Accomplish one, put others on hold…

So, my trip to Ashland was my first big challenge of a goal.  It was the one goal I was actually afraid to do, which is why I tackled it first. 

Who would have ever guessed that the outcome of this maiden voyage in goal accomplishing would result in my renting of a cottage, the projected September move and a complete life change?!

Not me, that is for sure. 

But it did and I am moving, which means that a few of my goals are subject to change. 

Life is a little crazed at the moment with packing, planning, and my racking my brain to find a way to tell my parents that I am moving and once again starting fresh with a new game plan.  (They love it when I jump ship on whatever plans I have previously convinced them I was on to start working on another.)

Anywho…

As soon as I get the rest of my ducks in order, I will be back in accomplishment mode and will be blogging my little heart out from my amazing new patio.  In the mean time, Eleanor has jump started her check off list and is on her way to greatness. 

Check her out.  She is fabulous!

1. Ashland.

I love Ashland.  It is by far my favorite city in the world and going to school there was one of the best choices I have ever made. 

That, was unfortunately paired with one of the worst choices I have ever made and running from said beautiful town seemed like the only way to move up and onward with my life. 

I visited once, the summer after I left, when I knew that the streets were safe to walk and there would be no happenstance stumble upons with my reason for leaving. 

This last weekend was the first time in three years that I was brave enough to return. 

I spent the most amazing five days falling back in love with the town that strengthens my soul and keeps my feet grounded. 

This poetic journey included:

– A catch up with Sam, Maggie, Jen and Carly over Sam’s homemade pear wine on the back patio.

– A long game of chess with Douglas (where he beat me) at Liquid Assets (a fantastic wine bar).

– Dinner and dancing at the Vinal Club and the Cat Box which at one point seemed to resemble the best sex I never had ;)

– Drinks with my old resident Nick.

– The best hippy house concert I have ever been to where New SuperHeros rocked the casbah.  

– My first ever facial and a new friendship over chai lattes with Monica from Alchemy Botanicals.

– The making of another friendship with Jess! a graphic design student and friend of Doug’s.

– Breakfast at the Breadboard, Morning Glory, and Evo’s.

– Lunch at Greenleaf and Panchea.

– A great catch up with Kyla, Jon, and Sean.

– Dinner at Thai Pepper (and a quick catch up with Dave).

– My first ever Tarot Reading where I was told that my Goddess is Aphrodite ;)

and…

– The renting of this beautiful hippy cottage where I will soon be living ;)

The first day…

… of the rest of my life ;)

I have always been a goal setter, a planner, a girl with too many todo lists. 

What I have lacked to be in the past is a follow througher.  So badly so, that my mom has even said to me: “Emily, I just don’t know if you have the ability to follow through with things.” Ouch! This is the same mom who also tells me that until I actually do something different with my life, I am a career server. Double ouch.

She does it out of love.  Really.

So, not out of spite, (like I have been known to do or not do many a thing in the past) or in attempt to prove someone wrong, I am taking on a challenge that some would think too grand for my own good.

This girl with grandiose goals is setting out to turn her life around and set her self up to actually stand on her own two feet rather than running whenever her weaknesses catch up with her. 

Starting today, August 1st, 2008, I will do everything I have in me to complete 101 goals in 1001 days.  That gives me until Friday, April 29, 2011, to complete all of this and become that better person I am always talking about being. 

Wish me luck friends…

I’ll blog the good with the bad, so there will be plenty to read and encouragement needed ;)