11 things in 2011

10 things in 2010 could only be followed by you guessed it, 11 things in 2011.
A mix of personal, crafty, sporty, life-y goals. I like focus you see, oh and ticking things off a list.
Here they are, in all their glory
1. Gold Coast marathon. 42kms. Oh yeah.
2. Rejoin running group (see above)
3. Try kickboxing. It was on last year's list
4. Volunteer on a food bus. Or in any capacity really. Time to give back.
5. See some live music. I haven't done this in ages and used to go all the time.
6. Read 20 books.
7. Go camping. I've been bugging Mr T for ages. He's totally onside.
8. Knit socks.
9. Finish the crochet blanket
10. Rock red lippy for a week. Man that stuff is scary. I want to tame the fear.
11. Dare I say it - get a new job.

10 things in '10: Final update

1. Take French language lessons: Not done. But I do have plenty of listening material on my iPod. 2. Read 12 books: Done! 15 books. Nothing outstanding, but I do credit the Stieg Larsson Millennium series for getting me back on the reading wagon. 3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09): Done, sans hangover. 4. Run something with the word marathon in the title (half or full - I haven't decided): Done! Half marathon ran in July. 5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year: Still going. 6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing: Not quite 10 hours yet, but summer's here and I'm keen to get out there again 7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group: Joining a running group saw my times improve dramatically. So worth it. 8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes: I think I only did a term, but I did enjoy it. 9. *Insert Financial goal here* You can never really have enough. But I should be set for my six months off work including two months in Europe. 10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish. Not quite the five dishes mastered, but I do feel more comfortable cooking with fish (and meat as it turns out). This chicken satay dish converted really well to fish (see above) and of course a whole fish was cooked. I also had a go at curing fish.

The weekend part I

Started with a hearty and healthy breakfast before climbing the 1000 steps at Ferntree Gully National Park. It's a workout! One that comes highly recommended and should definitely not be attempted with a hangover like I did last year (and failed miserably).

Another item crossed off the list. With a big thanks to my Mum for driving me out there, because hey, I deem it too far by scooter!

Trash TV is good for something

I am resigned to the fact that there's no way I'll finish my cotton crochet blanket this year unless something amazing happens that involves me not working another day and seeing out the rest of 2010 with a whole lot of crochet. Unlikely at best. However there a two new time slots in which to get some hooking happening. Hello, Survivor: Nicaragua and to a much lesser extent, but in support of Mr T's infatuation, Amazing Race. This makes my little Virgo heart very happy as I multitask.

It ain't pretty

It doesn't get much better than a call from Mum asking me if I want to cross cooking a whole fish off my '10 things in 2010' list. Hell yes I do. Even better when she'll be supplying the fish.

It was 1.1kg of ocean trout, marinated with Chermoula, wrapped in baking paper and cooked in the oven, served with smashed potatoes and bok choy. The four of us devoured it all.

10 things in '10: 6-10 update

6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing - Still at 3:15 with my back being super sensitive. Come summer hopefully I'll be back in the water
7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group - On a break from running group, but said I'd return in September. I'm thinking a PT for some kickboxing. Which could really help strengthen my core, legs and back.
8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes - Term 3 just about done. Though I have ended up with a wall of unfinished business.
9. >Insert Financial goal here<. Savings lots of them. Still on track. Very very close to booking the tickets to NYC & Europe.
10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish - If you replaced lamb with fish I'd be well on track! For the first time ever I've started cooking meat (I still don't eat it). But I can add slow cooked lamb shanks and pot pie to my culinary can-do. Just not a whole cooked fish...

10 things in '10: 1-6 update

August comes to a close and I thought it was time to revisit my 10 things in '10 list.

1. Take French language lessons - Uh, I really need to start. Currently trying french by immersion, by borrowing lots of French films & listening to French radio.
   
2. Read 12 books - 11 down! Easiest to read has been the Girl with the dragon tattoo series. And really enjoying my current read Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstien. Always taking book recommendations!
   
3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09) - Forgot about this one! Worthwhile revisiting the list.
   
4. Run something with 'marathon' in the title - July's Run Melbourne Half marathon went pretty well. I was a minute off my 2007 PB which was a little frustrating. But overall happy with my effort. The plan is to finish off the year with a few 10kms. Focus now is on a 210km ride in October.
   
5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year - Spending far less time in the car over the Winter which means less crocheting. No excuses. I've got to get it out again if it's ever going to be finished.
   

10 things in 2010: 6-10 update

6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing - So I got to 3:15 before I did myself a back injury (the physio mentioned possibility of a herniated disc which hasn't been a whole lot of fun). Don't windsurf when overtired! I'm still keen to get better, I just think I need to find a teacher that isn't my partner and work on some back strength.
7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group - Who knew running could be fun? I do it for the challenge, it's a bonus that for an hour each week, with my new running group I actually enjoy it!!
8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes - Term 1 done. The gum leaves were my last attempt. I'm going to sit out term 2 due to work commitments but plan to go back in term 3.
9. >Insert Financial goal here<. Savings lots of them. This is going really well, even with budgeting for some big (boring) expenses later in the year. Paris is looking good too!
10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish - Sadly as good as Miso glazed fish tastes, it doesn't photograph so well, or maybe I need to work on my styling! I'm a couple of fish dishes down and hoping to cook a whole Salmon sometime soon.

10 things in 2010

It's starting to feel like 2010. I only just got a diary today. At lunchtime. I tell you, celebrating the new year in a different country has thrown me. Ending our holiday in the cold that was Japan I feel as though our Summer hasn't begun and it's nearly over! We're one month into 2010 and it time to get down some aspirations for the year. 10 things in 2010, to follow on from the 9 things in 2009. Which worked for me better than resolutions. Last year the focus was on the marathon and living a more creative life. This year I'd like the two to play nicely throughout the year. I want to be able to focus on fitness & creativity all at once. It's going to take some fine tuning, but I think I can do it.

On the list:
1. Take French language lessons
2. Read 12 books
3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09)
4. Run something with the word marathon in the title (half or full - I haven't decided)
5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year
6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing - I'm still learning to pull the sail up!
7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group
8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes
9. >Insert Financial goal here< Savings. Lots of them. I can smell the next OS venture already.
10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish.