It’s a quiet afternoon here at work, and I’ve just about had my fill of surfing the web, catching up on news and hunting for potential brick & mortar spaces for Sweet Element.  Instead of getting completely frustrated with how S-L-O-W finding a workable space is going, I thought I’d spend a few moments reflecting on this life list that I put together 2 1/2 hears ago.

1. Write & publish a book - Maybe, just maybe, I’ll have time to even ponder this as a possibility once I’m not commuting into a day job in NYC 5 days a week.

2. Travel the world and see as much of it as possible - While I would love to have been able to have a giant list of places I’ve visited since I initially posted this, my list is small.  I do have my passport at the ready now though … just in case!

3. Eat new foods – Definitely been working on this one!  While not the most exciting – I’ve added eggplant & kale & a few other new veges onto the list of edibles, and I’ve also been slowly adding seafood onto the list too.  Best meal hands down for new food … Blue Hill at Stone Barns.  Delicious.  The old me would never have gone to a place like that.  You don’t order.  You just tell them what you’re allergic to, and what you definitely WON’T eat … and they create a menu for you.  Apple celery soup … breaded soft boiled egg over black lentils with lettuce broth … hake with meyer lemon over swiss chard … the list goes on, and on.  If you can afford to (it’s a little madly expensive) – go.  This was our anniversary dinner & gift to each other – and worth every penny.

4. Be more spontaneous - Trying.  Really, I’m trying.  But working 45+ hours & commuting 15+ hours a week AND trying to get a business off the ground doesn’t leave much time to be spontaneous. 

5. Be more frugal (contradiction to #4?!) - Ok, so other than splurging on food … I think I’ve got this one down! 

6. Strengthen the relationships with the ones I love - A constant work in progress.

7. Make new & interesting friends – I’ve definitely added a few more very interesting friends to the roster through work & also through friends I already had.  I’m hoping that the world of Sweet (Element that is!) will allow me to meet many more cool & interesting people soon!

8. Don’t lose sight of friendships because they have waned - This is a hard one.  Amazingly, I think that Facebook & blogs are really helpful here.  Even though friends may move or lives may become hectic, I find that e-connecting is sometimes the easiest way to stay connected.

9. Become physically stronger - Boo.  I am a slacker.  I was doing good for a while, and then … I just couldn’t get up at 5 AM anymore.  I know, lame lame lame.  Definitely gotta work on this one.

10. Train my future puppy to be so good she/he doesn’t even need a leash – I really, really, really, really, really wanted a puppy.  Correction – I STILL want a puppy.  Instead, I got another cat.  I thought, silly me, getting another cat would be easier.  HA!  I’ve been working since last Thanksgiving to integrate lil’ Bella into our family.  Luckily, she seems to like her upstairs “apartment” and doesn’t require as much attention & training as a puppy would.  I think puppies will have to come much, much later … like in my retirement – when I have time! 

11. Read more – Trains.  They’re great for reading on.

12. Create a knitting pattern – Kinda did.  It didn’t quite work out as planned … so I don’t know if that counts.

13. Volunteer for a good cause - Maybe, just maybe in between this job and my own shop I’ll have time for this.  Maybe I’ll also make the time to integrate volunteering into Sweet Element’s to-do list.  I hear that people like free cake.

14. Be my own boss - Working on it!!!  Less than two months to go!

15. Have a business that will become an integral part of a community – See 14 and then add on how long it will take to plan, build, get inspected, get permits, set up and OPEN a shop!

16. Learn more about computer languages and programming – Taught myself HTML.  Woot!

17. Be kinder to myself and try to silence my harshest critic – my inner critic - Hard to do.  A patient & loving husband and three mushy cats help keep my inner critic in check.

18. Find a cello & teach myself to play it - Didn’t even get close.  I watched other cello players though.

19. Get a cancer/snake tattoo - Nope.  I’m thinking I may get a whisk instead…or in addition to. Gotta get the gumption to just get in a chair and get one … or both.

20. Become more spiritual – Work in progress.

21. Breathe and try to meditate – Work in progress.  Oddly, I’ve managed to do this on the train sometimes.  For whatever reason, whenever I really silence my mind – I see orange.

