Friday, April 17, 2015

30 before 30 {ready, set, go!}


Admittedly I'm a bit behind on posting this. OK, it's been approximately 1 month and about 29 days since I turned the big 2-9, but who's counting? To be completely honest, I've had this list drafted for a while now, well before my 29th year struck, but there was something about the first item on my list that kept me from posting, that being this whole New York ride I'm on now. I guess I was afraid of jinxing something I've wanted so badly, that it felt strange to publish it, so, well, permanently

But that's the point of this whole thing, isn't it?

To really own up to what I've realized I know about myself (all thanks to my 20s) and to really look long and hard at what I want to accomplish next (hello, 30s!). Sure, some of these are moonshots. I may not get through every last one of them. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it, either. Regardless, the next year is full of so many exciting firsts, that I really want this list to serve as a mini testament to the things I don't want to put off any longer. Some small. Some monumental. Some silly. Some that will take me a great deal of courage. 

And I'm beyond excited to try them all.

Let's kick things off, shall we?

1. Finally, finally, finally move to New York City. (Done! As of April 6, 2015)

2. Once I'm there, become a pro at the subway (i.e. stop relying on Google Maps as much).

3. Start those piano lessons I talked about last year, and the year before that.

4. Write. A lot more. It's one of the main reasons I started this blog and I resent the fact I don't always get as much time to put the energy I'd like into every post. But I want to make an effort to change that.

5. Redesign this blog. It's more or less looked like this for far too long. It's time to bring it from 1999 to 2015.

6. Explore the East Coast as much as possible. High on my list this summer? Boston. Philadelphia. Washington D.C.

7. Run the New York Marathon.

8. With #7 in mind, I'd like to refocus on my overall fitness. In the past, I've gone back forth between different fad diets and haven't stuck with a general workout regimen for more than a few weeks or so. Now that I have far less commute time on the clock, it's all about getting strong and fit!

9. Visit Japan, chase the cherry blossoms via a rented motorcycle (technically to do that, I'll be 30 when spring rolls back around, but close enough).

10. Go to New Orleans. (Trip is booked for Christine's birthday later in June!)

11. Volunteer. Have been volunteering at a women's shelter. 

12. Take ballet classes.

13. Go to a Knicks game. Or two. 

14. Also, go to a Mets game (maybe when they play the Giants later in June!).  Done! The Giants lost though :(

15. Take the ferry to Brooklyn.

16. Speaking of, explore Brooklyn.

17. Make time to read every day. Taking a crack at this list here.

18. Surfing lessons. Funny how I move away from California, and this winds up on my list. Done! In Mexico! And it was a blast!

19. Visit all the museums in New York City. Apparently there's 83, so I got my work cut out for me.

20. Have friends over for dinner once a month. And actually make dinner as opposed to ordering it.

21. Go on weekend trips with friends up to Montauk as much as possible this summer.

22. Learn how to drive a motorcycle.

23. Visit Chicago. I've never been -- isn't that crazy?! Twice! Boom! Love that city!

24. Learn how to fly fish. Luckily I have a pretty great guide right here. Trip was canceled.

25. Find a reason to celebrate at Eleven Madison Park

26. Go hiking in Utah, and then hop over to Arizona so I can finally see this up close and personal

27. See a Broadway show at least once a month. February: If/Then // March: None // April: The Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder // May: None // June: An American in Paris and Matilda // July: None // 

28. Already did the skydiving thing in New Zealand back in 2013, so how about bungee jumping?

29. Buy a stranger their morning coffee. Because, well, I've always wanted to! Did it!

30. Weather permitting, make a point to read a book out in Central Park as often as possible.

All in all, I think this list feels fairly actionable -- and I'm ready to start checking things off, one by one throughout this coming year. Ready, set, go!

22 comments:

  1. Love this idea! Definitely looking forward to pictures of those cherry blossoms if (when!) you get there next spring. I'm going to make a list around my next birthday. Documenting goals may help keep me accountable.

    Shae @ www.currenthabits.com

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  2. I love this list! I've noticed your blogs have included more of your writing recently (#4) and I've really enjoyed it. Your writing has been insightful and honest and fun... I'm looking forward to seeing you check off the rest of these.

