18 before 25 - The End!

It now seems a million years ago since I set myself these goals. Yesterday was my 25th Birthday and so, the end of my goals. I have had fun working my way through them. But wow, over 18 months your priorities and likes/dislikes really do change. I have learnt a lot over these 18 months. If I could go back to when I first started this I would write a very different list. I'd leave out some for being un-achievable or overly ambitious (5 & 6), I would be more specific on others (11!) and definitely pick things that cost less money.

My final 18 before 25 roundup;

1. Learn to bake my own amazing bread - Most definitely! 

2. Give some time to charity, regularly - A few little bits; 1. I walked some pups 2. Laid a path through the woods. 3. Volunteered at Kirkstall Community Gardens.
3. Start learning to drive. -Nope, but I will be getting my provisional in the near future.
4. Go to the Lake District - I was planning to do this for my birthday, but, you know, we got a pup! But, I am currently looking up dog-friendly cottage rentals so we can make a trip when shes a little older.
5. Go whale spotting - This is one that I should have researched. Whale spotting in England isn't too easy, and the places you can do it are far away. But, this is something I will do, at some point.
6. Get my qualifications for work - Hm.
7. Go carbooting.
8. Go to the Manchester Velodrome- Still planning on doing this soon.
9. See more bands play live- Happy with this one! Including Braid, Owen and millions at Primavera Sound; The Postal Service, Camera Obscura, Hot Snakes & Shellac. 
10. Read as much as possible - I didn't do too great at this one in the beginning, but 2014 is going to be my year of reading. I'm reading in every single spare moment I have.
11. Lose weight! - I may be prematurely crossing this one off. But, since the new year I have made some serious diet changes and I'm pretty happy with how its going.
12. Explore Yorkshire! - Yep; 1. 2. 3. I'm planning on carrying this one on into 2014.
13. Start quilting. Start and finish one design by hand. - I did this but my attempt was awful. It really did look terrible in the end, but I learnt a lot and went ahead and made one with my machine; much better.
14. Take more photos (especially film) and frame them to hang around the flat - Started, I have a lot of film that needs developing also; 1.2.
15. Sort my finances out, no more debt.- On my way! Overdraft and store cards paid off, building on my credit rating and trying to be smart about what I spend. 
16. Host a (dinner) party - Nope.
17. Go see a play - Done.
18. Learn to enjoy time alone. - Totally happy with this one!
19. Ride bikes with Dixon - It makes me sad I haven't done this one. Really sad. I love to bike but I just haven't in ages.

Even though I did strike them all off, I feel good to have finished. You can look back through my past posts on this one right here.

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A Goal Update - Less than two months to go.

My 25th birthday is February the 12th; that's pretty close now. I still have a few of my goals that I haven't tackled. I've had loved it so far, I have done some fun things and mastered some things too; if I was to do this again I would avoid the goals which cost a lot of money (whale spotting...) and focus more on ones that are challenging to me. I should have been more specific with some goals too; My 'losing weight' one should maybe have been go running, or join a yoga class. 'Read as much as possible' should have been finish 20 new books. Etc etc.

Anyway, here is how I am going under two months to go;


1. Learn to bake my own amazing bread - I set myself a 12 months of Bread mini-challenge to work through, although I have 4 left to do before the end of the year but I have definitely learnt loads and can make amazing bread. 
2. Give some time to charity, regularly - A few little bits; 1. I walked some pups 2. Laid a path through the woods. And volunteered at Kirkstall Community Gardens 
3. Start learning to drive. -NO! I will be getting my provisional license in January though. I swear. 
4. Go to the Lake District - I'm hoping to make a trip to the Lake District for my actual birthday. The trains to Lake Windermere aren't anywhere near as expensive as I though. 
5. Go whale spotting - This one seems a bit of a distant dream. One day, but probably (definitely) not in the next two months.

   

6. Get my qualifications for work - Not doing so great, fingers crossed for a 1 of 4 before I'm 25. 
7. Go carbooting. 
8. Go to the Manchester Velodrome- Dixon and me are planning to do this in February, fingers crossed.
9. See more bands play live- I've seen a whole bunch! Including Braid, Owen and millions at Primavera Sound; The Postal Service, Camera Obscura, Hot Snakes & Shellac. 
10. Read as much as possible. - I have been reading, maybe not as much as possible;  I'm currently half way through Morrisseys Biography and Stiff by Mark Roach. 
11. Lose weight! - Still a lump. January starts the fitness regime. Holiday to France in July is the ultimate goal. 
12. Explore Yorkshire! - Yep; 1. 2. 3. I still have more of this planned, when I hit 5 I'll be happy.
13. Start quilting. Start and finish one design by hand. - I did this but my attempt was awful. It really did look terrible in the end, but I learnt a lot and went ahead and made one with my machine; much better.
14. Take more photos (especially film) and frame them to hang around the flat. - Started, I have a lot of film that needs developing also; 1.2.

