I’m slightly bored at the moment, and even though I am merely sitting here, and on my laptop, I can sense the new year, and I’m taking the days slowly, one at a time. Naturally, my depression will merely sink back in with time, but I’m not thinking about that, and merely trying to appreciate my current state of mind.

It’s only the second day of the New Year so I shouldn’t jump to any hasty ideas of grandeur that this year will be the year I’ve been waiting for all my life. Wait, is it too late?

I think the optimism stems from two places. I regret one of them, but if it provides some form of comfort, so be it. Okay, thinking about it, three places that my optimism comes from; I should give myself some credit, after all. I have been making some changes in my life recently, and I’m very much hoping that these changes will benefit me. I’ve started to eat healthier, I’m continuing to take my daily vitamins (and pills), but I also added on a new pill: Omega-3/Fish Oil pills! Yeah, okay it seems lame, but they’re also beneficial *ahem* with bi-polar ppl. I don’t exactly know why, but who cares? They’re healthy anyway, so no harm done. While I still have some crazy ups and downs I’m trying really really hard to keep it to a minimum, or to not let it show (as much).

The second reason for this new sudden outlook on life may have something to do with the fact that I restarted my 101 Goals in 1001 days. I had deleted all of them one random day when I was feeling particularly depressed and felt all hope was lost… but you know, whatever. I re-made the list. I just have to add a few more goals to make the list complete. I’m running out of ideas, though! I’ll eventually think of something. I may not be able to accomplish all of those goals, but I can attempt it and right now, that’s what counts. I’m striving toward trying my best, which may not necessarily result in success. Having goals means I believe I can accomplish something and make something of myself. I think I’m being slightly repetitive, but I’m also stalling on talking about the third reason why I’m so optimistic.

I started off my new year with a very long conversation. I’m slightly bitter as though I was tricked into having the conversation, but no matter because it can’t be undone. After something like an hour on the phone with Matthew we switched it up to IM. The phone call was pleasant, I think. I can’t really recall what we talked about now because the conversation we started up next strikes me as much more poignant. In the time frame of 3 hours I revealed more about myself than I would have liked, trusted him (like way a lot), and even cried. Oh yeah, I was an emotional rollercoaster that morning. I literally started my new year by letting myself become vulnerable. VULNERABLE, like someone weak. I definitely wasn’t OK with it then, but I’m glad it happened, now. Three things I allowed myself to do that I typically do not (and make an effort not to do). So, because of that, thanks Matthew dear. I honestly love Twinkie. And yeahyeah I love friends easily, but that doesn’t matter; I still do love him. It’s not so good an idea to rely on a friend to help me feel motivated and happy, but fighting it will only make it worse. So, like he said, I’ll just cherish him. lololol.

I just took a few photos representing my day (admittedly quite boring so far). All I have left is to take a self-portrait [not necessarily my face] for the day. Side note: these are for my 101 in 1001. Big challenge!

Productivity is key… I want to go read something or accomplish something today. I don’t know what it will be, but it’ll be something. Oh yes, and I must, by the end of the day watch a movie recommended to me. (It better be good, or I’ll cry!)

The day’s never felt so bright.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

The official website for this project is called Day Zero. I will be participating in two LJ groups as well: here and here.

Beginning Date: January 1, 2008
End Date: September 28, 2010

In Progress | Completed | Unsuccessful

1. Complete the 100 Snapshots Challenge.
2. Use a few of the Mini Photo Challenges to complete the Flickr 365 Days Group Self-Portraits.
   
