The Most Important Year of My Life

December 30, 2011 2 Comments

Rare are the moments when what happens next will influence the rest of your life.

But that’s exactly where my life is today. It’s both exciting, and frightening. After years of being in the classroom, I finally graduated last week. I guess that means I’m a scientist. (Weird.) And now that I’m a scientist, at least in my education, it’s time to change the world. How, exactly, I go about doing that is yet to be determined.

Even though I’ve graduated, I’m enrolled in classes for Spring semester. I haven’t had much luck (any luck) finding a job (any job.) Instead of hanging around the apartment feeling sorry for myself, I’m going to use that time to further my education. There were some classes that I didn’t have an opportunity to take before graduation, and now that I have the time, it’d be a waste not to use it to my benefit.

Enrolling in classes isn’t without problems. If I receive an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps, I may have to drop out of school as early as April. But that’s only if I receive an invitation, and my departure date isn’t delayed for any reason. I’ve heard horror stories about that. At this point, I still have to submit what I hope will be the last of my medical information, which I expect will be mailed out within a couple of weeks. I still have one appointment before the paperwork is complete.

For a while I questioned whether the Peace Corps was the right choice for me at this point in my life. I think it is. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself…I’d be a fool to turn it down. And after writing a research paper about the connection between poverty and the environment in Tanzania, I feel like I have a better understanding of the types of issues I might be dealing with during my time in Africa. Knowledge is power! And now that I know more about the problems, I feel empowered to do my part to help. I might not be able to save the world, but I can help dig a well, or build a school.

Two years is a long time, and I know it’ll put a strain on my relationship with Erin. How could it not? Long distance relationships are notorious for problems. As much as I’d like to think our relationship is strong enough to weather the time apart, I don’t take it for granted that we’re not immune from the same problems other couples face. That said, I really think that if anyone can do it, we can.

In the meantime, until I hear something from the Peace Corps, I’ll continue looking for work. My job search will be limited to jobs that I wouldn’t have any issue quitting at the drop of a hat. It’d be a lot more difficult to quit a job I went to school for, and those are the kinds of bridges I’m not willing to burn, even for the Peace Corps.

And if none of the above works out, I’ll begin applying for graduate school. My school of choice is the University of Denver where I’d study Environmental Science, and specialize in Environmental Health. If I can get in. This would knock out Goal #63) Attend college in another state.

What’s all of this mean for my goals over the next year? A lot. If I’m not living in Africa in a few months, 2012 will be the year of climbing. If I am living in Africa, 2012 will be the year of climbing. Next year I’d like to climb Mount Whitney, Devil’s Tower, Kilimanjaro, and Ancient Art. I’d like to spend some time in Yosemite this summer…climbing.

I thought I’d get to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon last July, but it didn’t work out. This year I’ll get my permit application submitted earlier than two weeks in advance. I’d also like to visit the last few states of America, and finally visit all 50. Alaska will be the most difficult, but who knows…it could happen. Anything is possible.

Are you looking forward to what the future has in store for you?

Filed under 50 States, Career, Education, Employment, Environment, Goals, Graduate School, Graduation, Life, Peace Corps, Preparation, Travel, Updates, Yosemite Tagged with ,

A Year in Review

December 29, 2011 1 Comment

It’s hard to believe 2011 is little more than a memory.

I feel like the year was less about accomplishing things than preparing for the next phase of my life, which has now reached a precipice. 2012 will be an exciting year, filled with dramatic change. As much as 2011 was about preparing for the next phase, 2012 will be that next phase.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the goals I accomplished over the past year:

I started out the year in Paris at the Eiffel Tower for New Year’s Eve, and then spent the next two weeks riding the train around Europe.

My international travel this year was quite minimal in comparison to past years. After returning home from Europe, Erin and I booked a trip to Cancún, a place I’d never had any interst in visiting. Actually, we weren’t supposed to go to Cancún, but instead use it for a quick stop over on our way to Cuba. I chickened out.

So much of 2011 was spent trying to witness a Space Shuttle launch, it’s really a wonder I was able to accomplish anything else!

