#22

Get My Broker's License

I passed my broker's test in November, but TREC (TX Real Estate Commission) has been back logged so it never showed up officially on their website since they hadn't processed it. I didn't want to mark it off until I actually received my license. Here it is, although I don't think it looks super official!

January Recap

Here is a recap of what I've done so far:

1. Run a 5k - I bought an app & have done the first training. It was harder than I thought! I want this done by May (before it gets too hot).

3. Blog about 30 under 30 - so far so good
5. Master Greek Dishes - halfway done. I need to plan another cooking day with Yiayia.
9. Host a formal dinner party - planned, just need to mail invites
15. Learn/invest in stock market - set up an appointment with our Edwards Jones advisor
16. Read One Year Bible - have the Bible but haven't started...I need to step it up!

20. Sell $6 million in RE - 1/6 of the way there with 1/6 of the year almost behind us. Right on track.
22. Get my Broker's license - passed the test (in November)!! Waiting on TREC to process & send it to me
28. Take at least 1 picture of RH & I every month - January done!
We're at Kyle's 30th bday bash - ghetto style

Barnaby Winter Party - Black Tie

#5

Master Greek Dishes - Moussaka, Pastitsio

Yiayia & I cooked Moussaka together on Jan 23rd. It is a layered Greek casserole with potatoes, eggplant, ground beef & bechamel sauce (cream sauce). It is delicious & one of my favorites, however I didn't realize how labor intensive it is to make. It took the two of us over 4 HOURS to make. We had fun & I enjoyed the time with Yiayia, but I was exhausted! The thing about Greek cooking is that you can have multiple recipes & different spellings for the same dish, so it's not as simple as following the recipe. We combined Yiayia's 2 recipes that she uses and I wrote it down step by step. So now I have her official Moussaka recipe to make exactly how she makes it!
Pastitsio has the same meat & bechamel sauce, but noodles instead of the vegetables. I should have no trouble making this.

#4

EAT INDIAN FOOD

I was with my clients Aaron & Erin Whitaker, listing Erin's house in Irving, when they suggested Indian food for lunch. I was so excited! We ate at Masala off N MacArthur in Irving. I let them order since they are Indian food experts. We had Chicken Tikka Masala, Spinach Masala with potatoes, and Vindaloo with lamb, all spicy dishes. It came with Garlic Nan & we ordered Mango Lassi to drink. My favorite was the Vindaloo. Everything was delicious, although it wasn't nearly as spicy as I was expecting. Next time I'll tell them to add serious spice! I guess Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly was completely over exaggerating. Overall, I like Indian food & will probably eat it again.

This is the Masala & Tikki dishes on Jan 15th.

#11

HOST A FAMILY HOLIDAY

On December 21st, I hosted my 2nd annual Grandmother's Tea with my sister. We invited all of our Grandmothers (sadly I'm down to 3 from 5) and enjoyed hot tea & brunch together. I love spending time & honoring them with our special tradition.

Christmas is always a busy time for me with my huge extended family. This year was no exception. Christmas morning RH & I went to my dad's house to celebrate his bday & Christmas with them. In the afternoon, my mom & stepdad came over for dinner. I provided appetizers, spinach salad with pistachios & orange marmelade dressing, pork loin, greek potatoes & rolls. My mom brought dessert & wine. I didn't want her to bring a lot since that was the whole point of hosting a family gathering. I liked staying at home & having others come over for the holiday, but I understand why people have these types of things catered!

#26

HANG A LIGHT FIXTURE

Our neighbor, Garhett, came over & showed us how to change out the fixture. It wasn't hard to do, just difficult working with something over your head. I'm so glad the ugly fixture has been changed & also that I have a hubby to do these things for me in the future.
Before:

After:

December 23rd

30 Under 30

As I began the last year in my 20's, I started thinking about some of the things I wanted to do & accomplish before I turn 30. Being an avid list maker, I thought I would compile a 30 under 30 list! This is separate from my bucket list & I only included things that would be attainable in the next year (RH & I will be going to Italy & Greece, but we're not sure if 2011 will be the year, more likely 2012). In no particular order:

1. Run a 5k
2. Sew a button on & it stays
3. Blog about 30 under 30 - post pics & update my progress
4. Eat Indian Food
5. Master 3 or 4 Greek dishes – Saganki, Passtiso & Moussaka, Baklava
6. Take a cooking class
7. Cook a whole chicken/turkey
8. Plant/grow tomatoes
9. Host a formal dinner party
10. Have a murder mystery dinner party
11. Host a family holiday
12. Paint a painting
13. Paint pottery
14. Take a self defense class
15. Learn/invest in the stock market
16. Read the One Year Bible
17. Go camping
18. Take a road trip by flipping a coin
19. Plan & take a cheap weekend getaway
20. Sell $6 million in RE in 2011
21. Pay off HH Loans
22. Get my Broker’s license
23. Get CRS Designation
24. Get Concealed Handgun license
25. Find a facility & start volunteering for the Delta Society with Nickel
26. Hang a light fixture
27. Add curb appeal to our house
28. Take at least 1 picture of RH & I every month
29. Indoor rock climbing
30. Learn to sew a quilt & apron with Michelle & Jenica

On FB there was a lot of baby discussion. I didn't include/exclude because no one knows what this next year will bring. I tried not to include things that I have already done that otherwise would have been on the list (graduate from college, buy a house, travel to Australia & New Zealand, swim with stingrays, see a broadway play, etc). I'm still open to suggestions! I have 347 days left...better get busy.

Being surrounded by attorneys here's the fine print: This list is subject to change at any time without notice or agreement. All blanks will be filled in, attempted or completed prior to 12/05/2011.