I turned 25, and sat under the lotus tree.

I've never been superstitious, as I have enough faith in my ability to live in such a way that flips two middle fingers up to the so-called quarter-life crisis. But I've come to realize something about myself these last few months, and that is that I'm a procrastinator. Not with day to day things, but with "life" things. Learning new skills, doing the things I've always wanted to do... the minute, everyday things which require a mere commitment and desire to do them. Instead I wait. For not only am I a procrastinator, I'm a justifier. I'll do it later. Or when I feel like it. Or in five years.

It would appear I possess a certain (and stubborn) fear of being found mediocre. I think most would say they do. Not to put too fine a point on it, but how awful would it be to get older and realize THAT SHIP HAS SAILED, MY FRIEND. Okay, not likely. These are things I could just as well do later in life. Yet the proverbial lightbulb exploded over my head when I realized that, fear aside, I don't know what I'm waiting for. So!

Translation: 25 mentre 25. A list of things to do before I turn another year older. They're not outrageous, nor are they out of the ordinary... they are simply things I have always entertained doing and opted to sit on my ass instead. I've lost a few months, but still have another nine to go. And so it begins.

Today's task, #11 on the list: cook a turkey. This is part of my ongoing quest to become a domestic goddess. For some reason whenever I think about cooking/baking, it all comes back to the fact that other people will have to eat it. I know I'll eat it, but I have low standards. I should spend more time around college boys, they'll eat anything. At any rate, a turkey always seemed the holy grail of cooking. I can just see myself in ten years, chatting up my mother-in-law about Thanksgiving dinner and she'll be all LET'S HAVE IT AT YOUR PLACE, DEAR and I'd be all LADY, I ALREADY GOT WAY MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR. I CAN BRING CRANBERRIES IN A CAN, THAT'S ABOUT IT. 

But who wants to disappoint their mother-in-law before I've ever met her. So today I am cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner. Minus the stuffing, I hate that crap.

I figure I can document these things as I go, including the one that entails jumping out of a plane. TOTALLY stoked about that one. My uncle is a skydiver and said he'll take me; this after he said the last person he took was his girlfriend's 80-year-old mother. (Great. Now I HAVE to go. I digress.) For now, you will have to be content with hearing about how I stuck my hand up a turkey's butt and probably gave all of my friends food poisoning. But at least it will be memorable! 

The fact that this list falls around New Year's, is a coincidence. I've never been one for resolutions, which may sound contradictory given what I'm about to commit to. No, this is because I figure waiting is for those who are willing to forego experience in favor of familiarity. I got over that the day I stepped off the train in Italy and knew not where I was staying the night. Loni said WE'LL SLEEP ON THE PORCH IF WE HAVE TO, and that was right about when we discovered where I draw the line.