December & January Summary (Month 12 and the Final Month of Quests) - Work Complete!

Today I turned 30!

My "quest" to accomplish thirty things for myself before turning thirty has been completed, officially, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I've been updating the original list this whole time (found here), and I can't tell you how glad I am I did this.

This blog helped keep me accountable to myself and my own personal goals. I didn't do the blog with the intent of creating a following (although, hearing positive feedback from friends who have read it does leave me supercharged and excited to do more to complete my goals). I created this blog to have something ... tangible? electronically tangible, if that's possible? to show myself my progress; to show myself a record of the good things I've been able to successfully do for myself.

I did put a little caveat in my original goal setting: if I accomplish at least 2/3 of this list, I will consider the blog a success. I'm not used to finishing goals I set for myself, so I thought that this was necessary, in order to not let myself down.

However, I can definitely say I accomplish at least that, if not more. I have felt more confident in myself and happy with my own life for the accomplishments I have created for myself this year. I have goals for my 30th year now as well, but I am not sure yet if I will put them in blog form or not.

Quests Completed

(for the full list of completed quests, click here)

Quest #1 : Biographies
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons - technically was a fiction novel, but it was heavily based on the author's life. So, it may be a little bit of a stretch to call it a biography, but it was generally about her life growing up in the South, and how she overcame the adversities of her mother dying; living for a while with her alcoholic, neglectful, abusive father; and the musical chairs of homes after that.

I Am Malala - beautifully told and insightful. I have a bad habit of sort of lumping "all of the Middle East" into my mind, maybe from hearing nothing positive about the countries over there in the news; always some new, bad and scary thing that has happened.

My mind just sort of goes into auto-pilot, puts all that unhappiness in a tidy little box and puts in away on a shelf somewhere in the back of my mind. All new information tends to just redirect immediately to this unhappy little container in my brain for "The Middle East."

It was helpful to read her story, of growing up in Swat, Pakistan and the rise of The Taliban. Again, I didn't realize how much I had it ingrained in my psyche my misconceptions of how they were able to gain power over so many people until I read her story. So, I'm thankful I took the time to read her story, and reading of how she was able to maintain courage in the face of so much adversity.

Quest #2 : Finances
I bought myself a financial transaction register booklet to keep track of my accounts and overall cash flow, and that has been the most effective budget I've been able to create this year.

I also signed up for Acorns this year, micro-investing, and it's been neat to see how they balance their investment portfolios. I'd like to eventually transfer my money out of it, and into something maybe more aligned with my personal values, but there are really maybe only a few things in their portfolio that I'd rather not have my money in. So, I'm ok with it for now, while I'm attempting to grow a little Egg of Investment haha.

Quest #3 : Tithing
I have been a bit tight on money, so I've been holding back on tithing (need to cover those bills first!). But I tried to make up for it a bit this month, to be able to finish this year on a good note. So, for December, January, and technically February, I donated to:

1) Southern Poverty Law Center (to support human rights and upholding constitutional rights here in the U.S.); 2) Planned Parenthood - my local/regional affiliate (to support sexual health education and women's reproductive rights); and 3) NPR - my local affiliate/broadcasting station (to support freedom of the press, well researched journalism, and like, a bazillion great programs they have on there)

I think I've explained this before, in a different post, but, I think there are a plethora of great causes and non-profits out there, and no shortage of ways you can put your money to good use in helping support your community. I hate the feeling of powerlessness that I get from listening to the news, and I don't think it's a very realistic/helpful emotion.

I could do so much more for my community. I could take the time to be more involved and volunteer, for one. But, for now, I will at least help fund the people who are making it their life's work to do good in the community.

Quest #8 : Musical Instrument
I recorded something!! 8-o

I ran out of time (i.e. I kept putting this off, despite being something that makes me feel good), so I ended up doing just one song that is easy for people to sing along with, and recorded it, put it onto YouTube, and published it in my blog here.

