1. Watch 23 new movies

2. Read 23 new books

3. Try 23 new foods

4. Go back to school

5. Begin learning a new language

6. Donate blood regularly (once every 8 weeks)

7. Do more volunteer work

8. Learn to crochet

9. Practice self defense

10. Lose 23 pounds

11. Take another trip with Matthew

12. Spend less time on the internet

13. Get permit

14. Finish watching Justice League

15. Journal regularly (once a week at least)

16. Get concealed weapons permit

17. Participate in more cultural activities

18. Get together a cookbook

19. Have a picnic

20. Cook a meal at least once a month

21. Move to Portland

22. Keep track of my blessings

23. Don't lose faith

1. Watch 22 new movies ✓

To view which movies I have watched this year click here.

2. Read 22 books

So far I'm at 5, not very good. Check out my list here.

3. Go to Portland ✓

Find out all about my trip to Portland here


4. Do something super terrifying ✓

For a recap click here

5. Become employed

6. Move out ✓

I successfully lived in New York City for 4 months, a start I am proud of.

7. Start singing regularly again

8. Dress up as a giant banana and dance to the banana phone song in public

9. Complete something that makes me proud ✓

I completed a year of dating with my love. I am definitely very proud about this.

10. Read another book with Matthew

11. See more theater ✓

12. Take up archery

13. Write a short story ✓

14. Bake a pie from scratch (round 2)

15. Write a So Thankful Sunday Post every Sunday

16. Complete 3 crafts (preferably with Mom) ✓

17. Get an exercise regimen

Working on this currently :)

18. Try 22 new foods ✓

All the new foods can be seen here

19. Get a passport

20. Actually utilize my savings account

21. Tell the people who mean something to me I care about them, on a regular basis.

22. Enjoy each day, even with its faults and never stop being thankful of life. ✓


10/22

Not too bad honestly. Wish me luck on the rest! :D

1. Chicken Adobo



2. Steak Pho and Boba Tea





3. Matcha







4. Lad Na



5. Enchilada



6. Hummus (Fava bean)



7. Croque Monsieur



8. Falafel



9. Halo Halo



10 & 11. Lechon Kawali & Longanisa



12. Bangus with Fried Talong



13. Tinolang Manok



14. Frozen banana



15. Veal Piccata



16. Matcha pancakes



17. Papaya milk



18. Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce & Shrimp



19. Green Tea Mochi



20. Massaman Curry


21. Fig


22. Nutella and banana crepe

Well to say I was successful in this endeavor is an understatement. I took this goal and beat it to a pulp. So far in the past 6 months alone, I have done many terrifying things. It started with my first ever flight to the west coast, visiting someone I had never seen in person and staying with him and a family I have never met. As you all know, this ended up being well worth the risk. My next terrifying experience occurred shortly after when for the first time in my life I had to walk the streets of New York by myself and hail myself a cab. In all my years visiting the great city of New York I had never once walked it alone. As it turns out, it really wasn't that bad. The city streets weren't filled with evil doers trying to rob me or take advantage of me. It is filled with busy people with places to go. Sometimes I have to laugh at my own innocence, this was certainly one of those times. Next up on the terrifying adventures of Ashley is possibly the scariest of all the things I did this past year. Riding the subway. Now I know my perspective seems a little off. Riding the subway should not be as scary as visiting and meeting a person you love for the first time, but it was. For as long as, I dare say forever, I have been terrified of the subway. There are just so many things that can go wrong. I mean, I COULD BE TRAPPED UNDER GROUND! (I know you have all seen that Hey Arnold episode.)I knew riding a subway was something I never wanted to partake in. But after doing so, I have to say once again it wasn't that bad. Okay so it isn't the most sanitary place in the world, but it also isn't filled with degenerates and rats like my mind had envisioned. Its a train that goes underground. I have to say, this year I have been very fortunate. In experiencing scary things I have opened myself to new horizons. I remained safe and even learned a little along the way. Fear is a powerful thing, but is is important to never let it control your life. It is in taking risks that we find ourselves truly living. So my advice: "Do one thing every day that scares you." . Eleanor Roosevelt

So I did it. Not only was it the scariest, most exhilarating thing I have ever done before, but it was also the greatest. This was the best week of my entire life Matthew was incredible, as was spending all my twenty-four hours a day with him. The feeling of seeing him for the first time as I walked towards the baggage claim was a feeling unlike any other I have ever experienced. You know those moments that we capture in our heads like a moving picture, this was one of them. Every detail from his Flash tee to the smile on his face, the warmth of his touch, the sweetness and sincerity when he asked permission to kiss me and the roses in his hands are moments I will never forget. Hearing the words "I see you" and knowing that this was the make or break moment followed with an instant feeling that all my worries were meaningless. We had done it. Our love had transitioned from the internet to life. This was real. The whole rest of the week is a mixture between meeting members of Matthew's quite large family and those intimate moments between him and I. Amazingly enough, despite all the incredible places Matthew took me and all the amazing experiences we shared, my favorite activities were the ones where we usually stayed at home. Cooking enchiladas with him and doing the dishes was more than that. It was stollen kisses and glimpses into our future together. It was real and genuine to the relationship we have. I found myself imagining us, in a house of our own, thinking that if all our days were like this one, then this is the kind of love I have been waiting for. And every day was as perfect as the last with him. This trip was an eye opener that's for sure. I learned that sometimes the scariest things for us can be the greatest. That nerves come along with everything great and when we are courageous we are rewarded. Sure you might fall down if you try, but you can always get back up so that is no excuse to not go out and go for your dreams.

