My Birthdaty!!!!

Today is my birthday. Did I do anything special? Nah! I took day to reflect and have me time. So many thoughts and feelings right now. Can't put into words. Thankful for another year of life. Excited but nervous about what is to come.....

35 while 35 list!!!

Well the tradition continues......every 5 years I am going to complete a list of things. So since I turn 35 this year (seems like I was 30 forever) I will attempt to complete the following 35 things :-)

1. Save $3500 

2. Lose at least 100 pounds (originally said 35 but that is too easy)

3. Run 1/2 marathon (gearing up for Hot chocolate 15k as a warm up the Music City Marathon)

4. Read 35 books

5. International travel (suggestions welcome)

6. 35 random acts of kindness

7. Go on an actual date (one year this will actually fall off my list)

8. Get my 2nd tattoo (design already picked out)

9. Random thoughts daily for entire year (will post weekly on fb)

10. Blog on original blog weekly

11. Meet 35 new people and write about experience (for those who know me.....I don't talk to strangers so this is a big deal)

12. Attempt 35 new recipes

13. Keep a journal entire year of all my experiences I complete

14. 35 love notes

15. 35 community service activities

16. Watch 35 new movies (up for suggestions)

17. Try 35 new restaurants 

18. Walk/jog 35 miles monthly

19. Donate 35 pieces of clothing (it's sad how many items in my closet I never wear)

20. Phase flip flops out of my daily wardrobe (for those who know me......pray!)

21. Visit graves of my father and sister (still haven't been able to do this)

22. Weekend cabin tip to Gatlinburg

23. Try a new brunch spot monthly

24. Huge surprise for my mother

25. Apply for grad school

26. Take SOCRA exam (October is target date)

27. Teach my mother to use laptop and Internet (she has made progress,but has a long way to go)

28. Get cable again (now that I don't work as much antenna television is not enough)

29. Concert at a big venue (Janet Jackson in September)

30. Pay off my car early

31. Home ownership or new apartment (depends on my next career move)

32. Job promotion

33. Cut hair again (can't donate, but need to switch it up)

34. Be more social 

35. Just have fun!!!!!!

Life

So much on my mind......Next month I will be 35 and honestly not looking forward to it. The one thing I want I am tired of wanting and it is becoming frustrating. Something I cannot control, something I cannot make happen. Hurts......can't lie and say it doesn't trying to finish up my 35 while 35 list but I have come to a block and don't know if I can move past it. 

As I write this post I think on the fact that I am blessed and question why I let the little things get to me and how I am focusing on one thing I don't have, but attempting to remind myself of all the things I do have and it is hard to do. It is easy to say just deal.....well tired of dealing and settling or just being complacent. 

Don't know if things will change, but just needed to let this out.

 New hair color.......and actually smiling. All I got for now.

Update on 30 while 30......

Well since I will be 33 (SHHHH!!! don't tell anyone) this month I once again am updating my 30 While 30 list (which is turning into a 30 while in my 30s list).Updates are in RED!!!

1. Get a tattoo (I will not punk out!) Tattoo pic is here!
2. Get my passport (overseas trip is not in the budget YET....but working on it, at least I can get prepared) Got passport and went to the Bahamas last year!!! Planning another overseas trip for 2015 (got some other big plans for 2014)
3. Go on a date I got jokes!! Me and a friend had a long discussion about why he doesn't understand why I have not been on a date.....think I finally made him see why :-/
4. Complete 30 random acts of kindness to strangers this will always be ongoing
5. Read 30 books that aren't the typical books that I enjoy been busy but got 5 books under my belt this year and still have a stack I have to make it through
6. Take a spontaneous road trip somewhere by myself, just wake up and go (I have to plan out everything....this is going to be hard) I am not a spontaneous person so this is still no
7. Go white water rafting no one will go with me
8. Apply to Masters of  Public Health Program (2 are on the radar) this in works for 2014 all I can say....
9. Write letters to 30 people who have had an influence in my life and tell them why done!
10. Run (not walk) a 5K walked one, working on running....
11. Walk the Music City Half Marathon (still praying on this one....Jesus give me strength!!!) 2014!!!
12. Save X amount of money (figure will not be disclosed to everyone, but will tell if it is met or not) this is my weakness so no :-(
13. Donate hair to Locks for Love (length is almost there!) Did it! See!!!
14. Lose at least 30 pounds (aiming for more....but sticking with the theme of 30)
15. Purchase a Home (or be in the process...working on that now) have a fear of doing this....but making moves in 2014, house in 2015 is goal
16. Become a Research Coordinator (next step in my career...making moves!) Just interviewed for this position!!!
17. Travel west of the Mississippi River (been to Arkansas and Missouri, but that is about it...but have been to all the states east of the Mississippi) done!
18. Purchase a big ticket item for my mother (have to see what she wants....I am thinking a REAL nice pair of earrings...this will be a surprise) getting close!
19. Clean out my wardrobe (closet full of clothes and shoes...don't wear half of them, shame!!!) this will be an ongoing process...
20. Visit the graves of my father and sister (have not done since the funerals) still can't do it :-(
21. Ask some tough questions of a family member (nothing bad....just unanswered questions) afraid of the answers
22. Learn how to knit, love to crochet, everytime I try knitting I get frustrated :-( still trying, but can't do it
23. Write the vision plan for the next big project in my life (can't tell you what it is...yet) done!
24. Go to a concert in a big venue (don't do crowds of people well, which is limiting me from seeing Maxwell in July...not cool) Can't!!!! Kendrick Lamar and Wale are coming to my alma mater in a few months.....not big, but not small, so might go, step closer.....
25. Have my first kiss (yes I said it....don't trip) long story.....so I still say no
26. Create a signature vegan dish for me (I love to cook...want to create something that people who are skeptical about vegan and vegetarian dishes will enjoy) Stuffed Mexican portabella mushrooms! They are amazing!!
27. Complete a financial plan that will pay of my student loans before I die (I am so serious) starting to pay them off finally!
28. Purchase a piece of artwork that will be handed down to my next generation nope
29. Learn to speak my mind with no fear of others (some people might think I already do this....if you only knew!!) getting better
30. Most important thing to do in my year of 30..... HAVE FUN!!!! yess!!!!

