12 Things I Want To Do Before 2012, The Wrap-Up

When I decided to do the 12 Things little challenge I kind of thought it would be a lot easier to knock things off my list than it was. I guess I didn't really plan for the craziness that was the first two weeks of my break and all of the holiday things I had going on. As I mentioned in my little update I posted a couple of days before the new year, I had already accomplished a few things but still had a ways to go. In the end I didn't get all 12 things done, but it was definitely a little fun to have something to work towards, even if it was a silly little list of things I wanted to do. There were a couple of things I ended up crossing off the list earlier this week even though technically my little "challenge" was over. So, here's a recap/update of what I ended up accomplishing and what didn't end up panning out so much.

1. Read 1-2 whole books. Check and mark! Thanks to Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me/ (And Other Concerns)" and Stieg Larson's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series, I've been in reading bliss the last couple of weeks. It's felt so great to read just to read!

2. Make a full dinner for my family. I finally accomplished this right at the end of the year. My mom and brothers were really pushing for chicken and noodles so I obliged. I made chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, corn and crescent rolls. Not my usual forte, but it was delicious none the less.

3. Spend a night driving around looking at Christmas lights. One night after dinner Joseph and I drove around looking at pretty neighborhoods all decked out for the season and he even surprised me by taking me to the Fantasy of Lights. 

4. Try a restaurant/dessert place that I've never been to. This didn't really happen until Tuesday of this week, unless you count the Chinese buffet Amy, Jeff, Joe and I had a marathon eating experience at. But, this week Amy and I tried Madeleines Bakehouse, a newer bakery in Fort Wayne. We not only had cupcakes, but also tried macaroons (macarons if you want to be French). The bakery also has a variety of other baked goods including scones, brownies, chocolate croissants and giant coffee cakes that look amazing. It's in a cute little space out at our outdoor shopping mall, Jefferson Pointe. I'd definitely go back, especially since Amy and I kept finding things we really wanted to try.

5. Try a new shade of lipstick. Surprisingly I didn't try this. I even made multiple trips to Target and Ulta and kept thinking that I needed to buy a new lipstick. I've been wearing my red a lot lately so I kind of just got in that mood. I definitely still want to try out a new shade and probably will soon!

6. Have a real, true, on purpose lazy day. I half did this and also didn't get to it until this week. I mentioned before that I love the idea of being lazy but that I often become antsy and restless. Monday was just about the first day since I've been home that I didn't have any plans. There weren't any holiday parties, lunches, family in town, nothing. So I figured it would be a great day to just kick back. I woke up, got some breakfast, watched some tv, put on a movie, scanned the internet, took a nap, read a little bit, skimmed an issue of Glamour, and then restlessness ensued. Before I knew it I was in the shower, doing my hair and putting real clothes on. Even after I did all that I tried to get back in lazy mode, but it wasn't working. By 6:30 I was out the door to meet Joe and a group of our friends for dinner. It was good while it lasted I suppose.

7. Make something off of my "DIY" board on Pinterest. I managed to make Olive a headband finally! I know, not the greatest effort but it's something. One of my resolutions or goals for this year is to DIY more and stop making exudes. There you have it, now let's see if I do it.

8. Explore a new town. This sadly didn't happen. I still have hope of doing this soon though, or at least by the summer! 

9. Complete half of my online math class. I haven't completed half, but I've definitely made some headway. I've still been dragging my feet about it but at least I've been trying! Now I really have to kick it into high gear and get it done. I have to have the class completed by next month already!

10. Complete my Christmas shopping without a trip to the mall. I'd say I completed about 90% of my shopping online which I was really happy about. I did make a couple of mall or mall-like trips. My brothers wanted video games and I got Cash and Olive toys and clothes, so it was easier and made more since to just go out and get those things. I was definitely turned on a lot more to the idea of utilizing Amazon for online shopping and even discovered some really neat smaller online shops and was able to get some unique gifts that everyone really loved!

11. Purchase a nice journal. Joseph took care of this one for me. I've already started writing down my thoughts almost every day. Now the challenge is to make journaling a daily occurrence. Much like I want to do with reading I might just make it something I make time for before bed rather than getting sucked into hours of mindless tv watching.

12. Make a real, legitimate, workout/food plan. I've already vowed to cook at least 3 times a week and my workout plan is coming along nicely. I'm not completely done with it because I think I'll need to get into the swing of my schedule next week to see what's going to be feasible, but it's definitely on its way!

Overall I crossed more things off my list than not. I wish I could have done everything, but I guess that's why I used the word "want to do" rather than "will do".