Here's to the last year of my first quarter-century

This time last week was really tough. I am really trying to stay optimistic through all of it, but I can't help but feel defeated by it. On top of a busy and difficult work weekend, I turned 24. I guess I didn't exactly know where I would be at 24. I think when the economy tanked and I graduated from college, the whole game changed. Not that I had a definitive plan before then. 


And so I have entered into the last year of my first quarter-century on this planet. (A silly milestone really) But because I have such a disdain for New Year's resolutions and feel as though accomplishing something by the time I turn 25 would be very rewarding. I am going starting using my birthday as a means of reevaluating where I am in live and my contributions to this world to date. 

To start lets review the goals I set for myself for this year:

1. Make a blog post at least once a week  I may not have posted once a week but cumulatively I did more than that
2. Read 6 books in 6 months    I am still working on this; but I have the line-up on stand-by
3. Enjoy photographing; make meaningful images; create one 8mm movie     I really stepped this one up; no 8mm (no $$)
4. Build a job worthy portfolio     I don't even know what to say
5. Run the Chicago Half Marathon     DONE!
6. Drink 64 oz of water daily   I was doing really well
7. Collect a family history    The idea is there the execution is still brewing
8. Take advantage of a summer in Chicago     Yeah, it was pretty awesome
9. Go out West; go back East    Badlands National Park; Virginia Beach
10. Don't freak out    Ongoing

Things to accomplish before I turn 25:

1. Make a blog post at least once a week
2. Read a book a month
3. Work on a project that makes me excited
4. Find a job that I am good at/enjoy
5. Run the Chicago Marathon (technically the day after my birthday)
6. Go to California
7. Start a separate savings account
8. Finish was I start (to the best of my ability)
9. Show appreciation for friends and family
10. Don't freak out

Maybe my priorities are in the wrong places. I would like to think that I am making good decisions. Needless to say, 24 has not been off to a great start. Time to turn that around because self-pity is not attractive.