the big 25 before 25.

Exactly seven months from today (at 6:44 p.m. if you want to be really exact about it), I will be turning 25 years old.  Aside from the typical feelings of "how in the world is this even possible?" and "it's all downhill from here," I do realize that reaching the ripe old age of 25 is a major milestone, and I am grateful to God for the experiences that He has provided me and the opportunities I have had thus far in my life.  
At any rate, in the anticipation of my big quarter-life birthday celebration, I sat down with a blank piece of paper and made a list of the goals, dreams, and ambitions that I desire to achieve before turning the big 2-5. I call this list “The BIG 25 before 25” and have instituted a detailed plan of action in order to achieve these goals before October 17th rolls around.  In composing this list, I have considered each of the various aspects of life - spiritual, physical, academic, emotional, etc.  As you might imagine, it was not as easy as you might think to develop 25 goals that are realistically achievable in just 7th months.  Nevertheless, I believe I have composed a fairly practical and attainable list; therefore, without further ado, I give you the BIG 25 before 25...  

(1) Read the Bible through in 6 months
(2) Memorize one chapter of Scripture each week (with no plans to end this habit on October 17th!)
(3) Write a letter of encouragement to 25 people
(4) Purchase and learn to use a DSLR camera
(5) Buy a car (this one is regretfully included only because I feel the day is rapidly approaching, though I am in no rush to part with my old friend, Green Lightning)
(6) Start a mutual fund
(7) Make a quilt out of all of my favorite childhood t-shirts (currently stored away for safekeeping)
(8) Complete my high school scrapbook
(9) Complete my college scrapbook
(10) Be published
(11) Learn to play Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor
(12) Sing a solo (without passing out and/or throwing up)
(13) Pass all 6 of my CLEP tests!
(14) Ride along the beach on a horse wearing a white dress and cowboy boots (this is a dream I've had since I was 8 years old.  I thought it couldn’t hurt to add it to the list...)
(15) Take a painting class
(16) Lose 30 pounds (which might require me to find a new church, new job, new friends, or all three:))
(17) Run a 5K
(18) Learn to play more than an E minor chord on the guitar
(19) Work towards fluency in Spanish
(20) Develop my blog (any progress would be better than the status quo!)
(21) Read one non-academic book per week
(22) Knit a scarf
(23) Maintain a 4.0 in my graduate degree program
(24) Let go of my pent up anger towards everyone in the dental profession (aka: Go to the dentist without fear)
(25) Be intentional about developing new friendships and maintaining old ones

I am excited to pursue and (hopefully!) achieve these goals.  What an exciting way to look towards birthday 25!  Stay tuned for updates on progress:)