Vive La Resolution

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I will admit freely that for the past 21 New Years I have been one of those people who sticks her nose up at new years resolutions, declaring haughtily that nobody in the history of the roman calendar has had the tenacity to stick to their guns past Valentine's Day (if they even make it that far). What's the point of even participating in this tradition if its meaning fades so quickly?

This year I have decided to take a different approach to the whole idea of the new years resolution. My friends, this year I have taken a page from the book of some of my favorite courageous women (especially Sarah Von and Elizabeth) and compiled a list of 22 things I want to accomplish before my 22nd birthday on August 8th; a 22 by 22. And guess what? Whenever I accomplish one of these things, I promise to come straight home and blog about it! I don't expect you to actually read through every single one of these but I'm putting it out there into the universe that I want to accomplish these goals in the next 8 months:

1. Graduate college

Ok, duh. I'm set to graduate in May. I don't expect there to be any problems with this, but graduating is important and therefore is my top priority for the next few months.

2. Get a 4.0

Slightly more difficult than #1. My semester GPAs have been relatively awesome, but I haven't gotten a 4.0 since middle school and I want to try my hand at it again. I'm looking to go out with a bang.

3. Run a 7-minute mile

The fastest mile I've ever ran was just over 8 minutes. My most recent time was something like 8:17, but I've always thought the ability to run a mile in 7 minutes was extremely impressive.

4. Run a 5k race

Another physical feat I hope to accomplish. Maybe #3 and #4 will go hand in hand.

5. Ride a motorcycle

Totally silly, but I've never ridden one and I feel like it's much more freeing than simply driving a car. You miss a lot when you're inside of a box. I want to feel the open air.

6. Visit Chicago

For some reason I've always felt a pull toward this city. My dad moved there at 21, right after he graduated college, and he loved it. Emma Aubry Roberts, hook a sister up with a place to sleep?

7. Lose 20lbs

The list would not be complete without a cliché weight loss goal (she says through a mouthful of Cheez-Its), but I have put on a couple of pounds since I graduated from high school/left for Paris/rediscovered Funyuns and I would like to shed some of that by August.

8. Do a 30 for 30 Challenge

I hope you are all familiar with the wonderful blog Kendi Everyday (and if you aren't, please do yourself a favor and click the link) and the remix revolution she has played a big part in starting. The 30 for 30 challenge involves choosing only 30 articles of clothing (shoes included!) to remix for 30 days. Another catch? No shopping during the 30 days! You can read more about the challenge here.

9. Save up some money

I won't go into specific amounts (that would be totally tacky) but I do have a goal amount of cash I would like to have saved up before graduation. How will I manage this? Well, not buying more clothes all the time is one way. Not splurging on expensive, girly drinks is another (pomegranate appletini margarita mojito? No more). I could also take more advantage of the dining hall and less advantage of the readily available takeout mere blocks from my apartment. All things to think about.

10. Get certified to teach English abroad

This has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I've been back in the US of A for 9 months now and am starting to feel the itch to live abroad again. I have gotten mixed reactions when I tell people about my tentative plan (ranging from "THAT'S SO COOL!" to "that's pretty weak"), but I feel like going abroad for awhile would be a great experience for me at this time in my life.

11. Take a bellydancing class

It's no secret that I am totally obsessed with the Middle East. How cool would it be if I added this sexy sport to my list?

12. Turn a heinous article of clothing into something wearable

One problem with this goal-- I don't have a sewing machine. Oh yeah, and I can't sew. But I will figure it out. I actually already have the item; I found it at Goodwill several weeks ago, and don't worry, it's just awful.

13. Spend a weekend in Canada practicing my French

I haven't been to Canada since my 12th grade ski trip to Quebec. The city was great. The 17-hour bus ride was not. Now that I live in Boston instead of Virginia, the drive will be a lot shorter. I'm also thinking of going to Montréal this time instead, since I have a friend who's in grad school at McGill. Decisions, decisions!

14. Go jetskiing

I may be able to accomplish this this week, since the resort I'm staying at offers a bunch of water activities. I'll keep you posted.

15. Go vegan for a month

I've been a vegetarian since I was 18 (although sometimes I cheat and eat a little fish. It's tough being a vegetarian who loves sushi), and I've tried and failed to go vegan a total of three times over this period, so I know I don't have the skills or resources necessary to maintain a vegan lifestyle at this point in my life. Also, I put cheese on everything, guys, it's so bad. But one month? I'll accept that challenge.

16. Make homemade ice cream

I've heard it's kind of hard, but it will be delicious. I am already handy in the kitchen, and would love to add ice cream to my repertoire.

17. Get a brazilian wax

Oh god, I am so going to regret this one, but I need to do it. I need to experience the mysterious and magical brazilian at least once in my adult life.

18. Sing in public

Not many people know this but I actually used to have a beautiful singing voice in high school when I took lessons. Next semester I am going to try to take lessons again (when I'm not hitting the books to earn my 4.0!) and hopefully my voice will improve to a point where I will be able to sing at a public venue without breaking any windows, mirrors, champagne glasses, eyeglasses etc.

19. Get eyelash extensions

All of my friends will tell you that I am a fake eyelash fanatic. I rarely go out at night without my falsies on. The problem is that they're a pain in the ass to put on and I always end up covered in eyelash glue. Can eyelash extensions solve my dilemma? It's worth a try.

20. Ask someone out

I have actually never asked another human being on a date (that I can remember). I have always been the asked, never the asker. And why not? I think it would be totally ballsy to take a risk like that. The next time an appropriate situation arises, I am going to go for it.

21. Make sushi

The vegetarian's dilemma. I inherited my love of sushi (along with a dry sense of humor and a pair of baby blue peepers) from my dad, a sushi aficionado. So sometimes I take the rules of vegetarianism a little more lightly than others. A little unagi once every few months doesn't make me a total hypocrite, right?

22. Do 22 hours of volunteer work

Ha ha totally cutesy, I know. I plan on starting out slow, then once I find a program I really like I'll stick to it. Hopefully this will be easy, given that BU has a great community service center.

There we go. My 22 by 22 is now out there. Let's make it happen, universe.

And please please please, tell me all of your hopes and dreams and goals for 2011 in the comments because I genuinely want to know everything about them.