12 Things I Want To Do Before 2012

Somehow December is already here and if this month is anything like the 11 before it, it's sure to fly by! I feel like I just got used to dating everything with "2011" and just got into my groove with the year, but a whole new year is almost upon us! Originally I wanted to do something each of the 25 days before Christmas, but after thinking about it I decided it might be a little much with the end of the semester and holiday craziness, so I settled for 12 before 2012. That seems more doable right?

1. Read 1-2 whole books. I can't remember the last time I read out of pure pleasure and actually had the chance to finish what I was reading. It was probably over the summer and even then that feels like so long ago that I can't pinpoint exactly what I read. I really wish I could read a book every week like I used to in high school. I used to kill novels like it was my job and I also was one of those nerdy kids who got in trouble for reading during class. I'd love to read 2+ books in the next month, but I know time probably won't allow that to happen. So, I'll settle for one or two. I have a bag of books I bought over the summer before Borders went out of business so I have a lot to choose from!

2. Make a full dinner for my family. Over the summer I did a lot of cooking while I was home. I was pretty much in charge of meal planning and cooking every week, it's how I earned my keep! Since school started the only time we've all sat down together for a meal that wasn't at a restaurant when I've been home has been Thanksgiving. I have tons of recipes I want to try out on them.

3. Spend a night driving around looking at Christmas lights. I'm a sucker for good Christmas decorating. Not that tacky looking, put every inflatable you can find in your front yard kind of thing (it happens too often in the Midwest), but the classic, beautiful Christmas lights that make you feel the magic of the holidays. There are so many neat neighborhoods that are beautiful this time of year. Not mention I'd love to go downtown to take in the Christmas lights again at a more leisurely pace. I love the Christmas lighting festivities but there's just something about walking around and taking the nostalgia in with one other person as opposed to hundreds.

4. Try a restaurant/dessert place that I've never been to. Muncie does't have too much to offer in the way of original cuisine, but Fort Wayne is full of restaurants. I'm pretty sure that's what the city is known for, churches and restaurants. Even with all those eateries I'm a creature of habit. Anytime anyone wants to go anywhere I suggest my favorite spots: Pint & Slice, Yum Mees Bakery, Acme, Cebolla's, Firefly, etc... I want to branch out and find another great place to eat!

5. Try a new shade of lipstick. I don't wear lipstick all the time by any means. In fact, I only break out my favorite shade of red once cooler weather comes around and even then I wear it only when I feel it is perfect to do so. There's just something about fall/winter that screams red lips to me. I don't have a particular brand that I go for but whatever brand it is I always get something along the lines of a "fire" red or "bright" red. I've always been really curious about trying out an orange-red, burgundy, or even hot pink hue!

6. Have a real, true, on purpose lazy day. Maybe this sounds silly and may be a waste of a perfectly good "thing to do before the new year" but I'm really incapable of having a lazy day and enjoying it. On days that inadvertently end up being boring I make myself go do something even if it's just going to Target to mindlessly look around. Even when I plan a "lazy" day I always end up frantically looking for something to do when I get restless. And lately I've wanted nothing more than to relax but no such luck. Wouldn't it be nice to just spend an entire day lounging around in comfy clothes, watching movies/tv series on dvd, sipping on hot chocolate and making an easy dinner or getting takeout?! Maybe I'm boring but right now this sounds fantastic.

7. Make at least one thing off of my "DIY" board on Pinterest. I'm addicted to pinning and always find the neatest things I want to make. But, as I've heavily documented, I have yet to do much in the way of creating. I've made a few things here and there, but nothing to write home about. On this note I also want to make some headbands I have supplies for. I've made headbands before so they won't be too crazy to do. But I definitely, definitely want to make something new!

8. Explore a new town. Amy and I used to do this occasionally as did my friend Liz and I. I can't remember the last time this happened though. It's probably been over a year now. We would just start driving and end up somewhere new and eat and/or explore around. Indiana and Ohio have such neat small towns that I'd love to poke around in. I want to pick somewhere I've never been and go and see what it has to offer.

9. Complete half of my online math class. I hate math so I have avoided it at all costs throughout my college career. However, in order to graduate I need one basic math class. I signed up for a 9 month online class thinking it would give me more time to focus on the chapters, this started in June. Fast forward to today (6 months in) and I've done ONE assignment, oops! I still have until February to finish it all, but I should probably get the ball rolling.

10. Complete my Christmas shopping without a trip to the mall. This will be difficult, but I'm really trying to go a little off the beaten path. Every year I either get frustrated about not being able to think of a good gift or wait until the last second to do my shopping. This usually results in a frazzled, frustrating, trip to the mall. This year I'm trying to be on top of it all and have been scouring the internet and my mind for fresh ideas and more original gifts. It may not be completely doable, but I'm going to try my hardest!

11. Purchase a nice journal. Does journaling with paper and pen sound outdated? Because I totally don't think it is. I used to journal a lot but as with most things, time and other road blocks took over and it kind of fell by the wayside. I would really like to start doing it again. I like to be able to look back on my thoughts, ideas, troubles, happiness, etc... and be able to have something to hold on to. They say what you put on the internet lasts forever, but I really don't want to have my someday children, or even myself, want to take a peak back at what I was like when I was 22 and have to say "Oh just google me".

12. Make a real, legitimate, workout/food plan. I try to eat healthy and I try to workout as often as I can but I am subject to being lazy and enjoying a good cupcake. My goal for this next year is to have a workout schedule of sorts that I can follow easily with my schedule. I think if I actually take the time to write out and plan what I want to do as well as make a list of all of the recipes and food I want to try it will be much easier. I've tried this in the past but never made a physical copy of it. I'm thinking a big wall calendar or something along those lines.