This may not come as a surprise, but, I’m a bit rigid about my goals. If I’m committed to them, I commit 100% and cannot settle for not meeting them. That means, if things change in making those goals, I get upset or even frustrated. It wasn’t going how I planned? I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT.

For example, I set a goal for this year of learning to run and completing a race. I joined a running group through Chicago Endurance Sports and was set to run a 5K with my group today.

I did not run that race :(

As I’ve written here, not long after I started running, I was sidelined with a frustrating and annoying injury that had me laid up for 2 weeks and in physical therapy (which I’m wrapping up now).

So, I didn’t get to “meet” my goal of learning running and completing a race, well, not completely. And leading up to today, I’ve struggled with feeling like I’ve failed. But I didn’t. And I have to remind myself of that because my goal of doing this is for 2013, which isn’t over yet. There is still time. And just because I didn’t run this race, doesn’t mean I won’t run another.

To help me get out of this spiral of negativity, I decided to make my own, unofficial 5K. The “Lakeview 5K,” where I mapped a 3.5 mile course in my beloved Chicago neighborhood.

So, this morning, I got up, stretched, dressed and set out to run that course. And to be safe, I brought my bus pass and credit card in case of emergency.

But I didn’t need them. Because I finished.

I ran/walk the entire course at at a 3/2 interval (as prescribed by PT), and kept a consistent 12.3 minute mile, which I was pacing at before I was injured.

I made it through the entire run with absolutely no pain and only a few moments of feeling worn out. There were moments that I wanted to give up and just walk, or I felt a tingle in my ankle and feared the pain would start again, but I just said, “you can do this, keep going,” and I did.

3.5 miles running/walking may be nothing to many people but for me, this is a huge accomplishment. I cannot stop smiling and feeling a sense of immense pride in myself.

So I didn’t complete my full goal yet. But I will.

But now it’s a new month and I can’t fix what’s happened, so I’m trying to be more positive about things. And to quote a friend of mine, I’m looking at my silver linings.

And without further ado, here are the silver linings to having a bum ankle, not being able to work out and having a scab on your heart ripped off and exposed:

• Cooking. I am able to do more at home right now and make actual meals, not eat popcorn or cereal for dinner on a regular basis (full disclosure: I’m eating cereal now)
• Trip planning. Plenty of time to get my two-week trip to Spain planned and organized a bit more
• Breaking in new shoes. My riding boots are the only comfortable shoes I own right now so there’s an excuse now to break in my new pair (YAY!)
• To help my ankle feel better, I need to massage it. Hey, I found a ton of random massage oils in my “lady drawer.” Clearly this is an opportunity to use them
• Catching up on current events. My PT exercises take about an hour each day to do. Plenty of time to watch the news and get more familiar with what’s going on (that’s not with the Colbert spin)
• Slow down. I tend to run about, going from one thing to another. And with having trouble walking, it’s forced me to really slow down. I won’t lie, I hate it. I hate asking my friends to walk slower or tell them to go ahead of me because I can’t walk that fast. Some have been nice about it, some haven’t, but maybe a little slower pace is what I need for me right now

That’s all I got for now. I start PT tomorrow (officially) and let’s hope I’m back up and moving soon.

The hardest part of closure is knowing that you’re closing one chapter (maybe one that you don’t want to end) and opening another, which is unknown, can be scary, and makes you vulnerable.

Especially when that closure comes from a decision that’s not yours.

When I know the end of something is upon me, I tend to have this overwhelming urge to hang on to what is there now and what was there in the past. Closure is the real end. Not the end where you think it’s done but have hope and a nagging feeling that lingers in the back of your mind. It’s the real end, where this person leaves and you know you won’t see them again and the promises of keeping in touch may actually just be a Band-Aid to make the news that much easier.

Closure is the real end where you are forced to really move on and not hold on to a baby, teeny, miniscule part of your brain that says, hey maybe things will work out. You never know?

You do know, now. And it won’t end the way you wanted it too.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a lot of emotions about closure. All of them sad, bittersweet and scared at the same time, and all of them make me wonder what is next.

And right now, I feel okay. Sad, but okay. And I’m letting myself feel that still now and for the next few days. And then, it will be time to slowly start to let go and look ahead to what is next.

Closure is a funny thing, because as much as it hurts, it has to be a sign that maybe you’ll be that much more free at the end.