I'll take that as a good solid start to my musical career. -_^

Quest #10 : Writing
Boss Battle: Create a short story
I have been keeping a dream journal / regular journal this year. So, again, pressed for time I decided to write up a few of my less personal dreams.

The stories a little darker than my awake-self usually is (aside from my healthy appreciation of good B-grade horror movies), but thought they may be fun to expand on someday and create actual stories out of them.
You can read them in my post here.

Big Boss Battle: Complete this blog! (if you are reading this, this has been a success ^-^)

Quest #11 : Photography
Boss Battle 1: Submit a photo for publishing
So, my birthday was coming up quick, and I had forgotten about this particular Boss Battle.

I was contemplating creating an Etsy or DeviantArt profile, something that I could set up and maybe sell the occasional photo on... but I want to take the time to polish up photos that I've taken over the years, really select a few decent quality photos, etc. etc.


Since this would take more time then I had at the moment, I took some creative license with my phrasing and "submitted" photos to a photobook publishing business to "publish" a photo book for myself and my own coffee table haha. The photobook is of my travels to Italy - Rome and Pompeii - and it was fun to look back and remember what a beautiful country it is!

Quest #12: Pinterest
In summary with this quest: I have used it as a tool to help me accomplish many of my goals this year, I'm not as addicted to it (not spending hours of my day anymore, just sorting photos/images into my boards), and I'm currently utilizing it to help me with meal planning. The taming of the Pinterest beast has been a success!

Here's to a wonderful year of questing! Huzzah!

K Jet

#8 Musical Instrument : Ukulele

So, I learned and recorded a song today.
Purely to satisfy my personal need to at least attempt this before this blog is officially finished.

Full disclosure:

1) I recorded vocal and ukulele tracks separately.
    I wasn't good enough to learn how to strum and sing at the same time in a day (jeez, didn't realize how hard it was to do those two different things at the same time! haha This has given a little extra appreciate for all those singers out there who play the instrument at the same time haha)

2) I attempted to edit this so that it wouldn't make your ears bleed.
    I actually attempted editing in several different ways for about an hour or two, but ended up going back to the second version, which had a little less layers of editing to it haha

3) Despite all this: it's still pretty raw on the ears to listen to.
    I'm not an experienced singer, ukulele player, or music editor at this point in my life, so, I hope your ears can forgive me if you chose to listen. ;-p

Now I can officially say, "I did do that, that one time" and have a better idea as to whether or not I want to continue trying to make music in the future (it was very fun, but a bit time consuming...a bit like editing pictures). I imagine that making good music would take quite a while and a lot of practice (both with the music making, and the music editing).

If the link below doesn't work, the video can also be found here.




(All photos are either taken by me, or my gentleman friend -_^  -_^)


It was fun, and, I would definitely like to take some time to improve.


K Jet

#10 Writing: Short Story

More of Gravy than of Grave About You

Wasn’t sure if my psyche was trying to tell me something, or if I had (most likely) eaten something that then didn’t agree with my stomach while I slept. These played out more like films - sweeping views, smooth transitions - than like my normal “what is my brain trying to tell me” dreams.

The Delicate Woman

1/29/16

Her hair was short and blond, slicked down the nape of her neck with lake water. She was 30-something and lithe, like a Tilda Swinton body double. She was swimming in the lake and marveling at how clear and blue the water was.

You could just make out the boulders lining the bottom, like bubbles cemented into perfect shapes. Boulders lined the edges of the water as well, covered in soft green moss, like bryophyte fur. It sparkled in its lagoon-like seclusion.

The people swimming nearby stopped, concerned. Quickly they became manic, writhing in the water to get a better look at their own bodies. They said they were burning. It was strange though that they were still so lily-white. With the trees surrounding us, there was no way to sunburn so quickly.

Then it hit her.

