Going to Church

I went to church yesterday. It was weird and wonderful and uncomfortable and soothing, and all before 11am on a Sunday. I loved it and can't wait to go back.

I've experienced extreme peaks and valleys of religiosity and spiritual callings throughout my life. For the past 7+ years, it has been a serioius valley (ok, war-ridden trench) of religious rejection absence. But Sunday morning, the sun was shining (and I was sober, or at the least not hungover...are mornings usually this enjoyable?), and I found myself looking for a reason to dress up, get a coffee, and meet people who felt certain about something. So I went to a church literally half a block away (convenience is an important component to finding a calling) and had an amazing time. It was challenging and welcoming and I think church will offer me a lot of the things for which I am searching (community, servitude, purpose, volunteer work). Ok also (seriously God, you know what's up) there were two single under-28 males in the congregation. Church is awesome and I can't wait to go back.

So, there you have it. I've started embarking on my journey of 24 things. It's a list to accomplish, but it's also a path to take. I'm excited about continuing item #2 on my list and experiencing the others. <<In fact, I also began #6 (did you see the newest addition to my family?) by making marshmallows (surprisingly easy...I'd like to try experimenting with other flavors than vanilla--maybe cinnamon or crystalized ginger).>> But again, it's not about crossing items off of a list, it's about moving forward, about experiencing experiences, and about being the woman I want to be.

Speaking of, being the woman I want to be means learning realizing that you don't have to have a boyfriend to wear boyfriend shirts (or jeans! sweaters! blazers! for that matter). Case in point:

Do I look grunge?

UGHHHHH Hate that I just did a "selfie"!!!!!! I just self-combusted!!!!!

24 Things

My 24th year is quickly approaching and (thank God!) 23 is coming to an end. 

23 has been an interesting year, mostly filled with the post-post-modern strife that afflicts other young 20-somethings (think: lots of admitting defeat). I mean, not to be a drag or anything, but my early 20s and post-college life didn't exactly turn out how I expected and has left me feeling pretty underwhelmed. And I think that's mostly due to the fact that I didn't take 21...or 22...or 23...by the horns. 

Which is why I have decided to make 24 the year that defies all years, the year that I finally do some of the things I've been talking about doing for such a long time.

1. Make a screenprint
2. Go to church
3. Run
4. Save for and plan a trip to India (such as: http://www.yogagoa.com/)
5. California tattoo (meaning, get a certain tattoo that I've been thinking about for a long time)
6. Buy a Kitchen Aid mixer and make 12 items with it (one for each month, duh!)
7. Use my soil (or give to someone) to grow a plant
8. Sew (make) an article of clothing
9. Watch the "10 Greatest Films of All Time" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/sight-and-sound-2012-watch-online-streaming_n_1737022.html
10. Read a book of poetry
11. Donate blood
12. Volunteer (maybe at the MS Society http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/ild/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/planning-committee--leadership-volunteers/index.aspx, PAWS, CPS)
13. Grow out my hair (this one is pretty easy)
14. Refinish a piece of furniture
15. Make a piece of artwork to hang on the walls of my apartment
16. Get a Sunday New York Times and read it.
17. Spend a day at the museum (any museum) alone.
18. Take a hike. Or at least a really long walk.
19. Go to a real Chicago steakhouse and have a real Chicago steak.
20. Spend a Friday night at a coffee shop.
21. Visit Maxwell Street Market http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/maxwell_street_market.html
22. Get in touch with my Polish roots (Belmont and Milwaukee -- http://www.wikihow.com/Tour-Polish-Neighborhoods-of-Chicago, Kurowski's, Basillica)
23. Attend Trivia Quiz night (nope, I've never been to one)
24. Go to a film festival

Thinking about this list and writing them down has got me so excited for the year ahead of me! I hope to cross-off at least two items every month (of course, a couple of these might be recurring events such as the baking or the running...(ha)...or the church thing...(again, ha)). 

To all my friends, acquaintances, enemies, co-workers, and internet followers out there--I will need your help! Or at the very least, I'll need you to accept my invitation to join me on a couple of these mini-adventures. 

And fear not, I'll be writing about it all along the way...