Since February, I’ve been training for a 5K through Chicago Endurance Sports. It’s been tough and challenging and I love it. It was also part of my 2013 goals and given me a lot of what I was looking for in this new test.

And now I have to stop, immediately. And, well, I’m pretty upset.

Over the weekend I started developing really bad heel pain, which I thought was part of just “learning to run.” Let me tell you, it is PAINFUL to learn a new sport sometimes.

Sunday, I ran through it, and it was excruciating. So, to be proactive, I went to a physical therapist for a free injury screening and am going again tomorrow for a second opinion.

And they told me exactly what I didn’t want to hear: Achilles tendinitis.

No running, excessive walking, or elliptical machines for a few weeks (depending on the level of pain). And when the pain does go away, I have to start over with running to slowly ease in to it again.

They may as well have cut my leg off. *dramatic*

That means, very likely no 5K at the end of April or, I definitely won’t be running all of it, which was my original goal. And with vacation in early May, I definitely can’t jeopardize it.

I’m crushed by this for several reasons. Running made me feel stronger and in shape. And now hearing that I have to stop everything altogether (minus some weight training), is upsetting.

I finally got in to a good rhythm and space and now I have to stop.

I hate my body and I’m trying to keep the negative, self-defeating thoughts away too.

So, I’m going to allow myself to be sad and upset, and then I will focus on getting better. Because I will not be in pain while on vacation. And I will NOT let this stop me.

I will run, I will do a 5K and I will run all of it.

But for now, there is still some disappointment and errant tears.

The post was called: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Seriously, this girl is in my brain. I highly recommend it.

But what got me thinking is about something I’m working on in my personal life. It’s okay to be….okay.

Last year, drama and upheaval tend to find me. From friends to boys to family to work, there seemed to be something that’s always going awry. It was exhausting and emotionally taxing and it felt like any time anyone asked me what was new, there was always something bad or wrong.

But now, I’ve been making some changes and I feel okay. And I’m trying to focus on being okay and enjoy it, rather than wait for the shoe to drop.

Work is good, health good (or getting back to good), mood is good, running is good, friends are okay, family is good overall things are good or okay.

And that’s okay!

After spending so many parts of 2012 a broken mess, I’m enjoying this feeling of balance.

Things may not always be okay and there may be bad days, but for now, I’m enjoying where I’m at. And hoping it continues.

You can check out Arielle’s post here, and below is my contribution to our topic today: the flip side to being single.

When Arielle and I created SGC, our goal was to talk about being single in a kick-ass, positive, uplifting way, because there is nothing wrong with being single and it should be celebrated.

But when we planned our posts, we realized that while we view singledom in a positive light, we had to tell both sides of the story.

So here is my side of the story.

I have been single for much longer than I’ve been in relationships. And while I am okay with that…sometimes, I’m not.

As I’ve gotten older and the second wave of my friends have met people, gotten married or had first and second babies, I sometimes feel, well, bummed and left behind.

My friends who are married or dating are great about including me and never treating me like a third wheel, but sometimes, you can’t help but feel like the “single friend” that tags along, or like it would be easier if there was a fourth to just, round out the group.

Maybe, if I’m being candid, it’s feeling like I don’t have the connection my couples friends do. The bond, the friendship, the overall, just…connection they have together. I have connections with my friends, even the guy ones, but it’s not the same. And sometimes, seeing it in front of me, makes me a little envious. I would never just date someone to have that, but after being out on two occasions recently with couple friends making out in front of me in public, yeah, it’s kind of right in your face.

And it’s even feeling a little down about being single for the silly things. Someone to tell about my day, help me hang pictures, kill bugs, replace light bulbs go out for a spontaneous drink with or even, just hold hands with after a long day, or give a hug to say it’ll be okay.

Sometimes, I miss those things, even though I am comfortable being single.

But, I’m still me, still complete on my own and ready to face whatever is down the road for me, +1 or not :)

Single Girl Confidential signing off for now.

My mom coordinated a lunch for her on Saturday in Wisconsin and “the kids” were a surprise waiting for her at the table. In fact, when I called my grandma (from the train) on Friday, she said, “I was hoping you would come up for my lunch,” and I LIED. Lied that I wasn’t able to make it.

And when she saw me and my brother/SIL on Saturday, she got emotional (cue tears from me too).