There were chemicals in the water. She was deathly allergic to these chemicals. She swam as fast as she could to the moss-covered safety, out of the poisonous water. But it was too late. As soon as she got out, the dappled sunlight started to sear her flesh. She could feel the life-energy draining out of her. Her companions were beyond the bridge, nearly completely out of sight; too far to hear her if she called out. Help was a hopeless desire.

She spoke to me. She begged me to tell her friends where to find her body. Then, with effort, she rolled herself down into a crevice between the boulders, desperately trying to shade her body from the flesh-scorching sun.

The Spider Man

3/23/16

The spider reached its massive leg out to touch the young man, as he was walking away.

::Don’t go:: it silently called to him.

The young man stopped and coolly turned around.

“You are released. You may let go.”

A wave of gratitude and relief rippled through the elephant-sized spider, as it shuddered, jerked, and collapsed to the ground. Within seconds, everything but the legs had melted away, leaving a viscous goo surrounding the lifeless, bare body of a little boy.

The young man looked away, tired but determined. He made his way into the next room of the old factory. A small group of people were being herded, terrified, by another giant spider. They looked to the young man, as if he would take pity on them and make the spider stop.

Not until everyone was here. Not until they will finally listen.

The boys were in pain. The psychic energy building and holding them together - these massive exoskeletons - was burning them up. He knew their pain, he could feel them screaming. But he needed them. Release will come when he is finished. This was too important.

The Hideaways

6/17/16

A mother and her 5 year old child, a young lady of about 20, and a woman scientist entered the mansion. It was being remodeled into an inn, and the basement was currently the focus. Workers were busily milling all around.

A young man with an important air about him quickly met the women in the foyer. He had something to show them downstairs, something he had discovered. He was a very serious person with a complete openness about him. The women trusted him.
In what used to be a laundry room - like, an actual room, not those pantries that hide the machines - there was something like an electrical outlet in the left corner of the back wall. It was obscured by some lumber, waiting to be used in the remodeling.

The young man pressed the outlet like a button, and a door opened in the concrete floor. There was a small room below. After everyone had a good look, he closed the secret door and it returned to being a seamless part of the smooth, cold floor.

There were many other rooms - bedrooms - down here along this hallway, all stripped to concrete floors and unpainted walls. He had found another secret room back here on the end. We helped him find three more.

He was baffled, what had possessed the original builder to put these in? But we understood. The scientist told him,
“What happens, when the government controls and outlaws certain people? You can’t record rent for invisible rooms.”
He understood what she meant, and just in time. The women’s pursuers had arrived on the mansion’s grounds. A sympathetic worker had ran as fast as he could to the house to warn us.

"Quickly!"
The young woman and the scientist were hid under the laundry room. The mother and her child under one of the bedrooms. We desperately try to make sure the switches aren’t visible. She - the leader of the pursuers - will overturn everything in the house to find them.
She arrived, with her armed, personal SWAT team.
I plead quietly, to whatever greater force in the universe that could help, please don’t let them be found.

Or forgotten.




That concludes that! Hope this inspires you to write your dreams and thoughts down as well!

K Jets

May Review (Month 5 of Quests)

May 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 19: Live Active - Boss Battle

I successfully completed a 5k race! The Comics for a Cure 5k benefited St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and was held at a popular local comic book shop on national Free Comic Book Day. I was one of only two people dressing up as a Dr. Who character (yes! Dr. Who has a comic book series, I'm not making this up. Published by Titan Comics, look it up ;-p ).

Quest #28: Acquire Transportation

Finally had to make the tough call on Walter, my '91 Camry. He was a tough, super solid old dude of a car, but when I found out it would take nearly $2,000 to fix him up to pass the safety inspection, I had to tap out. His repairs and maintenance were getting to be just too much. I took that money and put it down on a newer car. The great thing about this is, now I can travel regionally with ease and freedom! Like unlocking access to more rooms on a map, or new cities; I finally have my Epona to take me throughout Hyrule!

