J's 25 on 25 (2016 Challenge)

25 on 25 (2016 Challenges)

1. No sweets for 14 days: Anyone that knows me, even remotely, knows that I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, this will help me quick off healthier habits.
Update: I completed my 14th day on 03/19 I started at 283lb and dropped to 273lb, I didn't drink any sugary drinks and stayed away from candy, only sweet I had was syrup on my pancakes one day.

2. No Drinking Alcohol for 6 months: It's time to cut back on this habit as well.

3.  Complete 2 5ks, 2 10ks, and a half marathon: Running helps me relief stress and I really enjoy it, I lost a lot of weight running in the past and this will help me lead a healthy lifestyle

4. Visit a state other than Nevada: In 2015 I was able to spend 2 months in Georgia, and I really want to experience different cultures and states. Other than Nevada (Vegas)

5. Take a flight with at least 3 clique members: My friends are my clique, we've only been able to do 1 flight together, it's time to pack our bags and fly away.

6. Go to church once a month: Prior to getting married I used to be very spiritual, somehow I lost my way, it's time to recognize my blessings and regain my spiritual health.

7. Reduce my debt by 1/3: My loan officer and financial advisor recommended that reducing my debt by this much would help me get pre-qualified for a higher mortgage loan.
Update: I have actually reduced by debt by more than half, I went from owing on 12 credit card to only owing 3, and only have 9 payments left on my car.

8. Get pre-approved for a home loan: This goes in hand with my #7, one of the most important things in my life is my family and having our own home would give us a great sense of security plus there is no place like home.
Update: I have gotten pre-approved for 320K within a few months I will re-qualify for 380k

9. Take a couples trip (other than Vegas):  This year will be my 4th year with my beautiful wife, its time for us to explore whats out there while spending quality time.

10. No fast food for a month: Its time to clean my body and to learn how to be discipline

11. Donate to a Charity or Volunteer: I've gone trough life always feeling bad about our homeless population and those less fortunate than me, but never really stopped to make a difference its time to take action.

12. Finish my Degree: ummm like Hello Jeevuz! you only have 12 units left to go, get it done!!!
Update: I submitted my graduation request on 03/22/2016 and it got approved I will be graduating Summer 16/ additionally I have submitted my application for the Masters in Sociology program at CSUSM

13. Go camping and go off the digital grid for at least 1 night: I went camping as a kid and loved it, and have always found an excuse as to why not do it as an adult, also its time to disconnect for a bit.

14. Go paintball shooting: Im actually an avid paintballer, I have all the gear, but I seldom make time for this hobby its time to give me some me time.

15. Go on 5 hikes and at least 1 night hike: I love hiking! but Im also afraid of the dark (yes Federal Agents have fears)

16. Go on a hot air balloon ride: My wive and I have always wanted to do this, we gaze at the balloons as we drive to San Diego.

17. Go wine tasting: I want to learn new things about wine, and Paso Robles seems perfect for this.

18. Go on a wild animal safari: I love the power and beauty of animals, they are so free-spirited I want to enjoy their beauty up-close and personal

19. Run 3 times a week every week of 2016: As I mentioned before I love running and this will help me with my prep for those 5ks, 10ks and half-marathon

20. Bonfire at the beach: Why not? it's sort of a clique tradition (inside joke)

21. Visit a national park: I want to get away from the city, what better way than to escape to a natinoal park?

22. Attend Coachella: Because its an annual tradition now

23. Take a trip to Catalina Island: I've been promising my wife to take her here for the past 6 years, I gotta make it happen ASAP!

24. Go off-roading on ATV's: I love recreational veichles, and always wanted my own for now I'll be happy renting them and enjoy a nice thrilling ride.

25. Attend 2 professional Soccer games: I love love love love soccer, its one of my greatest passions, Ive played it, I watch it, Ive coached it, this year I have to witness at least 2 matches of this beautiful game.

