Complete One Month of the 26 Things Project

I'm no photographer, and I don't pretend to be. This project was more like a scavenger hunt for me, and it was definitely equal parts fun and frustrating. I could go through and explain the reasons why I think each picture represents the description, but to be honest, I'm just kind of over the whole thing and don't feel like it. I'll let you use your imagination instead.

Finished Goals: 88/101
Days Left: 22

1. Tall

2. Amazing

3. Round

4. Hidden

5. Green

6. An Animal

7. Dirty

8. Early

9. Weather

10. An Arrow

11. Curve

12. Tomorrow

13. Inside

14. A Ceiling

15. Watch Out

16. Key

17. Reflection

18. Track

19. Framed

20. Busy

21. Strange

22. Upside Down

23. Spots

24. Shoes

25. Weathered

26. Sunday Morning

Learn How to Knit

Today I went to Nina: A Well Knit Shop and took a private lesson to learn how to knit. Hillary was my instructor, and she was really great. When I told her that I often need to learn how to do crafty things left-handed, she didn't flinch a bit.

She started out teaching me the traditional way to hold the needles and yarn (called English knitting or throwing), and I was getting it, but not as well as I wanted to. It just felt awkward holding the yarn in my right hand. So half way through the lesson, we switched, and Hillary showed me how to hold the yarn in my left hand instead. This method is called Continental knitting, and, according to Wikipedia, it originated in Germany. After we kicked their asses in WWII, Continental knitting fell out of style for obvious reasons.

Regardless, it's working pretty well for me now. I'm part way through my first project, which is a cowl. Good timing since cold weather is right around the corner. I chose a soft, chunky, beautiful, purple yarn. I'll post pics when I'm done. I think it's going to finish up very prettily.

Finished Goals: 87/101
Days Left: 32

Organize Jewelry Supplies

Wow. I think I actually started this task one or two times before I just buckled down and finished. It took me pretty much all day, but in my defense, I went through everything with a fine tooth comb. I wanted to do it right the first time because I don't want to have do it again, and I think I succeeded. I feel very confident that all of my supplies and finished pieces are stored securely until I want to start creating again. And when that day comes, it will be so much easier to find everything I need and feel inspired.

Finished Goals: 85/101
Days Left: 53

Complete 50 Hours of Continuing Education

This one was pretty easy because I love learning new things and attending classes. I think if money were no object, I would be a professional student. But since that isn't possible right now, I'm happy to be a student of my profession.

Most of the classes I took were at The International Dermal Institute in downtown Chicago. They have a great facility and I really like the instructors. As a matter of fact, my next 101/1001 includes another goal involving taking more classes there. I'm looking forward to it already.

In the meantime, here is a list of the qualifying classes for accomplishing this goal:

Threading Course 2 hours 5/21/10
How To: Gain New Clients and Increase Services 2 hours 6/16/10
Hydroxy Acids and Exfoliation Techniques 6 hours 8/12/10
Ayurvedic Diagnosis for the Skin Therapist 6 hours 8/25/10
Medical and Technological Trends 3 hours 9/20/10
Photodamaged and Aging Skin 6 hours 11/17/10
Understanding Cosmeceutical Ingredients in Skin Products 3 Hours 1/24/11
The Brain-Skin Connection 2 hours 4/18/11
Reflexology 12 hours 4/19/11-4/20/11
Chinese Diagnosis: Face and Body Reading 6 hours 5/11/11
Skin Diseases and Disorders 3 hours 6/29/11
Total: 51 hours 6/29/11

Finished Goals: 80/101
Days Left: 109

Create a New 101/1001

It took me a few weeks, maybe even a couple of months to finish. I can't really remember how long it took me to write this list, so I'm not completely sure if that's a long time or not. Regardless, it's written, and you can find it here. I will start the day after the 1001 days on this list is complete. And yes, I am definitely a masochist.

Finished Goals: 79/101
Days Left: 120

Take a Dance Lesson

Last night Rich and I bought a Groupon Now! that took us to the North side of Chicago for some dancing. It was date night, and we thought it would be fun to try something different from the movie and dinner plans we often have. Plus, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone: 1. have a fun date night with Rich doing something active, and 2. knock a goal off my list.

We ended up at ARTango Center Chicago, where we learned the basic steps of the Argentinian Tango. The couple who run the studio and teach the lessons were fun and helpful. I liked them a lot, and I think had there been less people there, or if we took a private lesson, it would be a lot more fun than we had last night. It was just way too crowded, and there wasn't a lot of space to move. We kept bumping into other couples. But don't get me wrong, we still had a lot of fun. I would go again.

Finished Goals: 78/101
Days Left: 135

Try a New Spa Service

I can't remember when I first heard of shirodhara, but I knew right away that I wanted to try it. It's not a very prevalent service, and so it took some searching, but I finally found a practitioner who provided it. And lucky me, Rich bought me a Mother's Day gift certificate to see her for abhyanga, shirodhara, and swedana.

Monica is really talented. She's not a very big person, but she's got some serious strength. I think that was the deepest massage I've ever had, and I feel much lighter and pain-free from it. And the shirodhara was as amazing as people told me. It was actually so relaxing that I fell asleep during it. Yup, I definitely want to do that again.

Finished Goals: 77/101
Days Left: 144