January in Review (Part I)

The first month of ThirteenSquared has been a truly stellar experience. The blog has started to take shape (mostly in my mind) and the stories are developing slowly. I aim to keep this adventure fun with a hint of inspiration and a dash of humour; this is as much for myself as it is for you. I'm determined to never subject you to a boring story just because I completed another challenge. This has of course required some creative adjustments to the original format. Accountability for all 169 challenges will definitely be provided as promised. This is after all the founding purpose of creating this blog. So for the less... exciting of the challenges, short format documentation will be produced in the form of these monthly reviews.
I should mention that selfishly, I am absolutely thrilled about this amendment. In addition to figuring out  how to keep ThirteenSquared more relevant I have also created something that I look forward to reading too. (For those of you who don't know, I love lists! I make list for everything and fill my planner with checklists. Why? Because crossing off completed tasks and checking of boxes makes me happy. Seriously though, I love feeling accomplished, love it. And what better way to SEE that success than a checklist full of checks? :)

Can't wait to see this be completely full by the end of the year!

Lists

Designated Driver

Try something new

Volunteer

Write a letter

Swim

Cook/Bake

Read Completed

Random Acts of Kindness

Make artsy things

Food from 13 countries

Fix 13 things

Meaningful get togethers

Challenges by you

1

2013/01/01

2013/01/07

2013/01/27

2013/01/13

2013/01/30

laptop

2013/01/19

2013/01/01

2013/01/08

2013/01/13

2

2013/01/02

2013/01/07

2013/01/03

2013/01/12

2013/01/10

3

2013/01/04

2013/01/09

2013/01/16

2013/01/14

4

2013/01/06

5

2013/01/18

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Anything with a (*) beside it has an excellent and entertaining full story published right here on ThirteenSquared. Check it out if you haven't seen it already!

Without further ado, I present January:



CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 1
THE RESOLUTION: Something New

*New Years in Barcelona (January 1st)
Read the full story here: 
http://thirteensquared13.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-years-in-barcelona-spain.html


CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT #  2
THE RESOLUTION: Food from 13 different countries

Syrian food at Ugarit (January 1st)
Read the full story here: 
http://thirteensquared13.blogspot.ca/2013/02/a-tale-of-my-relationship-with-food.html

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 3
THE RESOLUTION: Something new

*The princesses and the salt cave (January 2nd)
Read the full story here: 
http://thirteensquared13.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-princesses-and-salt-cave.html


CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 4
THE RESOLUTION: Random Kindnesses

Tea time (January 3rd)

It seems a small act to record but remember that that it is these small acts that sometimes initiate a chain reaction which may culminate in a positively life changing consequence... for someone you will probably never meet. These seemingly insignificant actions are not just to be engaged in for a stranger either. The kind of effect a simple show of love can have in a relationship with the someone you care about can strengthen and lift that friendship beyond your imagination.


CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 5
THE RESOLUTION: Something new

Mother/Daughter piercings (January 4th)
One thing I am not new to, is piercings. I have had a total 18 needles pushed though various parts of my body in my lifetime. Make that 19 now. Some of them have been repeats; generally the result of not so pleasurable incidents involving the jewelry violently finding its way out of my body. I guess none of it has been enough to stop me. One thing I have never done though, is to turn a visit to the local tattoos and metal shop into a family affair. So for achievement number 5: Mom and daughter piercings!



CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 6
THE RESOLUTION: Something New

FC Barcelona vs. RCD Espanyol
Stadium: Camp Nou Barcelona, Spain
Row 9
Seat 14
North Goal Area

I am not an avid soccer fan, with the exception of the World Cup of course when I become as much of as a fanatic as most Latin Americans. I haven't had the opportunity to see many live games either, especially not at such a international, make that globally skilled level as that of FC Barcelona. Beyond the excellent opportunity (thanks Mom) to watch this famous team destroy their opposition and display complete first half domination, I relished the opportunity to be "a part of the team". You know how we always identify with things that we love: "We scored 4 times!"; even though we clearly never set foot on the field. Well that feeling is multiplied in commitment, voice, exaltation and of course the roaring cheer of camaraderie when you step foot into this stadium. I love this feeling!

Kicking for Barcelona: Messi! Also pictured are Puyol
 and Shaquira's baby daddy :P

***See Part II for Challenge 7 through 21... coming soon!