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The Beginning 

2016 is the year I turn 29. One more year until 30.  Which brings to mind all the ideas of what my life would be like, when I was in elementary school wondering what I would be when I grew up.  I moved back home this year after living abroad for over two years,  and although the reverse culture shock has faded,  I'm still struggling to deal with being back (not out adventuring,  living a life more dreamy). In an effort to bring more meaning to my life back home,  and to bring  back some adventure,  I decided 2016 will be a year of "quests"! A fairly typical " thirty before thirty, " but phrased to appeal to my geek side, with "quests,"  "secret levels,"  and "boss battles." This is my chance to be the real life bard-class I've always enjoyed playing. The following are the 30 quests I must complete before I turn 30.

Quests in Humanities

1. Biographies -  learn about life from those who came before me.  Quest completion: read 10 biographies. (completed: 10)

2. Finances -  better understanding and control of finances.  Boss Battle: Create a functional budget.  Hidden Level: first investment.(complete)

3. Tithing -  donate 10% of time and money. Quest completion:  One charity focus a month to donate money to.  Three days a month volunteering. (1 of 2 parts complete)

4. Spirituality - this one may be a challenge for me.  The idea of delving into spiritual things makes me uneasy,  with so many people getting violent,  angry, judgmental,  and particular about "which religion is correct"  or "this is the Truth,  this you must believe".  However,  I do think faith and spirituality is important for understanding life and finding internal peace.  Will have to come up with a goal for this as I go along... (1/2 complete : went to a couple churches and spiritual meetings. An attempt, and better than the year before)

5. Performances -  opera,  symphony,  concerts,  live comedy,  music festivals, *folk festival,  *reenactment,  talks / speeches / seminars.  Quest completion: attend 6 performances.(completed: 7 of 6!)

6. Exhibits - gallery,  art walks,  craft fairs,  *folk festival,  *reenactment.  Quest completion: attend 6 exhibits. (completed: 9 of 6!)

7. Reunion -  me and five of my closest university friends plan to have a reunion, the first time all six of us will be in the same place at the same time in over six years.  We plan on Europe in October (possibly France? Italy? Some time in Switzerland for sure).  This is a very big Boss Battle: prepare for and make sure that this reunion happens.  June Update: Three of the six of us won't have the money for this reunion.  We are rescheduling this joyous occasion for next year. Instead, I will travel to England, Switzerland, and Korea to reunite with friends.(Complete)

Quests for Skills

8. Musical instrument -  currently,  I'm a passable tin whistle player,  which is beautiful,  but not great when making piercingly loud mistakes during practice.  Quest completion: learn three songs on a new instrument which can be played in social gatherings. Hidden Level: record three songs on YouTube for bonus points. (somewhat complete-ish: learned one song on the ukulele, then recorded and put on YouTube)

9. Languages- when I was living abroad,  one of my favorite things was to be surrounded by so many different languages.  My goal is to foster an enjoyment for languages.  This goal can be achieved by completing two (2) of the following mini quests: learn three songs in another language,  become involved with a multicultural /multilingual club,  take a language class. (did not attempt :,-( )

10. Writing - a handy skill to have.  Boss Battle: complete a short story ; Hidden Level: submit an article / story to be published; FINAL BOSS BATTLE: complete this blog. Hopefully show some improvement in my writing...  ;-)  (2 of 3 complete)

11. Photography -  also a handy skill,  and a hobby I've always enjoyed. Boss Battle 1: submit a photo for publishing or competition ; Boss Battle 2: photograph products for sale,  pet portraits,  or (eek!) people portraits for someone other than me to see and enjoy. (complete)

12. Utilize Pinterest -  I'm obsessed,  so I should find a way to make it a tool,  use it to help me complete the other quests.  Use as a source for writing prompts,  recipe ideas,  gardening and photography ideas,  and the like. (complete)

13. Garden -  I've always loved the idea of a house full of plants,  and of having fresh picked herbs and veggies to use in my meals (but have always had a bit of a black thumb).  Boss Battle 1: create an herb garden ; Boss Battle 2: create a veggie garden. (complete)

14. Compost -  I hate the smell of food trash,  and love the idea of using the (usable)  leftovers in a constructive way.  Boss Battle 1: acquire a composter (bonus points for constructing one by hand)(complete) ; Boss Battle 2: use compost on the garden. (1 of 2 complete)

15. Housework -  do the sort of "honey do"  list,  since I love projects and fixing things... And need to be a more helpful / productive roommate. Boss Battle 1: Assist in the renovation of the upstairs bathroom; Boss Battle 2: assist with one more major house project. (complete)

