feeling accomplished

You know what?

I've been reading several posts about how other bloggers can make you feel inferior. How they don't respond to comments sometimes, or don't seem to really read comments when they do respond to them. How they have awesome closets, or spend all day pinning things on Pinterest and then show you pictures of their DIY projects that look like something you could buy at UO (or Watson Kennedy -- which is an awesome store that doesn't exist outside of Seattle, I don't think. Le sigh.) I read a lot of bloggers that buy all (and I mean ALL) their clothes at Anthropologie, a store I hadn't even really given a second thought to before diving head-first into the blog world

Though, I do have to admit, they have freaking cute dresses and coats.

In any case, these posts made me sad for those people, mad at other bloggers, and somewhat depressed about mys own state. And I contemplated writing a very heartfelt (read: pity party) post about how anxiety gets the best of me most of the time and I can't even call the dentist to make an appointment to get my filling re-filled without my boyfriend's help; so I went back to this 'list' I had created a little while back to remind myself of how much of a failure I am in most aspects of my life.

And a funny thing happened.

See, I tend to be a kinesthetic learner -- I learn by doing. I have to literally write things on a piece of paper to be able to remember them long-term (and therefore, the advent of bringing computers to class was the demise of any real studying for me, because typing doesn't learn me the same ;) So, I had forgotten about this list I typed. It doesn't exist anywhere except on my blog -- which I've kind of abandoned in recent times -- and I hadn't actually looked at it in a while.

Apparently I know myself pretty well though, because this is my list:

Things to Accomplish in Seattle

• Start arranging a cappella again
• relatedly, have an arrangement performed and/or recorded
• Learn to sew and use my handheld sewing machine
• Run a 5k (not necessarily enter a race, just be able to run 5k on the treadmill without stopping)
• Lose 5-10lbs (I'd be happy with 5 and even happier with 10!)
• Save money for Hawaii
• Take a wine tasting class (also maybe cheese and chocolate tasting class? I like all these things...)
• Audition for a show at a community theatre (musical or non)
• Take dance classes.

Things to Accomplish by 30

• Complete a novel and/or book of short stories
• Run a 5k Race...outside, somewhere. With other people!
• Take serious cooking courses; possibly get a culinary degree?
• Audition for five or more professional singing gigs (choir, theatre, cruise ship, etc.)
• Learn how to Irish dance proficiently

And here is the list with the things that I have accomplished crossed off (also, a few expected things in italics):

Things to Accomplish in Seattle

• Start arranging a cappella again
• relatedly, have an arrangement performed and/or recorded we are starting learning my arrangement at this Saturday's rehearsal
• Learn to sew and use my handheld sewing machine
• Run a 5k (not necessarily enter a race, just be able to run 5k on the treadmill without stopping) I am halfway to this goal -- I can run 1.5 miles. Baby steps.
• Lose 5-10lbs (I'd be happy with 5 and even happier with 10!)
• Save money for Hawaii
• Take a wine tasting class (also maybe cheese and chocolate tasting class? I like all these things...)
• Audition for a show at a community theatre (musical or non)
• Take dance classes. I have found a place that has relatively inexpensive classes that is within walk/jogging distance of my house at times that I can go. Now I just have to work up the courage to do it. Or, find someone to go with me.

Things to Accomplish by 30

• Complete a novel and/or book of short stories
• Run a 5k Race...outside, somewhere. With other people! It's possible I will be doing the Seattle Color Run in May. Possible.
• Take serious cooking courses; possibly get a culinary degree?
• Audition for five or more professional singing gigs (choir, theatre, cruise ship, etc.)
• Learn how to Irish dance proficiently

So I kind of surprised myself.

And that feels pretty good.

What have you surprised yourself with lately?

(now to post this list somewhere where I actually see it daily!)