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 1: Biographies

May was a two-parter: Stan Lee's Amazing Fantastic Incredible: a Marvelous Memoir, and Felicia Day's You're Never Weird on the Internet [Almost]. These were in honor of the national Free Comic Book Day on May 7th this year. I cannot recommend Felicia Day's book highly enough. As a former homeschool kid myself, and a grown-up geek, I related to a lot of her story (although, these qualities are NOT required in order to get a lot from her autobiography). Her story of how she has persevered through anxiety, depression, and ::gasp:: sexism in Hollywood (and the gaming world :,-( ), and on to personal success was truly, honestly inspiring.

And... of course, Stan Lee's comic-book-styled autobiography was a blast. It's Stan Lee. Is counting comic books towards your yearly goals on Goodreads fair? Or is that kind of like cheating?

Quest # 2: Finances

Commission work has been good to my bank account. Buying the (much needed?) new used car was not. Seems to me that, whenever one has collected a lot of money, there is always new gear one needs to spend it all on, in order to continue to the next level. So, the finances quest was bittersweet this month: so thankful and happy to have enough to pay some money down and get that car I needed; a bit remorseful for having car payments now.

Quest # 3: Tithing

Catharsis has a name, and that name is Donations.

Or something like that... My whirlwind of donations this month helped allay my anxieties caused by watching/reading too much news, especially on the topic of politics (which ... is necessary to stay informed. I wish there was less sensationally-written news floating around)

Quest #6: Exhibits

Shakespeare's first folio (one of the extremely rare copies circulating North America) was on exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History. I tagged along with my older brother and his wife - both Shakespeare / English studies nerds - to check it out! There were a few really cool things that I learned in that exhibit... but the one that really stuck out was a realization that one of the main characters in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Titus Andromedon, appears to be a nod toward Shakespeare:

"Titus Andronicus" was one of the plays included in Shakespeare's First Folio. Coincidence?

I also went to "Artsplosure," a yearly collection of local artists and musicians downtown, set up street-fair style. I even ate some friend foods! I decided I need to start my own company, maybe a cafe...? Someplace with walls, for sure, so that I can purchase a bunch of art and write it off as a business expense. There was just so much beautiful talent! I want to buy all of it and be a patron for at least a few good artists... but could only really afford a few postcards. This time around. I will be back with a business card and a decorating budget someday....

"Artsplosure" festivities included chalking an intersection downtown.

Quest #12: Utilize Pinterest

Used Pinterest to get ideas for my TARDIS costume for the race!

::ooooOOOEEEoooo EEE OOO OOOOO:: (attempting the opening song/theremin noises)

Quest # 13: Garden

I have little peas growing on the plant ^_^  ::so much joy::. I've got poor drainage in that pot though...so it looks like maybe the plants are rotting from the roots up. I don't know if I'll be able to expect much more out of them this year...

My hanging herb garden. Lookin' healthy in this photo.

Baby peas!

Quest # 16: Job Work

I'm getting faster, but still not super happy with my quality. There were slightly fewer reports the latter half of May, so I was able to catch my breath a bit. I love when I have time to get out of the office for a bit for lunch, or to stay but leave a little early to go to the gym (or Gladiator Camp. So. Much. Fun.). It's a little harder to focus now though, without all the adrenaline of "Oh sh*t, this report is due tomorrow" coursing through my veins. This feels like deja vu...maybe student behavior is a little indicative of your work behavior.

Quest # 18: Exercise

I've been taking advantage of a two-week friend-pass to join my sister-in-law at her Gladiator Camp workouts. Holy cow it's a fun challenge! Reminds me of my high school days, learning hapkido: laughing through the pain and struggle, and loving (just about) every minute. Not sure if I want to switch spending money on a gym membership to spending money on this... the gym comes with a shower (which is good when I spend the night at the office), but Gladiator Camp is wayyy more fun. (Dear Reader, if there is a Gladiator Camp group meeting near you, I recommend trying it out if you can).

