The project formerly known as "25 by 25"

A little more than a year ago, following the lead of a friend, I decided to start a "25 by 25" list, which had an accompanying, short-lived blog. This list of 25 things I wanted to do before turning 25 including some items that were things I’d never done, some that were things I’d attempted and not been able to sustain, and some that were things I hadn’t done in many many years.

The cakes I baked for our family birthday celebration

Last month was my 25th birthday, and while I didn't do everything on my list, a lot more than I could have imagined has happened or started to happen in the last year.

I also realized that I don't need a list or time limits to do things- if there's something I want to do, I should do it when the opportunity arises, or make such an opportunity myself. Still, with closure in mind, I thought I'd post that list here with a bit of an status update on it.

25 by 25 

(completed items in italics, with notes in parentheses)

1. Visit a new city (New Orleans and Chicago)

2. Sell something I have made (custom brochure and PowerPoint template)

I was hired to create a brochure and PowerPoint template for some of my now-former students

3. Eat a totally new ingredient/food (oysters)
4. Ride a roller coaster, again
5. Watch the sun rise or set
6. Have visited every Smithsonian in D.C. (almost! Just missed one, the Anacostia Community Museum)7. Take a self-defense class (post about that here)
8. Take a class (not self-defense) (I took a very brief--10 minute--pottery class)
9. Work on a Habitat for Humanity site with my dad (we got rained out, but I worked in the office and warehouse with him)
10. Donate blood
11. Play with a baby animal (a teeny tiny baby puppy!)
12. Read 10 books
13. Try a new alternative therapy (hot stones)
14. Fly a kite, again
15. Go down in clothing size (went down two jeans sizes)
16. Go somewhere new in D.C. (visited the Bloomingdale/Eckington neighborhood for the first time)
17. Write a letter (to the friend who inspired this list!)
18. Start a blog (obviously, but if you want to see what I said about that when I started the last blog, check that out here)
19. Pet a llama
20. Teach someone something (taught my uncle how to use the internet... seriously)
21. Roast a chicken (was told it was "Deliciiiiiioooooouuuussss")

22. Host a 5-course dinner party, don’t serve roast chicken
23. Create a monthly budget. Try to stick to it. (I totally owned this)
24. Spend some time with a child (I had crossed this off so I guess I did it, but to be honest, I can't think of when. At least that means it didn't go awfully!)
25. One item from my 30 by 30 list