33rd Birthday

Okay.....This morning as I was writing my random thoughts and procrastinating on facebook I once again realized my birthday is around the corner!!! I will be.......shhhh!!!! don't tell anybody

Yes 33!!!! Well 3 years ago if you remember I did a 30 While 30 list  that I am still working on (will update before my birthday) well this year I want to do 33 new/different/random things the month before my 33rd birthday! I want to try new things, do things in the city and maybe outside the city that I have never done before.  This should be interesting :-) Nashville is an AMAZING city and there are so many things that I have never done and want to try so I think I am going to venture out.  I have started my research and I would love most things to be FREE or little cost, but I know that is always possible.

So......I am up for suggestions. What are some random things to do? Things that are outside the box! Fun things! Educational Things! Cultural Things! Random Things!!!

Here is the beginning of my list......

1. Live on the Green Concert Series
2. Warner Park (a jog, walk, or picnic there)
3. Tennessee State Museum
4. Want to go to a distillery somewhere or one of the local beer makers in the city.....need to research
5. Shakespeare in the park
6. Wild Horse Saloon (they have free line dancing classes)
7. Southern Living Idea House
8. Friend has me interested in going to the gun range....me shoot a gun??? This is going to be interesting
9. Dancing in the District
10. Zip lining??     
11. Talk to strangers while out at dinner (for me this is HUGE.....I don't talk to strangers)
12. Go on a date
13. Maybe Frist Fridays
14. Nashville Sounds Game

Like I said up to suggestions thoughts of fun low cost or free things to do?

30 + 1

Friday is my 31st birthday....I am kind of excited. Last year around this time my grandmother had just passed and I was not in the best of moods. This year has been rough. Didn't accomplish all that I wanted to, but I did make some important changes in my life.  Life has been difficult, faced with some challenges I never thought I would, but guess what.....I am still alive.

My faith has been tested (still being tested) and I have questioned a lot of what I believe and what I have been taught. I do not know the answers to all the questions I have in my head, but I have more clarity. I still believe in God, just question a lot of what people do in the name of religion. Ritual without knowledge. I believe it is okay to question to gain understanding, an educated faith is a powerful thing, people act so much out of emotion, but when it comes to defend their faith....fall very short.

I am slowly finding my own path....

My Birthday is approaching....

Yesterday I realized....my birthday is this month. WHOA!!! This really creeped up on me.  Those who follow me know I am attempting to complete 30 things during my year of 30. I have started the process, but I realize I have a lot to do.  I don't want to be so focused on completing the list that I do not take out time to enjoy and just live life. Although I really want to complete the list I do not want it to consume me. If I finish, great, if I don't I will just continue to complete the things as life presents itself.  Feel me?

Well....approaching my 30th birthday has been interesting to say the least. A lot of things have been going on in my head. I don't think I am having a mid life crisis (I hope not....I so want to live longer than 60 years old), but I do think I am being very reflective of my past and how I am going to continue to live my present and my future. I have begun to think about the mistakes I have made and the successes that I have made. I have thought about how I will live the rest of my life and how I will influence others in my life....sometimes this scares me.

What is funny, yesterday I ran into a friend that I had reconnected with on facebook while on campus at work.  We stood in the HOT sun for almost an hour talking. It was funny because it was so unexpected and our conversation got me to thinking.  Made me realize that people do read my random thoughts and postings on facebook (I think some people have hidden me...don't post a lot, but I am an avid user of facebook). The conversation also made me think about some decisions I have made in my life and how I continue to make decisions....don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.  I appreciated the conversation, but I still wonder what the person thought about my responses to some of the questions and topics we discussed. I don't know if I want to ask the person what was going on in their mind, but it just makes me wonder.