It was really a great surprise, great lunch and great visit. I’m so glad I was able to go home and be part of it.

So here’s a photo of my grandma from her big day, she is too cute.

She did ask when I was getting married, but I’ll let that go because, well she’s 90, she can say whatever she wants by now :)

My quick trip home also allowed me to see this face too. So adorable, I cannot even handle it.

How was your weekend?

I love the Oscars. Not only because I’m a movie buff, but also because I just love the formality and celebration around it. Oscar parties, predictions, pools, etc. LOVE IT.

And last night, there was some pretty good and a few bad pieces of fashion too (this from a girl who is not exactly…”fashionable” all the time).

So below is my list of my favorite and least favorite looks from last night.

Favorites

Sandra Bullock

Stacy Keibler

Jennifer Aniston

Jessica Chastain

Jennifer Hudson

Octavia Spencer

Not So Favorites

Anne Hathaway

Melissa McCarthy

Salma Hayek

Kristen Stewart

I debated not adding KStew because she was on crutches, but seriously, you have a stylist, use them. Same with a curling iron. This is coming from someone who doesn’t know how to use one though. And Anne Hathaway, oh you’ve been knocking it out of the park lately, but this, is just…awful. Like Jessica McClintock circa my teenage years wanting to try on homecoming/prom dresses.

Well, sadly now the Oscars are over until next year :( I don’t know about you, but I’m already looking forward to it!

What were some of your favorites?

So, if alcohol is out, that means it’s time to test my will to give up my other vice: chocolate.

I have a massive, massive sweet tooth and love a bite of chocolate or even a little chocolate dessert when dining out. I cannot help myself.

But there is a difference between a “bite” of chocolate and, well having too much of it. And because I moved to the latter part of last sentence, that’s why I decided to give it up.

Yeah, this hasn’t been easy.

Friday, while in the throws of a massive cold, I ate a bit of chocolate, and didn’t even realize it until after. My giving-up-something-for-Lent coach told me this was a pass. I was sick. Then…Sunday night I had a chocolate chip cookie (or three) my friend made for dinner. But…I feel like I get a pass because that would have been disrespectful to turn down this as the final part of her homemade dinner.

Again, hasn’t been easy.

And to keep my mind off of chocolate, I’m trying to eat more veggies, chew gum and have other sweets that taste good, but, well not as satisfying.

When is Easter again? Kidding, I can do this, I think :)

Did you give up anything for Lent this year?

Yes, I am that girl who likes New Years and Valentine’s Day, even though she’s single. I mean, don’t get me wrong, sometimes these holidays make me want to gag, but I prefer to focus on the positives of both. And today, it means celebrating and acknowledging the loves in my life.

Last year, I sent text messages to friends and family, reminding them how much I loved and appreciate them. I thought it was a nice treat to celebrate love on this most magical of days. There may not be a steady guy in my life, but there are a lot of people I love.

And sending these little love reminder texts isn’t about needing people to reciprocate it (even though it’s nice to hear!), it’s about just putting a little something out there, and hoping they feel the same way back.

Along with doing these little acts of good, I also decided to “love myself” (long story) by treating to something sweet.

Behold…..HEART SHAPED DONUTS.

Yes, this is exactly what I wanted on Valentine’s Day. And there is nothing wrong with that. My day included those donuts, a bit of wine and ribs.

Absolutely no complaints here. Hope you all had a lovely day as well!

The most consistent running I’ve done (that’s not a sprint to be a crowd at a store or to chase food trucks), is when I played tennis in high school and had to run before practice.

My coach was super strict and insisted all of his players run a 9 minute mile. Anything less than that was unacceptable. I could play tennis and run around the court but I just was not a proper runner. And thus, shin splints, tears, and 9++ minute miles later, it was just an awful experience.

A lot of my friends are runners, both marathon and social. And it got me thinking, I never beat that 9 minute mile before and even though I’m well past high school and that coach is no longer in the picture, I kind of want to make that goal one day. Or just test myself to know I can run, run properly and complete a race.

And after years of saying I’ll do it, thinking about it or just procrastinating on it, I’ve decided to do it. It’s one of my 2013 goals.

Thanks to a friend, I’m signing up for the Chicago Endurance Sports No Boundaries program, which teaches you how to run, run properly and train you and a group for a 5K in April.