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  3. I can't believe you've never been to Chicago! This is such a great list. I should make one too! I've got almost 4 years but if I have as much stuff to do as you it's going to take me a while!

    COOCOO FOR COCO

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  4. awesome photos ; -)


    new post

    www.live-style20.blogspot.com

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  5. Great post! Horeshoe Bend is in Arizona, though

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    Replies
    1. Ohhhh great catch! Updating now! Thank you!

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    2. I'm an AZ native and avid hiker ;) It's a common misconception since it's so close to the UT/AZ border

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  6. 23. I can't believe you've never been to Chicago! I am a Chicago native and it's an incredible city in the summer! So many music festivals, food festivals, and events happening. There's pretty much something every weekend to enjoy! Plus, we have ALMOST as many museums as New York ;o)

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  7. Personally I think #24 is a the best! I may be biased though. Great post as always, your intelligence continues to be highlighted through your writing. xoxox

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    Replies
    1. Well I hope you're up for the challenge of teaching me how to fly fish! Maybe in Montana?! :)

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  8. Love your list!

    Check out my latest OUTFIT POST on my fashion blog and feel free to enter my latest Printic giveaway!

    XoXo Venoma
    Venoma Fashion Freak

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  9. It's a bit of a list but they could definitely be ticked off! Excited for you :)
    http://www.wllwproject.com

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  10. Great list Krista! It will be fun to watch you do them;D

    Ann of Kremb de la Kremb

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, I keep calling you Krista! Duh. Krystal. Sorry about that;P A x

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    2. No worries at all! :) Thanks for reading!!

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  11. This seems like crazy busy and exhausting before next spring! ha! I would pick my favorite things to do and just do a few... I should create one of those lists too lol

    Happy Medley

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  12. Sounds like a whole lot...have stolen a few things from your list lool. Really love your writing! It's very insightful and interesting.

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  13. Great list Krystal, have fun crossing things off!! I did my own 30 before 30 list too, you can read about it here if you're so inclined :-): http://www.drivingmissdaisyblog.wordpress.com/

    Daisy xo

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  14. HIGHLY recommend running NYCM - I ran it last year and it's freakin' fantastic!

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  15. New Orleans is the absolute best! My best friend moved from Richmond to NOLA a few years ago. She lived in the French Quarter but quickly fell in love with the neighborhoods outside of the Quarter. I visited her once before she moved back home for grad school but we recently took a trip together in March. Both visits have been my favorite trips ever. It is the best city to ride bikes in (horrible parking, taxis are sparse and Uber is tough to come by) so we took our own bikes this past trip. I suggest riding to the Bywater (arts district) for praline bacon and bloody marys at Elizabeth's and then hop over to The Country Club for a day at the pool/some more bevs/and fried green tomato pizza, go to the Marigny for karaoke any night of the week at Kajun's Pub, rent a bike and join the NOLA Social Ride on Thursday nights (they have a FB page), it is a group of 60 or so bike riders that ride around the city with beer in tow and the ringleaders blasting music from a speaker strapped to their cruiser bike, buy a basket of crawfish and some bloody marys and walk over to the river and eat lunch on the steps with the most awesome view, Frenchmen Street is really where it is at---not Bourbon Street (there is an awesome market on Frenchmen with local artists and jewelers), take a trolley to mid-city and get drinks at The Columns and you HAVE to go see Glen David Andrews play at DBA (he is Trombone Shorty's nephew and DBA is a bar on Frenchmen). There are some obvious things you can google to find to do in NOLA like the best restaurants and what not but these are my "off-the-beaten-path" suggestions. Once you fall in love with the South, you should head 6 hours south on 95 and visit Richmond, Virginia. We are known for our food scene, the James river that flows right through the city and our vibrant art culture. Not to mention the history of the place being the capital of the south...there are plenty of very old, historical things to see such as the church where Patrick Henry gave his "give me liberty or give me death" speech. Anyway, most New Yorkers that visit fall in love and write about it in NYT, Saveur, etc. We'd love to have ya!

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