22 in 2012: Since 12 New Things Is Too Tame

December 31, 2011

Plenty of sane people out there are being wise and stickin’ to 12 new things for 2012.  I, on the other hand have spent one moderately regrettable year with my head in books, behind a computer monitor breakin’ brain sweats for my Master’s Degree (which I’m getting this May, hooray!) and I feel that I must make up for lost time.   All work and no  play makes Shannyn a dull girl  snarky lady.

This year I’m going to really grow out of my comfort zone yet again- I’m going to milk this Chicago experience for all it’s worth.  I relocated here well over a year ago and still have so much to experience about the city- and guess what? I have more money to do so, hooray!  I have been barely squeakin’ by financially due to the high cost of tuition, but  now that I’m pretty much done, I have a few coins to rub together and I intend to use them- or at least pitch them with good wishes into the fountain of life.

So, what’s on the docket for 2012?

  1. Do a photo shoot with Ralph
  2. Try Ethiopian food
  3. Read “Pride and Prejudice”
  4. Learn to knit socks
  5. Write an ebook/guide
  6. Wear a frumpy red robe …and collect my diploma!  (I’m a jedi sociology master!)
  7. Learn origami and paper art
  8. Have a spa day
  9. Go on a surprise safari
  10. Attend church
  11. Have a movie marathon
  12. Learn photography
  13. Bake something cool (and totally scrumptious)  Perhaps take a cooking class?
  14. Attend a burlesque show
  15. Start a new online project
  16. Visit a city I’ve never been to
  17. Volunteer somewhere new
  18. Make $30k or more (You know I’ve been a starving student when this is my goal!)
  19. Max out my ROTH IRA
  20. Give a presentation/speech
  21. Invest in the stock market
  22. Get a passport…and USE IT!  (Did you know I’ve only been to Canada?)
I plan on documenting my experiences as I go along- so check back in for updates.  I have a brand new camera that rocks my socks off-  a Canon Rebel T2i that I won from SITS girls (thank you!) and I plan to love the heck out of it and take lots of pictures…two of my favorite blogs are Gala Darling and Color Me Katie since their photography is just so darn gorgeous- I hope to draw action and inspiration from the work they do!

 

Oh, did I mention I might go blonde and go for full bangs?!

(please chime in if that’s a bad idea!)

2012 is going to be all about soul and beauty.  I’ve been living the frugal life for a year now, I think I shall learn to incorporate more of the beautiful… just the simple joys-  good friends, new experiences, flowers, staring up at the sky,  looking at life through new (camera) lenses and just feeling and creating deliciousness.

Everyone has been asking me what I’m doing next now that I’ve “accomplished” what I set out to do in Chicago (A.K.A. get my degree) but I feel I haven’t accomplished what I set out to do.  I came here to really live my life.  I have a lot of that left to do.   I haven’t found love, there’s music still unexperienced,  food I haven’t tried, laughter I haven’t listened to in places I haven’t discovered yet.

I haven’t finished what I started and if I were to turn back now, I think I would be leaving Chicago before I fully “unpacked.”  I have a lot left to experience- and I have to lead by example.  I’m not packing it in yet- and if I change my mind and hit the road, that will be for me to discover later on.  Right now thought?  I’m staying right here and taking this experience for all it’s worth, writing my chapters and Ralph and I are going to be just fine.

 

Happy New Year to you- may this year be full of the prosperous blessings I know are in store for you.  Go find them.  

Love, Give, Thrive.  

 

14 comments so far.

14 responses to “22 in 2012: Since 12 New Things Is Too Tame”

  1. laura says:

    Good luck, I love everything on your list..which city are you thinking of?

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      Well I know I'll be going to Denver for the Financial Blogger Conference and while I've driven past it, I've never been there! I also want to see Boston and go somewhere foreign, I better start earning some money!

  2. Alyson says:

    love these resolutions/plans for the new year! congrats on earning your master's, woot woot!, and I'm eager to hear about your adventures accomplishing everything.

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      Thanks Alyson- don't worry, I plan on photodocumenting everything on the list and keeping everyone in the loop! So glad to have your support!

  3. Marissa says:

    Congrats on getting your masters! And Im sure your online ventures will bring you close to the 30k mark.

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      I hope so- I just need to sit my butt down and produce some content and write that ebook/guide I've been mulling over in my head. $30k would be ahhhmuaaaziinnnggg!

  4. shanendoah says:

    Congrats on the Masters! I skipped my graduation ceremony for my MBA, but it meant a lot to a number of my classmates.
    8) Spa day – You should definitely do this. I suggest the day after graduation (or the day after any visiting family leaves) to reward yourself and just relax.
    13) Bake something – might I recommend a savory cheesecake? C and I are rather famous for our cheddar sausage cheesecake, and I'd happily share the recipe.

  5. Sounds like a good list of goals. Did you know that now you need a passport for Canada? Besides Canada, what country are you thinking of going to.

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      Ya, when I went to Canada last time a passport wasn't necessary. I'm really not sure where I'd want to go with a passport. I need to generate some serious income and then make a plan- I'd love to take a cruise somewhere below the equator! I seriously would take anywhere warm and with good food, maybe I should start with the Americas! Any suggestions?

  6. @jennymaymac says:

    Pride and Prejudice is amazing – definitely my favorite of "the classics" and I'm sure you'll love it!

    I absolutely adore Boston. You must visit. I'm sure Joe will show you a good time if you give him a call – he's an excellent tour guide.

    Let's use our passports together! I have some family in Costa Rica if you want to hit up Latin America…. oh, and attending church is always good in my opinion 😉 If you want any suggestions, I always plug my own (of course). The Episcopal Church is pretty liberal as far as churches go, so I think you'd enjoy it.

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      Dad was like "Ya, you'll end up in Boston" and I just laughed. I told him I already had a friend on board! 🙂 Ohh, let's go for Costa Rica. I need to make some money so we can go, or learn to travel hack so we can go for cheeeappp! My Gram used to attend the Episcopal Church when I was a wee little sprout so it's also good to hear you vouch for it. Maybe one day I'll be a good person if I attend once in awhile! 🙂

      BTW Jenny- thanks for always commenting on my blog- I hope you know how much I really appreciate it and enjoy your words!

  7. Niki says:

    This is great. What a fantastic year to look forward to.

    I would love to see you as a blond… with bangs. I was thinking of getting bangs this year. I haven't had bangs since I was a teenager.

    • Shannyn@FruBeautiful says:

      Niki- thanks for stopping by! I totally would be adventurous with full bangs- I've never had them! Someone told me I'd look like I was 12 and that scared me a little, but then again- maybe I'm young at heart? Ha!

  8. Lena says:

    Wonderful goals!! Good luck with all of them! I would love to visit a totally new to me city too this year. I'm happy to find your blog and would love to see the updates on your adventures.

Welcome!

Get Updates Via Email

Join The Frugal Beautiful Update List!
Get Posts Sent To Your Inbox...subscribe below!



test