Today I turn 30

So long twenties, hello thirties. You're looking quite promising from here. A whole new personal decade chock full of things to look forward to. To get the ball rolling, I've crafted a list of 30 things to try by this time next year. So, without further adieu, and in no particular order:

01. Purchase an honest-to-goodness couch or sectional of comfort and high design, preferably leather. I'm liking everything about this one except that absurd price! Buh-bye futon.
02. Shed 30 pounds.
03. Splurge on fresh flowers for no other reason than just because.
04. Shop at the farmers market.
05. Prepare a meal made exclusively from local, organic, in-season ingredients.
06. Stock pantry with canned/preserved edible goodies I made myself.
07. Take a train trip with Ryan.
08. Start taking those pesky and persistent licensing exams.
09. Volunteer.
10. Seriously consider having my eyebrows and mustache (gasp) waxed on a regular basis.
11. Go for one of those ultra-luxurious hot stone massages by the girl who walks on your back.
12. Take a yoga class.
13. Go to a Presbyterian service with our friend Adam.
14. Participate in a walking marathon.
15. Dip my feet in Oregon's sandy beaches no less than four times this year!
16. Orchestrate an olive-oil tasting with Ryan.
17. Explore Mt. Rainier in all its glory.
18. Make homemade marshmallows. And granola.
19. Transition out of using wrapping paper and into using fabric bags.
20. In the spirit of minimalism, consolidate my shoe collection by half. I think I can do this.
21. In that same spirit, cook using more five-ingredient recipes.
22. Sew a tailored-to-me garment and wear it.
23. Learn how to make my own non-toxic cleaning products.
24. Master the art of Chicago-style pizza (and nail down Dove Vivi's cornmeal crust).
25. Reread Wuthering Heights and other classics.
26. Spend a glorious afternoon by myself at the Tao of Tea with a good book.
27. Cook a fish dish. We never eat fish.
28. Patch all the nail holes in my walls and start using picture rail hooks like a normal adult.
29. Embroider old-school pillow cases.
30. Go snow shoeing/cross country skiing.