The halfway point

A little while back I talked about a bucket list of things I wanted to do while I'm 25 years old. With some help from my friends, I've made a list and checked it twice (but honestly it can still change). Here is what I've come up with:

1. Get my ears pierced
2. Read the Bible in a year
3. Write more letters
4. Send a message in a bottle
5. Learn how to pour a latte (latte art)
6. Go to a Drive-In movie
7. Go to LA Art Walk
8. Go sailing
9. Take a pottery class (and be able to use something I make)
10. Master a famous recipe (suggestions?)
11. Lead climb
12. Graduate college & graduate school (Class of 2012!!!!!)
13. Move out
14. Find a job I love
15. Go white water rafting
16. Hike to the Hollywood sign
17. Bungee jump
18. Take dance lessons
19. Read 25 books
20. Go on a road trip
21. Ride my bike to the beach
22. Grow and use fresh herbs
23. Go on a cruise
24. Surf everyday of the week
25. Be in the audience of The Ellen Show
A lot of these are basically 25 things off my ultimate bucket list of things to do before I die. I picked feasible things that can be accomplished within this year that aren't super costly. I figure I'm in my 20s, I should be having the time of my life, why not knock off 25 things off that list? And hey, maybe I cheated a little because I knew that I'd already be graduating this June but if you guys have any other suggestions of things to do, let me know!
Since this month marks the halfway point of my 25th birthday, thought I'd give you guys some kind of update on this now seemly incredibly long list.

11. Lead climb
It was Thanksgiving and instead of playing football in the morning (that has been a tradition with some of my church friends for years) I went climbing at Frustration Creek with my friend Stephen. It was just the two of us who could go and we went early in the morning, cold and overcast, especially since we were higher up close to the mountains. There was quite a hike to get to the good routes but it was so worth it! Stephen said this place was a great spot to learn how to lead climb so he lead climbed the first 5.10 so I could just top rope it just to be safe. "Totally doable" I thought after I was lowered down. Different story when I was leading the climb. I was extra careful and conscious, sure that now the route felt more like a 5.12 level. It was freezing and I was loosing tactile sensation on my fingertips! But even though I took my time, I had done it! Lead the route with no falls, ohmygosh such a rush! I don't have pictures of us climbing cause that'd be totally unsafe, but here are just a couple pics I took with my phone that morning.

overcast view of the mountains from Frustration Creek 

"Frustration" Creek

"quite a hike to get to the good routes"

16. Hike to the Hollywood Sign

For awhile my classmate Mandi and I wanted to go hiking together and I took her to a local spot for UCR students...The C. We had a little trouble finding our way to the hiking spot, so finding the trailhead was an adventure in itself. We finally got to the C (which I had been to before) and as we sat there enjoying the view, I told her I really want to go to the Hollywood Sign but never got around to doing it, or planning a trip all the way out in LA. She was immediately stoked on the idea and said that she'd be down to do it next time she was in town. The time came in March and we went! Unfortunately the day was overcast and cold (just my luck), so we weren't able to really see much of the Hollywood sign at a distance, or a view of the city, but it was still a fun hike nonetheless. Here is a picture collage of the HOLLYWOOD sign and another sign we saw along the way! ;)