And, of course, a lot of effort went into applying for the Peace Corps this past year. Unfortunately, I’m not yet finished jumping through hoops. I just hope it won’t be for naught.

I didn’t accomplish all the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. I didn’t give away $100 to a complete stranger, though I did give away $100 to the winner of my What’s on Your Bucket List Challenge (something I enjoyed so much, I may have to do it again in 2012). I didn’t go skinny dipping, and I didn’t climb Devil’s Tower. I didn’t join CrossFit, nor did I kayak at the Apostle Islands. Actually, looking back at the goals I set for myself at the beginning of 2011, I didn’t accomplish many of the things on that list. And that’s okay. The things on that list weren’t really a priority when I put them on the list, so it’s no wonder they didn’t get done.

Next year will be huge…it may be the most important year of my life. I’m both excited, and nervous about what’s to come.

More on that later!

Filed under Updates

Update: Goal #107) Join the Peace Corps

June 12, 2011 3 Comments

You might remember that I had an interview with a Peace Corps recruiter about two months ago. You may also recall that I thought I’d really blown the interview. Even as I was answering the questions, I knew I was making mistakes. And of course, all the “right” answers came flooding into my mind as soon as I’d stepped outside and began reflecting on the questions I’d been asked. Argh!

About a week ago, the email I’d been waiting for (and sort of dreading) since the interview finally arrived. Here’s what my recruiter had to say:

Dear Mr. Severson,

I am pleased to nominate you for the following Peace Corps assignment: Environmental Education/ Awareness scheduled to depart for Africa in April 2012.

This doesn’t mean I’ve been accepted into the Peace Corps, but it is a step in the right direction. So what’s next?

From the Peace Corps:

A nomination is a recommendation that an applicant move to the next stage of consideration; the medical, legal, suitability, and competitive reviews. You should expect to receive further requests for information during these reviews. It is important to respond to any requests quickly and completely. We cannot move forward with the review process unless all requested information is in your file.

As a result of your nomination, the Office of Medical Services (OMS) will review your Health Status Review and mail you a Medical Forms package that outlines the requirements for physical, dental, and eye exams. Please schedule your exams as soon as you receive this package and promptly submit all requested information. If you have questions, a Customer Service Representative in OMS will assist you.

If you are medically qualified and legally cleared, your application will be evaluated by a Peace Corps Placement Officer for suitability and competitiveness. You may be contacted at this point for additional information including an update on the status or completion of any previously requested volunteer experience or language coursework. Please note you are responsible for informing the Placement Legal Office if there are any changes to your legal status.

If you are selected for service, a Placement Officer will work to match you with an opening, taking into account your skills, availability, necessary medical accommodations, and the needs of our host countries. If this match is made, you will receive a written invitation to serve in a specific country as well as a job description. Please keep in mind that the program to which you were initially nominated may not be the program to which you are ultimately invited.

Congratulations on moving to the next stage of consideration for Peace Corps service.

This might be the single most life-changing goal on my list. If I’m accepted into the Peace Corps, I know it will be a huge turning point in my life. I’m excited, and a little nervous…in a good way!

Filed under Goals, Peace Corps, Updates

Update: Goal #22) Land an Airplane

May 24, 2011 4 Comments

When I was probably ten years old, a friend of the family took me for a ride in a Cessna airplane.

It was my first experience in an airplane, and I instantly fell in love with the sky. Seeing the clouds from above for the first time is something I’ll never forget. After that flight, I flew with him any time I could, and eventually he let me take the controls and fly the airplane myself.

Since I was too young, I wasn’t able to pursue my passion for flying beyond the occasional flight with my friend. Unfortunately for me, my friend eventually accepted a new job flying for a commercial airline, which meant he wouldn’t be around anymore, and our weekend flights would have to come to an end.

And after a while, I forgot about my love of the sky…

Over the years I’ve thought of getting my pilot’s license, but it was never more than a passing thought. Afterall, I don’t own an airplane…why would I need a license to fly one?