1. Matthew's Valentine






2. Hershey Kiss Roses



3. Lantern Pillow




Well that goal was out of the way quickly. I do not think I will stop here though. I really think I will have a crafts day with my friends. Creating things are always so fun! Keep you posted!

1. Watch 22 new movies
2. Read 22 books
3. Go to Portland
4. Do something super terrifying
5. Become employed
6. Move out
7. Start singing regularly again
8. Dress up as a giant banana and dance to the banana phone song in public
9. Complete something that makes me proud
10. Read another book with Matthew
11. See more theater
12. Take up archery
13. Write a short story
14. Bake a pie from scratch (round 2)
15. Write a So Thankful Sunday Post every Sunday
16. Complete 3 crafts (preferably with Mom)
17. Get an exercise regimen
18. Try 22 new foods
19. Get a passport
20. Actually utilize my savings account
21. Tell the people who mean something to me I care about them, on a regular basis.
22. Enjoy each day, even with its faults and never stop being thankful of life.

So I have about two and a half months left before I turn 21. Wow. This year went by fast. I thought I would do a little update on my 21 new things before I turn 21 post, keeping you all up to date on my procrastination. For the original post, click here.

1.Participate in a walk for for a cause.
I am happy to say this was one of the first things I did after making this list. It was Relay for Life and was an unbelievably satisfying event :)

2.Take a kick-boxing class.
In fact now, if I'm not busy chatting away or gaming I get in at least 20 mins of kick boxing a day. It is a really fun workout that has you feel like you are exercising but having a blast doing it :D

3.Visit Shelby and Brock.
Well sadly, for obvious reason this will never happen. But I am happy at the time it was a goal of mine. On to the future now!

4.Bake a pie from scratch.
Have yet to do this but with autumn here finally, it seems like just the perfect time!

5.Take a striper-cise class.
Actually did the research for this and there are some options locally. Just gotta assemble the team!

6.Go vegetarian again.
Well eff. Holiday season is quickly approaching and no way I am having tofu turkey! I suppose I can go for a month, get my body all prepared for TURKEY DAY!

7.Try nutella.
Gawd. It is truly heaven. I heard this to be so but I could not believe it till opening my mouth!

8.Learn to play a musical instrument.
Sadly once again this has not happened, to next years list you go!

9.Participate in Operation Beautiful.
I shall get right on this :)

10.Try Zumba.
Have yet to try this exciting exercise, but if I don't get it in this year, expect to see it next!

11.Read 21 new books.
I am currently on book 9, but I have faith in my ability to finish 21. Check out my profile on Goodreads if you want the details.

12.Watch 21 new movies.

Done. obviously. Some really great ones this year. For a list check this out.

13.Cook 21 new foods.
Working my way up slowly. But this should be a piece of cake. Hey I have a recipe for cake :P

14.Send 21 letters.
A sweet sentiment

15. Learn to crochet.
Drat!

16. Reconnect with one friend.
I have made a few small connections with friends I have lost contact with in the past, which is a success in my eyes. But I think the major one is Jessica. I am so glad to have you in my life again and that we have grown so close!

17. Write. A short story, a play, anything. just write. Obviously bolding is obvious.

18. Get a job.
Sadly still no. I really hoped for this one this year.

19. Move out on my own.
Above answer applies.

20. Attend a major community event or festival
I actually attended a few this year. But I considered this done when I participated in Relay for Life. That was exactly the type of comunity feeling I was looking for! :)

21. Take what I have learned from my 20 years of life, take it remember it and move to the future. My life starts here.
Learning more and more each day.

So a final tally of 8/21 and you know what? I am actually happy with that. Hopefully I can use these next two months to get a few more in! Wish me luck! This has been an amazing year!

1.Participate in a walk for for a cause.

2.Take a kick-boxing class.

3.Visit Shelby and Brock.

4.Bake a pie from scratch.

5.Take a striper-cise class.

6.Go vegetarian again.

7.Try nutella.

8.Learn to play a musical instrument.

9.Participate in Operation Beautiful.

10.Try Zumba.

11.Read 21 new books.

12.Watch 21 new movies.

13.Cook 21 new foods.

14.Send 21 letters.

15. Learn to crochet.

16. Reconnect with one friend.

17. Write. A short story, a play, anything. just write.

18. Get a job.

19. Move out on my own.

20. Attend a major community event or festival

21. Take what I have learned from my 20 years of life, take it remember it and move to the future. My life starts here.