Tomorrow, September 17th, I turn 20. I’m a firm believer in not just using the start of a new calendar year for a chance to take up new goals, so I’m incorporating some into my birthday! A whole new decade. And my parents are already gushing on baby photos and, “I remember the day you were born,” stories. I will say that it has been one of those semi-birthday traditions to shower or take a bath on the day before your birthday to “wash away” the previous year of life. And I think that’s one of the cooler aspects of getting older- you can start to make things you thought were “silly” when you were younger into traditions you keep for yourself as you get older.
- Read new 20 books for fun (outside of an academic requirement), by authors both living an dead, in both fiction and non-fiction genres
- Watch 20 new-to-me films off IMDB’s Top 250 Movies. A post of films I have seen prior to turning 20 is available here.
- Take one significant step forward towards my dream career, may or may not be academic related.
- As always, travel somewhere new – both instate and out of state.
- Go on an adventure that includes seeing the sun set and rise in the same go. Cannot be academic related.
- Invest in decent stationary and use it (often) for thank you notes.
- See something on a stage other than a concert- the ballet, a play, etc.
- Apply and get accepted into Pro-School.
- Add at least two new stamps to my National Parks Passport (bonus if I add to my US passport).
- Move out- vacate my room at my parentals taking all my stuff with and, with my own money, buy a new piece of furniture for my new living arrangements.
- Get certified in something- Motorcycle endorsement or dive certified are very likely contenders.
- Pick up a new ‘adult’ skill- knowing my luck, probably car related. Otherwise most likely DIY at home
- Visit one of the places significant to my parents. Bonus points if it’s the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Clinton Street Theatre in Portland.
- Attend as many sporting events as possible and hit the Big Three at least once- Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Keep the ticket stubs
- Attempt to save all full coffee punch cards for use when I’m no longer living in the residence halls and things cost “real” money.
- Take up the valiant quest to raise my GPA- 3.41 and a goal of 3.5 of higher.
- Sign up for a class has nothing to do with my major and or minor. A 101 probably doesn’t count. I’m looking at you Biology.
- Take summer classes and start Fall Term 2016 ahead of where I need to be to graduate on time (Spring 2018).
- Register to vote and participate in the necessary preliminaries for the 2016 Presidential election. Because Oregon is weird.
- Take care of myself. Life’s hard and it’s a rarity when it’s easy. Life’s too short not to be happy and content with everything. Challenge by choice. Know when to say no, but say yes more often.