16. Job work -  new job,  lots to figure out.  Need to be more efficient and crank through the tasks.  The great (and bad)  thing about working on commission : the amount of work I complete = the amount of money I can earn.  I need to get rid of these school loans and debt I've accumulated.  Goal for this quest: keep improving. (complete)

Quests for Health and Fortitude 

17. Cleanses -  after being diagnosed with IBS a couple years ago,  I started reading more about gut health and it seems like there are a lot of internal organ cleanses that can be very good for overall health. Boss Battle 1: complete one colon cleanse; Boss Battle 2: complete one liver cleanse; Boss Battle 3: complete one more cleanse.(complete)

18. Exercise -  things like yoga,  going to the gym,  jazzercize,  or other active muscley things.  Quest completion: exercise 3 Days a week during this year. (somewhat complete : Did well until about August 2016. Huge improvement over the year before.)

19. Live active -  hiking,  camping,  horseback riding,  racing ; making my life one where I enjoy the abilities of my body.  Boss Battle: participate in a race (or similar). (complete, technically)

20. Meal plan -  time to start taking my health and nutrition seriously.  Quest completion: plan for one workweek of one meal (breakfast,  lunch,  or dinner for five days a week) every week. (Worked on, but only truly attempted a few times, so I don't feel like it was quite a success, this time)

21. Dental exam -  haven't had my teeth checked in about four years or so,  and need to maybe get some of the things looked at.  Apparently the new dentist mom went to is hot and tech savvy.  Sounds like a good place to break my fast at. Quest completion: have a dental exam /cleaning. (did not attempt :( )

22. Contact lenses -  found out this year that my eyes (especially the left)  have a bit of a sensitivity to contact lenses and will need to switch to daily disposables (or remain as a glasses wearer... Or get surgery.  Don't particularly like either of those options).   Quest completion: acquire contact lenses. (complete)

23. Knee -  somehow I hurt my knee this autumn.  It's always been the weaker knee,  and with regular,  careful exercise it's gotten a bit better,  but it really should be looked at.  Can't do much adventuring with an out of control  bummed knee.  Boss Battle : visit a doctor about the knee,  and then do as the doctor says. (complete)

24. Floss -  best way to keep what you've got is take care of it.  Quest completion: Floss at least four times a week for a year. (three times a week... but, still, it was consistent, and three time more often a week than the year before! ;-p  Complete)

25. Skin -  same as above.  I'm getting to the age where I need to pay attention to these things.  Boss Battle: create homemade,  healthy body butter. (complete)

Plus: five extra points to grow on -  points to add to my preferred Quest or Class:

(1)----> 26. Friends - keep in better communication with friends. If possible, actually get some face time or physical presence time. Write letters, video chat, and simply send messages checking in on them and their lives, and letting them know that I am thinking of them (because I do, often. I just don't say it). (Quests in Humanities) (Quest complete)

(2)----> 27. Family - do activities and events with the family. Boss Battle 1: Beach trip in June. Boss Battle 2: Go do something fun with dad!  (Quests in Humanities) (1 of 2 complete :,-( )

(3) ----> 28. Acquire Transportation - my 1991 Toyota Camry was a tough little tank, but needed some new major parts. I prayed for my safety and continued life  of that car every time I ventured out onto the highway (dramatic! not really that bad). I rarely drove highways at night, and never for more than 25 minutes at a time. Didn't want to push my luck. Quest Completion: purchase a newer, more reliable vehicle.  (Quests for Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete.)

(4) ----> 29. Acquire a Computer - My seven year old MacBook is no longer functional, and although I can get by with a tablet at home and using the computer at work... I would feel more self-sufficient if I had my own computer again. (Quests for Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete.)

(5) ----> 30. Be Open to Companionship - It's one thing to be single to focus on rebuilding myself and achieving my goals. It's a completely other thing if I am doing it to be a stubborn scaredy-cat who doesn't want to go through all that heartbreak again. So, now that I've rediscovered who I am, I am now allowing myself (::ehem:: pushing myself a little) to experience and explore exciting possibilities with someone new. -_^ (Quest in Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete! ;-D)

I plan to post updates on my progress on this blog. My posts will serve as evidence of the success of my quests (and to hopefully keep me motivated to complete all these things). I'll consider this all a success if I've completed at least 2/3 of what I've laid out above.  I know that doesn't sound very enthusiastic or inspiring,  but when  was the last time you completed ALL of your New Year's Resolutions? I'd hate to set myself up for too much disappointment.  Better to be a little bit realistic  ;-)

Looking forward to a great new year!
K Jet