I’m a little nervous but also really, really excited.

Sure, 5K/3.1 miles is probably nothing to some, but it is to me.

As part of my 2013 change, I need to push myself mentally and physically, and this is the first part of that.

Hopefully, this goes way better than tennis practice did years ago.

And not just any kind of guest, but the single girl guest at a wedding.

Being single at wedding, which is all about love and the celebration of it, can be tough.

Sure, there are options of single men and/or groomsmen who want to just get a piece of ass, but really, it can be a minefield of insecurity and frustration with your own dating life too (or lack thereof in certain cases).

In the next year, I have two weddings I’ll be attending (one family, one coworker) and I will be going to both solo.

And there is nothing wrong with that.

But, since I’m a tad snarky around couples blissfully in love, I have to get my game face on and be able to navigate the wedding scene with the most gracious and charming of ease…and not hit the bar too hard.

So here’s how I plan to kick ass at both weddings as a singleton:

• Social butterfly – I know people at both weddings (win) and with a few drinks, I’m much more talkative with strangers (and that doesn’t include trying to make out)
• Open bar – I mean, it takes the edge off, and is a great place to meet people (see “social butterfly” above). Just remember, it’s not a race to see how much beer/wine you can consume during the reception. Must write that down
• Dancing machine – Oh man, sometimes, the answer to any situation is just to dance it out. And those heels will be off and I will be a dancing machine. I also need to use this time to identify a guy to be forced to slow dance with me so I don’t return to my snarky state

Yes, despite these comments about snark, I am so happy for both of my wedding couples and really, I can’t wait to be there and celebrate their day. And if there is a guy there who is as willing for a random make out and doesn’t repulse me, let’s discuss.

How do you handle being a singleton at a wedding?

This is about my ongoing quest to try new things, things that scare me and often make me wonder what the hell I’m doing.

And shooting a firearm was definitely on that list.

I did not grow up in a hunting family so going shooting wasn’t something we did.

But then, a member of my brunch club saw a Living Social deal where you spent a day “shootin’ and drinkin’.” Yes, that is actually the name of it. Spend a day shooting guns at a range and then going drinking? Sign me up!

See, we signed up for it months ago and then when the day actually arrived, I was pretty terrified. Me, who is so girly, is going to fire a gun?? Oh and I scare easily, so surely guns being fired in rapid succession should be quiet right?

So, Super Bowl Sunday, me and three friends piled on to a bus, drove to Michigan (yes, turns out IL has the most rigid gun laws in the country) and went to a shooting range for the first part of the days adventures.

Shooting a gun is by far, one of the scariest and most exhilarating things I’ve done. I was shaking when the range officer handed me the 9 caliber gun for the first time and may have been shaking as well when I fired the first shot. But that feeling after was so awesome. Not only because I actually fired, but also because it was such a rush.

And that first shot was right in the bullseye. Fuck yes.

And when that was done, we could also shoot a few rounds of an AK-47. Didn’t Rambo have one of those?

Regardless, that was absolutely terrifying. The NOISE reverberated in your chest and was almost deafening (for good reason). I panicked right before firing and almost backed off, but then, the range officer gave me a nudge.

“Ma’am, you need to face your fears, otherwise, they win.”

And I did fire that first shot, and then went back for 4 more. I faced that fear and it was awesome.

Here are a couple of photos to show how awesome of a job I did. Seriously, I kind of want to frame my target :)

Oh and I’m wearing a scarf in these photos because my neck was exposed and I ran the risk of getting burned from a hot bullet shell flying out of the gun. OMFG….okay.

So I had to watch Beyonce on DVR when I got home, and it was still awesome :)

Being a single lady, I read a lot of articles about dating, relationships, being single, etc. Not because I’m looking for tips but because I’m curious how people write about them. Some of them are pretty dead on, others, not.

And then I found one on Facebook from Thought Catalog that was a mix of both. So, Arielle and I decided to make it the subject of our next installment of Single Girl Confidential.

So, the article was called “20 Things Single People Hate” and I wanted to highlight a few that really caught my attention.

Being reminded you are single or told that, for any reason, your lack of being romantically attached to anyone makes you a less desirable or fit human being. (#1)

I’ve never had someone SAY this to me, but yeah, it’s been pretty well implied. Granted, in most cases it was from people of another generation, who were married at 23 or already having a family then. But it still bothers me because, there is nothing wrong with being single. And you don’t need a reason why. You are you and you are just as fabulous without someone as you would be with.

