30 goals

A good friend got me in the habit of making a new list of goals on my birthdays. As I recently celebrated my 31st birthday, I thought I would share my list of goals for being thirty.


 

Of my thirty goals, here are the ones I completed:

1. Send someone flowers for no reason

2. Save enough money for a long trip abroad

3. Travel to all seven continents in the calendar year

4. Travel to my sixtieth country

5. Write regularly

6. Submit my photos to a contest or newspaper

7. Downsize my possessions

8. Help someone finish their first marathon

9. Leave my job

10. Consistent yoga practice

11. Surprise visit someone

12. Go abroad for at least one consecutive month

13. Go camping

14. Go on a multi day hike

15. Travel or plan a trip with my mum

16. Travel or plan a trip with my dad

17. Fill an entire journal

18. Skinny dip

19. Do an unaided head stand

20. Tell my family more often that I love them

 

And here are the goals I didn't meet this past year:

1. Finally get my driver's license

2. Go to a drive-in movie

3. Do at least five consecutive, proper push ups

4. Do at least three consecutive pull ups

5. Volunteer at least ten hours

6. Hang up a picture myself

7. Meditate regularly

8. Ride a century or l'etap

9. Go through a corn or hedge maze

10. Learn the dance to Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies"

 

A two thirds completion rate is pretty good in my book! Now that I'm an ancient thirty one, I've got a new set of goals to work on (although you can expect to see at least one of my missed goals on my list for this year. I think you all know which one!).

 

A side note: I've definitely neglected my poor blog lately! The good news is that this is because Mini Bear and I've been having such an incredible time in South America traveling and meeting new people. The better news is that you can expect regular updates again from now on!

 

Pucon miscellaneous

It's always a great feeling when you realize you don't have to do something you don't want to do. I had a bus ticket for Buenos Aires but after a night of, um, celebrating our volcano summit and thinking about all of the places in Chile I still wanted to visit, I ran down the street to the bus company and refunded my ticket with minutes to spare. I happily spent another day in Pucon and made plans for my next stop.

 

In the meantime, here are a few miscellaneous Pucon memories.

 

El Refugio Hostel was great and I loved getting to stay in a dome tent!

 

An attempt to hike to Ojos de Caburga was thwarted by a sudden and heavy downpour. Fortunately, we managed to take this shot of me crossing the Delaware before the rains came.

 

On my second hike to Salto el Claro, I was able to cross off one item from my to do list for the year. There are no photos of this event but there was definitely a witness who was kind enough to hold a towel open for me as I ran out of the ice cold water. (Haha! Thanks again!)

 

Pucon's picturesque lake was busy with visitors, including hungry dogs and fake lifeguards.

 

I found a great tree to climb...and then realized I had no one with me to take the photo.

 

A sunny afternoon was put to good use sipping on terremotos and beer at a sidewalk cafe.

 

Until I saw this sign, I hadn't realized the town had such unique parking regulations.

 

When the clouds finally parted after a week, I caught my first glimpse of the volcano that was the entire reason for me lingering in Pucon.

 

The clouds then reappeard, but only to create a vivid sunset.

I loved my time here and the people that I met. Goodbye Pucon! I hope to be back someday.