COMPLETED - 30. Enter a jewelry making contest

Yesterday I ended a contest through a jewelry making community I belong to called Bead Space. It is a simple contest for necklace design, but since this was something I wanted to do on my goal list, I decided to go ahead and try. There is no big cash reward or prestige involved, but it is a way to share what I do with the jewelry making community and that is important. If I get up the nerve I have another contest I'm thinking of entering that does involve both cash and prestige, but for now this is my contest completed.

This is the necklace I submitted.

11. See some of the local sights - Allentown Lights in the Parkway

It seems like setting this goal was a good idea. Every time I turn around, I'm seeing something local I never knew existed or that I had always wanted to see. This time it is the Allentown Lights in the Parkway Christmas lights display. It was really great to see and even better to see it with the snow and ice reflecting all of the lights.

COMPLETED - 17. Get a car

This goal is officially completed. Hard to believe I managed to get it done before the end of the year, but I am happy that I did.

Here is the new addition to my car history.
My Tahoe.

31. Tell People if Things are Wrong

I've decided to use this post to do just that.
Recently it has come to my attention that people have been using the things that I write on this blog as a way to show that I am apparently doing something wrong or acting in an inappropriate fashion. They are trying to use these posts, and the overall positive reasons for them and these goals, as a negative to use against me. I cannot let that be.

I think that it is wrong for people to seek out information to hurt others. I am not ashamed of what is written here and feel that I have done nothing wrong in sharing my transformation. The purpose behind the 101 challenge is to step outside of our comfort zone, maybe do things we've been wanting to do and never did, or to help each of us find a way to improve ourselves. It is not to show negativity or meant for shame. If it was, none of us would share it. In that sense, I am joined by thousands of people across the country, and world even, who like me see themselves up to the challenge of deciding on 101 things that they feel will improve their lives.

Trying to use this experience against me is extremely wrong. I don't feel that I am writing anything that is negative or that could hurt others. I am writing simply what needs to be written to complete a goal. I have purposely left out full names of friends who are involved in those posts to help keep them from being thrown all over the internet. I have not left those names out for any malicious reason and for someone to believe so if astounding.

I am proud of the things that are listed here for me to complete. I truly feel that by doing each of them, I will be "the best Becki I can be" and I am sorry if any of my goals seems to offend someone or seems to instigate some sort of vindictive behavior on their part. Unfortunately though, there are people out there who don't know when to mind their own business or in fact what their own business truly is. These posts are out there for the world to see. They are obviously not being hidden.

To all of you who read along and who have made positive comments both on this blog and through emails, thank you for being here during this journey.
-Becki-

TWO COMPLETED - 64. Try 3 new things that someone suggests

Last night G and I went to see the Eagles concert in Philadelphia. Pretty much anyone who knows me knows what a big deal this is since I have a fear of large crowds, especially in new situations so I've decided to use this as one of the ways to complete this goal. When G suggested it, I wasn't so sure, but once I was there I had a really good time. He held my hand and told me that if it became too much to just let him know. Just knowing he was next to me and would leave if I needed to made it possible for me to simply relax and have a good time. Of course, it also helped that the crowd was all older (old enough to be our parents) for the most part so they weren't really loud. I'm proud of myself for going.

COMPLETED - 97. Write a novel

I did it!
At the end of last month J shared some info for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and since I knew one of my goals was to basically just write again, I took the challenge.

Basically the idea was to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1 and November 30, 2008 and today I wrote word number 50,035! My novel is complete. I can't believe I actually managed to get this goal done so quickly. Of course, now I need to edit and make sure it's worth reading, but I did it and that's what matters most.

Here is the cover:

ONE COMPLETED - 59. Get regular hair cuts every 2 months

Ok, so it wasn't 2 months, but I still managed to get a much needed haircut, so it counts. Here are some before and after shots. It was SERIOUSLY needed.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

11. See some of the local sights - THE LOST RIVER

This past Sunday G took me to The Lost River Cave down the road from him in Hellertown. It wasn't a bad day and was pretty neat to see. The only down side was our guide who was about seventeen and who was super corny. We still had a good time. Hard to believe that this place is literally less than two miles from his house and rather close to town.

We couldn't take pictures and the website doesn't offer many of them, but here are a couple.

COMPLETED - 2. Begin divorce proceedings

My initial divorce papers arrived in the mail yesterday, so I guess this goal is officially completed since that means I am begin[ing] divorce proceedings. I should have them returned by the end of the week.

This is a big step.

In the right direction.

11. See some of the local sights - MAZEZILLA

#11 on my list is to start seeing some of the local sights that surround me here in the NJ/PA area. It's amazing how many places and things I haven't seen/done around here. This weekend, I tackled one of those.

G and I went to a corn maze. My first. It's called Mazezilla and is located in Saylorsburg, PA. This year's theme was Wild Wild West so the maze looked like a cowboy on a horse with some other wild west things around it. We didn't do very well in the maze - only getting 3 of the 9 punch stations, but we had a good time and both got tired of all the annoying, screaming people around the same time and decided to make our way out of the maze. Once we set our mind to it, we found our way out with no problem. Funny, we couldn't find the punch stations, but we could find the exit.

Here is the only picture I took of the maze since my camera died.

Getting There: 99. Fit into a size 12

On the way to a size 12 is a size 14.
Yesterday, I put on a pair of size 14 jeans that actually fit well and didn't cause me to walk like a robot or not allow me to breathe. It was a pretty good feeling!

COMPLETED - 39. Spend time with a guy who makes me smile

After a lengthy talk with G tonight, he said I should consider this goal completed since he knows he makes me smile. He does have a point, so here it is as completed. I'm having a wonderful time with him and admittedly the smile never leaves my face when I'm with him, think about him, or talk to him. I guess that truly means this goal is completed.

