Progress Report: #3, #14, #44, #84

#3: Have Justin teach me how to golf
So, while Justin hasn't exactly started to teach me how to golf, we DID go to the Driving Range this weekend when we were in LI, so I figured I'd count that as to have something to share on the blog. He did his best to show me how to bring the club back correctly, how to flick my wrists, how to not jump up when I follow through. So I'm still in the infancy of my golfing education, however, I did hit a few balls relatively well AND even managed to hit the sign that said "Can't Hit This Sign?" a few times! I even have pictures to prove it, which I will add shortly.

#14: Go to brunch once every 2 months (not just at the diner)
Ok, so I'm only going to count this once, since we go here every time we're in LI (sometimes twice): Maureen's Kitchen. We are completely obsessed with this place!! Justin's sister introduced us to it last year and it's become an LI ritual ever since. It's about a 20-30 minute drive from J's parents house but well worth it. It's a small family-run place, super cute and kitchy decor (involving cows and cowprint everywhere) and is only open til 3 during the week and 1:45 on the weekend. They have a good amount daily breakfast and lunch specials every day, which are extremely creative and unique. Justin ALWAYS (a good 98% of the time) will get the Croissant French Toast of the day, which comes with cream cheese in the center (warmed from the french toast, sometimes flavored) and various fruits that change each time we're there. I tend to enjoy the lunch specials more and will more often get those - this weekend I did get an amazing omellete of chicken sausage, roasted peppers, scallions and asiago cheese. On our second go, I got the Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich with white cheddar, which was to die for and so large that I was able to take the second half home and eat it for lunch the next day (which is something I almost always try to do on our last day on the island, so I can bring some Maureen's love into work the next day. Countdown to our next Maureen's trip: about 29 days.

#44: Make (or order in) one vegetarian meal per week
Happily, it looks like I eat vegetarian for dinner a good amount! I ate my beloved Eggplant Rollatini from Abitino's on Mon/Wed (the portion is big enough to get two dinners out of it!) and last night I had a make-your-own Pasta Primavera in Pesto Sauce from The Bread Factory. What I need to work on next is eating more vegetarian meals that DON'T include pasta!

#84: Plan a group wine-tasting trip
Justin and I are planning two wine-tasting trips this summer to the North Fork! I finally took the initiative this week to email out dates and get the planning ball rolling. We're keeping the groups small so that we don't have to deal with a limo/van and the added costs there, which also cuts down severely on the stress and planning for me! Woohoo! I wish the summer was longer so that all the weekends didn't book up so quickly!

Progress Report: #8

#8: Go to 10 concerts (1/10)

My first official concert of my 1,001 days (DMB last month doesn't count since I hadn't started my list then!) was last night, and it was a great way to start out. Green Day at Webster Hall. For those who don't know, that is a RIDICULOUSLY small venue to see such a big band play at and I was one of the lucky 1400 who was able to get a pair of tickets! The concert was 2 hours and consisted of 2 halves; the first half was all songs from their new album, 21st Century Breakdown (with which I am fairly obsessed) and the second half was a free for all, with 3 songs from American Idiot, a few requests, and some all time greatest GD hits.

SET 1:
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Before The Lobotomy
Last Of The American Girls
Murder City
Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)
The Static Age
21 Guns
American Eulogy (Mass Hysteria/Modern World)
See The Light

SET 2:
American Idiot
Jesus Of Suburbia
St. Jimmy
Longview
Coming Clean
At The Library (!!!)
80 (!!!)
Basketcase
She
Surrender [Cheap Trick]
King For A Day/Shout [The Isley Brothers]
Minority

I will post some of my best pics once I look through them, but for now I will put some links to some other site with awesome pics and reviews of the concerts:
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/05/green_day_webst.html
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611789/20090520/green_day.jhtml
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/05/green-days-live.html
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/green-day-celebrates-breakdown-with-nyc-1003974931.story

Progress Report: #14, #40, #41, #44, #72, #90

#14: Go to brunch once every 2 months (not just at the diner) (1/16)

This one was unintentionally easy this month...we went to Brunch for Mother's Day with my family! We went to City Crab on 19th and Park, where I had the Eggs Copenhagen (like Eggs Benedict but with Smoked Salmon instead of the Canadian Ham) and a Pear Cosmo. Mmm!

#40: Make meal plans every week (2/143)
#41: Try a new recipe at least twice a month (4/66+)
#44: Make (or order in) one vegetarian meal per week (2/143)
#90: Keep blog updated and always have a picture for recipes

These 4 pretty much go hand-in-hand (in-hand-in-hand).