22. Try yoga – Check.  I tried Bikram yoga with my aunt and uncle & loved it!  Made me a little loopy, but I would definitely like to do this more often once I have time.  I even found a studio near our house in Montclair.  Oh yeah, and I do Wii yoga – does that really count as yoga?

23. Travel cross country with Jay and stop at only small road-food places to eat - Still on the to-do list.  Maybe once we get dogs.

24. Be a competitor in a food competition – Scary.  I’ve seen so many now and the expectations are SO high.  Still on my list.  I’d love to have Sweet Element on TV!

25. Tell people who inspire me that they’re important and have made a difference in my life – I really don’t do this enough.  I’ve done it a few times and felt really great about it, but I definitely should do this more often.

26. Support local farmers by trying to eat locally - Harder than one would think!  After reading Animal, Vegetable, Mineral by Barbara Kingsolver, I really try to see where the food I’m buying is coming from and to eat more in-season.  But in all honesty, I’m guilty of eating strawberries (frozen!) in the middle of winter.

27. Explore NYC more - Sadly, I haven’t.  I long to have a love relationship with the city again.  At the moment, NYC = corporate life to me, so we’re not on the best of terms.

28. Take more photographing dates with Jay – We need new cameras & time.

29. Knit a sweater – Check & check!  I’ve knitted 2 – one for my mom & one for me.

30. Have a cake published in a magazine - Check & almost-check!  I’ve been published in New York Magazine and will soon be published in 201 Bride.

31. Have $0.00 in personal debt – Huzzah!  If you don’t count my mortgage, both Jay & I have $0.00 in personal debt.  I’m sure this will change quickly once the shop starts getting built!

32. Own a home with a view of the ocean - Lofty.  Still a goal.  A retirement goal.  Maybe earlier … if I sell a LOT of cake.

33. Become a mentor – Hrm.  Possibly when I’m a shop owner & have interns?

34. Support deserving and talented artists as much as possible – Too easy & fun!  I love buying art in all forms (paintings, jewelry, writing) and have done so whenever something has really moved me.

35. Learn to ride & communicate with a horse - Not yet!

36. Hone my psychic abilities – Definitely need to work on this one.

37. Recycle – Proud recycler.

38. Read *real* news and expand my world view - Wish I had more time.  But when I do, I try. 

39. Work through an entire cookbook cover to cover – Started a lot … haven’t finished one.  I’m a little spazzy when it comes to cooking.  At the moment I’m working through Cook’s Illustrated Cooking for Two.  I highly recommend the corn chowder & meatloaf recipes!

40. Try not to be so jealous – Oof.  I had this as a goal?!?!  The green eyed monster is SO hard for me to control.  I’m a little too competitive.  I know it’s important though.  Maybe when I’m actually doing what I love I won’t be so jealous.

41. Learn family recipes before it’s too late – Hard to do when I’m not near family, but I do have some.

42. Go skydiving - Nope.

43. Learn how to pole dance – Nope.  I’ve danced with a Pole though

44. Donate blood - Nope.  Shame, shame, shame on me.

45. Learn new words – Yup.  Love word games.  They are a guilty pleasure.

46. Finish an entire NYTimes Crossword – the Sunday edition - Maybe one day, but not yet.

47. Have something I created on Oprah’s Favorite Things List – I hope Oprah still has a Favorite Things List by the time Sweet Element is officially in business!  I secretly hope that one of my own cake designs makes the list.

48. Go to one crazy, expensive, delicious and fancy-pants meal a year, even if it involves getting on a plane - See #3.  Check.  I’d love to add a few more 4 star NYC restaurants to the list soon.

49. Listen to new music – Check.  This is easy when your husband is addicted to new music.  My new personal fav find - India Arie.

50. Try not to lose my temper & blow up at people when I am frustrated - It’s genetic.  I’m sorry people.  I’m trying to be better!  Meditation helps.  So does a giant bag of potato chips or a very sweet cat who nuzzles your chin. 

Whew.  Not too shabby.  I’ll have to work on revising this a bit now.