As we enter into the second half of the year I figured it would be a good time to reflect back on my list and see how things are going. I actually wanted to do a post about my awesome new route and new playlist from last night complete with cows, rebellious teenagers, oddly polite drivers, and crossing a semi-major intersection. But that will have to wait.

As for my list of 26 achievements for 2009, one would assume that since we’re half-way through the year, then I must be half-way through my list right?? Well…let’s just say that if this was the Family Feud you’d be hearing an obnoxious buzzer and seeing one of these guys…[X]

However, I have managed to wrangle in a few.

So, in the interest of half-full glasses out there, let’s start with the check marks:

• Weight loss goals: Of the seven, I get three check marks. I’ve lost 30 pounds (which now that I can actually see it, really sounds like a lot!), but I’ve kind of hit a plateau, but I have to admit it’s very much because of a similar plateau in my level of effort.
• 5k and 10k Races: Double check! And I’m saving the ever so daunting marathon for the end of the year.
• Start a job as a project manager: Check! Oh btw, for those that don’t know me I’m an architect who works on schools.
• 40 day achievements of no caffeine and flossing: Double Check! The biggest thing I learned? How to correctly spell caffeine without spell-check mocking me endlessly.

So, now the things left (aka, the things I have been strategically procrastinating against for 6 months).

• Doing 100 pushups in a row and bench press 200 pounds: As our office secretary would say, “Oy vey!” Most people I know that have started this hit a wall at some point in the training. As of now my wall and I are BFFs.
• Save for year end property taxes and read 12 books: On track…it’s just gonna take month by month to get there.
• Run a marathon: Training towards running in either November or December. So far my long run is 10 miles.  Hmm…it’d sure be a lot cooler if that number was half of 26.2.
• Learn a song on electric guitar and build a workbench: Ok for these two, I’m just straight up lazy. I have all the supplies and a plan for a bench but just haven’t got started. For the guitar, I have a list of songs, but I have a hard time finding time to play. When I get home it’s play with Brandon time…and when he goes to bed probably isn’t the best time to turn up the amp and jam out. As you can see I’m and excuse monger with these two.
• Memorize a chapter of scripture. Ok, if I can be honest for a minute, this is a tough one. Not because of the physical/mental act of it. That part is just doing it (Nike reference unintended, though applicable). What really gets me is that I always feel a bit boastful/proud/selfish when memorizing scripture. As if my motives were untrue. My obvious reason for wanting to do it is to hide God’s Word in my heart, to be prepared in season and out, and just to spend time with God daily. But I’m always afraid I’ll get to the end and just have a chunk of scripture just for regurgitation. Nonetheless, I realize that this too is just an excuse and I need to get after it.

So there you go. Nothing stopping me but my own excuses. So watch out remaining list…I’ve still got six months on you.

I hope everyone else’s goals are on track. And if they’re not…who cares! Even little kids know that you can always call a do over.