My 25 Things!

Starting Date: May 18th, 2013

Ending Date: May 18th, 2014

Completed: 3/25
Completed: strikethrough
In Progress: bold

1. Get a new job
2. Move out of my parents' house
3. Adopt a pet
4. Complete a detox or cleanse
5. Lose 25 pounds (5/25)
6. Read 25 books (17/25)
7. Watch 25 (new to me) movies (7/25)
8. Try 25 new foods (8/25)
9. Donate or consign 25 things (16/25)
10. Send 25 greeting cards (11/25)
11. Bake something from scratch
12. Grow a plant from a seed
13. Learn how to knit or crochet
14. Make a budget (and stick to it!)
15. Volunteer
16. Start an herb garden
17. Go on a hike
18. Visit a state or national park
19. Buy and wear a two-piece bathing suit
20. Get my eyebrows professionally shaped
21. Buy something cool and unique from an antique store or thrift shop
22. Make something from Pinterest
23. Travel somewhere new
24. Complete a photo album of my college years
25. Trace my family tree back to Europe

Just two more books left in the Tudor Court series!

I finished The Queen's Fool by Phillipa Gregory, the fourth book in the Tudor Court series. This book was a little different than the others, because the main character wasn't a historical figure. The main character and her family were all fictional, but based on people and situations that actually happened. As usual the book centered a lot around the English court, this one taking place after the death of King Henry VIII. I wasn't sure I'd like a book featuring a psychic as the main character, but the book was similar enough to her others for me to enjoy.

Another movie!

At least this one is sort of new! Today I watched Star Trek Into Darkness. I'm not super into Star Trek, I've watched some of the original series and various other episodes, and I hadn't even seen the 2009 movie. But I did really enjoy this one! Benedict Cumberbatch was excellent, and Chris Pine was freaking gorgeous. It was a good movie on it's own, and I think the more you know about Star Trek, the more you'll understand about this movie. There were a lot of things that probably went over my head, but I still really liked it. Now I definitely want to watch the 2009 movie!

Another book down!

Today I finished the Wizard of Oz book. Yes, it's a children's story, but it's such a classic that I wanted to read it! I was really curious to see how it's different from the movie, and it is very different. I really liked the story, even though it was slow at parts. I can see why it's considered such a classic- it's so timeless and universally appealing. Normally I'd start an ebook next, but the next one doesn't come out until later in the month! So next up is another Phillipa Gregory, in the same series I've been reading.

Another new movie!

I watched another new movie! This one was called In The Loop, and I watched it because the 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi was in it. I really enjoyed this movie, I found it to be very funny. I'm glad I watched it for Capaldi, because I don't think I would have found it otherwise!

Donated 4 More Things!

Today I took a trip to Goodwill and donated four more things. I love getting rid of old stuff, especially knowing that someone out there will be able to use my stuff!

And yet another book done!

After reading a regular book, it was time to read an ebook. This was the story for July, so now I'm all caught up! This ebook was about the Seventh Doctor, and it was excellent. The Doctor was well written, as was Ace the companion. Also there were Daleks, which is always exciting! Looking forward to the next ebook about Paul McGann's Doctor.

Another book down!

I've finished another book! Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. This book has really withstood the test of time, and it's easy to see why. It's still very relevant, and still an excellent book. It's very interesting to see which of Huxley's predictions for the future have come true, and which ones seem totally absurd. This is definitely my kind of book, and I adored it.

Another new movie

I had some time to kill, so I went on Netflix and found a movie I hadn't seen. I'd been curious about the Zach and Miri movie for some time, so when I came across it I decided to watch. It was okay, super raunchy as expected and very predictable. It was funny at parts though, and I think anyone who enjoys that kind of humor will really enjoy the movie.

I got a job!

I'm so excited to finally announce that I've gotten a new job! It all happened so quickly- about two weeks ago, I found out that a large Louisville-based company was hiring a large number of people. I applied, and had a phone interview. The man who interviewed me actually said I'd be better suited for a different position that paid better and was closer to my house. I continued the process with that job, and got an on-site interview last week. My interview was a breeze, and the company made me an offer that day.

I start in September! I'm very excited, but I'll be sad to leave my current job. I had to wait to tell you guys until I told my current job. Another goal accomplished!

Another e-book finished!

