30 by 30

Okay... let's not get ahead of ourselves... I don't turn the big 3-0 until 2011. And in no way am I trying to rush into my 30's... but I have come to realize that there are several things I want to accomplish before I enter that next phase of life. And I, my friends, am a list person... I make lists of lists. So I figured, hey, what better way to push me out of my comfort zone than to make a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. Some of the things on my list are pretty easy, and will only take a little self-discipline to complete... Then I have a few other items on my list that will require some major planning and will definitely push me out of my comfort zone... which, quite frankly, is the point of "30 by 30."

By the time I, Julia Black, am 30 years old, I want to...

1. be a local tourist

2. see the Dave Mathews Band live in concert

3. make someone’s day anonymously

4. organize my old pictures

5. sleep under the stars

6. watch "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Casablanca"

7. edit and update my website

8. throw a themed party

9. photograph my first wedding

10. put in some volunteer hours

11. go to a Colts game

12. buy a pair of toms

13. get my second tattoo

14. workout consistently

15. pay off debt

16. take a class/workshop

17. read a classic

18. have a massive yard sale

19. put that yard sale money towards any open debt (see #15)

20. clean out the craft closet

21. bake cookies for my neighbors

22. take a hot air balloon ride

23. visit Chicago and/or Seattle

24. attend a book signing

25. find a beer that I like

26. support a young missionary

27. learn a new word, and actually use it

28. organize the contacts in my address book

29. check out all the Harry Potter hype

30. learn about my “family tree” and history