Yesterday I had the same passing thought. Wouldn’t it be nice to go for a ride? Maybe slice through some clouds? Instead of letting the thought pass once again, I decided to check out what types of programs were available in the area. I found a local airport that offers flight instructions and certification for private pilots, so I sent them an email for more information. This morning I received a response, and while the program is incredibly expensive, it’s something I’m going to pursue…even if it takes me a long time to complete.

Instead of continuing to be nothing more than something I just wished for, I scheduled my first introductory flight for next week. After that I’ll be doing all the ground instructions and book work before beginning the flight instructions. Even if I can only take one lesson a month, I’ll be moving forward…and one day, maybe sooner rather than later, I’ll also knock out my goal of landing an airplane!

The moral of the story isn’t that you can fly an airplane if you want to, but that if there’s something you want out of life, it just takes a few small actions to set things into motion. Make a phone call, send an email requesting more information, do some research on the Internet to learn more about whatever it is you want to do, maybe find someone who is an expert, and ask to meet them. Whatever it is that you want to do, you can’t just let it continue to be a passing thought. You’ve got to strike when the iron is hot!

Even if the goal seems pretty lofty, if you are willing to work at it, eventually you’ll reach the finish line. If I’d have let the cost of the program discourage me (and trust me, it’s intimidating), I’d have continued to wish I could go for a ride in the clouds until the day I died.

Whatever you want from life, make it happen. You’d be surprised how simple it can be to get things going…but you have to be the initiator. No one is going to do that for you!

Filed under Flight Lessons, Goals, Updates

Update Part Deux: Goal #124) Ride a Unicycle

May 7, 2011 6 Comments

About a month ago I came up with a brilliant idea to knock off riding a unicycle from my list of goals without even having to spend a dime. All I had to do was go into the local bike store, ask to try out one of their’s and ride around the store. Like a Little GW, I’d proudly proclaim “Mission Accomplished” and be on my way.

And, in similar fashion to GW, my “Mission Accomplished” FAILED too!

I’d walked into the store with the arrogance of a frat boy at a beer party. It took all of two seconds for that arrogance to disappear. Riding a unicycle was hard. I could hardly balance myself with the help of the counter on one side and Erin on the other. I really couldn’t see spending so much money on a wheel, so I left feeling like the frat boy who pissed his pants in front of the cheerleaders. Stupid.

A few readers suggested I try Craigslist to find one. My mind defaults to prostitutes or murderers when someone mentions Craigslist, but I decided to give it a shot. I found a few in my area, but one in particular caught my attention. I contacted the seller and we exchanged a few emails. I made arrangements to pick it up the next day but at the last minute she backed out, saying her son now wanted to give it to his girlfriend. It figured. People don’t want what they have until someone else wants it…

My quest for a unicycle was over.

Until today. Driving by the bike store reminded me that I’d opened a door a month earlier that needed to be shut. Erin and I grabbed a bite to eat, and made a visit to see an old, one-wheeled friend of mine. This time, instead of trying to lean on the counter, I was bringing it home for a more intimate relationship. I’d had enough of the occasional foreplay. It was time to make a commitment and get serious.

I walked out of the store with my new unicycle in hand, and like a couple of new lovers, our first moments together were awkward and fumbling. As time progressed, my movements began to smooth and eventually I was able to ride for a few feet without the support of the handrail or wall I’d been using to keep myself upright.

I’m still not able to ride. I’m at the “fall off a unicycle” point in accomplishing this goal, but I know with a lot more practice, I’ll be riding like a champ!

Filed under Goals, Unicycle, Updates

Update: Goal #107) Join the Peace Corps

April 26, 2011 7 Comments

Last Thursday I had my first interview with a Peace Corps recruiter. Over the course of the nearly two-hour interview, I made some mistakes. Isn’t retrospect great!? I know you’re just dying to know how I screwed up my interview, so I won’t keep you waiting!

