#2 Study Latin… Done-ish
As you could guess from the fact that it was item number 2 on my list, “Study Latin” was one of the first goals I came up with. I’d actually been thinking for a while before I made the list that it’d be cool to spend some time learning Latin in order to help give a greater understanding of the English language.
I actually learned a decent bit of Latin back in elementary school, which most people find surprising and a little odd. 
In 5th and 6th grade I was part of a special class that studied out-of-the-ordinary topics such as mythology, architecture and the Latin language. As I grew up and expanded my English vocabulary, I found that having the Latin base really helped in being able to figure out the meanings of words and learn to use them more quickly. So, by the time I made my 25 Steps list, I’d been wishing I knew even more Latin for the same purpose.
As I mentioned in some of my progress reports, I chose to study Latin utilizing both a book and a CD. I found the CD to be helpful in terms of pronunciation, but the book was more useful when it came to learning vocabulary, spelling, and sentence structure.
After awhile, though, I took a “break” and never went back. Part of the reason, honestly, was that it was difficult, as learning any new language is. But mostly I just lost interest in this goal, which was really only a means to a larger goal—improving my vocabulary. As I learned more Latin words, I found that there was a strong parallel between Latin and Spanish (duh, I know) and discovered that I knew way more word “roots” than I realized simply by having studied Spanish for four years. Also, I decided that if what I really wanted to do was improve my English vocabulary, I should spend more time doing things like reading books and memorizing English words, rather than Latin ones.
So I’ve chosen to label this goal as “done-ish” rather than done, because while I did spend time studying the language, I didn’t make as big of a commitment to Latin as I’d intended. No real regrets, though, which I feel is the most important thing.
Progress Report: December 20, 2009
So, my 25th birthday is just under five months away, and I’ve still got a way to go on this list. So, here is a FULL progress report, because I need some accountability if I’m going to get ‘er done. Lol!
Days left to complete list: 144
#2 Study Latin – I read quite a bit in a book I had checked out in my June 27 update, but I needed to take a break. (That and my book was due back to the library… ha ha!)
#3 Learn to Salsa dance – I decided that paying for salsa lessons was going to be too expensive, so I have a couple of learn-to-salsa DVDs on my list at the library for when I get back from my mission trip.
#4 Travel to Europe – Unfortunately, it looks like this goal will not be fulfilled in the next few months, but I plan on coming up with a substitute experience. Stay tuned!
#10 Learn to make sushi – I have all the tools to make this, as well as a couple recipes I’m interested in. I just need to pick a day and do it.
#12 Be consistently on time – I actually haven’t put in too much effort in this area, but I’m finding myself late less often anyway. It’s a good feeling, not always being late to everything, and that in itself is motivating me to keep doing it.
#13 Begin a documentary – I’m actually in the pre-production stage of two separate mini-documentaries, one on the mission trip I took in 2006 and the other on the trip I’m taking to Belize next month. Though these aren’t the idea I had in mind when I made the 25 Steps list, I think they’ll be more beneficial in the short term. I guess you could say that goal #13 is complete, but there’s more I want to do in the next few months to really do it justice.
#14 Make up a recipe – No progress, but I’m not worried.
#15 Weigh what’s on my driver’s license – No progress. I blame Christmas… and Thanksgiving… and Fourth of July… No, in reality I only blame myself. Bad Lauryn.
#16 Get totally caught up on my scrapbooks – This is one area where I’ve made tons and tons of progress. Getting totally caught up is a huge feat, but I can see the finish line already. (Follow my progress using the #16 tag.)
#17 Read a book about the major world wars - I actually decided to expand this goal a bit and am currently reading a book about the whole of American history from colonization to modern day. I also have a world history book in my book bag that I’ll read when I finish this one.
#18 Dye my hair – Dye’s on the counter, ready to be used.
#19 Randomly try an unfamiliar restaurant - Looking forward to knocking this one out sometime in the next few months. So is my husband.
#21 Write an article and have it published - No progress [EDIT: Not true! See post]
#23 See the top 10 movies on the AFI list – There are only three movies left on the list that I haven’t seen yet: The Godfather, Lawrence of Arabia, and On the Waterfront.
#24 Own a little black dress – I’ve been putting this one off until goal #15 is accomplished. Hmm… maybe I should get to work on that.
So there it is, the whole pile of unfinished projects. Let’s just say it will be a very productive few months.
Progress Report: June 27, 2009
I pushed my friend Laura to post an update on her 9 Goals for 2009, so I figure it’s only fair for me to share my progress on MY “big to-do list” as well!
To begin with, in the last week or so, I accomplished TWO of the goals on my list. Hooray! They deserve posts of their own, though, so they’ll have to remain a mystery until then…
Days left to complete list: 321
#2 Study Latin – I currently have two books and a CD checked out from the library to help me learn some Latin. So far, I’ve covered the basics of pronunciation and “some Latin words you didn’t know you already knew.” Keep truckin’ ahead!
#16 Get totally caught up on my scrapbooks - I recently completed my college scrapbook (two books, actually). I’m so excited to have finished up that big project, and I’m now on my way to having all our “married life” photos in albums, too.
#23 See the top 10 movies on the AFI list - I went to find out what AFI’s top 10 movies were and found that they first created a list in 1998 and then made a new one in 2007. Now, the 1998 list was the only one in existence when I created my 25 goals, but the 2007 list is the revised one and should therefore be better, right? With some encouragement from my husband, I’ve decided to see all the top 10 movies on BOTH lists. I plan to rent one of the movies this week.
That’s all for now… Make sure to check back for my two COMPLETED goals, coming soon!