 

15. Sort my finances out, no more debt.- On my way! Overdraft and store cards paid off, building on my credit rating and trying to be smart about what I spend. 
16. Host a (dinner) party. - Nope, still haven't gotten around to this one, fingers crossed in the new year as we have had hardly anyone around to our new house. 
17. Go see a play- Done 
18. Learn to enjoy time alone. 
19. Ride bikes with Dixon - This hasn't been much of a success, Dixon is a lot better at riding then me; but I'm planning to pick up a new bike in the new year so there is still a chance.

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Hall Park.

^^Can you spot the little guy burying his food?^^

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I have gotten back into a crappy-rut of spending my weekends not doing very much when Dixon isn't around (which is every other weekend at the minute). I really have to force myself to do things alone; it is so much easier to just stay home. Even though sitting at home is a complete waste of time, it is just easier. Which is a stupid way to think.

So, this weekend I decided it was time to go and explore one of our new local parks. Its a fair walk from the house but it was the most amazing Autumn day so I didn't mind it at all. The park was full of interesting stuff; some amazing plants and trees, a little Japanese-style garden and squirrels! I spent a lot of time watching the squirrels. They are super cute. I wish I had taken something with me to give them. Apparently bands play at the band stand during the summer all the time, which is kind of cool! Its where a local cricket team plays too, we'll definitely have to go see them play next year.

Its a pretty cool place to have close by, and would be perfect if/when we get a dog and for picnics in summer. I still felt like a total creep walking around by myself, but it wasn't too bad and I'm sure it'll get better.


ps. I didn't think about this, but my friend Kate (Hi Kate!) pointed out the squirrels are Red Squirrels! Over here in England Red Squirrels have been getting a raw deal since Grey Squirrels started invading carrying a disease the Reds can't handle. I saw about 2-3 on my walk, feeling pretty lucky now!

Foraging walk.

This weekend I headed out on a guided forage walk. I had wanted to go foraging for aggggess, but never knew where to start. So I thought this walk would be perfect; it would give me an idea of where to go and learn what to look for so that I can head out on my own whenever I like. Plus, it means I had to talk to people which I generally avoid at all costs, but need to get used to.

It was misty and muddy but it turned out to be a pretty beautiful day! We found loads and I learnt a lot. We saw a huge variety of berries, mushrooms, nuts and herbs. I didn't pick any of the berries though, I didn't want them to get smushed up in my bag! Next time I'll definitely take a little plastic box to protect them.

Best of all though; apple trees! About a dozen, all different varieties and all full of fruit. It was amazing! Apparently they are part of an old orchard the monks of Kirkstall Abbey planted, but has long since been abandoned and left to grow as nature intended. I grabbed as many as I could carry. I wish I'd have gotten more. You need someone tall to help you apple pick. Al the best looking ones were at the top... The mass of apples became apple-cinnamon swirles and are soon to be a batch of apple sauce or jam, or maybe even a pie. I can't decide!

I'm a little gutted that the seasonal timing wasn't so great (some berries were overripe). BUT, I now know the basics and can build on it with trips out by myself. I can't wait to go mushroom picking next year and in spring I am going to go crazy for elderflower. How could anyone not want to make Elderflower Champagne!? Fingers crossed for hazelnuts and blackberries too.

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Framing some Instagrams.

I decided to get some of my Instagram photos printed a few weeks back. It always seems a waste to me to only have photographs in digital form. Thankfully, there are a million companies out there that do instragram-prints. I decided to used Polargram mainly because their site was super easy to use and the delivery ended up being pretty swift too. Since they arrived they have sat around not doing very much. So, I had a look around for some inspiration on how to display them. I was going to pin them up using bulldog clips then remembered I had a square frame that had been laying around for years. AND, my 12 prints fitted it it perfectly. It was meant to be!

I messed around with the order for a while and when I was happy used masking tape to fix them into place. I used masking tape so that if I wanted to do something different with them or stick them in an album later; they wouldn't be damaged. When I put them in the frame I was super happy! I've got it propped it up on the dining table at the minute but it will be going up on the wall very soon. I will definitely be getting some more printed soon and display them. One more step closer to completing my goals.

