50/50 Club

My friend sent me an email asking to join her on the 50/50 Challenge of 2012, which is: watch 50 movies and read 50 books before 2013. The prize: your own personal accomplishment. This is totally up my pop culture, book nerd alley and I gladly accepted. Although, I did realize that I would essentially have to read a book a week, which who has that kind of time? But, if it were easy, everyone would do it.

Reading more is on my 2012 to-do list anyway, so this is a good reason to set a goal for myself and really have a focused concentration in broadening my horizons. Wow, I am such a geek.

But it starts today - first on deck is a movie. Choice: Jurassic Park. Yes, it's true I have never seen the movie and recently shocked some friends not to mention my boyfriend with this news. I thought they might disown me. As far as I know, no relationships have been severed over my startling announcement.

I thought blogging about my challenge might help me keep track and "create a visual" towards my goal. Ok, now I really sound like a nerd so I'll stop. If you have any book or movie suggestions though, please feel free to send them my way!

2012 To-Do List

I'm not one for resolutions really. I don't say I'm going to lose weight, go to the gym more or other things that may or may not happen and may or may not matter. Instead, I add things to my goals list. The things I want to get done that I didn't try in the past year. In 2011, I was able to cross off some things on my to-do list: ziplining, paragliding, whale watching, visiting the Santa Monica Pier, tried ceviche, and other things big and small that I've always wanted to try.

2011 was a great year. It was about building upon work put in from all the past years and finally reaching a next step in my career and what I want to do and be in my life. Maybe it was turning 30 and getting out of the "learning" decade of my 20s but now I feel I want to put all that learning to work.

New adventures in 2012 will include more travel, more accomplishments all while balancing the things that will always be my first priority: my relationships.

So far, I only have three things on my 2012 to-do list: get a passport, travel, write more. I want to visit Greece, Italy, Spain and go back to New York. I want to explore San Francisco and Napa Valley and have tentative plans for these places already in the works. I want to really concentrate on the kind of book I want to write. For so long, it's been too many ideas and notes and not enough pages and continuity. I feel this is the year that I'll have a finished product.

2011 has been a lot of learning and growing with a lot of blessings. I hope for that and more in 2012. What's on your list?

Fun On a Budget

Sometimes as much as I don't want to admit it, it's expensive to have fun! San Diego is a great city for those who are budget-conscious because there are a ton of free things to do. However, there's always a need (or want) to try something different; a new restaurant, a new event, a new adventure.

First off, one of my favorite free fun things is visiting the library. Yes, I realize that this does not fall in a lot of people's category as far as things to do that are entertaining. But, you can borrow DVDs, magazines and newly-released books just by LIVING somewhere.

However, if it's always nice not to be a complete hermit and try to get out and about. My advice: sign up for everything! Businesses are dying to give things away right now. To boost sales, good reviews, etc. With Yelp!, Twitter and Facebook giving us the power of voicing an opinion within minutes of time, every business wants to make sure their customers are satisfied. Also, no matter where you are, sign up through your city's papers and local websites for their free deals and contests.

This week I received: access to the Hornblower for a free evening concert (102.1 KPRi), two tickets to La Jolla's Wine Walk and Taste (San Diego Reader), and was able to spend a Girl's Night Out complete with dinner, dancing and late-night tacos for under $20. (Thank you, Buca di Beppo coupon and my slick budgeting skills). Also, I won tickets to a free screening of Martha May Marcy Marlene next week (San Diego Union Tribune).

My point being that there are always people who are going to say they can't afford to go out or have fun and I think they're just not trying hard enough. Many cities have free street festivals, museums offering free admissions, zoos. You can sign up to win tickets for anything: theatre tickets, concert tickets, restaurants. Also, I've used Twitter to win contests. Follow your favorites and take advantage of promos they run and contests they have.

It doesn't matter what your bank account numbers say, the feeling of saving money feels pretty nice. And if you don't want your email inbox filled with deals and coupons, set up another account to use just for those times you want that free deal. You'd be surprised at how many wealthy people who have relayed their misery to me. Money or not, they forgot to have fun. Money can't buy happiness, haven't you heard? Quality time with people you love is priceless.
Saving a buck while doing so is just the icing on the cake.