First, I spent a lot of time looking out the window while answering my questions. Even during the interview, I knew I was doing this. I tried to keep my eyes on the recruiter while I was speaking but struggled. It’s my natural reaction to look up and to the left when I’m thinking…and if there is ever a moment when I’m thinking hard, it’s during an interview. I sacrificed eye contact in search of the best answer I could think of at the moment…

Next, I used weak examples in explaining myself. Instead of discussing how I worked to teach a person with learning disabilities how to do a job, I chose to talk about how I’ve been working with Erin on improving her rock climbing techniques. And, in all honesty, I didn’t even think about training that individual until about five minutes ago. I told you retrospect is great!

I feel like I didn’t express my thoughts in their entirety. An example of this revolves around the question of culture and style of dress. I was asked if I would be willing to dress in local styles if I were to be placed in a location where the people are expected to dress a certain way. Of course I’d be willing to change my personal style of clothing in order to assimilate into the community, but I feel like I should have just shut up after saying that.

Instead, I blathered on about how personal appearance isn’t important to me. Even when I was answering the question, I felt like that was a stupid way to respond to a question directed towards a culture where appearance obviously does have a high value. I also feel like maybe I should have discussed the fact that the Peace Corps is a give and take relationship, where both cultures learn from each other…

Of course, retrospect might also just be over-analysis in disguise.

I made mistakes and didn’t answer the questions the best I could have. I looked out the window a dozen times too many…I can only hope that through all the mistakes, my character made its way into the conversation. There were highlights, too. At one point, both of us were laughing and joking. And after the interview was formally over (it’s never over) I felt like I wasn’t under as much pressure to give the “right” answers and I could just speak openly. At that point I was able to make eye contact and just be me without all the stress.

I’ve been in email contact with my recruiter since our interview, and hope that when the time comes, she feels comfortable in giving her recommendation and I make it to the next phase.

I’ll continue to keep everyone updated when I know more over at the Hundred Goals’ Facebook page! If you’re not already a part of the community, come check it out! We’re a rowdy bunch, but we’re good people!

Filed under Goals, Peace Corps, Updates

Update: Goal #124) Ride a Unicycle

April 9, 2011 9 Comments

Riding a unicycle is kind of a random goal.

It isn’t one of those things that people wake up one morning and say, “Hey, I want to ride a unicycle.” But, isn’t that what a list of goals is all about? Accomplishing random things that somehow bring meaning and excitement to our lives? I think so. And I also think it’s the random goals that give each person’s list its own character. After all, how many life lists have you read that include swim with dolphins or ride in a hot air balloon? ALL OF THEM! I like the quirky goals. They’re fun and original. Skydiving is cool and all, but damn, everyone’s doing it!

At the beginning of the year, one of the goals I set out to accomplish in 2011 was to ride a unicycle. I wasn’t really sure where I’d find a unicycle. Today, I found one…tucked in the corner of the local bike shop.

I asked the sales clerk if I could try it out, warning him that I’d never been on one and had no idea what I was doing. Seemed he didn’t have any idea how to ride one either, so he suggested I use the counter to balance myself. With one hand on the counter and Erin propping me up on the other side, I managed to sit on it and move back and forth a few inches, but there was no way in hell I was riding that thing!

Those clowns make it look so easy!

I fooled around for a few minutes, trying to get the hang of getting on and off, and moving back and forth, but there was no riding involved. I think that’s going to take a lot of practice, though I’m not yet convinced I should spend $130 to buy a unicycle. Then again, I’m pretty sure that the people at the bike shop aren’t going to let me lean on their counter until I learn how to ride either…

Filed under Goals, Unicycle, Updates

First Quarter Review

March 31, 2011 1 Comment

Right after Christmas, I wrote an article outlining my plans for 2011. Some of those plans include giving away $100 to a stranger, riding in a hot air balloon, and spending the night at the Borden House. I haven’t accomplished any of those goals. And as a matter of fact, since the beginning of the year I’ve only managed to accomplish one goal on my list: have a fortune teller predict my future. I wouldn’t really say that he “predicted” anything, so much as spoke about the possible paths my life might take depending upon which I decided to follow. Still, I had fun and at times I found myself surprised by what I was hearing.

