101 things in 1001 days update December…
Time for yet another update on my 101 things in 1001 days list which can be found here along with my previous monthly updates. December was a busy busy month for crossing things off which was a good thing considering I got almost nothing done in November…
17. Choose or make invitations (In progress)
This is in progress. Also choose & paid deposit for suits (which was not on the 101 things list)
37. Learn 10 new recipes (10/10)
Done! I actually learnt a couple of Christmasy recipes in December including how to make shortbread, rumballs, & an amazing stuffing for the turkey. Also, not a recipe as such but I learnt how to glaze a ham!!! (10/10)
45. Try (or learn to like) 5 new fruits or vegetables (5/5)
I can safely say that I can now eat cucumber (it helped growing it ourselves) although still think it isn`t that crash hot & I also tried snap peas for the first time. They are like thick snowpeas? They might be like the snowpeas you get in Japan but they taste different- sweeter. So have tried or learned to like 5 vegies (brussel spouts, cooked carrot, brocolli, cucumber & snap peas!) (5/5)
46. Have another pap smear test
Done- no details needed.
51. Participate in Macro Monday every week for 12 weeks straight (5/12) (In progress)
In progress- 5 down, 7 to go
56. Visit Melbourne
Done, earlier in December. We got to see James, Gen & Alice & had a fantastic time. Like me, Shun loved Melbourne.
57. Eat at at least 10 restaurants I have never been to before (10/10)
Now complete- Melbourne at the beggining of the month took care of this. We ate at a great Italian place on Lygon Street & had great seafood at the casino. We ate at a couple of other super yummy places also but these were the first two!
58. Show Shun what Christmas in Australia is really like
I think I completed this one quite well, with the help of my family of course. We had a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with all the trappings, a Christmas morning breaky with ham & crossiants and present opening followed by a Christmas Lunch with extended family. He got thoroughly spoilt by me, my mum & dad & my brother & his gf. I don`t think he could quite comprehend why he got all these presents though because he kept telling me he was an adult not a kid! hehe!
So basically he knows that Christmas in Australia is hot, we eat a lot including seafood & usually catch up with family while at the same time getting presents! That is what Christmas in my family is like anyway! He had a good time.
60. Learn something about wine perhaps do a wine tasting
We did this in Melbourne with James. It was fantasitc & I learnt a lot about how wine is made, how long it tastes & why it tastes so good! We tried about 50 different types of wine on the day from 4 different wineries! Well worth the day out in the Yarra Valley!
62. Go to a show with Shun
Also happened in Melbourne beginning of the month when we saw Wicked! My brother & Gem saw it while they were in NY & thought it was fantastic and they told us it was a must see while we were in Melbourne. Shun & never really been to a broadway type show like this & he found it facinating. Seeing live shows always makes me want to go more & more. The ads for Billy Elliott were up while we were down there & now I really want to see that too!
69. (Buy) A proper DSLR camera!
Well my parents bought it for me but I have one now! & I love it.
70. (Buy)The Rei Shimura series by Sujata Massey (In progress)
In progess- have read the first two and purchased the next 5 on amazon- awaiting there arrival. Another 2 to buy after that I think but will wait until I return to Japan (already have too much stuff to ship back, eek!)
73. Meet at least five other bloggers in real life (3/5) (In progress)
Up to 3 now! I met T from TJKR several times throughout December.
80. Reach 400 posts on my blog
Done!
85. Read 100 books in 1 year
Technically I could of crossed this off for November as I realized I had read 100 books then (From November 2007 to November 2008) – approximately 25 of these books were children`s books & the others were a mixture of fiction, YA fiction & non-fiction.
87. Organize my itunes, delete double ups and make at least three new play lists
This is now done- it is all now organized & I have about 8 great new playlists some made using genius which is part of the new version of itunes. It is great. Getting a shuffle (while on sale) to use while hooping & walking really motivated me to do this. I also deleted over 100 double-ups. Next step, organizing some music for the wedding ceremony since we only have a band at the reception.
91. Finish the 888 book challenge
Done, as previously mentioned. I am proud of myself for getting this done, making a list of books & pretty much sticking to it. I have to say though if I hadn`t been able to change some of the selections (with the international move & all) I would of been a bit stuck. The reason I didn`t rejoin this type of challenge for this year is for two reasons- one another international move & am not sure if I will be able to take all my unread books from my shelves with me & can`t remember what I left behind in Japan & secondly while I want to continue to read a lot I know I should start focusing on getting some Japanese study done especially in the second half of the year if I have any hope of passing JLPT.
