I'll probably start on 15 May, and run each one until the 15th of the next month. I still need a little time to settle in, get over the jet lag, and, oh yeah, learn my job...
I have 10 of them already identified, and need help with figuring out what the last two should be. Of course, a few of them are food related:
-- Whole 30...google it...way easier than me trying to explain it.
-- No sugar...like, really, no sugar. Not even my weaselly little attempts to satisfy my sweet tooth with dextrose-made treats. I'll allow dates...but only to give myself time to try more food from this region.
-- Cooking from scratch, or whatever is in the cabinets. I really enjoyed this one from a year or so ago...time to try it again. I'll save this one for towards the end of my year here, so I can use up all the random bits of stuff before I have to leave.
-- "Local eating." In the local groceries, most everything is labeled with its country of origin. I don't think I'd be able to eat just from Bahrain, but maybe from the Combatant Commander's AOR? I'll have to do some research for this one to figure out what is reasonable.
Other challenges:
-- 30-day writing challenge. Yup, another oldie but goodie. Won't be fun sea stories, but I'm sure I can come up with good tidbits on a daily basis.
-- No cussing...yeek! I definitely need to do this one. And because I'm me, there's a consequence attached for when I inevitably don't meet my own standard. I'll use a Fibonacci sequence to accrue charges. My first offense (and by offense I mean, each individual cuss word I say in earshot of another person) will be $1, 2nd will be $1, 3rd will be $2, 4th will be $3, 5th will be $5...you get the idea. And I will donate the money I've charged myself to a charity I would normally never support. I can't quite bring myself to donate it to a charity whose work I actively oppose, but something I think is...frivolous, maybe. I promise details on my running tab. Any suggestions for charities?
-- One mindfulness exercise a day from a lovely little book I picked up on my travels somewhere, called "I Am Here Now" by The Mindfulness Project. I should probably start with this one. Get me in the right mindset, and all.
-- Take the stairs to my flat once a day. Note: this is not an idle challenge. I live on the 19th floor. Oof.
-- Write and send one letter or card through the mail each day. One of the little perks of my current assignment is free postage. I should definitely take advantage of that!
-- Take a picture a day. Of some thing interesting. And post it with a caption.
So two questions for you, my delightful readers:
-- What should my remaining 2 challenges be?
-- To what frivolous charity should I donate my inevitable "no cussing" charges?
I very much appreciate any suggestions!!
