List | 24 before 25
In my usual fashion, this post is almost two months late. I actually completed a reasonable amount of last year's goals - just about everything got a look-in and some of them I've carried through to my new list. I don't hold myself to these lists too strictly, but it is nice to put down on paper some achievable aspirations from time to time. It is easy to become wrapped up in day to day life and to lose focus of goals, big or small.
1. Develop my 'brand'
This little aspiration will likely not come about until the end of the year, but I'd love to work more on making stationery, zines, textiles, jewellery and the like. And maybe go to markets or makeover my Etsy shop. I have a lot of ideas scribbled in notebooks but little time for these things, so I'm making this a priority this year.
2. Learn to sew clothes for Theo
I've started a Pinterest board for inspiration for childrens clothes making and I've been looking for vintage childrens clothes patterns. My mum promised to buy me a sewing machine for my birthday (and I'm yet to cash in on that promise) and I'd love to improve my sewing skills by making clothes for Theo because it would use little fabric and things don't have to be 'flattering', so there's less pressure. I always look at items in Theo's wardrobe and think "that looks so simple, surely I could make that!".
3. Graduate uni and organise beginning my Masters next year
I have two more subjects to complete after this semester and I'm on track to don that rented cap and gown in December and parade down my city's streets in a swarm of other graduates (a cute thing that UTAS does). I'll start the process of enrolling in my Masters of Teaching next semester to begin in 2015 and get ready for a busy two years! It is run by distance in Launceston, so hopefully I'll be able to manage my time well and still get to spend lots of quality time at home.
4. Make a Tasmanian themed blog.
My friend Holly and I have often talked about the fact that there aren't (m)any websites promoting 'cool' things to do in Tasmania - cafes, shops, events, culture, etc. I love Siobhan Curran's The Novocastrian Files and it has been of inspiration to me in wanting to start up a blog promoting Tasmania in a similar fashion.
5. Make a photo album for Theo's first year.
I started a Project Life journal for photos of Theo when he was 6 months old but I really need to print some photos and play catch up. It's something I've really been looking forward to doing, but time hasn't allowed for. I keep a little monthly diary where I write about what he's been up to, but it's just words mostly. I think it's really important to print out photos. I worry so much that my hard drive or back up drive with fail or get stolen and I'll lose everything.
6.
This boy of mine turns one early next month (!!!). I don't think a big celebration is really necessary for a 1st birthday but I'd like to do something nice and maybe let him have his first taste of cake (something healthy). And maybe a party hat.
7. Finish my supermarket zine.
I made a draft copy of my zine and had a few printed but decided I wanted to make more illustrations for it, so it's still a work in progress. I think I'll work on this over Summer break. Being back at work has given me new fodder for this zine!
8.
We sold our little car at the start of the year and haven't gotten around to buying a new one yet because we've been driving C's parents spare car which they're going to sell. I kind of don't mind not having a car (our first three years in Tasmania were without a car), but it is good for some things.
9. Listen to more new music
I miss finding good new music and I feel very out of the loop - some of my favourite bands have released albums in the past year and I didn't even know.
10.
I've priced and tried out a few lovely electric pianos and I'm hoping after tax time I might have some pocket money to buy one (although I just read the Australian government's new budget and now I want to sell everything I own and move to Scandinavia).
11. Start a favourite recipe journal
I meant to do this last year, but it hasn't eventuated. I might make/buy some fancy recipe cards to keep in a box instead.
12. Read 5 good books
I love reading but I rarely get the chance. Throw your recommendations at me now!
13. Make my own 100 ideas list
I have started this one (I'm about 20) in, but don't want to share it until I'm finished, then I'll start attempting them and posting about them and hopefully other people might like to try some of them too.
14.
Yep, you heard right. We're talking about trying for Baby Jagoe Vol. 2 sometime in the next 6 months. Doing my masters by distance will mean that I get to be at home a lot more and that would be really great with two little people.
15. Make a proper veggie patch
Our garden is full of gorgeous flowers and trees but not much room for growing edible things. I have some great window boxes for herbs, but I'd like to build something with nice big beds that I can move around depending on where the sun is. I really want to buy some tools and try my hand at making more things, so I think this will be my first project.
16. Fix up the boat shed as a spare room
There is boat shed in our backyard that the previous owners built to house their kayaks. It is quite lovely, though the inside has only been part renovated to be a (tiny) room and I'd like to finish it off and seal it so that creepy crawlies stop calling it home, and then when we have guests they can have their own private little room. Long term, I'd like to extend it slightly and add a little kitchenette and toilet and shower but for the time being, making it bug free and warm are my main priorities.
17. Make a set of alphabet flash cards for Theo
I started this a year ago, but didn't prioritise it. I recently made a set of memory cards based on my childhood memories and I'd like to do a similar set with letters. I'll probably offer them as a free download printable when they're done. I'm looking forward to this.
18. Go to a Jets game with Cam and Theo
C and I loved going to see our home soccer team when we lived in Newcastle and still follow them despite being 1000km away and I'd love to take C to see a game. The atmosphere is so fun.
19. Use our film society tickets more often
We have yearly tickets to our local film society which shows art house and foreign films four sessions per week and we pay $100 per year. We love going but it's not easy for us to both go, having Theo and we can never be bothered going by ourselves. I'd like to have someone mind Theo for us once a month so that we can go to see a film from time to time - fingers crossed for this one.
20. Have another record party
I loved having a housewarming party recently and a couple of our friends left their records here on purpose so that they'll come over again soon and listen to them. I'm looking at buying C a new record player for his birthday and then I think we should have another little party.
21. Learn to use Illustrator and InDesign
A few years ago I was certain I wanted to be a graphic designer. I still love graphic design, but I don't think it's something I could do full time, but I'd love to know how to use the Adobe Creative Suite. I have both of these programs and would love to know how to use them. I wish there was a crash course I could take!
22. Help C to start making podcasts
C is hoping to start making some podcasts and wants my help to work out the logistical side. He is forever encouraging and helping me with my dreams, so I'd love to make one of his happen.
23. Do some home improvements
Just little things like painting our lounge room ceiling, patching cracks and fixing our back door so that I can actually open and shut it! Maybe also painting a wall in Theo's room a fun colour if I'm lucky?
24. Sing
I love to sing and I'd love to sing more often.
Do you have a similar list? What's on yours? Anything you've crossed off?
