#27: Read 50 Non-crime books

I read two non-crime books in a row. And I loved both of them. Swapping Lives is not like any book I have read in years. I am definitely not a "chick-flick" kinda book reader. Again relating books to movies, this reminds me of The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, sorta. A single journalist from London swaps lives for a month with a mother of two, with a husband from the Connecticut suburbs.

Parts of this book really made me look at my life. Even though I am not a mother, I could identify with the rut that the mother in this book was in. Sometimes you get so caught up in the routine of the day. I was just telling the Hubs that sometimes I feel like everything but a wife. Some days I feel like a mom (even though I have not kids), a maid, a student, and employee, etc. and after all that I forget that I am a woman and a wife. Sometimes it is hard to break that cycle, but I realize it is something I have to work on. I have to remember the fun loving person I was before we got married. I also have to remember that everything is not my responsibility. I do have a husband and we are supposed to be equals here. I have to let him take care of some things.

Despite the epiphany this book made ME have, it is a very light-hearted, fun read. It definitely took my mind away from the record breaking blizzard DC is experiencing at the moment. There may be a post about that if I can get to it.

#27: Read 50 Non-crime books

Just finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Great book. I could not put this book down, which is not typical for a non-crime book for me. It is a story about two boys from Kabul, Afghanistan and the journey their lives take. How one simple decision can change a person entire life. It brought a new light on Afghanistan for me. Several places that are frequently mentioned in the news in a negative light are shown how they used to be before the Russian invasion and the takeover by the Taliban.

#28: Read 100 books

I finished another book. I actually finished a couple of days ago, but haven't had time to update. I love reading series, getting invested in the characters, not being able to wait and see what happens. This is book number 6 of 10. I highly recommend the Alexandra Cooper series. She is a NY DA in charge of the sex crimes unit. Great series.

#27: Read 50 Non-crime books

I read my first non-crime related book, Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. It has been a long time since I have read a book on a different subject. I would have never read this book on my own, but it was the next book in an online book club, so I thought I would give it a try. It took a little will for me to get into. I think part of the problem was it was not my typical subject matter. But once I got into it, I liked it. It is the a story on various people revolving around one central event. It reminded me of a cross between Crash and Vantage Point. Yes, I will relate books to movies whenever I can.

#9,21,44,45,56,58: Update

So some of my 101 tasks are going to be ongoing for the 1001 days. I will periodically update them to keep track of my status.

#9 - Reduce water usage
I think I am doing pretty well with this. I was very wasteful with water. I have since stopped letting the water run when I am brushing my teeth. I think I read somewhere that it saves 8 gallons of water each time you do that. I will have to look up the actual numbers. I also used to let the water run for the shower until it got hot, then I would turn on the shower. I realize that the shower faucet puts out more water than the showerhead, so I know I am saving water there. I have been looking up other ways I can cut back on water usage and I don't know how dedicated I am for some of them. I know some people follow the motto "if it's yellow, let it mellow" (with regards to the toilet and flushing), but I don't think I am there yet. Maybe as I continue on the journey to becoming more "green" I will adopt that one??

#21 - Track my experience in my blog
Self explanatory.

#44 - Make the bed every day for 1001 days
I had to modify this one a little. I know. But, I am only going to commit to making the bed when I am the last one out of it, which is 99% of the time. The weekend this challenge started the Hubs had taken off work. So I was knowing I wanted to make the bed, but he was still in it. Once my day gets going I am not going to go back and make the bed. So, I have made the bed every day that I was the last to get out of it, so far.

#45 - Clean the kitchen every day before work for 1001 days
I have been doing this. Now what I consider cleaning the kitchen with regards to this challenge is to make sure there are no dishes in the sink, the counters and stove are cleaned off, and the floors are clean. So I have been doing that so far.

#56 - Donate to charities through CFC every year
Now I have to admit that for 2010 I had to sign up for this before the new year. But this year I donated to the Marine Mammal Center. They rescue, rehabilitate, and then release marine mammals. They also have a huge educational component, which I love. I have a special place in my heart for marine mammals. Hopefully I will get to go visit this facility one day (maybe get to check of another task by doing it).

#58 - Go to church more regularly
Well there has only been one Sunday since this challenge began and I did go to church. For me going to church is such a great experience. I always learn something and I feel like it is always related to something I am experiencing in my life. This past Sunday, Dr. Washington spoke on the determination needed to achieve your goals. Definitely something the Hubs and I needed to hear.

#28 Read 100 books

I just finished reading Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker. So it took me 6 days to get me through this book. I liked this book; it kinda reminded me a the Saw movies. You know, what would you do to save the life of someone you loved. Parts of the book frustrated me because I wanted the truth to come out. I would recommend it to someone who likes crime/suspense books.

101 in 1001

I was going to make a list of 10 green things I wanted to accomplish in 2010. Instead, I am going to do a 101 in 1001 list. Yes, I am going to try to accomplish 101 different new things in 1001 days. I am going to start 1/1/2010 and my 1001 days will end 9/27/2012 (yes that does include the leap year in 2012). Wow, now that the dates are written out that is a long time.

So here it goes:

The mission: Complete 101 preset tasks on 1001 days.

The criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Items that have been completed will be strikedthrough.
Items that I am currently working on will be green.
GOING GREEN
1. This is the biggest one...Get the Hubs on board with the "green" lifestyle
2. Convert all cleaning products to eco-friendly ones, preferably homemade
3. Convert all beauty products to eco-friendly ones
4. Get educated with books and documentaries
5. Reduce the use of paper towels
6. Shop locally and at farmer's markets
7. Start composting (5/11)
8. Use recycled toilet paper
9. Reduce water usage10. Figure out a way to reduce junk mail

TRAVEL
11. Visit friends in NC (2/2010)
12. Visit a US city I have never been to (7/2011)
13. Travel outside of the country
14. Visit friends that are moving to Omaha
15. Go to Vegas (7/9-7/16/2010)
16. Go see a Broadway show
17. Visit 5 attractions in the tri-state area that I have never been to or don't remember
18. Go to a vineyard (7/12/10)
19. Actually take pictures during my travels
20. Visit a National Park

CREATE
21. Track my 101 in 1001 experience in my blog
22. Make 10 new recipes (10/10) +3
23. Take an activity class just for fun and not related to Grad School (3/11/11)
24. Start making my own hair and beauty products
25. Give homemade products as gifts (and for feedback)

EXPAND KNOWLEDGE
26. Finish Grad School(12/7/10)
27. Read 50 books that are not crime related (17/50)
28. Read 100 books not including 50 above (19/100)
29. Re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and remember why I love the book so much
30. Watch 5 documentaries on eco-friendly living (5/5)
31. Go to 10 new restaurants (10/10) +1 last updated 8/16/11

32. Go to an opera (5/16/11)
33. Learn to correctly tie a bow tie
34. Learn a new language
35. Be able to accurately label a US map
36. Be able to accurately label a map of Africa
37. Be able to identify 5 constellations
38. Learn about a current political issue and be able to speak on it intelligibly
39. Learn how to change the oil in my car

ORGANIZE
40. Finally change my name on all documents
41. Organize and clean my entire home
42. Paint the guest room
43. Donate clothes and shoes that the Hubs and I no longer wear
44. Make the bed every day for 1001 days
45. Make sure the kitchen is clean every day before I go to work for 1001 days

RE-CONNECT
46. Send Christmas cards (12/2010)
47. Meet 3 online friends in real life (7/3/2010)
48. Have a GTG with people I have not seen since high school
49. Restart "Girls Night Out"
50. Go out to lunch with my mom and mother-in-law (5/8/2010)
51. Spend the day doing whatever the Hubs wants to do
52. Join an organization that will help my career goals

GIVE BACK
53. Donate to Sankofa International
54. Pay for the meal of someone behind me
55. Volunteer at a food bank or shelter
56. Donate to charities through CFC every year (2/3)
57. Put money in someones expired meter
58. Go to church more regularly

FINANCIAL/LEGAL
59. Get term-life insurance for the Hubs and I
60. Get a living will and trust for the Hubs and I
61. Reach our goal for our E-fund (2012)
62. Open ROTH IRA's for the Hubs and I
63. Become debt free except for the mortgage
64. Update my resume and have it reviewed by others
65. Make an actual effort to find my dream job
66. Research a stock and invest in it
67. Put $5 in savings for each task completed

HEALTH
68. Run 3 miles in 30 minutes
69. Run in an organized 5K
70. Train for a 10K
71. Swim 50 hours (1/50)
72. Eat vegan for a day
73. Eat raw for a day
74. Attend a spinning class once a week for a month
75. Go on a run with the Hubs
76. Get to my goal weight the healthy way
77. Go to a naturopath doctor (1/24/11)
78. Go to the doc and have the TTC discussion (OMG!) (2/11/10)

GOOD FOR THE SOUL
79. Spend an entire day with my goddaughter (just us and maybe the Hubs)
80. Get dressed up for a night on the town with the Hubs
81. Convince someone else to start 101 in 1001 (1/1/10)
82. Write down 10 reasons why I love the Hubs and give it to him (6/13/10)
83. Surprise the Hubs with a romantic evening
84. Embrace my inner beauty, Diva, bombshell, sexpot for a night
85. Watch a sunrise
86. Watch a sunset (3/18/10)
87. Kiss the Hubs in the rain

JUST FOR FUN
88. Buy a pair of shoes I want no matter the price (12/7/10)
89. Go to a professional tennis match(8/2-8/3/10)
90. Do B-pics as a gift for the Hubs
91. Go see "Sex and the City 2" with the girls(5/28/10)
92. Do Karaoke (12/25/10)
93. Play in the rain (6/11)
94. Get the Hubs to act like a kid as much as I do for an activity (12/31/11)
95. Buy a gift for the Hubs that will really surprise him and not worry about the price
96. Stay in a fancy room in a hotel for one night (maybe the penthouse!)
97. Go see Cirque du Soleil (7/13/10)
98. Take a dance class
99. Grow my hair for 1001 days only getting trims
100. Play Trivial Pursuit and learn some things (3/19/10)
101. Do something rewarding at the end on my 1001 days!!