30 Before 30

I can't even count the number of people who said, "oooh, next one is the big one!" this year when I told them I was turning 29.  Well, if this year's birthday (and birthday weekend) were any indication, I guess this year is going to be big... I thought it'd be fun to round up a few of the things I want to do before this "milestone" to feel like I'm getting the most out of my last year of my 20s.  I tried to pull ideas for every aspect of my life: some of these are work-related, others travel-related, a few are to make the world a better place, and the rest are to try and be my best self.

1. Invest in an original piece of art

2. Get back to my ideal strength and weight

3. Volunteer

4. Get 8 hours of sleep each night

5. Purge and donate my closet

6. Start an herb garden

7. Have a girls night once per month

8. Visit more baseball stadiums

9. Network more

10. Run another race

11. Take a cooking class

12. Try yoga

13. Start a family tree

14. Do something nice for a stranger everyday

15. Visit the rest of the breweries in Charleston

16. Try something just for the adrenaline rush

17. Learn about wine

18. Make a plan to get to Cuba

19. Be a positive encouragement to those around me

20. Make an effort to break out of my introverted shell

21. Go on a hike

22. Advance my career

23. Buy a new camera

24. Travel internationally

25. Invest for the future

26. Cut my hair to donate again

27. Grow this blog

28. Stay more connected with family

29. Learn all the words to Rapper's Delight

30. Write to my congressmen about causes about which I'm passionate