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It’s been a few months since I did a 10 things that make me happy post… so stuff that has my attention lately…

1. Liberty of London – Remember when I went overboard on buying Liberty of London stuff? Yep, still like it.
2. World Cup 2010 – Was I stoked for World Cup 2006? No, I was on the “meh” level, but being in Marseilles and going to local pubs to watch games and then watching the French go ballistic after the Brazil/France (quarterfinal?) was awesome. So this time around, I have the infectious enthusiasm of my coworkers and a few work projects that are related, so yeah, excited for World Cup 2010? Definitely! Come on, it’s stuff white people like.
3. Häagen-Dazs Five Ice Cream – Ginger – “It tastes like ginger” Yum.
4. window gardening – I got a late start at my community garden spot, because of my move, so I started 2 small planters on my balcony that I moved to my windows after the move (arugula, basil, mint, and 1 strawberry plant). The basil died, and my kitteh is making great time on eating the arugula. Which inspired the Arugula Pecorino Pizza before it’s all gone.
5. She & Him – I won tickets to the She & Him show in Bend on Memorial Day. le sigh! Volume I & II. So good.
6. iPhone4 - I can haz? birthday coming up, yes.
7. Mumford & Sons – Rather obsessed with these fellows of late. Also, you can listen to the entire album for free on [gasp] MySpace. And if you weren’t already in love with them…
8. Gap linen shorts – You know how some people say you shouldn’t buy a ton of the same thing in different colors? Dude. Those people obviously don’t have issues finding shorts that a. fit in the waist b. fit in the butt c. are tight enough around the leg. So, I bought green, blue, and white. I did put the yellow and pink ones back… for another time?
9. Pink Gin Fizz – not a big fan of sweet drinks, but I can get behind sweet/sour. Shortcut: Grapefruit Izze + oj + gin= tasty.
10. Oregon coast – I spent some time napping in the sand dunes and sunshine last weekend. <3

What’s on your list?

I bought a house condo in April at an auction! Yes, really! I never thought I’d be buying something so soon after my return to ‘grown up’ life, but I really wanted that first-time homebuyer tax credit (which you cannot get for a yurt, fyi), and it was a great time to buy.

The auction was a little intense, but still a fun experience. I had a few Excel spreadsheets pre-auction in full analysis paralysis style, so I didn’t have to worry about what I was going to bid on auction day. Also, did I mention that I tried to raise my own bid? True story. Also, did I mention that I flung my pen that was attached to my bidding card when I was trying to bid? Nobody expects the wild card.

So I’ve been in my place for one week, and so far kitteh loves the hardwood floors and climbing on the fridge, while I’m in love with the kitchen, and we both love the view. Anyway, so pleased to own my own 639 sq ft in the sky. :) I think I’m officially a grown-up.

It’s about time for another things that make me happy list, but I decided that at the moment, strawberry shortcake makes me happy…

{circa 2009}

{circa 2010}

{*fingers crossed* future strawberry shortcake} Recipe: everyday food

I’m turning 30 soon — well technically I have to turn 29 first, which gives me about 13 months to do a 30 before thirty list.

As mentioned, I decided to take a break from the 101 things in 1,001 days list. My clone started a 30 before thirty list, so like a good clone I’m copying her — let the listomania begin…

30 Before Thirty List

1. Buy a house – this was on my list before I bought a house!
2. Visit Iceland
3. Run a half-marathon (ie. start running again)
4. Attend a cooking class (@Sur La Table perhaps)
5. Carve out a stellar mini-office for work [at home]
6. Go raw for 1 week or do a cleanse ( hi mom, I know you’re going to leave me an inspirational comment)
7. Start strength training
8. Learn to ride my bike outside with my cycling shoes [without falling over]
9. Go to 1 new restaurant (or coffee shop) per week 52 in total
10. Do yoga six days a week for one month
11. Learn the Tittibhasana (Firefly) Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm stand) pose – (hijacked this one, sorry pal)
12. Get an iPhone (did Steve tell you that perchance?)
13. Go actual backpacking (as-in: carrying a backpack in the forest, not schlepping around the globe)
14. Take a silver jewelry class – crafter-alert!
15. Road trip Hwy 101 south & stay in that lighthouse hostel near SF
16. Try a new class that isn’t ‘my style’: belly dancing or zumba (cringe)
17. Ask 20 12 people their favorite book and read it
18. Try kiteboarding
19. Volunteer again
20. Get a car, scooter or new bicycle
21. Visit a spa for a whole day or do a yoga/spa vacay with H
22. Eat [hyper] local for one week
23. Cook a 5-course meal, have a dinner party
24. Buy awesome matching lingerie
25. Start a grown-up alcohol collection and declare a signature drink (mojitos…)
26. Buy a little black dress (note: not navy, grey, or a sundress… this one is going to be a challenge)
27. Visit all 30 breweries in Portland
28. Ask a guy out (I seriously have never done this, what is my problem!)
29. — (I’ll add this before my 29th birthday)
30. — (I’ll add this before my 29th birthday)

Well, well?

photo by 96dpi

Well, well… my 101 Things in 1,001 Days project is finally over… ummm, last month (I wrote this recap and then forgot about it). I’m a little disappointed to report that I only finished 71% of my list — but I’m really excited about the things I’ve accomplished and experienced in the last 1,001 days. Highlights: finished my MBA, white water rafting (2x), got a cat, quit my job to travel for a year, traveled to: Mexico, Panama, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Morocco, Azores, Bahamas, and Costa Rica, went to Bumbershoot, watched the top 100 grossing films of all time, read 52 books in 52 weeks, found my signature cupcake, volunteered, tried SCUBA diving, started my first garden… and a few others.

So instead of doing another 101 Things list, I’ve decided to try out a 30 Before I’m 30 list. Aaaaaah! :) So dear Internet, what should I add to my 30 Things Before 30 list? Ideas so far include: buy a house (update: done! I kind of sandbagged this one, but I’m totally going to keep it on the list), visit Iceland, try kiteboarding, start strength training, learn a really hard yoga pose (which one?), run a half marathon or try an easy triathalon (I suck at swimming though), visit all 30 microbreweries in Portland…

What else should be on my ’30 Before I’m 30′ list?