Those moments where everyone else is sleeping with someone but you. This is why God invented Double-Stuff Oreos. You need the extra love. (#13)

Uh, welcome to my fall 2012. Except my comfort wasn’t Double-Stuff Oreos, it was…well, hmm, anything else that I could stuff in my mouth (TWSS). Even if I’m finding comfort in food while making my friends tell me about all the sex they’re having, I’m still happy for them. And some REALLY like to share, so, yeah it’s a little lady porn for me too.

Having people equate relationships with happiness. (#18)

I think I need to make a bumper sticker that says, “single people are happy!” Seriously, whomever thinks that you can only be happy if you’re in a relationship, needs to be hit with a tack hammer. Here’s a shock, I am happy! Not every day or every hour, but I am and being solo or just with friends makes me happy too. Trust me, I’ve seen many miserable couples. No thank you.

One person cannot complete you. The only person who completes you is you. (#14)

Y-E-S. This is very similar to what I listed above, but it’s so true. You cannot be happy with someone else until you can be happy on your own. And if that person doesn’t show up, you need to be able to love and complete yourself. You don’t need someone to complete you, they should fit with you and compliment who you are now.

And that is all I have to say about that.

Single Girl Confidential signing off for now.

And we kicked off this magical time with my favorite of them all, The Golden Globes. Yes, you get TV, movies, people overindulging in champagne and lots of hilarity.

The Oscars may be the Super Bowl of award shows but this is a pretty solid playoff.

And despite getting a little out of control with Tina and Amy’s drinking game on a school night (bad idea), I have to say, I was just a little “whelmed” with the female fashion last night. I hope some people step it up for the Oscars.

But as always, the men were delightful :)

I also really loved Amy and Tina. Seriously, can I get a girls night out with those two??

Let’s get this going and leave your picks for best/worst dressed too!

Favorite Looks

Claire Danes

Marian Cotillard

Amy Poehler

Zosia Mamet

Connie Britton

Olivia Munn

Not So Favorite Looks

Jessica Chastain

Jennifer Lawrence

Jessica Alba

Amy Adams

Taylor Swift

Those are my picks, counting down to the Oscars!

How was everyone’s weekend too?

It’s a constant annoyance, so, the last thing I should be doing is adding a new show to watch.

But I did.

In fact, over the holidays, I watched A LOT of TV on Netflix, instead of using the network hiatus for something productive like…reading.

And one show I watched en masse, at the urging of my brother, coworkers, friends and pretty much anyone else I talk to, was this one…

Holy.shit.

I won’t lie, I fell in to the hype from people around me and was a bit disappointed in seasons 1-mid-way season 3. It was fine and setting the foundation but was a tad boring in parts.

But once season 4 started, I was completely obsessed.

OBSESSED. My brother (who already has seen it) and I discussed and he even watched with me, watching my reactions.

Also, when someone says, “the box cutter episode,” I have flashbacks to a key scene in it, and my stomach still feels unsettled.

It was amazing.

Then I got back to Chicago and watched the first part of season five (illegally) online because I had to know what’ll happen next!

Sadly, the show isn’t back now until July, but I AM READY.

Also, the show has sworn me off ever doing meth. So, that’s a plus.

Are you a fan?

When I was 22 or 23, I knew exactly what my Dream Man looked like. Tall, dark, handsome, funny, not married, not too many past girlfriends or emotional baggage, at least 5′ 4″, good teeth, doesn’t bite his nails, nice eyes, nice arms, good person, etc. I’m sure there were more criteria but I cannot think of the rest right now.

And I’m pretty sure, if a guy didn’t meet most of that list, I wouldn’t go out with him because it was a waste of time. There was no way he was for me.

Well, that approach didn’t work out so well and now that I’m older, a little more seasoned and more mature, I realized when Arielle and I were talking about posts for this series, how much my idea of a Dream Man evolved.

I’m not sure why in my 20s I was so focus on specific and very detailed attributes of guys that I wanted to date. Maybe because I thought I was young enough and had plenty of time to meet Mr. Right, so why not be a little selective.

