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

Send Mother's Day and Father's Day Cards Annually

So Father's Day hasn't happened this year quite yet, BUT, I'm counting this goal as completed because I'm not actually going to be sending Father's Day cards this year. Instead, I get to spend Father's Day with all the dads in my life. That's way better. And, because I'll be seeing them all in person, I'll also be giving them their cards in person.

The truth is, I'm actually really good at sending Mother's Day and Father's Day cards. I put this goal on the list because I wanted to make sure I was diligent about sending them on time. See, it's the on time part that I'm not always so diligent about. But I did it. And now it's just a matter of continuing to do it.

Finished Goals: 76/101
Days Left: 158

The Countdown is ON!

So I only have 165 days left. 165 days. Needless to say, I'm nervous about finishing. Granted, I only have 26 goals left, and some of them are in the process and almost finished, but... I don't know. I think it's going to be pretty close.

I've already started writing my next list to start the day after this one ends. I guess anything I don't finish here will move over to that list. I really hope I make it. I don't want to end up another Day Zero statistic.

Finished Goals: 75/101
Days Left: 165

Get a Colonic

I debated about putting this on the list. Actually, at first I didn't; I put something else on that wasn't really attainable. And so when I finally decided to get a colonic, I also decided it was the right thing to do to change the goal I put on this list in its stead.

Without getting into a lot of personal detail, I'll just say that gastrointestinal distress has been a part of my daily life for as long as I can remember. I've always felt ruled by my colon, and I decided that I really need to take control of that and change it.

As it so happens, colon hydrotherapy is a service that is offered at the salon I work at. At first, I was nervous about having such a personal, embarrassing and possibly humiliating service done by a coworker, but I decided to just bite the bullet. After all, I tease my coworkers to no end when they say they don't want to have a bikini wax with me because it would be too embarrassing. I can't be a hypocrite!

While my first time was actually pretty traumatic, after going through it and discussing what is going on with my body and my dietary choices with my service provider, I decided to commit to a series of weekly sessions over eight weeks. Each week got easier, and I also learned a lot about myself, my attitudes toward food, and how to better manage my diet. Plus, in the process I lost six pounds!

Pretty sure this is going to become a regularly monthly part of my preventive health care plan.


Finished Goals: 75/101
Days Left: 178