While last weeks meal plan was intricate and well thought-out, since I was out of town this past weekend for my 5th Year college reunion and came back late on Sunday night, with a cold to boot, this week's meal plan was much more haphazard. Lunches this week have consisted of sandwiches (which are actually pretty yummers) of salami, pepper jack, lettuce, sweet pickles and mustard. Dinners this week were Italian Order-In (Eggplant Rollatini mmm) which was large enough for two dinners and Cheesesteaks before the concert last night. Tonight will be the only cooking night and the menu is simple steak (marinated in lime juice) and baked sweet plantains, which have become a staple at our place recently.

As for new recipes, over the past 2 weeks I've tried:
Steak Tacos (which also produced follow-up lunch Steak Salad)
Aromatic Noodles With Lime Peanut Sauce
Chicken Parmesan
Falafel Pitas with Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing

And, obviously, have added those to the blog, check to #90! I still have to update the food porn. As for #44, last week I made Falafel Pitas for dinner and this week's big V-card goes to Eggplant Rollatini. All-in-all, my Cooking 101 list is moving along stronger than any other section! (Gee, I wonder why!)

I'll close out this lengthy progress report with:
#72: Visit all 4 boroughs (3/4)

This 101 thing is managing to fly by, though I fully intend to visit boroughs more than once. Now, the Bronx is unfair, my parents live there, afterall. I visited just last week to get my hair done! Queens was also easy peasy, with the Mets Game being located there (and with all the other games I have planned, I will be a repeat Queens visitor for sure! Brooklyn was a new one for me for a nighttime locale, but I was able to check this one off thanks to my friend Sheryl's birthday earlier this month, located at the very fun Radegast Hall & Beer Garden.

Progress Report: #7

#7 Go to at least 3 Mets games each summer (1/9)

I went to my first Mets game of the summer and first EVER game at Citi Field last night!! It was such a great night! First of all, even though it had been gray and rainy all day, the moment we got off the 7 train, it was bright, sunny with blue skies - perfecto! The stadium is so gorgeous, I fell in love with it. I love that you can see the field no matter where you're standing, I love that you can basically stand anywhere in the stadium no matter where your seats are, I love the new food area with seating where you can either see the field or a big screen of the game. I love it all! We got Shake Shack DoubleShack burgers for dinner and let me say MMMMM! Phenom. I'll have to make my way to the original one of these days... And the best part - Mets Win!!

Me in front of the new stadium!

J and I on line to buy tix for my Dad's b-day in July - that makes 3 more games I'm signed up for already!!

The view from our seats - Section 431, Row 1!

In the Shake Shack Line - a half hour and 3/4s of an inning, but well worth it!

Progress Report: #40, #47, #90

#40: Make meal plans every week (1/143)

Yesterday, I was bored enough at work that I started looking up recipes for next week's meal plan...which is much easier than my usual routine of trying to think up what to do on Sunday morning between when I roll out of bed and we head out for Brunch!

Week of May 11th
Lunches for the Week: Noodles with Lime Peanut Sauce
Dinner1: Chicken Parm
Dinner2: Falafel Pitas

Expect the recipes up on CareBear's Kitchen next week, in compliance with #90 Keep blog updated and always have a picture for recipes!!

Speaking of #90, last night I went through all the Attempted Food Porn pics I've taken over the past few months, some of which needed to be added to their respective recipes on the blog, and some of whose recipes had never been added...so I did that too! I also added new pictures of dishes I've made again (such as my Curried Chicken Salad and Tuna White Bean Salad)

New recipes/pictures:
Steak Salad
Steak Tacos
Cuban Sloppy Joes & Baked Plantains (picture added)
Chocolate Caramel Matzo (picture added)
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Gruyere Fondue with Carmelized Onions
Pear Raspberry Pie
Baked Shells with Winter Squash

#47 Upgrade my recipe binder (put everything online?)

Last night I started to look up some info on computer cookbook/recipe software for #47 on my list. Justin noted that I could be frugal and just organize it myself on my computer, but these programs just look so cool! They come with their own recipes, but you can also input your own. They can give you nutritional info for your recipes, which is handy, and you can search the recipes by the ingredients you have. Not to mention, that I'm an easy sell when it comes to purchasing a new toy... Now the question...which toy to buy?!

101 Things in 1,001 Days

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

To start creating your own list, go to http://www.dayzeroproject.com/!

