#17 - Informational Magazine

Grandpa was listening and got me a National Geographic magazine subscription for Christmas. I consider it informational, even if it's not Time or Newsweek. It's so much better! :)

#20 - Museum Visit #1

For our holiday party at work we went to the Robie House in Hyde Park. It's a Frank Lloyd Wright property that they are currently renovating. Thanks to our boss, we got to enjoy some champagne and cheese in the living room of the house. I didn't know if this one would count as a museum, but since the guide kept referring to it as such, I'm counting it.

#17 - Subscribe to a magazine

Thanks to Clinique and a special deal, I got a year subscription to Marie Claire for $5. Can't beat that!

#75 - Go skiing

So technically I didn't ski. But from what I've heard, snowboarding is more difficult than skiing... And I took a ski lift... I almost hit some skiiers.. I'm counting it!

Book #13 - Dogs & Demons

I read this book about Japan finally ... And I wish it was because I was just so completely interested, but the truth is that the author is one of our consultants in Japan for my work. I regularly email his best friend and Ken happened to have the book here at our apartment. Thankfully, I enjoyed the material presented and got quite a lot out of it. I wish I would have read it before I left the country.... It explains a lot. A lot.

#87 - Finish an advanced crossword puzzle

I'm going to go and cross this one off. I can pretty much cruise through quite a lot of puzzles (and actually help my co-worker out at lunch time). But the best evidence is that I completed those really hard puzzles in the Tribune on Saturdays in the "Book" section. Dad and I enjoy tag teaming them, but now I have to fly solo in my own apartment.

Books!

Let's see if I can remember some of the books I've read recently---

#10 - The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

#11 - The Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux

#12 - The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

The two Theroux books have me wanting to take a long rail journey sometime soon.

#56 - Go to the top of the Hancock Bldg

I did it! 94 floors on the fastest elevator ever! My ears popped.... The first time, Laura and I went up to the Signature Room. We said, "Oops! Wrong elevator!" and headed back down. So I not only completed this one, I crushed it!

My photo won't load, but it isn't exciting. You'll just have to take my word for it. :)

#39 - Get my picture with Santa

Here I am --- asking for what I want for Christmas. The list was extensive.