10 Things to Do Before the Year Ends

Riiiiiiiiiight.  I know it's only the beginning of July and 2010 is nowhere near being done, but whoever said it was wrong to get cracking on a to-do list this early?  I say fuck-it!  Lists are fun—you make one, you do a few, you trash the rest and start a new one (this is obviously based on experience).  For today's list, I came up with ten things I would like to get around to doing this year to, you know, feel good about myself and all that.  A little opportunity for self improvement never hurt anyone.

1. Create an exercise routine for yourself.
Sure, a 20-minute ab workout daily could be good, but I'm not just talking about physical exercise here.  Is a budding writer trapped inside?  Unleash it with a simple writing exercise everyday (Helpful tip: Each day, think of a scenario to write about, a perspective to write from, and a format to write in [poetry, essay, dialogue, song lyrics, feature story]).



Do you get a kick out of creating something out of nothing?  Give yourself an arts and crafts project every week (if not everyday).  Finish all the books in your family library by reading at least a chapter daily.  Take photos.  Invent something, anything!  Make this enterprise more awesome by keeping track of your progress.  By the end of the year, be surprised by what you have accomplished.

2. Reconnect with a friend who has been MIA and settle old scores.
Tell you what, if you have too much drama on your plate and you think contacting a former nemesis is something you're not up for, just check out your Facebook friends list and pick a friend you haven't talked to in ages whose life you're really interested in knowing more about.  Don't settle for a lame-ass poke...come on, do better than that and send an actual message or wall post!  It's always a nice surprise to hear from an old friend.  Be that friend and be awesome.

3. Marathon a TV series or a DVD trilogy set.
Friends.  Seinfeld.  House M.D.  Lord of the Rings extended version. All the Indiana Jones movies.  All movies by John Hughes (may he rest in peace).  Downloaded Iron Chef America episodes.  Survivor.  Amazing Race.  Whatever cinematic journey you choose to go on, make sure it is something you are willing to watch from start to finish (don't friggin' fall asleep!). This is more fun if you have friends over (or an S.O. to cuddle with) and you have a bowl of old fashioned buttered popcorn to share.  Personally, I recommend Friends.  That's like, the best show EVER.

4. Make a “My Life in 2010” soundtrack and fill it with your most listened-and-sung-to songs.
Let's face it...playlists are fun!  Go through each week that have passed and try to remember what songs were playing on the radio or your music player during highlight moments and compile them.  That song you heard in a coffee shop that was so good, you just HAD to ask the cute barista what the title of the song was (highlight: I just found a reason to talk to cute barista...yes!).  The cool song during the kissing scene of a chick flick you will never admit to watching.  The song you told him to listen to which he liked (highlight: OMG we have the same taste in music...yes!).  Whatever it is, if you've put that song in rotation for a long time and you play/played it as least once a day, then it's going on the list!  On New Year's Eve, have a trip down memory lane and play that list on loud speakers.

5. Tell someone an important secret.

It doesn't have to be your password to all your emails (although it could be a good idea to give it to one person you trust most in this world, you know, just in case shit happens and evidence needs to be deleted, haha!).  It doesn't have to be about you, either (careful though, if you swore never to tell another soul but can't help it, at least try to use fake names or something).  Sharing secrets is one surefire way of strengthening bonds with someone dear to you.  Warning: Just be sure the person you share it with is not a shady character; otherwise, you should probably brace yourself for blackmail.

6. Watch a movie on the silver screen, solo-flight style.
You don't need a date to the movies.  Going solo-flight has a number of perks.  There's no one with you to share side comments with, so your attention is 100% on the flick.  No one to hog all the chips.  Oh and yeah, no one will judge you for wanting to go see that movie starring those kids from the Disney Channel—you don't have to be ashamed of crying over Hallmark/Kodak moments, either.

7. Master a cooking skill.
Come on, there are more things you can do other than frying.  Whip out a cook book and choose a slightly more challenging recipe (make sure the ingredients are readily available).  Or eat out, order something really awesome, and copy the dish's description on the menu and try to copy it when you get home.  Do this on a totally random day when no one is expecting it, but make sure someone witnesses you actually cooking in the kitchen (or else it never happened!); enjoy your bragging rights over lunch when you set down the food that you made from scratch in front of your loved ones.

8. Go on a road trip outside Manila with close friends.
Your computer needs a break.  Hell, you need a break.  Gather up a few of your closest chums and hit the road (make sure you have a cool playlist of road trip tunes for the car) and go out of town for a short day trip.  Bring a camera and take lots of photos and videos.  God knows we all need lungs full of fresh air, a change in scenery, and a shitload of laughs shared with your best friends away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

9. Get a haircut.  And a makeover while you’re at it.
Believe me, haircuts are therapeutic (especially after a particularly harrowing emotional ordeal).  Don't hesitate to chop all of it off—change is awesome (Girls: short haired girls are sexy!).  If you're not comfortable taking pictures off the internet or magazines and bringing it for your stylist to copy, visit a salon with hair specialists who can tell you in full detail what kind of haircut will suit your hair type.  And yeah, gift yourself an outrageous tee or the pair of shoes you've always wanted (Guys with girlfriends: get her to dress you up; trust me, it's good juju).  Get a massage or go to the spa.  I'm just gonna go ahead and summarize all this to one thing: pamper yourself and enjoy!

10. Do something stupid.
Don't be afraid to do something crazy or embarrassing.  Don't be terrified of making mistakes.  Find fun in any opportunity to laugh at yourself.  Create memorable experiences every chance you get—believe me, your future grandkids will love you for them.