The Life To-Do List

Inspired by this blog, I decided to put together my own list of things I want to do and carry on through the new year.  Don't call it a resolution.  It's good to reflect and remind yourself of what you want/should/need to do.  

1. Read more.  It's that simple, but somehow the hardest thing for me to make time for lately.  I have a stack of books piling up at home and so many more on my wish list, yet I find I'm distracted by electronics and excuses.  Needs. To. Stop.  ::insert crosses arms girl emoji::

Concrete Planet  |  Wonderland  |  Thinking, Fast and Slow  |  The Valley

2. Cook more, save money. I have never been one to eat out a lot. Somehow that took a turn mid-Summer and I find myself at Whole Foods *treating myself* more often than not in the prepared foods section. AND now my local Whole Foods has a bar, Noodle Stand, Dizengoff and much, much more. Phew! I've been buying bulk goods, making a little schedule, and saving some, ahem *dough*. Thanks to Budget Bytes.

Baked Chicken with Artichokes and Tomatoes  |  (Not) Refried Beans  |   Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

3. Build a better commuter bike, increase activity, & acquire *summer bod*.  My current bike commute, when I'm not being weak and driving, is a 10 mile round trip adventure.  It's a very easy ride and relatively flat.  I come from just north of Center City Philadelphia (Fairmount) to deeeeeeep South Philly (Navy Yard).  It's manageable and makes me feel so productive and alert.  For 8 years I've been riding a very dependable fixed-gear bike.  I'm certainly keeping her for quick jaunts, but these legs are achy and they just wanna freewheel! Oh, the frame I have was gifted from a colleague: Schwinn Circuit.

Fairweather B903 Bullmoose Bar  |  Bar-Ista  |   RockBros Bike Bicycle Pedals

4. Learn more, solve problems.  Some of you may know I've been tackling a second undergrad degree, very slowly, at night, in Civil Engineering.  There have been road blocks and schedule conflicts, but I'm going to keep on chugging.  Take classes when I can and read more when I can't.  This is kinda like #1, but still a goal I have to remind myself of periodically.  About halfway there...

Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers  |  LEED AP BD+C  |  Bridge Design

5.  Be relentless.  Just attack everything with all I have and be tenacious.  Nobody is going to do it for you.  Be fierce and achieve your goals.  Aside from Beyonce, these pictures represent the kinda fierceness I'm aiming for.