Dear Adventure Avenue,
Every year, I like to write out my goals on this blog as a way to keep track of each goal. Every month I update my progress on here and provide commentary on how I’m doing on that goal.
1. Read 50 books this year. Of those 50 books, I want to read 4 French books. Two goals in one.
In May, I finished listening to Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, which had some redeeming qualities but the epilogue ending ruined it, in my opinion. I also read Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood which was a quick and fun read. The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan was very enjoyable, so much that it became my listen of choice in the car for most drives to and from work.
I also listened to The Day the World Stopped Shopping by JB MacKinnon. This book made me think about my own purchasing habits and which are actually necessary versus which are contributing to overconsumption. I didn’t agree with everything in this book; however, it was well researched and the underlying message of how buying more stuff does not equal happiness/status/etc. was well supported. One thing I disagreed with was the mention of shifting shopping for physical goods to those in a virtual realm. I felt it is not a “better” option to have people stuck in a virtual world of made up possessions. All in all, a must read!
I finished reading Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and can’t wait for the next one to come out! I finished reading Home and Hand Made by Melissa K. Norris. I like her writing style and can’t wait to try some of her recipes. I also checked out one of Joanna Gaine’s cookbooks from the library: Magnolia Table, Volume 2: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering and finished that one!
I finished reading A Healthier Home on my kindle which had some good ideas for a less toxic home. I also finished reading Accidental Shepard by Elise Greensfelder on my kindle.
I’m currently reading Everything I Want to do is Illegal by Joel Salatin. I’m also reading Dune on my kindle.
I’m currently listening to How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly. I am also listening to Becoming Trader Joe by Joe Coulombe and Patty Civalleri.
This year I have read:
- Reconnected by Carlos Whittaker
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini
- Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh
- Rich AF by Vivian Tu
- The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood
- Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
- Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
- The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking.
- The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner
- The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry
2. Go to one new Coffee Shop a month. I’m doing this one with a friend and am so excited to complete this one!
In January, I went to Restoration Hardware’s rooftop cafe. The views were great!
In February, I went to Lulu’s Cafe in Fullerton, California.
In March, I went to Rendez-Vous Cafe in Corona Del Mar, California.
In April, I went to Tru Bru Organic Coffee Roasters in Orange, California.
In May, I went to Coffee Dose in Costa Mesa, California
3. Exercise 2025 minutes. (That’s about 169 minutes a month).
In January, I did 40 minutes of strength training with weights, 22 minutes on the bike, and I did 70 minutes of yoga. In January, I did 132 minutes.
In February, I did 40 minutes of strength training with weights, 22 minutes on the bike, and 73 minutes of yoga. In total, I did 135 minutes in February.
In March, I did 42 minutes of strength training, 238 minutes of riding the peloton bike, 113 minutes of yoga, and one (free) 45 minute Purple Pedal class. In total, I did 438 minutes.
In April, I did 40 minutes of strength training, 232 minutes of riding the Peloton bike, and 61 minutes of yoga. I also did a 3 hour long hike in Big Bear, but I don’t think I’m going to count that in here.
In May, I did 25 minutes of strength training, 31 minutes of riding the Peloton bike, 80 minutes of yoga, and 30 minutes of swimming
In 2025, I have done 1,204 minutes of exercise.
4. Strength train with weights 40 minutes a month. (This goal counts towards goal #3)
In January, I did exactly 40 minutes!
In February, I did exactly 40 minutes!
In March, I did 42 minutes.
In April, I did 40 minutes!
In May, I didn’t quite meet my goal this month and did 25 minutes.
5. Decrease number of photos on phone from 11,124 down to under 8,000 by posting travel pictures 3 times a month (and then deleting them afterwards).
In January, I was down to 11,094 pictures and videos. I posted one blog post this month for this goal – My Restoration Hardware Cafe Post.
I’m at 11,364 photos. I posted two blog posts in February – Star Wars at the Frida Theatre and Paseo in Downtown Disney
In March, I had 11,635 photos. I did post two new blog posts in March: LuLu Coffee and Los Rios Tea House.
In April, I had 11,751 photos. I did post a few blog posts: Rendez-vous cafe, Grand Prairie Home2 Suites, Hard Eight BBQ, one about a German restaurant, Disneyland Star Wars Nite, and Tru Bru Organic Coffee Roasters.
By the end of May, I was up to 11,917 photos and videos with no new blog posts.
6. TOP Secret Goal
Phase 1 is RESEARCH.
I’m still in the research phase.
7. Make my Disney pass “worth it”
I have the Enchant Key which is the second tier and means I can go on some Sundays and most weekdays (but due to work, I’ll only be spending weeknights). This means I need to spend 82 hours at Disneyland, and it is assuming a 1day ticket is $119, the cheapest option outside of any specials they run. Based on a 10-hour day spent at Disney and that ticket price, I calculated that one hour at Disneyland is equal to $11.90.
In January, I went to Disneyland 4 times and was there for 18.25 hours and I spent $36.25 on parking.
In February, I went to Disneyland 2 times and spent 10 hours there. I spent $10 on parking.
In March, I went to Disneyland 1 time and spent 4.5 hours there.
In April, I went to Disneyland 1 time and spent 8.5 hours there.
In May, I went to Disneyland 3 times and spent 18.25 hours there. I also spent $26.25 on parking.
In total, I spent 59.5 hours at Disney!
Until next time,
A
PS
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