ONE COMPLETED - 64. Try 3 new things that someone suggests

One down, two to go.

Most people know just how picky I can be when it comes to food.
The other night the suggestion for dinner was a Hungarian restaurant and I didn't even hesitate. I just said ok and went along kind of dreading the menu. When it was set down in front of me it was rather overwhelming since everything included either cabbage or pork and I don't eat either really. Finally I decided to just go for it and settled on Gypsy Pork with mashed potatoes and green beans. It wasn't all that bad really and in the end, it made the person I was with happy that I could share in his heritage. It also meant that I tried something new when it was suggested and therefore completed one of the three things for #64.

COMPLETED - JEWELRY DESIGN AND REPAIR COURSE

I completed my first goal today.

I finished the last lesson and test for the Jewelry Design & Repair course that I started back in April. Feels good to have it done.

Now, once I've finished paying for it, I will receive my official certification. Yay!

My 101!

1. Make 101 List
Divorce

2. Begin divorce proceedings
3. Finalize divorce (0/1)
4. Change name legally (0/1)

Friendships
5. Listen more
6. Send random e-cards (1)
7. Send people cards for birthdays, holidays and events.(5)
8. Spend more time with friends
9. Make one new friend a year (0/2)
10. Send a random present to someone "just because" (0/1)

Travel

11. See some of the local sights. (2)
12. Visit at least 2 friends who live outside of the NJ/PA area (0/2)
13. Visit 2 places I've never flown to before. (0/2)
14. Get passport updated (0/1)
15. Visit family in MA (0/1)
16. Have a "Girls Weekend" (0/1)

Necessities
17. Get a car (0/1)
18. Open a personal bank account (0/1)
19. Move out of "Mom's house" (0/1)
20. Collect (and claim) a regular paycheck from the shop - no matter how small (0/52)
21. Get yearly gyno exam (1/2)
22. Contribute to retirement at least 6 times a year (0/12)
23. Open a personal savings account. (0/1)
24. Save at least $10 a month. (0/31)
25. Pay off credit card debt (0/2)
26. Make student loan payment on time. (0/31)
27. Pay all bills on time.

Business
28. Advertise shop every 6 months (0/6)
29. Send monthly emails to subscribers (1/31)
30. Enter a jewelry making contest (0/1)
31. Open a new location every 12 months (0/2)
32. Update business blog bi-weekly. (1/52)

Emotional
33. Remember to smile
34. Cry when needed (2)
35. Scream when needed
36. Tell people if things are wrong (3)
37. Share personal experiences in ways that will help others (2)

Relationships
38. Maintain a friendship with Dan at least on some level.
39. Spend time with a guy who makes me smile
40. Accept that I don't need a guy to be happy, but that he can enhance my own happiness
41. Fall in love (at least once)
42. Enjoy romance
43. Trust

Education
44. Complete Jewelry Design Course (1/1)
45. Complete Small Business Administration Course (0/1)
46. Complete another course related to running the business (0/1)
47. Teach a jewelry design course (0/1)

Hobbies & Activities
48. Meet 50 book challenge yearly (46/100)
49. Take a walk whenever time and weather permit. (4)
50. Take up one new hobby (0/1)
51. Cook one big meal a week (8/104)
52. Make a holiday dinner (0/2)

Appearance
53. Apply lipstick at least once a day
54. Brush/comb hair more than once a day
55. Take better care of feet (polish, moisturizer, wear socks)
56. Color hair every 6 weeks (1/29)
57. Wax eyebrows monthly (2/24)
58. Eat better on a regular basis
59. Get regular hair cuts every 2 months (1/17)
60. Go without makeup at least once a month. (3/33)

Enjoyment
61. Build a snowman (0/1)
62. Enjoy walking through crispy fall leaves (1/2)
63. Walk along the ocean - non summer (0/1)
64. Try 3 new things that someone suggests (2/3)
65. Kiss in the rain (0/1)
66. Hold hands in the snow (0/1)
67. Sit in front of a fire and roast marshmallows (0/1)
68. Try at least one new food (0/1)
69. Buy flowers for shop once a season (0/10)

Memories
70. Take more pictures
71. Print pictures
72. Put pictures into albums
73. Walk around the Moravian Campus and/or Bethlehem (0/1)
74. Take pictures of the places I've lived (0/12)
75. Take mom to Metuchen and to Friendly's for the day (0/1)
76. Update this blog when I complete or do something on the list. (8/101)

Daily Things
77. Take Cranberry (74/1001)
78. Take multivitamin (74/1001)
79. Eat breakfast (74/1001)
80. Drink green tea daily at work (70/850)
81. Eat at least 2 meals a day. (74/1001)
82. Make bed (74/1001)
83. Put away shoes (74/1000)
84. Hang up clothes (70/1001)

List Related
85. Re-evaluate list if needed (admit if changes need to be made and make them) (3)
86. Change items on list to keep them relevant to current life expectations. (2)

Charity
87. Donate to Cancer research once a year (1/2)
88. Donate to Moravian Annual fund once a year (1/2)
89. Donate to Polar Bear Rescue once a year (0/2)
90. Sponsor at least 3 people in charity walks for Nanuk's Igloo (0/3)
91. Donate at least one bag of clothes each season (0/12)

Fears
92. Stand on a ledge and look down (0/1)
93. Speak up in a crowd (0/1)
94. Introduce myself to someone new (0/1)
95. Take a picture with a clown (0/1)

Old Goals (never met or to meet again)
96. Fly in a helicopter (0/1)
97. Write an article, short story or novel
8. Get published (0/1)
99. Fit into a size 12 (0/1)
100. Volunteer (0/1)

101. COMPLETE THIS LIST