I also laid out a few goals that didn’t make their way onto the Official List but are important for laying the foundation for the life I hope to create for myself. Among these goals were turning in my application to join the Peace Corps and transitioning to a Vegan diet, both of which I’m happy to say I’ve done.

I submitted my Peace Corps application about a week ago and am hoping to have an interview with my recruiter sometime in April. I should have more information by next week. I’m really excited about this opportunity since this is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Actually, the entire reason I decided to return to school was to make myself more marketable to the Peace Corps.

When I began school, I didn’t have any experience or volunteer history. I was working at a retail job barely affording to pay my bills. My duties included stocking shelves, assisting customers, pushing shopping carts out of the parking lot. Eventually I was promoted to a Department Manager, which basically meant I was responsible for ensuring that the shelves were stocked, and assisting customers. No more pushing shopping carts!

But for me, stocking shelves and helping customers find drain cleaner wasn’t enough. I wanted more out of life, so I enrolled in the local community college and found a new job at a local factory. I worked and went to school full time until graduating. Around that same time, I was laid off. The timing couldn’t have been better, since I’d be moving away to continue my education. And that’s exactly what I did.

A few months after being laid off, Erin and I packed up our Stuff and moved three and a half hours away, to a town near Minneapolis where we both enrolled in the University. I decided to pursue a degree in Environmental Science, later deciding to minor in Chemistry. Both of these choices were based on my desire to be a volunteer in the Peace Corps. Now that I wasn’t working, I could focus on my education, making the Dean’s List my first semester and pulling a 3.6 GPA the next. I was able to earn scholarships and Federal Education Grants with my good grades, a trend I’ve been able to continue.

Now that I’m looking at graduation in December, my sights are aimed directly at the next phase in my life. The Peace Corps. I can see that once nebulous dream starting to come into focus. I’m excited to have reached this point but at the same time, uncertain about what’s beyond my control. I feel like I haven’t done enough volunteer work. I feel like my practical experience isn’t right or insufficient. I wonder if I couldn’t have done more. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

And if I don’t make the cut this time, I have another plan that loops right back to the Peace Corps. Continue my education, and become more involved in volunteer projects. So, if I’m not in some remote village by this time next year, I’ll be making plans to move to Oregon to attend Oregon State University to pursue a Masters in Environmental Science…if they’ll take a guy like me, that is.

Next on this list is transitioning to a Vegan diet. Since November of last year, I’ve been eating a vegetarian diet. About three weeks ago I made the switch to Vegan. The transition was only possible with the help of a wonderful cookbook called 1,000 Vegan Recipes. Erin and I have been cooking from the book almost everyday since we bought it and we’ve only found one recipe that wasn’t for us.

I’ve been experimenting with “strange” ingredients, sometimes having to search all over to find them. But in the search, we’ve found an awesome grocery store that we didn’t even know existed, so that was a great win for us (and them.)

I haven’t missed dairy products, and honestly, anything that I might want for some of my favorite comfort foods, like Jalapeno Poppers, can be substituted with a Vegan alternative. The best part about it, it’s healthy…okay, maybe not that healthy, but still better than if it had cheese.

I feel better, have more energy, and have lost about twenty pounds since November. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything and I’m still excited to try more recipes. A couple of my favorites so far have been the chocolate chip cookies and the French toast. See, you can be Vegan and not have to sacrifice! Oh, and chocolate almond milk might just be the best thing on the planet!

I’ve also returned to the gym, although not CrossFit like I’d wanted at the beginning of the year. I couldn’t justify the cost, so instead I renewed my gym membership and got a membership at a climbing gym. Between these two places, I’m active most days and since I can do either, I don’t feel like I’m always stuck on a treadmill.

A friend of mine asked me to run a marathon with him this summer, and I’m going to do it. I’m excited about it but I know it’s going to be so much work! I’ve been working on my running, and ran a 5k last week in under half an hour. Not great but reasonable, especially for long distance running like a marathon. Our goal is to complete the 26.2 miles in 5 hours. I think we can do it.

