Now that we’re approaching the fourth month of the year (eeeek!!), I thought it was time for another update on how I’m doing with my 35 before 35 list. My last update was in August 2013, just after my 30th birthday. Now, with 4 years and 4 months left to go, here’s how far I’ve got…
Number 3: Learn Spanish
After doing nothing for months and months and months, I recently started using Duolingo again. So far, all I’ve done is repeat the lessons I’d done previously to refresh my memory, but new words have been added since last time I logged on so it wasn’t all just refreshing. Better than nothing, anyway.
Number 13: Read (or re-read) 50 non-fiction books
I’m really not good at reading non-fiction. No matter which book I choose to read, it takes me so much longer than reading a novel… I even read German fiction faster than non-fiction in my native language! Last time I updated, I had read 2 non-fiction books… now I’m up to three! I finally finished reading Crimea by Orlando Figes, a book about the events leading up to the Crimean War, the war itself and the aftermath. It ended up being quite relevant to current events… but I had started reading it some time last summer! Very interesting, but I’m so glad I’ve finished! Oh, and if anyone can recommend any books on Ukrainian history I’d be very grateful! The Crimea was the closest I found…
Number 15: Read 30 books in German
Last time I updated, the task was only to read 20 books in German, but I’ve been doing so well I decided to increase the number. I had read three German books in August 2013, and now I’m up to ten having recently finished Bis in den Tod hinein by Vincent Kliesch – a crime/thriller set in Berlin. You can see which other books I’ve read in German here.
Number 16: Spend New Year in Madeira and see the fireworks display
If you haven’t read about my trip to Madeira yet, you’re obviously very new to this blog 😉 For those who don’t know, the boyfriend and I spent New Year 2013/14 in Madeira… and yes, we saw the fireworks!
Number 18: Bake 10 different kinds of biscuits
Last time I’d baked one, now I’m up to three. Since August 2013, I’ve baked Honey Gingerbread Biscuits and Chocolate Brownie Biscuits. The latter went down very well with my colleagues!
Number 20: Attend a world cup rugby match
Not done yet, but the rugby union world cup is taking place in England next year, and I’ve already asked my dad to try and get us tickets once they go on sale.
Number 21: Read all the books from the BBC Big Read that I hadn’t before starting this challenge
In August 2013, I’d read six books. Now I’m up to 7… or technically six and two thirds. I’ve read 2 out of 3 books from the His Dark Materials trilogy! Currently I’m reading Middlemarch by George Eliot (also on the list) and not enjoying it at all! I’ve barely started though, so hopefully it will improve…
Number 31: Watch 15 films I haven’t seen before
I hadn’t even started this last time I did an update and now I’m up to a whole 5 films. Woo hoo! Two of them are thanks to my little brother (age 7), who forced me to watch Planes at Christmas and Thunderbirds when I went over in February. You can see what else I’ve watched here.
Aaaand that’s all I’ve done since my last update. I do have an idea about which biscuits to bake next, though. Stay tuned….
Confuzzledom 
Well done on reading the books in German! That’s impressive. My German is nowhere near that level yet, but my host family and I were discussing them reading in English and they said they can’t do it. Apparently it’s too much concentration to read the book, so that’s a real achievement you’ve read that many!
You’re doing well! It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Re: Middlemarch – do yourself a favour and chuck it in the recycling bin NOW. The only book worse than it is Madame Bovary.
Surely it can’t be worse than Wuthering Heights (my all-time most hated book)?
IT surely can – at least WH had passion; MM has shopping.
Not bad! Congrats on getting down with the German books and I totally agree with you on how tricky it is to get through non-fiction. I usually end up getting half-way through a book and then quitting!
Yea… I don’t love “Middlemarch” Why I decided to read it for “fun” I’ll never understand. His Dark Materials though… I love. The 3rd book is heartbreaking though! x
Aha! Very impressive!
Thanks.
Your doing really great on your list, I love this idea of keeping updates so you stay on track!
I’m impressed by you reading fiction in other languages – I’m struggling a bit at the moment on a book in my own language!!
You’re doing well! And you could bake me some Toffy Pops if you like 😉
😮 How talented do yout hink I am?
I guess you could always cross-stitch me a packet but I wouldn’t enjoy that as much 😉
It is great you read so many German books! I am currently reading the Max Bentow crime novels which take place in Berlin. I really love the first one a lot, maybe you would like it too!
A complete non sequitur, but you are absolutely going to love this…
http://campariandsofa.com/2014/03/27/germs-cross-stitch-microbe-alicia-watkins/
Hahaha, those are hilarious!!
Impressive! Amazing that you can read books in German. I don’t think I’ve read many non-fiction books. I’ve read a couple of autobiographies – I really enjoyed Michael Crawford’s if you’re interested. I should read more books! We had to read Silas Marner for GCSE – I believe that’s a Goerge Eliot book. I enjoyed it.
Did you take the photo of the fireworks? It’s a brilliant photo!
Haven’t got any ideas for biscuits but I can send you a Welshcakes recipe if you like?