93. Go to the cinema 20 times (4/20) (In progress)
Still in progress- saw another movie at the cinema yesterday. Technically this is in January but I thought it best to record it in case I forget.
100. Make a budget and stick to it for six months (0/6) (In progress)
In progress- we have made a budget & savings plan for the rest of our time in Australia & written down how we would like things to go when we return there. We will both be saving a certain amount each month at least & some of that will go towards my ticket home, a honeymoon if we decide to go on one & some other wedding related costs but the rest of it will be put away for when we return to Japan.
Well there it is, my update for December 2008. I count 19 things in progress & 52 completed. I am more than half way through my list!! Woo Hoo!
Back to work tomorrow, so this posting everyday thing which seems to have been happening over the last week will probably come to an abrupt end. Hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays, I think there will be a lot of us returning to work tomorrow- my alarm is already set for 5:30am (I took a longer holiday so I have some hours to make up meaning 9.5 hour days starting at 7am at least for this week)
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OMG hun, your progress is inspiring! My list has ground to a halt but I determined to get back on track this month!
A nice way to use cucumber is in a “raita” type accompaniment. Use low fat plain yoghurt and add a glove of garlic, chopped cucumber, lemon juice and chopped mint if you wish. Use this with any meats, like lamb kofte, kebabs, etc and it’s really nice! A very cooling dish!
Take care xx
You’ve done so much!! Well done! Especially getting stuff done in December, when everything’s so busy as it is!!
Great to hear about your progress! I got an i-Pod for Christmas! First one I have ever had and I still haven’t taken it out of it’s box yet, must do that and upload some tunes. Can’t believe you are working 9.5 hour days! That’s insane! Have you got enough work to do? My office is really quite at the moment, so I hope it’s not too boring! If you ever want to see a movie together after work let me know! I’d like to see more movies and I have one of those discount cards! saw Madagascar on Friday, it was really good!
Wow great job hun!!!
Sooo sooo happy you like the Rei Shimura series!! I’ve read them all at least 3 times… may have to bring them back from America with me as well since it looks like I’m in Japan for the long haul!
It’s amazing how you’ve really stuck to your list
I started mine last year but instead of sticking to it, I sorta just… got stuck. Haha! But I revamped it and now it’s back on track! 
Mind if I link your list in my blog, and subscribe to your feed?
That’s SO impressive!
And so many neat things on your list =)
wow… where did you hear about that 101 things in 1001 days idea? Maybe I should give it a shot too!
Mandy- I think the new year brings new chances & more resolve to get stuff done so I am sure you will be able to get back on track this month without any trouble. I wonder how your brother is going with his? He has not mentioned it in awhile.
Raita is yummy isn`t it! I actually had some the other day. Never made it myself though but will definitely give it ago.
Downhomegirl- Thanks mate, I am not sure how I will go getting stuff done this month but hopefully not too bad. I guess I can relax a little though since last month was quite successful.
Katie- I ended up only doing 9 hours today & bailed at 4:30. Will probably do the same tomorrow since I want to go to aqua areobics at 6pm. With the ipod, pull out all your cd`s that you want to put on it and start there- just add the cd`s. Then you can add songs, borrow friends cd`s etc as you go. I love mine but my big one is SOOOOO old now- getting a fair bit of use out of the shuffle while walking though!
Sara- Thanks babe. I certainly love the books! She has just released a new one- did you know? I have to start thinking about packing stuff up to send back to Japan & going through some of my old stuff now that I know I will also be going back for good (pretty much, i think) as there are some old photos and stuff I would like to take. I think I would also like to pack up a box of books that I want my future kids to have- but I will leave it in Australia & wait til kids actually come along and can read before getting it sent. You are going to go crazy in March buying kiddie stuff huh in America. Will be so much fun.
Yanna- Thanks. I had a look at your list too and it is great!!!!! I love how you have split it up. You can link & rss away!!! I will be following your progress also.
Khea- The 101 things idea I originally got off a couple of blogs I read (scarletwords.com & beyond30.wordpress.com) but the page for it is http://www.triplux.com/dayzero/ – You should definitely do it. It is loads of fun & really helps you stay focused on track to reach your goals I think.