safety deposit box

26 things i plan to do in 2011.

i like plans. i like goals. i don’t really like resolutions. i have had all these nebulous “i should really do X” thoughts for awhile now that i have officially decided to turn into a plan. and so, in 2011 (my 26th year), i plan to do the following 26 things:

get married (ha! this will be the best thing!)
run a marathon (there’s something poetic about that, right? a mile for each year? also, i need to put this out there so i actually do it)
take a class at ucb (i have been missing improv for years now, and there are no excuses for not doing it)
read one book each month in addition to my book club pick (i do a lot of reading of blogs and magazines, and i miss books!)
work on keeping in touch with people more (i have friends who are very good at email and phone calls and cards in the mail, and i am very good at thinking about people. i want to start reaching out more)
stop procrastinating as much (baking at midnight, sending cards a week late, doing projects at the last minute—that’s old me)
resurrect my magical new york blog (i just tumbl all the time now, and i miss my writing project)
see the march of the elephants in the city (i think in march?)
leave new york at least 6 times this year (i want to see trees and the ocean and other cities, and i need to prioritize that)
work out in the morning at least three times each week (while i am not a morning person, i love having my workout over with before i go to work. i’ve been getting into this habit, but i want to make it for reals)
to assist in no. 10, i want to give myself a bedtime and stick to it (i go to bed way too late—like 12:30/1am on a tuesday late, and it’s not smart or healthy)
spend one weekend per month doing something new (leaving the city or exploring it anew, i want more adventures)
get my drivers license (i’ve been driving legally for 10 years, but my old license expired, so now i have a learner’s permit, which i need to turn into the real thing)
reorganize the apartment (we re-upped our lease, so it’s time to stop ignoring the things that i don’t like and can change)
learn a signature baking recipe (i want something simple committed to memory that feels like mine that i can make at any time)
try one new restaurant per month (doesn’t have to be fancy, just can’t be an old stand-by… that’s how i’ll find new stand-bys)
ruthlessly sort out my closet, and host a clothing swap (out with the old, and in with the new-ish)
complete the process with big brothers big sisters (i have a meeting next week, and i’m really excited to meet my potential little!)
continue to better balance work and play (especially at work)
achieve my work goals (i did my work plan for 2011 over the vacation, and let’s just say there’s a lot of work to be done, but i know i can!)
give up one trashy tv show (i haven’t decided which one yet, but there are too many i like, and it’s getting a little embarrassing, so i think it’s time to prune)
plan more brunch dates (while i don’t like most breakfast foods, i love seeing people in the daylight)
go hangover-free in 2011 (i’ve been avoiding them pretty well the past few years, though 2010 was marred by an epic one, thanks to a weekend with my dearest from high school. but ugh, i hate those things, and i want to be a smarter partier)
throw stephen a birthday party (he never lets me, but i think this year i might be able to change his mind)
clean up my digital life (pare down my facebook friends page, remember the accounts on all my social media networks, and make this page a little more special to me)
be a good person and true to my best nature; learn to be kinder, calmer, more patient; keep laughing and loving life