2. Learn to swim
(Please note: I get horrible motion sickness on boats, and even when I’m just standing in water. Previous attempts at swimming lessons have been cut short because I feel like I’m going to barf after about 15 minutes. Whoever teaches me to swim will have to be very patient, and also willing to do short lessons over a longer number of days. Or else cure my motion sickness.)

3. Do at least 1 unassisted pull-up
(Strength! Yeah!)

4. Use chopsticks without embarrassment
(I can pick up sushi, that’s about it.)

5. Become conversational in Spanish
(Previous experience: I took Spanish in high school and college.)

6. Once I become conversational in Spanish, take a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and interact with locals

7. Complete a difficult hike

8. Ride in a helicopter

9. Live in another country again for at least six months
(I spent five months in Amsterdam in 2004)

10. Watch 50 documentaries
(In process)

11. Take a self-defense class

12. Ride a horse
(Taking a simple ride while on vacation doesn’t count. I’d like to learn how to put on a saddle, and a bridle, and ride…fast. This will be scary.)

13. Throw a surprise party

14. Host a party at my house
I hosted a bachorlette party for a friend in March 2011 and threw myself a large birthday party in June 2010.

15. Take another long road trip in the U.S.
(I’ve made two round-trip cross-country drives, from Virginia to California and back, so I’ve crossed the U.S. four times already. I’ll take a new route next time.)

16. Learn to drive a motorcycle
(I don’t necessarily want to buy one, but I’d like to know how to ride.)

17. Ice skate on a frozen lake

18. Eat sushi in Japan

19. Appear in a movie or TV show
(Serving as an extra would count, even if I don’t see my face on-screen.)

20. Walk along the Great Wall of China

21. Learn to make excellent crepes
(This lesson took place in late November 2010, but I wrote the post in February 2011)

22. Make homemade marshmallows
(Sounds sticky! But also fun.)

23. Make macaroons

24. Learn how to handle and take care of a gun (including loading/unloading, shooting, and cleaning)
(I’ve been to shooting ranges a few times, but that’s the extent of my knowledge.)

25. Visit 10 new locations in/around Washington, DC (restaurants don’t count)
(#1: Newseum)

26. Visit Philadelphia
(I went to Philly with my friend Justin in October 2010)

27. Visit Boston

28. Visit New Orleans