tink makes art

Yes, I realize it is now 2012, but I still have unmet goals left from my twelve by 2012 challenge! I’m determined to finish ALL of them. Did you participate in this challenge started by Danni over at oh, hello friend? Did you finish your goals? Are you still working on them?

Completed goals:

Goal #1. Run a half marathon. Done!

Goal #4. Complete a V3 route. Done, and now working on V4s!

Goal #5. Apply for school. In December, this changed to “Apply for jobs!” I now work as a freelance editor and interior decorator/stylist!

Goal #6. Host a “stock-my-bar” party. Done!

Goal #7. Pray more. Prayer is an amazing thing.

Goal #8. Double my savings. See #5. Getting laid off puts a wrench in some plans…

Goal #10. Respond to my Facebook messages. Done!

Goal #12. Print this list, and check off goals 1 – 11 once they are met. Done, and in progress!

Still to do…

Goal #2. Create a Bull City Salon logo stencil and start tagging.

Goal #3. Read (or listen to) 5 books. I finished 3, so only 2 more to go.

Goal #9. Eat a gluten-free diet for one week. Still to do!

Goal #11. Cook Jillian a fabulous, healthy meal. I’ve cooked a bunch, but still need to cook one special for her!

Wish me luck!

Do you remember my post a while back about how I joined Danni over at oh, hello friend  and others in the twelve by 2012 challenge? Well, I wanted to give you an update on my progress so far, since we only 22 more days in 2011. Gulp!

Here are my original goals along with there updates…

1. Run a half marathon. Done! Read about my experience here.

2. Create a Bull City Salon logo stencil and start tagging. Still to do!

3. Read (or listen to) 5 books. So far, I’ve read Sex God by Bell and The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I’m currently reading Jesus for President and The Bookseller of Kabul, and I plan to read Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer during my road trip out west later this month.

4. Complete a V3 route. Done! See me in action here.

5. Apply for school. This has changed to “Apply for jobs!”  I’m looking to relocate to California, New York, or Florida…or any other place the wind takes me. I still intend to apply for school in the new year, but for now, the need for employment takes priority! Did I mention I’m available for hire?!

6. Host a “stock-my-bar” party. Done! And WE. ARE. STOCKED!

7. Pray more. And listen. God’s been doing amazing things in my life. Have you ever had a change of heart on something and when you realize how impossible that seemed before, you instantly feel a rush of gratitude and amazement? Well, I’ve had that feeling a lot recently, and not towards anything specific…just the feeling of growth and the peace and comfort knowing “I’m OK, and I’m going to continue to be OK.” I am truly grateful, amazed, and strengthened by God’s love for me.

8. Double my savings. Mmm…well, see #5. Unemployment makes saving a bit tricky, so, sadly, this one may not get a check mark.

9. Eat a gluten-free diet for one week. Still to do!

10. Respond to my Facebook messages. Yes…still to do…!

11. Cook Jillian a fabulous, healthy meal. I’ve cooked a lot more recently at the house, but I haven’t cooked a meal specifically for Jillian, so doing that is still a goal to accomplish before 2012!

12. Print this list, and check off goals 1 – 11 once they are met. Done! And each check mark is so satisfying!

If you’re participating in the twelve by 2012 challenge, how are your goals coming along? If not, do you have any left “to-dos” before the new year?

Twelve by 2012 Goal #4: Complete a V3 route. Done! I’m feeling solid at V2 problems and am confident working on V3′s. I’m pleased with my progress, and I can’t wait to finish a V4…and then a V5, V6, V7, and so on. Rock climbing is addicting and challenging (in all ways good!). I’ll have my first outdoor excursion out west in December, which I’m thoroughly looking forward to.

Here are two videos of me climbing the V3 I completed. Unfortunately, they don’t show me finishing the route…only me climbing two thirds’s of the way and then falling. Ha. It was the end of the night, and my body was completely exhausted after two hours of climbing. What can I say?

P.S. It wasn’t really the 15th and 52nd take. Haha.

6:15am. Heading to the start line. Excited!