Quest # 20: Meal Plan

:: musical interlude:: "Say something, I'm giving up on youuuu...."

Quest # 24: Floss

The one constant on this list. If there is but one healthy thing I shall succeed in...

Quest #27: Family

The Superhero Run at the beginning of the month with my older brother and his wife was good bonding, especially with my sister-in-law. She was such a huge support while I struggled through my walk-running of the 5k. I know she said she was glad for the walking bits, that she was kinda tired too... but I kind of suspect she was being generous about that. She's pretty darn fit.

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies

The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, a memoir by a North Korean defector. I chose this one in honor of World Refugee Day in June.

Quest # 13: Garden

Revive and possibly replenish the garden! The mint died... totally peaced-out. But I may be able to cure the rot for some of the other plants and resurrect the sage plant...

Quest # 15: House Work - deck remodel.

I think Tim and I will really be able to finish the deck this month... As long as the weather and our schedules allow for it (which it didn't last month).

and... continue with the above Quests-in-Progress!

KJets

#19 Live Active

Boss Battle: "Participate in a race, or something similar."

The Race: Comics for a Cure, a 5k charity race (with superhero costumes) to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital.


I only realized now that I don't have a picture of me actually running, or even with my racing bib on... but I promise, I DID run the race! I wouldn't lie about dressing up as a fictional character to help raise money for sick children!

The whole getup: I dressed up as the TARDIS (a machine that travels through space and time), from Dr. Who.  

I had a whole theme going: Space tights; a tutu with twinkling fairy lights, as if it was a nebula full of stars; and a hand-made Police Box/TARDIS top. Finished it off with TARDIS blue nail polish and ribbon in my hair. Being my first foray into something kind of like cosplay (we won't count a typical school girl outfit worn to an Anime con), I have to say, 1) I enjoy nerdy dress-up, and 2) I have so much appreciation and respect for people who have actual, high quality, handmade costumes.

We made friends during the race!  (Side note: my sister-in-law makes a great Wonder Woman when she poses.. totally looks the part...)

Right after mentioning the fact that I wouldn't have the guts to wear a Flash shirt/costume to a race, up jogs two guys, one wearing The Flash shirt, and the other a Batman. They were down for the weekend for a friend's wedding, and figured a superhero 5k would be a great way to occupy themselves the morning of the wedding. Can't argue with that logic. Flash made a most excellent comic book recommendation: Gotham Academy. It really is like a DC comic version of Harry Potter. Totally adorable, exciting, and fun! 

KJets

March Review (Month 3 of Quests)

March 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 23: Knee
Went to get my first consultation with a physical therapist. His report was that, although there may be some wearing down of the meniscus, the main thing that will help me right now is to strengthen certain muscles in the hip and along the leg. I've been doing the exercises that he prescribed, and I am on the mend!

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 1: Biographies

March is Women History Month, and I was slated to read Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel. HOWEVER, the library didn't have it in their stacks, nor did they have my second choice. So, I read a compilation of stories about 52 women scientists who have been incredibly influential in their fields and, the world, really. I was alternately excited and horribly frustrated - these women with their discoveries and various contributions were incredible! But... they rarely got much credit for their work. In fact, it was disturbingly common that the men they had to collaborate with at the end (to get their work published, recognized, and implemented, since often at that time in history, a woman just. couldn't.) ... those men are the ones whose names are on those procedures, vaccines, and discoveries. grr! White patriarchal society and its oppression of the masses....

Quest # 2: Finances

I've gotten into a good pattern for my bill paying. Next month I'm likely to go onto commission though, so that pattern may get disrupted.

Quest # 3: Tithing
Bit of a ... reserved month:
Time: Again, nada...
Money: My tithing went to my cousin and her mission trip to Haiti this summer.

