14. Learn how to swim.

So let’s just put it out there. I can’t swim. I know I know – I’m Filipino –I should be able to since I’m from an island right? Heeeeelllll noooo!  LOL.  Never learned how to swim – well, let me take that back somewhat. I was always one of those people who stayed in the shallow end of the pool and just bounced up and down in the water and moved my arms like I was treading water. But really I was just standing there… doing nothing – just trying to hydrate my body I guess while I watched everyone else jump off the diving board and swim in the deep parts while i was hanging back with the kiddies. So when i was 24, I had a gym membership to the local YMCA and decided I would take swimming classes there with Sheila (actually, I think I paid for her lessons so I wouldn’t take it alone…haha!) Anyhow, would have been fine – but we only learned the front and back stroke and started to learn to tread water. Sounds normal right? well, only problem was that it was in 4 feet, so we’d tread, and then stand up and be like, “okay, what’s next?”. After that class ended, I still had no more confidence than the first day I started the class. My fear of not feeling the floor was never dealt with, my fear of drowning wasn’t minimized in the least bit – because to me, I still didn’t really know how to swim. Sheila – would you agree???

That was like over 7 years ago! So fast forward to last year – I went to Hawaii and wanted to do many things while I was there, like swim with the sharks and the dolphins, paddle board, and surf but couldn’t really cause I didn’t know how to swim. I did get to go snorkeling, but again, I stayed in the very shallow ends. So I feel like I missed out on so much stuff I could have done there!

Anyhow, my sister and my soon-to-be BIL are getting married this year – in Hawaii! I’ve decided enough is enough – I don’t want to be the one just standing there in the water again – looking like I’m just a lifeguard to the little kids in the shallow end of the pool. I signed up for swimming lessons at the local rec center. I’m taking the Adult Learn to Swim Class - Level 1 one right now, which lasts for a month – 2x a week…but I plan on going up to Level 4. So far so good - i'm like the star student of the class – but then again, it only started last Monday so I’ve only had 2 classes. LOL

not an exciting pic but here's my membership pass to the Rec for my classes... 

btw...you don't have to be a Rec member to take classes... so the $ wasn't that expensive! 

84. Visit 10 places on the 1001 Places You Must Visit Before You Die list. [2/10]

#1 - Legal Seafoods in Boston, MA

I'll be honest - i was kinda kinda shocked that this spot actually made the list of the "Top 1,000 Places You Must Visit Before You Die" and wondered how this place was even included to begin with - mainly because i've been to Legal Seafoods before and didn't expect this particular restaurant to make the list. 

In January, i traveled for work once again... this time to Boston!  Despite not having time to do anything leisurely the entire time i was there (one of the downfalls of traveling for work), i did find myself free for an hour and a half after the conference ended and before i had to head to the airport.  So i thought i would go ahead and have a late lunch at Legal Seafoods.  Heading to the restaurant, I still couldn't comprehend how it made the list.  The restaurant is literally in the middle of a shopping mall.  Anyhow, found a spot at the bar and grabbed a seat.

After ordering oysters for an appetizer, i realized why this spot made the list.  HOLY YUM!  the food was spectacularly delicious.  I started off with oysters which were so fresh and yummy.  With Boston being so close to the water, the seafood is incredibly fresh.  for my main entree, i got the scallop and mushroom ravioli - oh my!  i had the same meal a few weeks ago when i went to the local Legal Seafood, and it definitely wasn't as fresh (or as cheap!).  check out the yummies below:

Boring Update Again: 42. Watch all of AFI's Top 100 Movies. [46/100]

Once again, just updating...don't mind me...

35.  The General
36.  All About Eve
37.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
38.  Streetcar Named Desire
39.  Intolerance (one of THE most boring movies i have ever seen - well, let me elaborate why - silent movie.  3 hours.  nuff said.  took me over 30 days to watch, cause i would literally fall asleep after 5-10 minutes everytime)
40.  Sullivan's Travels
41.  Tootsie
42.  Silence of the Lambs
43.  Sophie's Choice
44.  Do the Right Thing
45.  Yankee Doodle Dandy
46.  Ben-Hur

22. Pay off one credit card in 6 months.

So going to keep this one short and sweet....i didn't realize i never wrote this one off.  But yes, I did complete this last summer - my ever-so-unloved BOA credit card... i will not miss you! And actually, i did even better than expected cause i also paid off one of my store credit cards.  Hallelujah!  to these cards i say...goodbye, and good riddance!

18. Read the entire Harry Potter series. [3/7]

Just a quick update - totally forgot that i didn't update this one.  Finished the 3rd book of the Harry Potter series - The Prisoner of Azkaban - back in November.  Have attempted to get started on the 4th one - but got caught up with the holidays and have just failed to get back into it since I had picked up some other new reads.  Figured i needed a break from good ol' Harry anyhow. 

  Photo from Amazon.com