My goal #1 for twelve by 2012 was “Run a half marathon.” I did it! I ran my first half marathon! My official time was 2:10:28! I, surprisingly, felt great physically and mentally during my run. I had no digestive issues  (my biggest concern); I was able to breathe fully with no cramping; and my mind was my ally for once. With only minor knee and hip joint pain towards the end, I felt amazing. I smiled the whole time and ran the entire course (with short 15 second stretch breaks at the water stations for my hips). Races are so energizing with all the onlookers and drive-byers cheering you on. This was the first race where my name was printed on my race bib so hearing “GO, RACHEL! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!” from complete strangers was quite a sweet treat that kept me pacing forward. It might be one of the first times in my life where I was extremely proud of myself. I felt so accomplished and able. Once panting after a 5 minute jog, I can now say I’ve run 13.1 miles! Truly, with patience and dedication, we can do anything we set our minds too.

Pam, John, Jillian, and I after the race!

My goal #3 for twelve by 2012 is “Read (or listen to) 5 books.” One more down, which brings me to two! I listened to The Art of Racing in the Rainby Garth Stein. A story of human life as observed and lived by a dog…and snippets of fetching and barking too…ya know, dog things. The book wasn’t as engaging or impactful as I’d anticipated, but I still enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the narrator’s, Christopher Evan Welch, voices.

My goal #3 for twelve by 2012 is “Read (or listen to) 5 books.” So far, one down! I listened to Sex God by Rob Bell. GREAT book for anyone…whether you’re male or female, single or married…it’s a winner.

Danni over at oh, hello friend created twelve by 2012: a project of goals and is encouraging others to participate…and, of course, I’m in! I love lists. And goals. And lists of goals. And checking off lists. And meeting my goals. And checking off lists when I meet my goals. Oh my! Won’t you join? Here’s my list of my twelve goals that I’ll meet by 2012:

1. Run a half marathon. Is adding this one cheating if I already signed up for one and am currently training for it? NO, it’s not cheating! I still have to finish it…gulp. OBX Half Marathon. November 13th.

2. Create a Bull City Salon logo stencil and start tagging. This one takes a little explanation. Basically, my friend, Bliss, just opened a hair salon, Bull City Salon, and her mother, Tammi, whose also our (Heather Garrett Interior Design) graphic designer, created the Bull City Salon logo, which is rad. I’m making a stencil of the bull and stencils of a couple different hairstyles, then plastering the logo around town. Don’t worry, for Bliss’s and her business’s sake, they make spray chalk now.

3. Read (or listen to) 5 books. Got any suggestions?

4. Complete a V3 route. Bouldering routes range in difficulty from V0 to V16. I have very little patience when it comes to getting better in any athletic sport….including rock climbing. I want to be better, and I want to be better now! Bouldering has put me in my place and taught me, more than any sport ever, that technique and patience are just as important as, if not more important than, agility and speed. A V3. That’s all…for now.

5. Apply for school. Some say don’t get a second Bachelor’s degree, some say get a Master’s degree, some say don’t get another degree…”You don’t need it.” I say, apply for the Interior Design program at Meredith College and see what happens. It’ll only be two years max, and I’ll know more than I know now. Isn’t that the point?

6. Host a “stock-my-bar” party. Jillian and I are moving out of our duplex and into a house with a yard, an attic, a basement, and a bar. I have an old, red Asian cabinet that we’re turning into a snazzy bar for our dining room, and we’re gonna have a house warming party for our friends to help stock our bar! Should be good times…

7. Pray more. And listen.

8. Double my savings. I’d like to match what I currently have in it, which isn’t much, but if I double it, it’s twice the amount!

9. Eat a gluten-free diet for one week. I have stomach issues, yyeeeaa, and my doctor isn’t sure what it is. She’s tested me for just about everything. Tammi suggested trying a gluten-free diet. Apparently more and more folks are developing gluten sensitivities. It’s worth a try!

10. Respond to my Facebook messages. They’ve been building up since last year…YIKES! There are about 20 from good friends that need some heartfelt attention. For those awaiting a response…you’ll get one by 2012. Thanks for your patience!

11. Cook Jillian a fabulous, healthy meal. She’s the real pioneer when it comes to cooking at our house and often I come home to a plate of food waiting for me to devour it. It’s about time for me to return the favor…OK, past due!

12. Print this list, and check off goals 1 – 11 once they are met. Because I love lists. And goals. And lists of goals. And checking off lists. And meeting my goals. And checking off lists when I meet my goals…