I had a small anxiety attack filled with questions and self-evaluation. 

Do I look 30? (the vain part of myself)

Do I feel 30? (the physical part of myself)

Am I where I want to be in life? (the it's never enough side of myself)

Have I accomplished enough? (the overachiever)

What haven't I achieved that I thought I would? (the goal setter) 

This continued for days, weeks, months. So, I did what any normal OCD person would do. I made a list. A list of 30 things I want to do during my year of 30. A bucket list of sorts, without the dying-at-the-end part, at least I hope. I have compiled a melange of items that I hope will bring joy, accomplishment, knowledge and pure-ty fun to 30 so that I can look back on this year as a good one. 

So, here goes the ol' Listy McList:

30 FOR 30:

1. Return to France. I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't been back to France since I studied abroad in 2005. This is a definite must. 
2. Go to a Justin Timberlake concert. Item #2 is already underway….
3. Go to a Fleetwood Mac concert. The fact that Fleetwood Mac's music is still popular is testament enough. Another must-do. 
4. Run a 5K. I have never been an avid fan of running - I either get tired or bored with it. But, as I get older, I realize the need for a solid cardio workout. I've been working my way up to this goal already. Just have to find a race that interests me. 
5. Run a 10K. See #4. 
6. Sing Karaoke. Yikes. True to my ethnic stereotype, I can NOT sing. This confession is not news to my friends nor is it my attempt at modesty. I truly can NOT sing. I don't even sing in the shower as the echo of my own voice frightens me. (I do however sing in my car at the top of my lungs, especially if Dolly is on.) Over the past 10 years, I have become an escape artist in karaoke bars. Time to face my fear. 
7. Learn my Aunt Dene's dressing recipe. My maternal grandmother passed when I was too young to care or appreciate the value of a family recipe. Not making that mistake with my Aunt Dene's recipe for dressing (Yankee friends: see stuffing). 
8. Go slalom skiing. I grew up going slalom skiing with my dad - he started me early on skis as at age 2. I'd be willing to bet that I have been in every slough on Lake Martin. Just to prove it to myself, I want to attempt skiing the slalom course. Success is not my goal as that would be unrealistic. Just attempting. 
9. Go to a movie alone. I enjoy my independence. I enjoy eating alone, going shopping alone, but, the thought of sitting in a movie alone. Completely different. Something I need to get over. 
10. Ride a horse. I've already enlisted a friend's help on this one. What can I say, I'm a Southerner who's never been on a horse. 
11. Ride a motorcycle. Again, what can I say, I'm a Southerner who's never been on a motorcycle. I've been on a Vespa in Capri, Italy. Does that count? 
12. Indulge in a spa treatment. No explanation needed. 
13. Cook for parents. Cooking for others is one of my favorite pleasures, especially when it means my mom and dad. 
14. Start and finish a painting. I enlisted in a painting class a few years ago and gave it up when work became too busy. It's time to give the creative juices an outlet. 
15. Invest in a nice piece of furniture. I'm a cheapskate, a money saver and spendthrift. I admit it. Except when it comes to food. I will order a $30 entree without thinking twice and then watch my power bill for the next three months. But, it's time to be a grown-up and start purchasing "investment pieces." Whatever that means. 
16. Find a theme song. Inspired by Ally McBeal. 
17. Learn how to drive a stick shift. My sweet Daddy tried his darndest to teach me how to drive a stick shift and it just didn't seem to take. Hopefully, I can lean on him again for his patience. 
18. Re-read a classic. Give me Louisa May Alcott or Jane Austen any day. 
19. Go hiking at Ruffner Mountain Park. A few years ago, I overcame my aversion to "hiking" when I realized it's just walking upward. 
20. Bake a pie from scratch. Cooking - I adore. Baking stresses me out. One would think that the accuracy and measurements would appeal to my OCD, but it only adds pressure to get it right. There's just something uber-Southern and all-American about a pie. 
21. Watch a classic movie. Sometimes I wonder if I was born too late. Old, classic movies are my go-to thrills. Taking suggestions for ones to watch. 
22. Develop a routine to go to bed by 10 p.m. This night owl must change her ways. 
23. Develop a morning ritual. See #23. Waking up early is torture. But, when I do, I always enjoy my mornings. Making coffee, curling up on the sofa in my PJs with my friends Savannah and Matt.  
24. Get a library card…and use it. Embarrassing that I'm a cheapskate and not taking advantage of this luxury. 
25. Move. I've been in the same apartment for far longer than I imagined. It was a temporary thing where a month turned into a year turned into another year. Time to move. 
26. Experience a sunrise. No explanation needed. 
27. Go camping. Eek. I put it on here to force myself to do it. 
28. Try a new food. Love, love, love food. Love eating food, talking about food, shopping for food, planting food, growing food, harvesting food, watching other people eat food, cooking food. I LOVE FOOD. 
29. Catch a fish and clean it. #29 grosses me out, but I feel that as a foodie, this is something I need to overcome. I want to be closer to my food sources. 
30. Watch a documentary. Learning and entertainment mixed together. Yes, please.