And if I haven’t reminded you often enough already, I’m returning to Japan in December to continue my work of ending the dolphin slaughter. This time I’m fortunate enough to be free of any responsibility for three months, and will be spending the entire length of my visa. I’m selling ”Save Taiji Dolphin” wristbands (actual product shown above) to help pay for my expenses, including food, hotel, and transportation while in Japan.

If you’d like a wristband, they are $10 shipped to anywhere in the world and payments can be made via PayPal (please be sure to include your shipping address in the Notes section of your payment.) Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Otsuchi Relief Fund.

Thanks for your support!

Filed under Updates

The Next Thirty Million Seconds

December 27, 2010 9 Comments

There are 31,536,000 seconds in a year.

Last year I traveled more than 50,000 miles and visited ten countries (or 9 countries and one territory, if you want to be particular).  I accomplished a small number of goals, seven to be exact.  Numbers alone, however, cannot relate the magnitude of those goals and what it took to accomplish them.  For example, I learned how to surf in Hawaii and my time spent volunteering with an environmental organization required a trip to Japan.

This year, as I browsed through my list of goals, picking out the ones I intend to accomplish in 2011, I noticed that many are relatively simple, while others will require serious dedication, travel to random locations or major physical conditioning.  I’ve selected thirteen goals as well as a few other experiences, locations and commitments which aren’t on the “official” Hundred Goals list.

So what’s in store for next year?

Give $100 to a Complete Stranger: The hardest part about accomplishing this goal isn’t parting with $100 but finding someone I don’t know but believe deserves the money.  Since I decided to make this a goal, I’ve only ever found one person I felt would be a great recipient of the money.

While traveling along the west coast, a sign on the side of the road for fresh strawberries caught my eye.  I pulled into the gravel driveway where a young boy was selling containers of berries from the family garden.  I asked what he was going to do with the money and he told me that he was raising money to travel to Washington, DC.  I bought a container of berries and handed him a $10 bill, telling him to keep the change.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a $100 bill with me that day, or he would have gotten it.  In order to accomplish this goal, I have to be ready for serendipitous situations like this one, so I will begin carrying a $100 bill until I find someone who deserves the money.

Skinny Dip: This is one of those goals that doesn’t require any planning…just get naked and jump in the water.  Of course, like most things, I have a vision of the “perfect” moment.  It involves a warm summer night, a bright moon hanging in the sky and a beautiful girl swimming naked with me…now all I have to do is convince Erin to join me.  And that might be the most difficult part of knocking this one off the list!

Ride in a Hot Air Balloon: Erin bought a hot air balloon ride for my birthday but weather sidetracked our flight.  Actually, that’s okay since I think it’d be really neat to take a ride during the dead of winter.  I have a feeling this goal will be taken care of soon!

Take a Calculus Class: In order to graduate, I have to take a Calculus class.  So now, rather than a goal of learning something for the sake of learning, I have no option.  The way my schedule is working out, it looks like I’ll be taking this class during the summer.  I hope that since it’s a goal of mine that I’ll try harder and be successful.  I did well in the Pre-calculus class I took this Fall, so that’s a good sign!

Climb Devil’s Tower: I began rock climbing last year and spent one day in the Black Hills learning the basics and testing my skills on some of the easier climbs in Custer State Park.  I really enjoyed climbing outdoors (as opposed to indoors where I’d climbed exclusively up until that point).  The climbing gym in my area goes on multiple guided climbs at Devil’s Tower each year and I hope that this year will be the year that I get out to Wyoming and climb that beast!

Which leads me to one of the goals that will help me accomplish the ones on my list…

Join CrossFit:  I wrote an article the other day about my trial experience at the gym which left me heaving my guts out after two minutes.  Instead of running away because it’s hard, I think that joining CrossFit is a better option.  It will help me get into a physical condition adequate to climb Devil’s Tower this summer.

Kayak at the Apostle Islands: Our attempt this summer to kayak at the Apostle Islands was thwarted by bad weather.  Instead, we took a boat tour through the fog to see the islands.  Now that I’ve had a chance to see them in person, I’m really looking forward to getting out there on a kayak and getting even closer.  It shouldn’t be difficult to complete this goal since I only live a couple of hours away and can do it on the weekend.