As I've mentioned before, I'm alternating between ebooks and regular books. After finally finishing Anna and the French Kiss, I read the next Doctor Who ebook on my list. It was the 6th Doctor's story, and I liked it pretty well. The story jumped right into the action, which is great for a short story- no need to waste time with a lengthy backstory! The companion narrated this story, which was interesting, and the 6th Doctor was definitely written as the 6th Doctor. It was a nice little story, probably one of my favorites of these ebooks so far.

Finally done with another book...

The amount of time it takes me to finish a book has more to do with how much I like it than the actual difficulty.

It took almost a week for me to finish Anna and the French Kiss. It's an easy read, but I had a really difficult time getting into it. About halfway through I started to care about the characters, and just wanted to know how things would end up. The story is super cheesy- I guessed most of the major plot points very early on. There was really only one "plot twist" in my opinion, and it fizzled out by the end and became a nonissue.

I just felt like everything came together too neatly, and everyone lived happily ever after. In real life, people I know who have gone through similar situations of having a boy leave his girlfriend for them, have ended up with the boy leaving them for the next girl. I don't know. Maybe I'm just too old and cynical to read young adult fiction, and there were a few parts I enjoyed. But I was right in assuming that this was not my kind of book.

Another new to me movie!

And continuing on with the theme of 90's movies, I suppose! I watched The Truman Show, which I really enjoyed. Great social commentary, with a realistic feel- I mean, who knows where reality TV is going! As usual I think I'm the last person in the world to watch this movie, but if you haven't seen it, I totally recommend it.

Another ebook finished!

I'm trying to alternate between real books and the short ebooks, so when I finished The Other Boleyn Girl I started on my next Doctor Who ebook. This one was for the fifth Doctor, so I'm almost caught up! The ebook was called Tip of the Tongue, and I'll have to say was not my favorite of these 50th anniversary ebooks. It was set in World War II era America, and focused on two teenagers. The Doctor and his companion were barely in it, and it could have been any Doctor, if only the wardrobe description had been changed. It's fun to see how different authors go back and interpret these older Doctors in their stories, and when the Doctor is barely in the story, it seems a little pointless. Of course I'll continue to read the series, but not until I finish another real life book first!

A long overdue book update

I finally finished The Other Boleyn Girl. I have a very long history with this book, and I'm glad it's done!

I borrowed the book from my college roommate, in 2007 or so. I read part of it, but I was so busy with school that I set it aside. I would pick it up periodically, but always have to start over since it had been so long since I'd read any of it! A year or two later I finally got my own copy, but never did get around to finishing the book. It has been sitting half finished in my bookcase, on the shelf with all the other books I've been meaning to read. Now, as I attempt to read 25 books before my next birthday, I'm finally making my way through the stack. Six years after I first picked it up, I have finally finished The Other Boleyn Girl.

(And I think I still have my former roommate's copy. Sorry Hilary!)

Banana Peppers!

I tried another new food! I had banana peppers with my dinner yesterday, and I really enjoyed them! I'm finding all kinds of tasty new foods!

I went to the consignment shop!

I finally took a trip to sell some clothing today. They took 6 of my items, and I got a little over $25 for them! I didn't make it to my 25 items today, but it's a good start. I'll try again in the fall, and maybe donate some of my summer items in the meantime.

I finally tried avocado!

I know. I KNOW! I always thought I wouldn't like avocado because I don't like the smell of guacamole. But it was on my salad, so I decided to give it a try. It didn't have much of a taste, but a really nice texture. I'm glad I tried it, because I'll definitely be eating more avocado in the future.

Starting On My Greeting Cards!

My birthday helped me start on my goal of sending 25 greeting cards! Today I mailed 5 thank you notes to relatives who sent me birthday cards and money. It feels great, because I know they'll really appreciate my cards!

About My Weight Loss Goal

I've done my official weigh-in, so I can give you my starting weight and goal weight.

Weight as of 5/18/13: 203 lbs
Goal weight: 178 lbs

25 pounds is a lot to lose, and this is not a goal that's right for everyone! However, two years ago I weighed about 250 lbs, so I know how to lose weight (and keep it off). Although this will be a challenge, taking off 25 lbs in a year is a completely attainable goal. I'm about 5'8", so this will move me from the obese category to the overweight category. Still not to a "healthy" weight, but much better! I'll keep you posted on my weight loss periodically.