[Day Zero Project] Massive Update!

Mar 30, 2011 // by Zachary Lin Zhao // English Blog, Zach's Blog // No Comments

This is part of the “Day Zero Project – 101 Things I Want to Do in the Next 1001 Days” series.

It’s been a long time since I last gave an update on my Day Zero Project, partly because I’ve been having such a great time in London. But that does not mean I’ve forgotten about my 101 goals. In fact, I’ve managed to cross off a couple of items on the list. So here comes a massive update for what I’ve done in the last couple of months!

6. Make a real dinner COMPLETED LATE JANUARY, 2011

Despite having lived on my own since I was 16 years old, I had never made a “real” dinner for myself until February this year. Part of the reason was because I’ve never been very confident in my cooking skills. Part of the reason was because not all of the student dorms I’ve lived in had a kitchen. But all of that was changed when I came to London. The flat I am living in now is very well furnished. And there are some terrific grocery stores within walking distance. So there is really no excuse for me not to make a real dinner for myself. As a result, on a rainy day in late January – only days after I’ve arrived in London, I decided to make a dinner for myself and my flatmates.

What I made was:

Coca-cola chicken + sliced potatoes stir-fried with sliced green peppers and vinegar + steamed rice

Three dishes made from scratch!

Chicken stewed with coke is actually very tasty. Note to myself: wear long-sleeved shirt when putting chicken into boiling oil. Also, I have mastered the long-lost technique of cooking rice without a rice-cooker! (The trick: Microwave oven!)

The following two are both related to my quest to finish reading those classic American books that most American students have to read in high school. Since I did not attend high school, I consider it my own responsibility to catch up with my American peers.

57. Read The Catcher in the Rye COMPLETED ON FEBRUARY 28, 2011

I really enjoyed reading this book. I could actually see Holden in myself – occasionally helpless, often cynical, but always seeking meanings in life.

58. Read The Great Gatsby COMPLETED ON MARCH 20, 2011

I absolutely LOVE this book. The story, the emotions, the terrific writing – everything about this book is close to being perfect. I was completely absorbed when reading it and almost cried at the end. Yup, I can be a bit maudlin sometimes.

And thank you, my new and beloved Kindle.

62. Attend an opera COMPLETED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011. RE-COMPLETED ON MARCH 2, 2011.

I have always wanted to see an opera, but have spent much time waiting for the “right” one to come along. It turned out that waiting for so long was the wrong decision in this case. My first opera ended up being Anna Nicole. Yup, an opera about Anna Nicole. Yup, that Anna Nicole. It’s all part of the theater class that I have to take in London. I was actually kinda excited about going to the Royal Opera House to watch an opera about Anna Nicole, who I think had an interesting and tragic life that is well-suited for plays, films, musicals or even operas. However, I left the opera house feeling utterly, utterly disappointed. In fact, my friends and I were so upset by the experience that we decided to purchase the ticket to see a real opera – Madame Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall on March 2, 2011, which turned out to be much more memorable, moving and magnificent that Anna Nicole.

71. Go vegetarian for a month. COMPLETED ON JANUARY 15TH, 2011

Not eating meat for 30 days was…well, an interesting experience, but not necessarily an experience that I would want to relive in the near future. It’s not that vegetables taste bad – I happen to like vegetables a lot – but I still enjoy having variety in my diet and take great comfort in knowing that when I crave for sushi, I can have one.

93. Visit a state other than New York and New Jersey COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 29, 2010

I went on a road trip to North Carolina during my winter break and in the process, drove through Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Of course, there are still many more states to visit. (Although admittedly, there are a number of states that I have absolutely no interest in visiting.)

As you can see, I have managed to achieve a lot during the last three months or so. A number of other things on the list (e.g. take pictures of 100 public bathrooms, visit 10 different museums) are all in the process of being completed. Hopefully, it won’t be long before I give my next Day Zero Project update!

Remember, you can always check out the full 101-Things-I-Want-to-Do-in-the-Next-1001-Days list on the side bar to your right or read the initial blog post. You can also follow my updates about the entire project here.