a million moths.

to do before i turn 30. yes, i’m 28. but 29, she’s around the corner. and i realized the other day that this shiny new year will be the last full year of my 20s.

hence, the list.

1. wear red lipstick

2. write a long letter to an old friend

3. learn to shoot manual

4. read house on mango street for a fourth time

5. go to a drive-in movie

6. walk across the brooklyn bridge at sundown

7. fall in love with three new writers

8. keep my balance on my white and purple roller skates

9. throw a party

10. wander aimlessly through the streets of LA 

11. develop film in a dark room 

12. swing on as many swings as possible (slides count, too)

13. hike up to that hill in el sereno and take in the view of the city

14. record the funny moments — on paper or tape recorder

15. travel to italy or india

16. start a photography project

17. walk in a field of flowers or an orchard

18. spend a lot more time looking up at the sky

19. find a church where i belong

20. write, write, write for myself 

21. photograph my family and friends

22. develop an impressive stationary collection

23. buy a home in LA

24. get away to san francisco for a weekend

25. play tennis with chichi and gumba

26. surround myself with tulips

27. reward myself with massages and facials

28. learn to ride a bike again

 29. this last one i will keep to myself

• photo: central park, new york. january 2009.