I have 2097 days before I turn 30...or 5 years and 9 months (minus a few days). When I turned 24 a few months ago, I started making a list of 30 things I wanted to do before I was 30. When I reveal my big plans a little later in this post, you'll see that while there are 30 things listed, one of them is to come up with a 30th idea. Thinking of 30 things turned out to be a lot harder than I thought...mostly because I gave myself some pretty strict rules about what could go on the list. For instance, sure, I would love to be married and have kids by the time I'm 30...but I don't want to put that on a to-do list. If I get married it should be in God's timing, not mine. I've learned better than to give God an ultimatum. Plus, if God is preparing someone to marry me, it may take Him a little extra time to get the guy ready to be able to live with me...I'm a little neurotic. :) And then, I might never get married. No reason to feel as though I've failed if I can't cross it off the list because God just may have a different plan for me. So, basically everything on the list is something I can do without changing any of my present life circumstances in any major way. No major life decisions made the list either (such as going back to school for another master's degree or my doctorate though I would like to do that and actually plan on doing that at some point). I concentrated more on having fun. :) So, without further ado, I present my list of 30 before 30...
JUST FOR FUN (Blue)
1. Attend 10 NEW concerts
I've been to a lot of concerts, but before I turn 30 I want to go to see at least 10 bands or musicians that I've yet to see headline a show. Thus, concerts with The Avett Brothers, Dave Barnes, The Civil Wars, Matt Maher, Needtobreathe, and Mumford & Sons do not count towards the 10 (though I would be happy to see them all as many times as possible before I turn 30). However, should I catch Milo Greene (which I will soon) or Ben Rector headlining their own show (they've both been opening acts at shows I've been to), they will count towards the 10.
2. Learn how to knit
Self-explanatory. Seems like a fun and productive thing to do whilst watching the telly (I'm currently listening to Mumford & Sons and decided it'd be fun to be British for a bit)...which is quite an unproductive thing to do. :)
3. Ride in a hot air balloon
I've wanted to ride in a hot air balloon for YEARS. It's time to do this thing.
4. Acquire a mandolin
Self-explanatory. Whether I order one or walk into a store, put the cash on the counter, and walk out with it...I want to own one of these instruments before I turn the big 3-0.
5. Learn how to play the mandolin
It seems that the majority of my favorite bands use a mandolin at some point...what can I say? I want to be like them.
6. Scrapbook (catch-up and continue)
I was doing so well for a while and now I'm years behind in scrapbooking the significant events in my life. It's not like I don't have the pictures...
7. Watch all of the Star Wars movies
I've never seen all of them and that needs to change.
8. Make a t-shirt quilt out of all of my Berry shirts
I'm not sure how many Berry t-shirts I have, but I cherish them all (it was a very special 4 years). I want to be able to keep them and remember all the good times. I stopped wearing them and packed 'em up almost a year ago with the plan to start making a quilt...and packed up they remain. It's time to be proactive.
9. Learn how to shoot a gun
I am perhaps the most passive person I know, but I want to learn how to shoot a gun and at some point actually hit the target. I can't really explain why, but it made my list.
10. Blog on a semi-regular basis
I'll come here and share tidbits about my life on a semi-regular basis...whatever that means. Maybe I'll do a monthly update about how I'm doing with this list...that would be semi-regular. :)
11. Learn another language
In middle school and high school I took German, Japanese, and French...and I don't remember much of any of it. I'd like to learn a language and actually remember it. Personally, I think sign language would be really cool.
12. Attend one of the major music festivals
Bonnaroo. Sasquatch. Coachella. Beale Street (which isn't as big as the others, but would do). Or, one I don't even know about...I don't really care which one it is, I want to go to a festival and see multiple bands over the course of a few days. Yes, a lot of people are dirty and drunk...but the music would be awesome.
13. Get a dog and name him Banjo
In the past year or so I've become quite a fan of folk-y and bluegrass-y music. Banjos seem to be a requirement for this type of music and I don't mind at all. :) At first I thought about getting a girl dog named Mandolin and a boy dog named Banjo and calling them Mandy and Joe for short...but that's taking it a little too far. A boy named Banjo is probably crossing the line, but I really want to do it. :)
TRAVEL (Pink)
14. Cross Country Road Trip
Melissa and I have one tentatively planned out (national parks, roller coasters, quirky roadside attractions, monuments, skyscrapers, etc.) and when it happens, it's going to be awesome.
15. New York City
I've been to NYC twice, but with a big group each time. Both trips were great...but I'd like to go with a smaller group and do the things that I actually want to do and spend extra time in some of the places where we were rushed.
16. Procure a passport
Self-explanatory. Needed for #17.
17. Go overseas
Get in a plane. Fly over the sea. Land in another country. See the sights.
18. Mission trip
I'd like to go to Africa or somewhere else where I can help people, experience new things, and likely gain a new perspective about life.
TO BE READ (Purple)
19. The Bible entirely through in at least 5 translations
I have read the Bible all the way through using the English Standard Version, but I want to do it at least 5 more times using 5 different translations.
20. Entire Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
I haven't read all of them and really feel that I should...
21. The books on my shelf and on my Kindle that I have not read
I've spent so much money on books...have to make sure it doesn't go to waste!
22. Lord of the Rings trilogy
I've seen the movies and read The Hobbit, but I need to read the trilogy.
23. The last Harry Potter book
I read the whole series and bought the last book, but I haven't read it...yet.
NEEDS TO BE DONE (Yellow)
24. Learn how to confidently cook 10 meals
I'm about to embark on a new adventure and I'll be on my own...but I don't really know how to cook anything. So, either I'm going to be hungry or tired of sandwiches...until I learn how to cook.
25. Learn how to use my DSLR camera
I have a fancy camera and don't have the slightest idea of how to use it the way it should be used. I just guess and start shooting...sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I can do better.
26. Learn how to use my photo editing software
I bought fancy software to go with my fancy camera. I love taking pictures and between the fancy camera and fancy software every last picture should be awesome.
27. Come up with a legitimate 30th thing for this list
Ugh. I keep trying to think of something. Suggestions?
FOR A BETTER LIFE (Green)
28. Be more content in all situations
29. Express gratitude more often
30. Give more grace to all people
The last three can't really be measured or documented like most of the others on this list...but in the next 5 years and 9 months I want to not only have some fun doing things I've always dreamed about, but also strive to become a better person. I tend to struggle with contentment...I always seem to want more. I want to let people know that what they do for me means something to me. And, given how much grace I've been given, I have no reason to hold a grudge or be unforgiving towards others. So, for the next few years I'll be making a concerted effort to do better and be better...once they becomes habits, they won't be so hard to do. :)
Well, there you have it...my 30 before 30. 2097 days to get 'em done. We'll see what happens. :)
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