4 more shopping days until my Birthday, people 
Of course it takes staring down the barrel of rounding into my 28th year to get all contemplative. Yes, I am turning 28. In some regards that may seem young. In others, getting older. To me it mostly marks getting closer to the far bigger milestone of 30. Which has got me thinking about what other things mark that milestone in my life, what things I’d like to check off that long, running list in my head of things I’d like to do/accomplish/see/experience. So I actually wrote it out. 30 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I’M 30. I think they are all reasonable and some I’ve already done (marked in italics). I have two years. Ready, set, GO.
1.) Spend more time nurturing & being engaged with the ones I love most.
2.) Spend an entire day in a fancy hotel room. Alone. In silence. With no needy small children.
3.) Plan an amazing 10th anniversary getaway
4.) Ski at least once every month of the calendar year (not necessarily in succession)
5.) Go to NYC
6.) Shoot something (with a gun, not a camera)
7.) Consistently Eat food I grow myself
8.) Get my PSIA Level 3 Certification
9.) Own my own profitable business
10.) Get a tattoo
11.) Cross a glacier on foot
12.) Cut & style my hair into a completely different ‘do to get away from the ponytail I’ve had since I was 13
13.) Show my photography work in a gallery/show
14.) Drive more than 140mph
15.) Get fired from a job
16.) Achieve & maintain a BMI of 21-23
17.) Go sailing
18.) Fly in a pontoon plane
19.) Build a tiny, off-the-grid ski cabin for our family
20.) Travel to Europe
21.) Get my picture taken more
22.) Stop biting my nails
23.) Teach my kids to read
24.) Learn how to parallel park really well so I don’t freak out and say, ‘I’m the worst parallel parker in the world’ before each attempt
25.) Meet my birthmother
26.) Take a ski trip with a bunch of girls who rip
27.) Connect with old friends
28.) Make some new, deep friendships
29.) Host a big, amazingly designed party for my 30th Birthday
30.) Submit more & more to God re-writing my life with new stories marked by humility, grace, service, patience, understanding, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, affection, love & worship.
So… what’s on your list?
