Achieving Stuff: May

On the last day of April // Berkeley

First of all, Drea of ohdeardrea put up her April sponsors post this morning, and my hits have gone through the roof since that happened! Welcome, first-time viewers of this blog! I hope you stick around, or at least look more than once. I try to be cool but fail miserably, but I am unashamed! :)

May is going to be a really exciting month for me. I've been stoked about it since halfway through April. Among the things going on over here include lots of running (Bay To Breakers is on the 20th, which is also the 9th anniversary of my dad's death, and there will be lots of running/working out/swimming before that), photography, my 30 before 30 list and endless happiness at the coming of both summer and my 30th birthday, which is officially next month now -- holy shitsnacks.

On top of all that, I found out some news at my day job this morning that I've been waiting for with much anticipation: it appears that my new job, which I took on nearly a month ago and really love, will become a permanent position for me. This is what I've been hoping for, and though the circumstances under which everything is happening aren't ideal (the former occupant of my job is seriously ill), I am so grateful that I am able to take this on and make things happen for me. Its a huge weight off my shoulders and I promise that I will never take this opportunity for granted, at least as far as I can help it. Never say never, but I want to be a positive force and not waste time hating something for petty reasons. I know I am very lucky to have the position that I do, and it has already made an incredible difference in my demeanor over the last month. Whew.

But now for the juicy stuff. Lets recap some goals, shall we?

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April goal recap:

• Stop getting takeout — We got less takeout, but we didn't reduce it to zero. This was kind of a failure, if I'm going to be honest with myself. We need to do better. 
• Start saving money for camera gear — Yes! I am doing this now! 
• Hang out with Zoe  — A failure, due to Zoe and I being collectively the two busiest redheads on the planet (of course, as she is quick to point out, her red hair is real ... )
• Make a dent in my 30 before 30 list — I am lagging. Must catch up this month! 
• Finish cleaning my desk area — DONE. 
• Go up on the roof with the telescope at least once this month — DONE. 
• Go on a hike somewhere in the city — Failure. I didn't even get it on the calendar, sadly. 
• Go to the farmers market every Saturday — DONE. 
• Go to sleep early & get up early — I've done this! I now work 7:30-4 at my day job, so that has definitely helped me maintain that early-early schedule. 
• Run 2x per week — Um, not so much. Getting things doing this month though; it seems that I need a race to train for in order to get my butt in gear! Not bad, all things considered. 
• Take clothes to Goodwill — I will be donating the clothes this coming Saturday at a party.
• Plan my art show in June — Its a sure thing now, and I will be meeting to plan it shortly. 

May goals:

• Aim to cook every meal at home — I really, really want to save money. 
• Keep the house clean — Let this slide a bit in April. I want a clean house again!
• Hang out with Zoe  — This may not happen at this point, but I sure want it to.
• Make a dent in my 30 before 30 list — I am lagging. Must catch up this month! 
• Have at least one telescope night  — I am trying to find a date for this right now. 
• Go on a hike somewhere in the city — COME ON, LANDS END. LETS DO YOU. 
• Go to the farmers market every Saturday — My photo project, as well as this wonderful ritual, is still in full swing. I have to say, this is the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. 
• Go to sleep early & get up early — I need to not do that thing I do every month where for 2 weeks I run on less than 5 hours of sleep per night. Health means getting 8 hours of sleep every night and I'm not getting any younger. Time to stop abusing my body, maybe? 
• Run 2x per week — I am running a huge race this month & am already scheduled to do 5 miles with my friend Susie just 3 days before it. I must start running again, like, now. 
• Donate old clothes — I will be donating the clothes this coming Saturday at a party.
• Plan my art show in June — Its a sure thing now, and I will be meeting to plan it shortly.
• Instate a meal plan  — I'm going to try to do this. I really love to cook & this will free me from having to go to the store for things I've forgotten all the time.
• Make vegan cookies  — I've made a promise to Scott that I will do this! Nom! 
• Book birthday trip for late June/early July  — Monterey/Pacific Grove, here we come.

I could go on forever, but I will stop there. I'm feeling very ambitious this month. My last month of being twenty-nine. What are some of your goals this month? Tell me something you want to accomplish!