Before My 31st Birthday

I just started reading this book entitled, "The Next Thing on My List," by Jill Smolinski. So far I like it. I picked it out for my mom on her birthday (in May), told her to read it first and if she enjoyed it then she was to return it to me to read. And she did.

I'm only a few chapters into it but I feel as if the timing is perfect for me. The plot is this: a women in her 30's finds a list of a 24 year old girl whom has just died in a car accident. The list contains 20 things to do before the girl has her 25th birthday. (Oh to be 24 or 25 again!) The thirty-something woman then decides she will finish the list since the author cannot.

I love books of self-discovery like this, I really do. Remember how I talked about the traveling funeral book? Anything that makes me think about my own life, how to appreciate it more, and how to do more with it, well that is a book for me. No, not Dr. Phil. But books that make me sad that they've ended and that have me thinking for weeks after I read them regarding their message and characters.

Ironically, even before I picked up this book to read, I had been internally making my own self-improvement list in my head. Yes, another list of mine. What can I say? They are addicting. Just like this blog and other blogs I read daily now.

My birthday is August 12. I don't have a lot of time to do twenty things between now and then but I believe I can achieve the three things that I told myself over the weekend I would attempt to do. Actually, make that four things, now that I give it a second thought.

(1) To read more. Well I'm already doing that. I read that Judy Blume book over the weekend and I've started another one. I visit blogs that inspire me and make me laugh daily. So I can cross this one off.

(2) To straighten and whiten my teeth. I've taken a step in the right direction for this one. I made the dental appointment for Thursday. Of course, this may be a painful process that will last longer than my birthday since I haven't been to the dentist in four years. (yes, you heard me correctly - I hang my head in shame. But it could be worse, my husband hasn't had his teeth worked on in over ten years!!! Shhh, don't tell anyone.)

I will sometimes receive postive comments on my smile. Usually my crooked teeth aren't evident in most photos. Still I have this lingering compliment over my head, one that an ex-boyfriend was kind enough to give me years ago - "snaggletooth" he called me and would make motions of a dragon coming from my mouth. Nice, eh? Not to worry, I had the last bite on that one, right before I kicked him to the curb.

I've never worn braces but wish I would have had them (or a retainer) as a kid. I want pretty, straight and white teeth. It's never too late to have a beautiful smile that you can feel confident about, right? I mean, I'm not doing any nip/tuck of my breasts or buttocks. This is one that I am looking forward to doing for myself. This one will be half-crossed by the time my birthday arrives.

(3) To start dancing again. (And exercising - it's a two for one, really). I have already researched a Jazzercise class and a Zumba class that would fit into my schedule. I'm leaning more toward the Zumba class though. Latin and Spanish music really speak to me and motivate me to strut my tush. I just need to get over this damn cold and get my butt into the class. I'm confident that I can at least make one visit before I turn the big 31. Consider this one in the process of being crossed off.

(4) This last one is the one I'm most excited about. It involves writing. My friend Carrie recently inspired me when she began taking a photography class. My friend Amanda recently insprired me by starting her own clothing and accessory boutique. And then there is young girl I found through blog hopping whom I've had trouble contacting or leaving comments, for some odd reason. Del, who has a blog called Before you die has compiled her own list of things she wishes to achieve and I find her quite refreshing. I don't know her but her writing is great, insightful and her thoughts remind me of myself at that age.

Anyway, it's time for me to pursue my passions: writing. I've been saying my whole life that I want to be a writer. But I've gone years without writing. Suddenly I'm hitting a new groove and I want the momentum to continue. I have so much to learn, I realize that. I'm just beginning this process.

I don't have a story line, plot, or characters in my head just yet. I'm not even sure what kind of writing I want to attempt first. I'm thinking maybe children's fiction or a play, as I love making up conversations and working with dialogues, but I'm still pondering over this. I'm just tired of talking and dreaming about what I want to do. Action is calling me!

So over the weekend, I looked up some local courses and workshops on writing. Montgomery, AL has several universities within a fifteen-mile radius of me. And I found intriquing classes that I want to take, some that I'm rather elated over actually! In late October and early November, I will take a course on beginners writing and author publication. The workshop is being taught by Stephen King's first editor, Michael Garrett. How cool is that! I mean, I'm not really into horror writing but you can't deny Mr. King's way with words. To be under tutelage with the man who helped him see success will be an honor.

I'm looking at other things I can take as well. This is just the beginning! Maybe I'll never be on the best seller's list. Maybe my only publication will be this blog, self-published by me. But I won't stop trying. I won't stop working toward my dreams.

So that is my list before I become an old hag in just a week. Totally doable, I think. Perhaps I'll start a new list after this one is finished, before my 32nd birthday. Why let the good times fade?

I can't wait to help Vivian create her own lists someday. I can imagine myself framing one that will look something similar to this:



And well, who wouldn't want to spend more time eating ice pops and playing? In fact, I think I'll add these two line items to my above list and work toward crossing them off right now. :-)