Fellow writer Cyra Miles Valdez wrote on her blog that I had inspired her to make a list of things she wanted to do before 35. (Thanks Cyra!)

I realized that it’s been a while since I looked at my list of things to do before I turn 30. Let’s see what I can cross out.

001. Travel to 15 countries.
The number is now 3/15. I’m looking at heading to Nepal after June, and parts of South America after August, but that’ll all be dependent on my money situation, my living situation, and my work situation.

032. Read 100 books a year. That’s 400 books.
It’s now 40/400. Pathetic, I know. With all the traveling, I just didn’t have the time to cozy up with as many books as I would have liked.

033. Watch 100 movies/documentaries a year. That’s 400 movies.
But because I was on the road a lot with my laptop last year, I saw over a hundred movies. Total now stands at 117/400.

035. Hug a stranger.
I think I’ve done this enough times now that (a) people think I’m crazy, (b) it no longer makes me self-conscious.

063. Take four proper vacations. - (3/4)
I’ve taken three in 2008 alone. The first was in June when I went to Mcleod Ganj, India, where I supposedly went to work, but finished early and took time off. The second was to Jodhpur, again before leaving India, which was super fun. The third was here in the SF Bay Area over the winter holidays. I’m so happy that I can no longer be classified as a workaholic and that I’m slowly learning the fine art of balance.

131. Go back to school.
I’m really grateful that not only did I get to come back to school, but I got the best of both worlds– I got to come to school, take any class I want in the entire university system, and not have to give papers or submit assignments.

133. Say “I love you” every day.
Easy peasy. I can’t even remember why this was ever a goal. That’s progress for you.

149. Laugh every day.
It’s funny, I can’t remember the last time I was upset or had a day when I didn’t laugh. I really have come a long way.

150. Love myself.
The fact that I can check this one off is probably the biggest accomplishment by far. When I wrote the list, everything else seemed easy compared to this one item. My life has taken a complete 180-degree turn since the time I wrote this list a year ago. But I don’t love myself because my life changed. My life changed because I learned to love myself.