Earn my Bachelor’s Degree: 2011 marks the end of my undergraduate education (if I pass all my classes, that is).  I’ll graduate in December with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Chemistry.

Learn to Change the Oil in my Car: This won’t be too hard since I already know how…kinda.  I just have to crawl under there and actually do it.  This will probably be something I do while visiting with Erin’s family since there are some rather automobile-inclined folks around who’d love to show me how to turn a wrench!

Ride a Unicycle: The hardest part of this goal might just be finding a unicycle…of course, I say that without ever having tried riding one, so who knows what will actually be most difficult!  I’m not sure where I’ll find a unicycle, I have no interest in buying one for the sake of accomplishing this goal…hmmm…

Fight Evil in Metropolis: This is another one of those random destinations (sort of like Eldon, Iowa) where I have no other reason to be in the area save the fact of this specific goal.  That makes these kind of goals more difficult since they require a long drive to get there.  Nevertheless, the city of Metropolis, Illinois is the home of Superman.  I’d like to dress up in a Superman costume and run around the town helping old women cross the street and getting kittens out of trees!  Okay, so maybe I won’t dress up (or will I?) but I think it would be a fun place to visit.

Try acupuncture: I just noticed an acupuncture office about a block from my apartment.  I guess I’m going to have to check it out one of these days!

Spend a Night at the Borden House: ”Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks.  When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.”  I’ve had a morbid fascination with murder, crime and serial killers since I was a teenager.  Spending the night in the house where one of the most notorious murders in American history took place seems like an interesting thing to do.  Some say the house is haunted, I’m not so sure about that.  Haunted or not, I probably won’t have a good nights rest…it’s still going to be creepy!

And finally, a few things I’d like to do this year which didn’t make it onto the official list!

Become PADI Certified: In order to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef (and under ice), I have to get dive certified.  I found a place about 15 minutes from where I live that provides training and certification.  Maybe I’ll have time yet this winter to get under some ice.

Travel to Russia: In addition to a list of goals, I have a list of places I want to visit around the world.  Moscow is one of those places.  I’d like to spend at least 2 weeks in Russia and possibly more if my summer school schedule permits.  I won’t know that information for a couple of months though.

Turn in my Peace Corps Application: One of my goals is to join the Peace Corps.  To do that, I have to turn in an application.  I already have everything filled out and ready to go, I’m just waiting for one person to write a letter of recommendation and someone else who’d be willing to write another.  I’m sure there’s someone out there…but who?

Transition to a Vegan Diet: I’ve been a vegetarian for about two months and I hope to make the switch to Vegan by year’s end.  I have a lot to learn about nutrition and such, so a gradual transition will be a more sustainable approach for me than to jump right into it without any knowledge.

 So, that’s what’s on my agenda for the next thirty million seconds.  How about you?  What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Filed under Goals, Updates

Twenty Ten

December 11, 2010 5 Comments

The year has gone by much faster than I could have imagined almost twelve months ago.  It went fast but a lot was accomplished.  I knocked some goals off my list and traveled to places that I wasn’t planning to.  This is the first year in a while that I can look back and say that I leave behind an old version of myself.

What goals did I accomplish this year?

Which countries did I travel to this year?

My personal resolutions for the year included:

  • Traveling at least 50,000 miles
  • Finding Internal Peace
  • Maintaining a 3.5 GPA
  • Continue paying off my Student Loans
  • Being nicer to people

Travel at least 50,000 miles

In the update from March, I wrote:

I will be left with approximately 20,000 miles.  That’s a huge distance and though I have a couple of plans in mind, none of them will come close to closing that gap.  It is still early in the year and it is impossible to say what might transpire over the course of the year, so I will remain optimistic!

I was figuring out just how many miles I’d be left with after all my known travel plans for the year and I really had no idea how I was going to travel another 20,000 miles.  Including my trip to France at the end of the year, my total miles traveled will be 56,798.  I exceeded my goal by almost 7,000 miles!!!  The trip to Japan and France really helped make it possible for me to make it this far…more than twice the distance around the world at the equator!