3. Stick to my medication and continue getting support for my random insanity.
4. NEED TO MAKE NEW GOAL HERE.
5. Travel to another state.
6. Buy a canvas, paint, and… paint.
7. Read 12 novels in 2008. (6/12)
8. Read 12 novels in 2009. (0/12)
9. Read 9 novels in 2010. (0/9)
10. Watch 150 movies in 2008. (150+/150)
11. Watch 150 movies in 2009. (0/150)
12. Blog every day in 2008 (Blog 365) (61/365) [not including leap day]
13. Learn more about photography (take a class?)
14. Stop drinking soda for at least 2 months. (63/60) (Jan 3-March 3, 2008) (June 1-Oct 21, 2008)
15. Replay Oblivion to regain all the progress I lost.
16. Vote.
17. Write a (short) blog entry in Japanese.
18. Dance in the rain.
19. Visit another country.
20. Tag all the entries on my blog.
21. Drink (a little bit of) alcohol the day after my 21st birthday.
22. Watch movies Twinkie recommends.
23. Read the books I purchased in 2007.
24. 110ww and stick to it.
25. Get someone to do the 101 in 1001 with me.
26. Restart the online book club forum.
27. Donate $5 for every incomplete goal to a charity.
28. Learn to knit and make a scarf.
29. Read and understand one Japanese manga.
30. Let my hair grow long-ish again.
31. Try 5 new recipes. (5/5) [seared tuna, sope, black bean sandwich, vegetable pho, gumbo]
32. Organize a picnic.
33. Host a movie marathon.
34. Visit San Francisco.
35. Identify 101 things that make me truly happy. (0/101)
36. Pass all of my classes for Winter quarter ‘08.
37. Pass all of my classes for Spring quarter ‘08.
38. Go to Warped Tour in 2008, 2009, and 2010. (0/3)
39. Donate blood once a year. (1/3) (March 5, 2008)
40. Write at least 5 letters. (0/5)
41. Get back into my old exercise routine. (Achieve the same level of “strength”)
42. Go for a walk along the beach at least once a month for 5 months, consecutively. (0/5)
43. Ride my bike to class, or walk, for at least one quarter.
44. Do crunches and push-ups once a day for a month. (0/30)
45. Complete Project 365 (61/365) [not including leap day]
46. Get a Bayside tattoo.
47. Spend one Christmas in New York (with my family?).
48. Feel confident in my driving because I know how.
49. Speak fluent Japanese.
50. Learn another language.
51. Get a massage once a year. (0/3)
52. Take Centrum and Omega-3 daily for half a year.
53. Participate in NaBloPoMo in 2008. (#12)
54. Write a letter for me to receive at the end of my 101 in 1001.
55. Whiten my teeth.
56. Play and finish three video-games, start to finish. (0/3)
57. Use my Flickr account.
58. Completely fill up one journal. (Red moleskine)
    
59. Watch every episode of House (Season 1-3).
60. Have a fabulous 21st birthday party.
61. If given the opportunity, turn in a paper early.
62. Read His Dark Materials trilogy.
63. Re-read The Chronicles of Narnia once a year. (0/3)
64. Create two small bottles of lavender and save them… until they’re ready to be used.
65. Re-watch Xun Yi Cao. (2/10)
66. Live off-campus my 2nd year.
67. Let my natural hair color grow back out and keep it that way for ~3 months.
68. Get back into the web-designing scene (affiliates & 3 new online friends). (1/3)
69. Write 10 inspirational quotes onto Post-Its and put them in random places for people to find. (1/10)
70. Identify 20 things I like about myself. (20/20)
71. Try out 9 new restaurants. (6/9) (Pascucci 2/27, Whale’s Tail 3/1, Blake’s 7/13, Coco Palm 9/11, The Wynn’s The Buffet 10/19, The Broiler 10/19)
72. Trust someone wholeheartedly.
73. Regain my flexibility.
74. Get a job apart from AS Program Board.
75. Learn to ride my waveboard better.
76. Go to a concert in another state.
77. Fix my PS2 or buy a PS3.
78. Go to ze snow at least twice. (1/2) (End of winter break 2008)
79. Eat vegetarian for two weeks. (31/14) (July 2nd-August 3rd)
80. Go take a look at the La Brea tar pits. (Jan. 17th, 2008)
81. Go to the Long Beach aquarium.
82. Watch at least half of AFI’s 100 Movies…100 Years List. (20/50)
83. Improve my ice-skating.
84. Finish & update my personal website.
85. Fall asleep on the grass, under the stars.
86. Renew passport.
87. Go horseback riding.
88. Try to read at least a quarter of The Modern Library’s Top 100 Novels (The Board’s List) (8/100)
89. Plant a tree.
90. Create a list of 50 quotes I like (and why).
91. Go on a roadtrip with no predetermined destination.
92. Help a child. (Brett Harris)
93. Visit Washington D.C.
94. Take a fencing, swimming, or jogging class. (Fall ‘08)
95. Run a marathon.
96. Become financially independent.
97. Floss every day for two months. (2/60)
98. Fly in a hot air balloon.
99. Visit The Louvre in France.
100. Complete a Sudoku book.
101. Plan a new 101 in 1001 list.