Quest # 11: Photography
My morning routine - refill the fluids in my (lovable and otherwise trustworthy) Toyota, "Sir Walter." -_^

    

Quest # 13: Garden

I've started my seedlings and cleared out some space in the back yard! But... I'm starting to change my mind about having a garden in the yard: I don't know if I'll have time to care for and enjoy it. So, I may just wait until the pine pollen is finished coating everything in yellow, and then I'll populate the back porch with herbs.

Quest # 15: House Work
Deck: replacing the boards on the back deck (as well as replacing the door to the screened porch).
Bathroom Remodel - Started! Should be completed early April
Other: new mailbox, replaced a screen on the porch, replaced the porch door.
(All of these projects have been with the help of my friend Tim, and our favorite contractor/handyman and his "crew": Rick and Ken)

Quest # 16: Job Work

Swamped with work. Getting faster (but sloppier?). I guess after a while of going at a break-neck speed, I'll eventually be able to train myself to actually do a decent job at my work at the same time. Starting in April, I will now be on commission - so hopefully I'll start making surplus money. It'd be nice to be "in the black" for a change. Looking forward to appraising an equestrian center soon! That'll be an exciting challenge.

Quest # 18: Exercise

I've been consistently going once a week.... but then try to do at least on active thing (like the house work) during the weekend. Work's been keeping me glued to my computer. Thank God for the stand-up desk.. 

Quest # 20: Meal Plan

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Quest # 24: Floss

Been steady on this, three times a week.

Quest # 26: Friends

My little had her baby!!!!! I was able to see them the day they had little Landon, and he was so precious, I teared up a bit.
I also got to see Sarah - who was down from Boston with her boyfriend - and a bunch of university friends I hadn't seen or talked with in YEARS! I was nervous at first (I'm so bad at keeping in touch, I was worried how that would go), but it was really fun catching up with everyone. I loved hearing about their life news, upcoming events, where they are working now and what they're doing with their lives... how they've changed and grown and how they've stayed the same.

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. Time to learn a little something about gender fluidity.

Quest # 13: Garden
Time to create an herb garden!

Quest # 15: House Work - bathroom remodel.
The bathroom remodeling should be done within the first full week of April. I'm so excited! It's coming along so beautifully (but... I'm starting to get a little nervous: what if everything comes together finally and there's something I picked that I can't stand??).

Quest #26 : Friends
A reunion of expats and our good friend Hailey - the owner of the cafe/pub we all hung out at, and the friend who got us out of all kinds of trouble - are gathering in New York City for shenanigans.

and... continue with the above Quests-in-Progress!
 
KJets

29th Birthday - Clock is Ticking

The 29th Birthday

The clock has officially started: one year to complete my "30 by 30" quests.

I'm not keen on having too much time to contemplate my birthday - on my birthday - so when family asked what I was doing this year I decided it might as well be a party. I'll get plenty of people around me, helping me think about them and not ponder too deeply on my own existence.

Taking a look through Pinterest,  I found some ideas for making a dreary, cold-weather,  Valentine's-Day-month birthday into a theme of comfy and sweet:  Plaid, gold/sparkles, burlap, and German chocolate cake on a slice of wood.  Sort of "Lumberjane" with sparkles (maybe something more like a gold panner who lives in a forest?...). Yay for utilizing Pinterest! And super yay for family and friends rushing in to help an overwhelmed bday girl put together a party.

My kitty, trying to 'help' me decorate.

So, embarrassingly, I had a bit of a meltdown, right as the first few friends showed up.  I had been rushing around all morning,  trying to get errands done, decorations finished and up, food made, and the house cleaned.  Even with help from family earlier,  at that very moment - prepping the shepherds pie - I was alone in the house and winding myself up into a stressball-frenzy.  As soon as the pie went in the oven,  I put myself in time-out up in my room (with the remains of a bottle of wine). 

Did I want to be stressed on my birthday? Of course not... Then why was I letting all the little things bother me? Did my friends really care if the food was ready immediately? Or that everything is clean and set up perfectly? Nope.  Got no friends like that.  Why? 'cause I'm a lucky ducky with awesome friends.  So, I focused on that. That was the important thing and the reason for the party.
After a couple more swigs of wine and a few deep breaths,  I refocused and was able to have a good time the rest of the night. 