Find internal peace

Let’s just say that this is easier said than done.  To be honest, I’m not sure that I’d like to find internal peace anymore, either.  When I wrote this as a personal resolution, I was dealing with the reality of my own mortality.  One day, my feeling of invincibility evaporated and I was left struggling to come to terms with the fact that eventually I will die.  That one day everyone I love will die.  That one day, each of us will die.  Life seemed so…meaningless at that point.

Today, while I still struggle with my eventual death, it doesn’t pervade my thoughts like it once did.  I’m not saying that I’ve come to terms with my death, I haven’t.  It pisses me off that I’ll eventually die.  I wish I could live forever.  That being said, I’ll continue to find meaning and purpose in life so that when my time finally comes, I’m able to lay my head down knowing that my life had purpose.

Maintain a 3.5 GPA

When grades get posted for this semester, my GPA isn’t going to be close to 3.5 anymore.  I am struggling through a number of very challenging classes and from here on out, they’re going to get even more difficult.  That’s okay.  I want to do good in school and do the best that I can but if my GPA isn’t 3.5, at least I’m doing my best.  Life is more than a number on a transcript and at some point, that number becomes irrelevant anyways.  As I mentioned earlier, I’ve changed since the beginning of the year.  This is one of those changes.  School is important but it isn’t that important.  College isn’t the only path to success in life.  If you struggle in Chemistry or Calculus, life goes on.  There are just too many other things in this world to worry about, your GPA shouldn’t be one of them.  I’ll do my best, struggle and eventually succeed.  If I get a C in some of my classes, so what?

Continue paying off my Student Loans

I was doing a really great job at this up until the last few months when I began making travel arrangements for Japan and Europe.  I decided to take a break from paying off my loans until after I return from Europe so that I have enough money saved up for my travels.  Does this mean that I can’t afford to be traveling?  Maybe.  But then, we all make choices and have to deal with the consequences.  Traveling was my priority and I made a choice.  I acknowledge it and I’m moving on.  Repayment will begin in the near future, most likely in January.

Be nicer to people

It might depend on how you define “nice” in order to gauge how successful I’ve been at this goal.  To be honest, I know I can be a jerk at times but usually when I am, there’s a good reason.  For the most part, I think I’ve been a nice person but more than nice, I’d like to be kind to those who deserve kindness, caring to those I love, generous to those in need, helpful to those who require assistance, etc.  It isn’t enough just to be nice and some people don’t deserve to be treated nice.  I don’t want to be nice simply to be polite.

In addition to personal goals, here are my professional goals:

  • Meet or exceed 500 email subscribers
  • Write 52 quality articles
  • A monthly Guest Post on another blog
  • Daily traffic in excess of 1,000 views

I didn’t get 500 email subscribers by the end of the year.  I did, however, manage to get 725 people to become Fans of Hundred Goals on Facebook.  Maybe it isn’t email subscriptions but I’ll take it.

I wrote 109 articles in 2010, and while I feel that the quality of my writing has improved significantly compared to 2009, I’ll let you be the judge as to whether the articles were “quality”.

I began the year writing guest posts for other blogs and managed to get a post on Get Rich Slowly, a big deal for me.  After a while, I gave up on writing guest posts and just decided to focus my energy on writing content for Hundred Goals as I was putting a lot of effort into writing for other sites and felt like some of my best ideas were going to those sites while the content here wasn’t as good.  In the future, I may write other guest posts but I probably won’t be doing it every month.

My daily traffic hasn’t been in excess of 1,000 views ever and now that I’m only writing an article a week, I don’t think 1,000 daily views is realistic at this point (unless there is some sort of Hundred Goals revolution!)  Site traffic is less important to me today as I think a better way to measure success is by how many people actually want to read what I write rather than just popping in and out from a Google search of Kim Kardashian’s Ass.  Email subscriptions and comments are my new measure of success, so please, comment often!

And there you have it, 2010.  I’ll lay out some goals for 2011 in an upcoming post, so stay tuned!

Filed under Goal Updates, Goals, Life, Travel, Updates

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