Not Started Yet In Progress Finished

CARYN'S 101 THINGS in 1,001 DAYS

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Take dancing lesson(s)
2. Read 1 new book every 2 months (can reference the Penguin Classics list) (0/16)
3. Have Justin teach me how to golf
4. Watch all of AFI's 100 best movies of all time (with the exception of anything scary) (3/100)
5. Watch all MetaCritic best-reviewed movies of the past 5 years (18/100)
6. Watch top 25 Musicals of all Time (may overlap with top 100) (0/25)
7. Go to at least 3 Mets games each summer (2/9)
8. Go to 10 concerts (2/10)
9. Have a lazy day Harry Potter Marathon, Star Wars Marathon, and Lord of the Rings Marathon (0/3)
10. Go to a movie at Bryant Park
    FOOD/WINE
11. Try a new restaurant every month (2/33)
12. Go to a restaurant for Restaurant Week once per year (0/3)
13. Taste cupcakes from at least 10 new places (with Lawrence and Rachel from CupcakeRankings.com) (2/10)
14. Go to brunch once every 2 months (not just at the diner) (2/16)
15. Take a wine tasting class
16. Try to find the best burger in the city (must try and rate at least 10 burgers) (1/10)
17. Try eating out at at least 5 restaurants with a new/different cuisine (Afghan, Argentinean, Australian, Austrian, Belgian, Brazilian, Burmese, Cajun, Dutch, Ethiopian, Filipino, German, Haitian, Hawaiian, Indonesian, Irish, Jamaican, Korean, Malaysian, Pakistani, Persian, Peruvian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Scandinavian, Swiss, Tibetan, Venezuelan, Vietnamese) (0/5)
18. Do a beer tasting - try at least 10 new beers (use this listing) (0/10)
    TRAVEL
19. Go on vacation to Europe
20. Go on vacation to California
21. Go to a state I've never been to before
22. Go somewhere warm in the winter with Justin
23. Visit Lawrence in DC
24. Go to Las Vegas
25. Go to Atlantic City
    WORKOUT
26. Workout 3 times a week for a month (1/4)
27. Lose 5-10 pounds
28. Do the 100 Push Up Challenge
29. Go to Hot Yoga with Katie
30. Workout before work once
    ART
31. Take a web design class
32. Take a fine arts class
33. Buy a Wreck This Journal
34. Revamp my portfolio
35. Create a piece of art for Mom & Dad
36. Create a piece of art to display in future new apt
37. Take a photo a day for a year
    COOKING
38. Make homemade pasta
39. Get and grow an indoor herb garden
40. Make meal plans every week (5/143)
41. Try a new recipe at least twice a month (8/66+)
42. Make a pie from scratch - including crust!
43. Make pizza from scratch - including crust!
44. Make (or order in) one vegetarian meal per week (5/143)
45. Make fish at least once a month (1/33)
46. Get an indoor grill/grill plate
    ORGANIZATION
47. Upgrade my recipe binder (put everything online?)
48. Scrapbook my Israel trip
49. Scrapbook all my saved up stuff
50. Organize my music and get rid of the waste
51. Organize and compress all my videos
52. Spend a day trying on all of my clothes and giving away what I don't want anymore
53. Keep track of when I buy makeup/beauty products and when I need to replace them
54. Blog all 101 things as I accomplish them
    SELF
55. Drink 8 cups of water every day
56. Find a good skin care regimen and do it daily
57. Floss every day
58. Brush my teeth and wash my face every morning and night
59. Take my daily vitamin every day
60. Write in my journal every week
61. Get wisdom teeth out
62. Get a Facial once a year (0/3)
63. Get a Massage once a year (0/3)
    MONEY
64. Get a raise
65. Move $100 a month from my checking to my savings account (1/33)
66. Put away $10 for every task I complete.
67. Make and keep budget chart
68. Collect and use coupons
    CULTURE
69. Go to a symphony
70. Go to an opera
71. Go to the ballet
72. Visit all 4 boroughs (3/4)
73. Go to the Botanical Gardens
74. Go to the Coney Island Aquarium
75. Go to the Bronx Zoo
76. Visit the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, and Whitney (1/4)
77. Visit the Museum of Natural History
78. Go to a Cirque du Soleil show
79. Go to Shakespeare in the park at least once per summer (0/3)
80. Go to the Statue of Liberty
81. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
82. Take a Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan
SOCIAL
83. Make an effort to see each group of friends at least once a month
84. Plan a group wine-tasting trip
85. Host 4 game nights a year (1/12)
86. Host a wine and cheese party
87. Go dancing at least 3 times a year (1/9)
88. Keep in touch with people I don't see often/don't live in NYC
    MISCELLANEOUS
89. Bring my canvas bag to the grocery store
90. Keep blog updated and always have a picture for recipes
91. Finish knitting that scarf
92. Don't plug in phone overnight
93. Download new music every month
    HOME
94. Update picture frames in apt
95. Buy flowers once a month (1/33)
96. Buy a new plant and keep it alive for the entire 1,001 days
97. Move into a new building (hopefully with a swimming pool)
98. Move into a 1-bedroom apartment with Justin
99. Get a large TV for the living room (over 40")
100. Buy a nice comforter
101. Host a dinner party