The 30

Contrary to what Alison might say - this is not to be referred to as "The Bucket List"...instead its "The 30", Kara's list of the 30 things she would like to accomplish/attempt/become this year. Alison may or may not be posting one of her own as well. So here's most of Kara's list (after all, some of its nobody's business but hers! :)

life + style
go camping 3 times
sleep more
stress less
start yoga
take more pictures
drink more water
purchase one awesome sweater

personal + professional
join goodreads.com + keep it updated
Finally use Microsoft Money
get Karaboo creations together
take 3 hotel weekends away with Josh
try 5 new restaurants
revamp our address/contacts list
read more theology
organize all craft supplies

home + hearth
create great salsa recipe
begin basement remodel
learn to make nice 2-layer cake
develop personal recipe book
buy new dining room table
paint the bathroom
landscape yard
learn to make a good asian meal from scratch
create favorite wine list

A start of a new year...

So 2007 will go down as the worst year of my life. One that changed who I was and set me onto a different path. It was a loss of many things for myself and those I care for dearly. I have lost more than I thought I would ever lose this young in my life, but with all losses there are things I gained and those things that I have to look forward. I used to have this saying that I wrote everywhere - I carried it with me to remind me when clouds darkened the horizons - "If I could wish for my life to be perfect, it would be tempting, but I would decline, for then life would never teach me anything." Well I must agree this has been my year of learning. I learned about the struggles of dealing with an unknown illness in its second year of existence, I learned about marriage and what that partnership requires, I learned about what family means and most of all - for the first time in my life - I learned what it truly means to say good-bye. I am not going to tell you this year was for the best, but I will say that I have found the value in it and now I am leaving it behind. The past is in the past. This year has armed me with something I have been building towards and until this past year can honestly say I lacked - a true sense of self and what I want in life. I am now looking towards the future and what it holds for me - putting into place my goals and dreams and looking forward to working towards them. Today, I took the first step. Much to my mother's horror, I purchased my tickets to Paris. A journey I am taking on my own - one I must take on my own. A childhood dream. So this is the beginning - I am excited to see where I end up next year at this time but isnt that the point of life - the uncertainity - the promise of a better day. All my love everyone on this first day of the rest of lives...