Mom and friends created my dream cake!

I'm hoping that I will generally be able to do that with my life this year. Coming back to live in the US  after over two years abroad,  I have been stressed,  depressed,  and generally miserable.  Like a kid trying to eat her veggies when she's thinking about those delicious cookies she'd rather be eating.  Of course those cookies-of-travel are awesome, and everyone knows I'd rather be participating in them... But I need to try to set them further back in my mind for now. This year I need to learn how to focus on enjoying my vegetables-of-staying-put, and saving money.

Dad made the terracotta campfires come to life! 

Holding on to these feelings aren't doing me any good. They're just letting me live miserable.  I may not want to be here, but I am here. If I do well in the life I have now,  I could work my way into a situation where I can travel again. So! There's plenty to look forward to, if I just do well at paying attention to -  and find the happy things in -  this moment. This time in my life will be good too. 

Without dad's help, we wouldn't have been able to have so many delicious S'mores

So, at 29 I'm going to focus on this: now is a great time to work on myself,  my character and skill sets.  Slow times are meant for recovery and rebuilding,  right? So that's what I'll focus on.  Take a few breaths now,  and I'll get back to living my life. 

After party clean up time

KJets

January Review (Month 1 of Quests)

January 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 17: Cleanses
Boss 1 and 3 have been defeated (liver and kidney detoxes), but Boss 2 (liver) remains. I only needed to defeat one in order to complete the quest, but I may revisit Boss 2 later this year. Overall this was interesting, and good to know what to expect if I try to do a detox diet/cleanse again (and do them a little more thoroughly).
Reflecting:  I'd like to continue including fresh veggie juices in my diet, and one day a week do a juice fast to give the digestive system a rest.

Quest # 25: Skin care
Created whipped body butter - with organic and all-natural ingredients. Smells good and feels great on my body skin....  But not strong enough for my hands, and a little too oily for my face.
Reflecting: This was a good skill to learn, and I'd like to experiment later to try other types of skin care products.

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 2: Finances

I've gone through my finances a few times, attempting to understand them and create a budget.  I'm still not entirely sure what I'm spending every month, other than the set amount I have to for bills. Also, my income is stable now, but in a month I will he switching over to commission so.... this budget thing seems like it might get a little complicated. So, I read around a bit, found an especially cool blog post about budgeting apps, and took the leap with Mint.  It seems to be helping me get a clearer big-picture of what's going on. It's been a good first step. 

Quest # 3: Tithing
I did fair on the quest this first month:
Time: I spent half a day with Rebuilding Together,  working on fixing an old deck.
Money: Although I selected Corral Riding Academy, I didn't actually donate this month.  I did,     however,  make them my charity on AmazonSmile.

Quest # 6: Exhibits
I visited the Page-Walker Arts & History Center with my student (is "tutee" a word?). It was originally built in 1868 as a very fancy hotel for passengers of the North Carolina Railroad. The first floor now has rotating exhibits (I really enjoyed the photos that were on display when we went), the second floor seemed to be all photos and art about the history of Cary, North Carolina, and the third floor is a historical museum (which we didn't venture up to see). It was really cool to see photos of people, farms/estates, and old building which townships, neighborhoods, and the roads we drive on every day are named after. My advice to everyone: get to know the history of the town you are living in. It's really probably some of the most fascinating history you can learn about, since you will directly live in its influence every day.

Quest # 11: Photography
Just did some fairly typical photo-taking this month. In an effort to share (and later remember that I did do something) I'm posting the pictures I took of our flowers with some lighting I thought was pretty.
    