I will be turning 30 this month. I have stopped "lying" about my age and I have some interesting decisions about the way my life is going.  As I end this posting one of my favorite scriptures popped in my head.

Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version) 

¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Life is not perfect, but it is good. I will continue to live, laugh, and love.  It is a journey and I am learning and growing...

30 things for my year of turning 30!!!

Ok!!! I finally have started to come up with my list of 30 things that I have never done during my 30th year on earth.  I talked about it in an earlier blog and have been thinking and coming up with ideas. I had friends on facebook, twitter, and blogger give me suggestions and I appreciate them all.  I have taken some and tweeked others.  I have decided to post the list as a way of accountability. I don't turn 30 until the end of August and will start accomplishing the list then, but needed to write (or blog) them down before the date comes. I will keep people posted as some things are completed during the year. Please feel free to give suggestions on how to accomplish things or until my birthday....the list can change (but not by much)so I am open for new creative ideas! I will also creat a scrapbook chronicling the 30 things I will do. Things are listed in no particular order.  I am so excited!!!!

1. Get a tattoo (I will not punk out!)
2. Get my passport (overseas trip is not in the budget YET....but working on it, at least I can get prepared)
3. Go on a date
4. Complete 30 random acts of kindness to strangers
5. Read 30 books that aren't the typical books that I enjoy
6. Take a spontaneous road trip somewhere by myself, just wake up and go (I have to plan out everything....this is going to be hard)
7. Go white water rafting
8. Apply to Masters of  Public Health Program (2 are on the radar)
9. Write letters to 30 people who have had an influence in my life and tell them why
10. Run (not walk) a 5K
11. Walk the Music City Half Marathon (still praying on this one....Jesus give me strength!!!)
12. Save X amount of money (figure will not be disclosed to everyone, but will tell if it is met or not)
13. Donate hair to Locks for Love (length is almost there!)
14. Lose at least 30 pounds (aiming for more....but sticking with the theme of 30)
15. Purchase a Home (or be in the process...working on that now)
16. Become a Research Coordinator (next step in my career...making moves!)
17. Travel west of the Mississippi River (been to Arkansas and Missouri, but that is about it...but have been to all the states east of the Mississippi)
18. Purchase a big ticket item for my mother (have to see what she wants....I am thinking a REAL nice pair of earrings...this will be a surprise)
19. Clean out my wardrobe (closet full of clothes and shoes...don't wear half of them, shame!!!)
20. Visit the graves of my father and sister (have not done since the funerals)
21. Ask some tough questions of a family member (nothing bad....just unanswered questions)
22. Learn how to knit, love to crochet, everytime I try knitting I get frustrated :-(
23. Write the vision plan for the next big project in my life (can't tell you what it is...yet)
24. Go to a concert in a big venue (don't do crowds of people well, which is limiting me from seeing Maxwell in July...not cool)
25. Have my first kiss (yes I said it....don't trip)
26. Create a signature vegan dish for me (I love to cook...want to create something that people who are skeptical about vegan and vegetarian dishes will enjoy)
27. Complete a financial plan that will pay of my student loans before I die (I am so serious)
28. Purchase a piece of artwork that will be handed down to my next generation
29. Learn to speak my mind with no fear of others (some people might think I already do this....if you only knew!!)
30. Most important thing to do in my year of 30..... HAVE FUN!!!!

This is my list and I plan on accomplishing everything.  Will keep people posted as things are completed :-)  If my list inspires you to create your own or do things that you have never done, GREAT!!!

Year of 30

This morning as I was doing my daily reading and planning of my summer trips and activities I began to think....I will be 30 in a few months. YAY!!! I don't have the mindset of most people that I am about to turn 30 so I have to get all these things accomplished before that big day. I am looking at it as I am turning 30 and will take the year to celebrate. There are several things that I want to do for my "year of 30" and as I was writing this blog I thought of a great idea!!! I will do 30 things I have never done in the year of me turning 30!!! What those things will be....some I know and some I will think about.  I am also up for suggestions (HINT!!!)

There is one thing that I know I want to do, but it is totally (well not totally, but pretty much) out of my control. If I told people what it was it would defeat the whole purpose. We shall see if it happens...will keep you posted.

But what are your thoughts on things that I should do in my year of 30....within reason. I am open for all kinds of suggestions.

Happy Birthday!!!!

Okay it is my birthday...YAY!!!! I think???? I keep telling people this is the last time I will turn 25 (it is hard to keep up with both numbers). In all honesty I am 29 today, WOO HOO!!! The last year of my twenties and surprisingly I am okay with that. It has been a great year and I am blessed in so many ways. Although I will no longer be 25 I will always be 25 at heart. I have my life ahead of me. So many things to do, so many people's lives to affect. Life is good, not perfect, but good. I have to continue to focus on the positive and take each day one day at a time.