20 Things

March 1st, 2016 I was sitting in my apartment with my two cats and a completed book of Sudoku puzzles on my coffee table. I was bored as sin and thoroughly regretting the financial decision I made when opting out of cable TV. I was anticipating my 21st birthday, just two months away, when it got me thinking about what goals I wanted for my twenties. I was financially supporting myself (and Simba and Shekinah, of course) in my 940sqft, one bedroom apartment, in the God forsaken suburbs of Harrisburg, PA. It was a proud moment of my life, but I also spent too much time convincing myself it was unfair that I was in this situation. I longed to be a "kid in their early twenties" who comes home too late, spends too much money on Chipotle, and lives off Poptarts and energy drinks. At that time, I didn't know if and when I would move home. So I made this list that I titled my "20 before 25" to hold me accountable in growing, learning, and still having fun.

1. Take A Trip To A State I've Never Been.

Done. November of 2016 I took an unforgettable trip with my soon-to- be "Amber Janae Joyce" best friend. The minute she drove my car over the Virginia border into North Carolina, I dug my list out of my backpack and crossed it off. Y'all. New Bern, North Carolina is amazing. No other way to say it.

2. Run A Tough Mudder.

This, I am not looking forward to. I grew up riding horseback, English style, so my horse was the one that ran through mud and jumped over obstacles. I just held the reigns and won the ribbons. I need volunteers who don't mind hearing me complain to run this with me. Who's in?

3. Take A College Class.

Well, I am actually six college courses deep right now. I am currently working towards my BSE in secondary education degree with a major in English at Millersville University. PS: College ID's rock because yo, 15% discount at A.C Moore.

4.Learn A New Language.

Currently I am studying the Old English language of the Anglo-Saxon period. 10 out of 10 DO NOT RECOMMEND. This is not what I had in mind when I wrote this list. I was thinking more along the lines of, "Learning American Sign Language, For Dummies."

5. Pay Off All Debt.

Credit card: Done. My 2003 Yellow Volkswagen Beetle named Penelope. All mine.

6. Lead A Life Group.

My goal would be student ministry. I am currently working on getting in at LCBC Manheim to lead one of the 7th and 8th grade girls groups. I'm playing an unfortunate game of phone tag with the Youth Pastor.

7. Learn To Invest.

I have the Acorns app, and I have a 401K. That'll suffice for now but I've read too many Dave Ramsey books not to expand my investing horizons.

8. Read 50 Books.

I'm like 9 shy of this goal. If anybody needs book suggestions, I'm your gal.

9. Get On An Airplane.

Cue everyone saying, "WHAT?!? You've never been on an airplane?? They are SO fun!" Yes, it's true. I have never been on an airplane.

10. Join An Indoor Sport Team.

Pretty much just soccer. But we'll see.

11. Have 10k In Savings.

Right now, it seems ambitious to me. But, my dad and Dave Ramsey have taught me well. As long as my car doesn't live up to its Volkswagen curse, I should be well on my way.

12. Swim In A Waterfall.

Maybe I can hit up one of those super big Hawaii waterfalls from the plane I get on!

13. Read Through The Bible.

I spent 12 years in Christian and all of my life in church, so I was cocky in thinking that I knew "all the good verses." I was wrong. Very wrong. Some of the Old Testament books get a little dry, but literally there is something to learn from every chapter.

14. Take Piano Lessons.

I haven't been actively looking for an instructor, but it is something I want to dabble in. I am hoping muscle memory takes over and I can pound out Bruno Mars songs like I could in high school.

15. Donate My Hair.

My whole life I have had an obsession with having long, mermaid-like, hair and it has yet to happen. I got a tattoo on the back of neck where they had to straight raze a small portion of my neck in December of 2016 and to date, it's probably grown out maybe like 3 inches. This one will literally take me until I'm 25 despite the amount of biotin and hot oil treatments I use.

16. Make A Scrapbook Solely Of My Friends.

No boyfriend. No family. Just me and my girls covering a one year time frame.

17. Take "Real" Yoga Classes.

I guess to me, "real" means those swanky membership places that are dedicated to yogis and drinking hemp green tea kale smoothies.

18.Take Horseback Riding Lessons.

I've been researching stables in the area and every time I see the cost for lessons I say a silent "thank you" to my dad for shelling out an outrageous amount of money for two-three times a week of private lessons and riding attire. Dad, you the real MVP.

19. Start A Tradition.

Last year I got my mom's side of the family to do a white elephant exchange at Christmas instead of my grandparents typical 15 bucks and the same Christmas card to all 8 of us. But it kind of flopped because we all weren't clear on the rules. Maybe I'll try for like a "friends-giving" or something.

20. Sing Karaoke.

I've seen videos and witnessed live some cringe-worthy karaoke acts. I never planned to become one, but hey, it would make for a good memory, right?

I am a huge advocate of "goals not plans." I got myself into one particularly large mess by putting myself on a timeline. I think unintentionally put a "deadline" on this of 25 years old because like I mentioned in my previous post; 25 is the quarter life crisis. But the more I think about this list, the more I want to make sure I have one for every phase of life. I want to always be challenged and I want to spend a life time learning. My "15 before 35" or what not, will look a lot different than what this list does. And that is good. It means I'm moving forward. There really is nothing quite like checking something off your list. Whether it be a list of chores, things from the grocery store, a homework assignment; that feeling of accomplishment is a necessity for living.