And now that I’m older, my Dream Man has evolved because after dating more, I realized what’s important. It’s not always just the nit picky superficial things, it’s the person as a whole. I may have a “type” but found that dating guys outside of it, was a better fit, even if those relationships didn’t work out.

And rather than put myself in a box of “this is the only guy you’re attracted to,” it’s good to let that evolve based on the good guys you meet and date rather than try to retrofit one in to the guy you think you want.

So now I’m more open to what my Dream Man could be, but yes, there still is a few criteria for him (in no particular order):

• Financially stable
• Treats me nicely
• Loves me for me
• Has goals and dreams for his future

I don’t think that’s too much to ask right?

Single Girl Confidential signing off for now.

But I wanted to elaborate on it a bit more here.

I am not sad to see 2012 go at all because I’m ready for a reset, a new start. 2012 had a lot of highs but also two crushing lows.

It was a test, a test to see how much I could handle, both personally and professionally and it broke me.

The lows of 2012 have left me completely broken, both my spirit and will, and I am still struggling to pick up the pieces and find my fight again. But I know it’s there.

The highs of 2012 were so high: Paris, Hawaii, London and Sundance, but the lows were unfortunately greater than those.

People put a lot of pressure on NYE, what you’re doing, who you’re with, are you getting dressed up, are you getting kissed, are you going to be able to get a cab, etc. And yes, I think about that too, but the reason I love NYE so much is because I choose to see it as closing one chapter and opening another. I need to close 2012 and open 2013 because I need something to kick start the changes I want to make (and started making already) and help me feel like I can put the tears, anger, sadness and frustration in 2012 and carry only the happy memories with me to the next year.

What I want in 2013 is to get back to me. To fix the things that I don’t like and to explore the things that interest me. This may mean, going alone for part of it, or losing some things currently in my life.

I’ve already made a list of my goals for 2013 and I’m ready to get started.

I don’t want to spend 2013 as unhappy as I was in 2012. I want it to be so much more. And I feel so hopeful for that, and that is what I want to hold on to.

Happy New Year’s everyone!!!

This time we’re tacking the idea of single solo dates. You can check out Arielle’s post on this over here.

So, single solo dates. I love them.

Just because I don’t have a plus-one on a Friday or Saturday night, that doesn’t mean I don’t like going out to dinner or to a movie. Sure, I can do these things with friends, but when they’re busy, it’s time for a single lady night out.

And I treat myself right. If I’ve had a long week or rough Friday, I will just grab dinner on the way home, put on Netflix or clean out the DVR and put my feet up. I don’t mind a quiet Friday night in so, this sounds like a perfect lady date.

But when I want to treat myself and get a little fancy, well, that requires some planning. It involves a little make up, maybe some pre-activity drinks and then a nice stroll to the theater or concert of play. And then, I put myself in a cab home. Just because it’s a solo night out, doesn’t mean I skimp on getting home safe.

This may sound like just a regular night out or something that doesn’t need a “solo date” label but I find that thinking of it that way just keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

When I go on a date, I just, try harder. I put in the extra effort, put on the nicer outfits and jewelry, put on full eye make up and just get out there. Sometimes, that first step is the hardest.

And just because a guy won’t see it, doesn’t mean I should not do it for me.

So what about you? Do you do single lady nights out or solo dates?

Morbid? No. Inspirational. The Life List is not anything new, Maggie Mason started it at Mighty Girl and it’s inspired many others to create one too.

So I decided to sit down and take a start at my own list. This is not finished and will continue to grow as I am inspired by more things and by people in my life. And in writing this, I realized Maggie, as well as other blogger’s lists have inspired mine.

So here we go in no particular order or preference.

JB’s Life List

• Walk on the Great Wall of China
• Hike a glacier and volcano (separately)
• Sleep in a tree house hotel
• Zip line
• See the rain forest
• Run a race (starting w/a 5K)
• Learn how to dance
• Have something I wrote published
• Go skinny dipping
• See the Northern Lights
• Drive from LA to Portland
• Speak French
• Wear a bikini to the beach
• Leave someone a $50 tip
• Teach a class
• Host a dinner party
• Go camping (not glamping)
• Live in Europe for 30 days
• Be a movie extra
• Go on safari
• See the Taj Mahal
• Learn to drive stick shift
• See the pyramids
• Take my dad on vacation
• Visit at least one place on every continent

What about you? Is there anything on your Life List?