P's 25 on 25 (2016 Challenge)

25 on 25 (2016 Challenges)

1.      Random Acts of Kindness: I want to volunteer somewhere, help our homeless, pay it forward at a drive thru.

2.       Play Tourist in Los Angeles: For a day or two I want to see LA through the lens of an outsider, visit or participate in a Los Angeles Event

3.        Read 100 Books and post each of them up!: You acquire knowledge through reading. I read about half of that, minus another 20 in 2015

4.       Solve a Rubik’s Cube. One of my students has been attempting to solve a Rubix;'s cube for the last two weeks. I've noticed that you require mental toughness and concentration. I have a difficult time concentrating on a specific thing that I challenge myself to solve a Rubik's Cube.

5.       Complete 2 5ks, 2 10ks, and a half marathon: I enjoy running and I have been procrastinating this challenge for the last year
Completed a 5K in February, Completed my 2nd 5k in April

6.        Go to church at least once a month: I need a little of bit of mental clarity and I need to thank the big guy for the ability to breathe another day. Plus mom would be happy :) 

7.       Visit 4 new states: Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, New York, Utah, Montana?
During my summer East Coast trip, I was able to see the following states, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. A grand total of 6 new states.

8.        No fast food for a month: I am addicted to drive thru! 

9.        Take the GRE Test: Its time to think about the next chapter Career wise!

10.   Take a road trip: I enjoy driving for hours, why not take a roadtrip! 
Took a road trip to the Bay Area the day of my birthday with my two friends. 6 hours on the road was kinda tough hope to do a longer one without being so tired.

11.   Go Camping (at least one night): I've always wanted to do this why not do it this year?

12.   Go to Disneyland: Have not been to the Happiest Place on Earth in 6 years!
Update: 01/09/15 Visited Disneyland and got myself a SoCal  Annual pass :)

13.   Visit  a National State Park: This will probably correlate with the camping! Zion National Park, Yosemite?
 

14.   Go on at least 10 Hikes: Because I enjoy nature and its mind clearing!

15.   Visit 4 baseball stadiums: I love Baseball in general time to visit new parks!
San Diego vs Dodgers at San Diego Petco Park
Dodgers  vs Atlanta Braves at Dodgers Stadium
Oakland vs Kansas City Royals at Oakland A's Coliseum  
Dodgers vs Nationals at Nationals Park 
New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium 

16.   Reduce my debt by ½ got to  finish paying my school loan

17.   Go Paintball Shooting with Jesus: For some reason I've always flaked when it comes to paintball shooting

18.    Attend Coachella: Because its an annual thing now!
Update: went to coachella weekend 2, great festival can't wait til next year!

19.   Learn to play the guitar: Maybe its my hidden talent, I mean my voice is already there!

20.   Bonfire at  the Beach: I did not attend a bonfire in 2015!

21.   Buy some Stocks: I bought FB stocks in 2012 and they have grown so much to bad I sold them when they were under :(

22.   Take a flight  with at least 2 clique member: We never flown anywhere other than San Francisco in 2014. Time to expand our horizon!
Flew out from Long Beach to Boston, from Boston to Washington D.C and from New York to Long Beach.

23.   No Drinking Alcohol  for 6 month: Time to cut on the alcohol!

June 20- July 22

24.       Attend some sort of festival (food, music, arts) Other than Coachella of course!

25       Go on a solo trip somewhere! : Sorry friends but taking a solo trip somewhere sounds like fun! 

So in April I went to a work meeting in Oakland and although I was not going to count it as a solo trip I realized that it was because I didnt depend on anyone to do that trip and made decisions to do things that I wanted to do. I was able to go see the Oakland A's play and was also able to get around the city by myself. I was officially not working for an entire day in Oakland.

Why the P&J Project

While having breakfast the day before Thanksgiving, P&J discussed about how 2015 had gone.  Of course there were ups and down and it  left us thinking, what is in store for 2016? After a few laughs and predictions, J challenged P to read 100 books and it became a back and forth conversation of challenges that one gave each other. After a few challenges we began to pose our own challenges and those are the ones you will see posted on here.

We are not going to give you some B.S. resolutions or goals . In fact, we want you to toss those ideas  away completely. We will give you something much more powerful which will set you up to think about some possible challenges that you can give yourself. These challenges require a daily planning process and  focus on development - a deepening of your life.