Complete: 59. Visit a friend who lives far away

I'm wrapping up a visit to Georgia today, and while I didn't technically see any friends, I just spent 2 weeks with family I hardly ever get to see, so this is close enough. (Though I still would like to visit some faraway friends! [I'm realizing most of my friends are faraway now, though, and that's making me sad.]) Anyway!

Pictured is my big bro, Russell, who I visited, along with his wife and 4 kids.

We had a great week playing Rocket League, debating Schroedinger's astronaut, talking music, eating good food (Waffle House hashbrowns all the way!), and touring great Georgia places like Stone Mountain and the Georgia Aquarium. 

I do consider my brother a friend. I have him to thank for some of my musical tastes - Weird Al and They Might Be Giants, in particular. He took me to my first concert (Weird Al) when I was 11 and it was the best thing. We're planning on applying for The Amazing Race together (I'm holding you to it, Russell, if you ever read this). We don't talk as much as I would like, so I'm glad I get to go visit every few years, at least. 

Complete: 51. Learn 5+ songs on ukulele

Hello from Georgia!

I'm currently away from my uke, but I've learned 5 songs! I decided not to worry about memorizing them, but I'm building my repertoire, which is the point. I should get a binder and print things out and keep them handy. If you're ever near me, ask me for a concert!

1. Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure by The Weakerthans
2. Tonight You Belong to Me as made famous by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters
3. La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf, as played on How I Met Your Mother
4. Two Bedroom Apartment by Danielle Ate The Sandwich
5. You and I by Ingrid Michaelson

Hopefully I'll have another item completed next week, but no guarantees since I'm technically on vacation. :)

52 items done!

Complete: 69. Cook a dish from 25+ different countries

This one has been a long time coming! I cooked my first international dish in May 2016, and my last dish yesterday. If I was a better blogger, I would post recipes for every dish, but I don't know if I've got all that effort in me today. At least I got pictures up. If you want any recipes, let me know (they're also totally on my pinterest for the most part)! I'll definitely be making a lot of these again.

1. Cayman Island - cornbread
2. England - cucumber sandwiches
3. Spain - tortilla
4. Chile - completos, ensalada chilena, alfajores:

5. France - crepes
6. China - char sui bao:

7. Tunisia - shakshuka:

8. Germany - schnicken nudel:

9. Brazil - moqueca baiana:

10. Argentina - chimichurri
11. Uzbekistan - plov
12. Peru - roasted chicken with aji verde:

13. Lebanon - baba ghanoush:

14. Ghana - Jollof-spiced chicken with plantains:

15. Jamaica - beef stew:

16. Thailand - basil beef:

17. Korea - bibimbap:

18. Denmark - risalamande:

19. Greece - cucumber salad:

20. Afghanistan - pulau, lawang, furni:

21. Armenia - jajik, lahmahjoon:

22. Holland - stamppot:

23. El Salvador - pupusas:

24. Puerto Rico - pastelon:

25. Beirut - rice flour cookies with rose and cardamom:

Complete: 96. Follow an apostle through their General Conferences

I started this list in a better place with church. I was optimistic and put 5 whole church-related goals on here. As time has gone on, I've found myself less motivated (you read about that, I hope) to complete these and I've actually ended up putting a little spin on a few of them (which you will probably hear about when I [hopefully] finish the rest of them) to make them more palatable.

For this goal, I picked my main man Dieter F. Uchtdorf, because he is only one I love enough to be able to do this for. (He also hasn't been in the Q12 as long as some of them, hahah).

Starting in October 1994, he has given 59 talks and I've read or watched them all. He mentioned airplanes 19 times, so that's a reference every 3.1 talks. I'm glad to finally have stats on that. :)

I love his perspective as someone who has come from outside the US, and especially as someone who had to flee his home and live as a refugee. I appreciate his empathy for those in the same situation now.

I was actually pretty crushed when he was released from the 1st Presidency, but he responded so gracefully (I'm just sad about who we have to listen to 3 times now...).

His focus on love and Christ is really one thing that is keeping me going to church. I felt like his most recent talk was especially relevant. I'm definitely feeling Weltschmerz, especially when it comes to church. I wish Uchtdorf's message was more

I hope I can continue to own my religious journey, determine what is best for me personally, and deepen my relationship with the Savior. I will definitely continue to look to my German Shepherd for guidance.

(Thanks for reading all my parentheses)

Complete: 65. Add pictures to our map for all western states

Okay, so I changed this one, too. We're going for adding pictures for 5+ new states. I really wanted to make it to New Mexico, but it didn't work out before our move, and I really wanted to make it to Montana now that we're so close, but alas. October is too busy and weather will only get worse from here, so I am calling it now.

During the course of the list, we got: Washington, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and Idaho - 6 new states!

I look forward to when our map is full of photos. It'll be a fun journey! :)