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A Little Goal Update - 1 year in.

I can't believe its been a year today since I set myself some goals to achieve before my 25th birthday! My 25th birthday is now 6 months away and I have made a pretty good dint in the list, I think.

Here are my eighteen before twentyfive and how I'd doing:

1. Learn to bake my own amazing bread - I feel like I've achieved this one, I've definitely improved my skills. I started a 12 months of Bread project to help me with this one, but I have some catching up to do! Which I definitely will do soon because I love to make bread.
2. Give some time to charity, regularly - A little time given so far and more is on the horizon. I'd love to find something I can do regularly, it would really help if I could drive...
3. Start learning to drive. - Urg, I keep putting this off because it is so expensive to do, but I am determined to get at least a couple of lessons in before my birthday.
4. Go to the Lake District! Or the lake. & Row a boat! - No plans set for this one, although I would love to go Lake Windermere really soon, with our bikes and a tent. Again, I need to drive!
5. Go whale spotting. - This one seems like a distant dream at the minute. I was hoping to do it for my actual birthday, but February isn't the best month for it! Boo.
6. Get my qualifications for work - Not doing so great on this one, I have had a couple of exams, and done crappy at them. Fingers crossed the next one will be a pass.
7. Go carbooting. - Yep, done. I would love to make this a more regular thing! Probably the perfect weekend activity.
8. Go to the Manchester Velodrome again, either to cycle, or see an event. -Soon! Definitely.
9. See more bands play live - I've seen a whole load of bands in the last year; including a trip to Primavera Sound where I saw loads of my favorites. Outside of that I've seen Braid, and will be seeing Owen in December!
10. Read as much as possible. - I am currently half way through approximately 400 books. Once we move I'll have a train commute, so I'll be picking them all up again then.


11. Lose weight! - Starting. I need to get off my lazy butt and actually do some exercise though.
12. Explore Yorkshire! - Yep; 1. 2. 3. I loved doing this one so far and can't wait to do more, next I want to visit Saltaire & Skipton. Yorkshire is a pretty big place, but I think once I hit 5 new places I'll feel like I've achieved this one..
13. Start quilting. Start and finish one design by hand. - It took ages and came out a huge mess by the time I'd finished, I probably wont be trying quilting again anytime soon. It was such a faff!
14. Take more photos (especially film) and frame them to hang around the flat. - Yep, definitely made a dent in this one. You can see some of my photographs here; film and digital. I now constantly have at least one film camera on me and I'm using my flickr account again. I've framed a few around the house too, and will be doing more soon..
15. Sort my finances out, no more debt. - This was a pretty big one for me, and I'm definitely on my way. I've paid off the majority of my debt; cut up a couple of store cards and got rid of my overdraft. Now I just need to start some savings!
16. Host a dinner party. - Nooo, I keep meaning to do this one. Maybe once we move house and have more space?
17. Go see a play. - Done!
18. Learn to enjoy time alone - Definitely done.

19. Ride bikes with Dixon, lots (on my beautiful bike), aim to do 30miles in a day? & maybe even further -We have been out on a few bike rides together, the most we did was about 13miles though! Still determined to reach the 30miler.

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Do you set yourself regular goals? I'm thinking I might start setting myself more, maybe a little more short term than the year and a half I set for these ones. Maybe every 3 months or so? Seasonal Goals?

A Sculpture Park + A Picnic

I have wanted to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for a long time. So, this weekend, we took advantage of the beautiful weather, packed a picnic and headed out.

I had no idea how huge the park would be and how many sculptures there would be in it. There is a huge lake right in the middle and the views all around are beautiful. The majority of the sculptures weren't listed in the guide we picked up so we veered off the suggested route a little and explored ourselves. Some were so easy to wonder past without realising (like the guy stud up on the tree!) so it was fun to wonder around and explore.

We walked around for hours, and looking at the YSP website now we still missed so many of the sculptures. The whole place is full of sheep, geese, ducks, swans and all of their Spring babies too. I had the best time, and I will definitely be going back. Mainly because the gift shop was amazing and I didn't get chance to choose anything.

You can find a listing of sculpture parks all over the world here! If there is one near you, you should definitely go. If you're in Yorkshire, I'd highly recommend the YSP. Wear trainers, those sheep poop a lot. Have you ever been to a sculpture park? I'd love to visit some others!

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