30 Before 30

So clichéd, I know. But goals are good right? The real question is, are these goals, plans, ought-to’s or just random dreams? I guess some of each. I suppose if I were super-organized, I’d make sections for different categories. But maybe I’m just going to dream without categories.

1. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. See, this is both an ought-to and a want-to. Know what you believe, and all. It seems so boring from the outside. But when I HAVE to read a bit for research on a talk or something, I’m captured by the beauty. It isn’t dry facts. It’s philosophy, truth, beauty. Why don’t I just read something that beautiful then? Because it’s soo much easier to read a blog post than open a fat red book. I have programmed my mind to accept only nugget-sized beauty and wisdom. To my loss.

2. Take a hiatus from life and write a book. Introversion + writing = Dream come true. I don’t even know for sure what I want to write about, or for whom. I started a children’s book about school once, but got dragged down by negativity (because I hated school), and soon abandoned it, rather than searching for a new angle. I do want to study the art of writing a little, and develop the skill. 

3. Travel to the north of India. I've been to the south, and loved it. I've been abroad, but I've never explored the beauty of the Himalayas, seen the Taj Mahal, or the beautiful Kashmir valley.

4. Invite my friends over to a fancy homemade dinner.

5. Do a fun reading programme with kids from the slum.

6. Read at least two well-written books about India.

7. Plan a fun, casual event for like-minded Catholic singles in my city to meet and mingle, without expectations, pressure or desperation. Yeah, we don’t really have that. We have official ‘marriage mart’ kind of things, announced at our church, that scare the heck out of me. If I had a good disguise though, I’d consider attending, just to blog about it.

8. Become comfortable speaking and teaching in Hindi.

9. Be a joyful bridesmaid at one of my close friends’/sister’s wedding... or a bride at my own. I know, I know, the only control I really have over this one is prayer. But at least I should do that. But also, No. 7 may help.

10. Watch Star Wars. (This is about to happen, because my brother borrowed the set from a friend.)

11. Watch Downton Abbey. Because I'm a Catholic blog groupie, and all the Catholic bloggers are talking about it.

12. Speak to high-schoolers at my alma mater talking about chastity, relationships, self-image, identity and God.

13. Go on a silent retreat. No question why I need to do that.

14. Blow bubbles. (I mean, yes, I have done that at some time in my past, but I want to set up a bubble-blowing date with my friends. Don't bother psycho-analyzing that.)

15. Watch the 'Catholicism' series by Fr. Robert Barron.

16. Read Jennifer Fulwiler's book.

17. Record a bunch of sweet ‘How I met My Husband’ and ‘How I Met my Wife’ stories. 

18. Be able to run for half an hour without collapsing. Yeah, I've never done any consistent exercise in my life.

19. Own more than one saree. Sari. Saree. Whatever.

20. Take my nieces out on regular dates. 

21. Sketch. In a sketch book.

22. Initiate a conversation with a complete stranger.

23. Regularly go to sleep early and wake up early.

24. Develop a style. Fashion, I mean. Not just second hand clothes, and whatever somewhat matches. Perhaps even jewelry occasionally. About time, huh?

25. Go to World Youth Day. I mean, once you cross 30, you can be arrested for trying to attend.

26. Do a Random Acts of Kindness project.

27. Do pedicures for women who are on their feet all day. The cracked, dry, dirty feet of most Indian women have tugged at my heart strings for years.

28. Write a story about my life (so far).

29. Own a bookshelf .

30. Do a fun photo shoot with my family (on both ends of the camera)

Do you have a 30 before 30 list? Or 40 before 40? Or a bucket list of any shape or form?