Quest # 12: Utilize Pinterest

Used Pinterest to find a recipe for the whipped body butter; for some recipes for meal-planned meals; for getting ideas for this blog; and for saving ideas to later use for my quests. I have been using it in a productive way this month, but have still managed to spend way too much time growing my "Fantasy Art" board (816 followers for that board now though, so that has me pretty stoked!).

Quest # 16: Job Work

Getting a little faster at work, thanks mostly to my supervisor taking the time to sit down and show me how to do the work. Now that I have a better understanding, I think I can get this (wasn't so hopeful in December). Also, we're getting stand-up desks! I'm looking forward to the possibility for more movement while in the office. I can't for the life of me stay awake and focused while I'm slumped over at the typical desk/chair situation. Feel like I'm folding away into an awkward sleep-coma by the end of every day. The new desks have arrived, but I haven't quite gotten the chance yet to set them up. Hopefully by the end of this week... but that's for February's recap.

We are totally going to take our pictures like this now...

Quest # 18: Exercise

The goal is three times a week, and I haven't come close to that goal this month. I had two weeks there that I did nothing whatsoever, because of being too busy with work (staying until 9 or 11 at night), and generally feeling lethargic because of consuming almost nothing but liquids. I also had tried switching things up and did Jazzercise this month (which was fun, but very hard on my knee). I'm not happy with this goal progress, but I don't think I'll beat myself up about it too much since those cleanses won't happen too often. Work however, that will need to be squished around to fit my life. February has been better so far. 

Quest # 20: Meal Plan

Was doing great during the detox diets/cleanses. I would make a bunch of juice every Sunday, and then make another batch halfway through the week. I made a root veggie with kale gratin the following Sunday, and a chicken pot pie (I modified it to be gluten free, and mostly dairy free) the next. So, for January I have done well. February has been off to a rough start though, so we'll see how February's recap goes..

Quest # 24: Floss

Been averaging about 3 times a week, which is about a 300% increase. Not too shabby.

Bonus:

Although not officially a quest (maybe it should be one of my electives?),  I did some quality catch-up time with a old friend this month.  

My little sister from my sorority had a baby shower.  I hadn't seen her since before her wedding, and before I left the country (about 3 years ago),  so it was quite a shock to my memory to see my cute little "Little," preggo and about ready to pop a little baby boy out.  She's looking beautiful; has a perfect, new family house; seems to be doing well in her marriage; and now has a baby due in about a month and a half.  I am so excited for her,  and glad to have her back in my life.  Hopefully whenever I have the money to get a sturdier car,  I'll be able to make the 3-hour journey to see her more often (there is only so much borrowing of your little brother's car one can do). Took some pictures on the drive out to see Little, I went through some pretty rural areas (places which had an equal ratio of gospel/Christian music radio stations to secular stations, and odd little home-made dune-buggy things on the road).

On my way to the baby shower,  I attempted to stop for a hike. Didn't find the ranger station until I was passing it at 60 miles an hour and in a growing need for a toilet,  so a pressed onward to my lunch stop of The Mickey D's. 

On my way to the baby shower -  interesting,  old movie theater. 

Is that supposed to be on the highway...? Or is this a small-town thing? 

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies
Starting this quest with Black History Month. I will be reading a memoir in which a woman recounts what life was like growing up rich and black in the US.

Quest # 13: Garden
Looking through plant ideas and raised bed plans right now, getting plant ideas from my coworker (who used to work at a nursery), scouring Pinterest for general ideas, and talking garden construction plans with a friend who has home construction experience.

Quest # 14: Compost
Already have a small bin inside to collect kitchen scraps, but plan to purchase a full compost bin for the yard this month, with the help of some points I've earned on my credit card (debt is good for something, eh? -_^ ).

Quest # 15: House Work - bathroom remodel.
Already have picked out some tiling ideas for the shower area, and paint ideas for the walls. Need to figure out fixtures, the vanity, and tiling for the floor. I'm using Pinterest for what (I'm pretty sure) it was originally meant to do, and it's working well.

and... continue with the above Quests-in-Progress!
   
KJets