Working on the List

Checking In
It's time to take a look at how far I have come and what needs to be accomplished.  I realized some of the experiences on my list are open ended, which really is not a bad thing if you think about it.  Like for instance buy a bouquet of flowers every month.  At the very least you will see new flowers such as the ones below.  

January 2012 Boquet

A different view which shows the roses off better

February bouquet - hydrangeas

Goal Setting

Like anyone accomplishing a goal, they must be realistic, measurable and have a deadline. When looking over the list, I realized due to things beyond my control, as in nature, that I had to change one of the items, snowmobiling.  I thought about what I could do in its place.  It has to be something that provided meaning to me and others, not just an experience.  I'm still contemplating and have not made a decision on what this might be.

The List

Ok so lets take a look at the list again.

1. Create and write a blog of my 39 experiences before I'm 40 In Progress
2. Sky dive July/August
3. See a psychic or have my cards read or both  On my list to set up in 4 months
4. Run a marathon  April 29
5. Run a half marathon in sub two  May 20
6. Organize my office  - no really - organize my office On my list to set up in 4 months
7. Travel somewhere I have not been Done
8. See Herman the sturgeon  On my list to set up in 4 months
9. Do a full spa day retreat  
10. Ride on a train to anywhere On my list to set up in 4 months
11. Raise $1000 for breast cancer 
12. Improve my vocabulary and ability to speak Japanese On my list to set up in 4 months
13. Hike to tunnel falls
14. Stay overnight in the aquarium
15. Learn to knit or crochet a blanket and give it to a shelter  In Progress 
16. Take an art class - Glass blowing March 10
17. Attend a timbers game March 1
18. Be an extra in a film or tv show In Progress
19. Brew my own beer March 1
20. Attend an opera performance Done
21. Go whale watching in the San Juan Islands
22. Go crabbing ***My attempt January 15 does not count
23. Snowmobiling Because of the lack of snow I have decided in lieu of snowmobiling I will be ???? (to be determined)
24. Do a scavenger hunt
25. Buy a bouquet of flowers every month In Progress
26. Go to Portland Japanese Garden (it's been a long time) April 15
27. Go to Lan Su Garden April 22
28. Go to the Oregon Garden
29. Spend from sun up to sun down not talking to anyone
30. Purge - get rid of my wedding dress and items in that large bin I haven't looked in
31. Have one evening or day per week where I take time for myself In Progress & doing this quite well
32. Wear more dresses/skirts In Progress
33. Have Afternoon Tea
34. See Crater Lake  
35. Go wine tasting in Applegate Valley
36. Go to the house of Vortex
37. See the sea caves
38. Stay the night in a treehouse
39. Ride one of the top three tallest roller coasters (May happen February 21 or in May)

• Roller Coaster	Amusement Park	Height
  Kingda Ka	Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, New Jersey, United States	456 ft
  Top Thrill Dragster	Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio, United States	420 ft
  Superman: Escape from Krypton	Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California, United States Roms is not so sure about knitting	415 ft

STATS
Completed:  2/39 or 5% complete
In progress:  6/39 or 15%
Set dates to complete: 10/39 or 26%
To set up in the next four months: (March - June) 5/39 or 13%
Remainder 16/39  or 41% to complete in the next 8 months


Reactions
I'm actually shocked that I have only completed two items.  I realize that I have chosen some things that are continual.  Maybe that was not the best idea, as far as measuring completion rates.  However, the benefit for me is far greater than the completion of a one time experience as the sum of monthly or even weekly goals such as taking time for myself.  


Let's face it, I have some work ahead of me.   

Madame Butterfly

I attended my first opera, ever.  When I decided to have 39 experiences before I turned 40 I mentioned this idea to a couple of my friends.  Immediately, my good friends Kelli and Karen said that they wanted to do some of the things on the list with me.  So when it came time to purchase tickets for the opera, I mentioned it to them and said I was going to take my mom.  Kelli and Karen got on the band wagon and invited their mom.  This not only became an opportunity to go to the opera but a mother-daughter time for bonding.  We met up and had brunch at Veritable Quandry.  Afterwards we had a little bit of time so the six of us walked to the riverfront and had a cup of coffee.  


When planning this, we had not realized that opera coincided with the superbowl.  It was a packed house with every seat filled.  I bought the tickets online and requested best available.  Little did I know that what great seats we had.  As we walked down the ramp at the Keller auditorium, we found our seats 3 rows from the stage.  Maybe it was a good idea to go to the opera on the same day as the superbowl after all.

At Madame Butterfly

Things to note when attending the opera:

• It is Portland and so one does not have to be dressed up
• Late seating is not allowed so make sure you are there in advance
• You can't understand Italian - not to worry, there is a thin screen above the stage with subtitles  (However I did not notice this right away and then found it distracting to look up and then look back at the singers)  With that being said it did give me a better understanding of Puccini's famous aria from Madame Butterfly, Un Bel di Vedremo.  I've heard it so many times, but experiencing the opera and Butterfly's belief of how she will be reunited with her love was moving.

To listen to the aria click on the link below
Un Bel di Vedremo

The question now is will I attend an opera in the future?  Possibly...I don't see myself being a season ticket holder, but I would be open to going again if it was an opera that peaked my interest.  I think for my mom, she would prefer going to the symphony, especially if they were playing Debussy. Overall, it was an around wonderful experience on so many levels.