37 for 37

After 30 you kind of forget how old you are. Now that I'm in my "late" 30s the big 4-0 is looming over my head and I'm more aware of my age than I have been in years. Heaven help me.

Missing from my life these past few years has been a sense of mini-adventure. Sure I've been to some new continents and had some pretty incredible experiences. But, this year, I want to go back to the times where I had fun goals and did silly things that I want to do but forget about on a boring Saturday night. I want to do things that I know I should do but never get around to.

Thus! I am resurrecting the birthday list! I herby present my list of 37 things I'll do in my 37th year to make this year great!

37 for 37

1. Attend the Albuquerque Balloonfest
2. Knit a fat chunky scarf
3. Eat at The Blue Bayou
4. Go to NFR
5. Get in touch with my college/mission friends
6. Read the 5 oldest books on my Goodreads "to read" list
7. Ride a horse 
8. Completely unpack and purge my house
9. Watch Frozen
10. Take a cooking class
11. Complete a watercolor painting
12. Go to a play at Spring Mountain Ranch
13. Go to a play at the Smith Center
14. Make a rugby calendar
15. Go on bike rides
16. Have a spa day
17. Go to Washington DC
18. Go hiking
19. Run a race
20. Have a game night
21. Go for Dim Sum
22. Have a Murder Mystery party
23. Go geocaching
24. Go to Roos'n'More
25. Volunteer at a local charity
26. Have a book drive
27. Have a SingStar night
28. Eat at a TripleD restaurant
29. Get my piano tuned
30. Have a monthly personal budget meeting
31. Go camping
32. Spend an entire day speaking in a fake accent
33. Get a physical
34. Make a Fairy Garden
35. Go to Brazil
36. Lose 37 lbs
37. Get married

33 for 33

I was sorely tempted to put "steal a baby" on this list (I've got my eye on a few of them) but I decided to keep things legal (at least for the time being).

1. read the Book of Mormon in french
2. ride a horse
3. take my mom to Italy
4. blog... regularly
   
5. run 5 races
6. get medical insurance
7. piece a quilt
8. go to Disneyland
9. watch Gone With The Wind
10. get out of debt
11. go hiking
12. meet my adorable, nice neighbor across the path
    
13. buy new boots
14. go to boston
15. learn to shoot film
    
16. form a running group (for slow people)
    
17. go longboarding
18. go skiing
19. go to an aquarium
20. go to a museum
21. have a dinner party
22. go to the Getty Villa
23. bake bread
24. fit into all the jeans in my closet
25. finish reading the Little House on the Prairie series
26. go to a pawn shop
27. go camping
28. buy from bountiful baskets
29. have a "shooting strangers" day
    
30. do a 52 week photo challenge
31. skype with a far away friend
32. memorize a few songs on the piano
33. move (to austin. or australia.)

I can't remember how old I am

Today is my birthday.

It's very convenient to start a new year and a new age at the same time. I celebrate a new year on January 1st and January 3rd. I've always loved my birth date.

Looking back on this year the thing I remember most is that I went to work. Then when I got off of work I went to work again, just at a different job. Then when I got off work again, I went home and worked more. I remember exhaustion. I remember a lot of tears. I remember feeling completely lost. I remember feeling like I'd lost myself, my sense of humor, my ability to have fun, my ability to manage my life. I remember feeling a lot like this.

But, I also remember a family I can't get enough of, parents who were more understanding and compassionate than I ever knew they could be, sisters and friends who'd walk to hell and back with me just so I'd have a shoulder to cry on, friend's parents who worry about me like I am one of their own, a bishop who let me cry about my job/financial/life situation every time I walked into his office and never made me feel embarrassed about it, a friend who loved me without even knowing my name (may she rest in peace), being able to simultaneously call 3 different people my 'best friend'. I remember Switzerland & Spain, puzzles and pictures. I remember being happy. I remember being hopeful.

Thank you, 2010.

In 2011, 33 year old me will nurture my spirituality, work less, work smarter, have more fun, lots more fun, be more adventurous, take care of my body, take care of my home and take the one big risk I was too scared to take in 2010.

The first song I listened to in 2011 and my theme song for the year:

32 for 32 - recap

1. stop putting off going to the grand canyon and go to the grand canyon already - Check! Best 4 hour drive to see a big hole I've ever taken. It's just too bad about the Frosty fob.
   
2. read "Les Miserable" (unabridged) - Fail. I didn't even buy it.
   
3. get rid of everything in my closet that doesn't reflect my true style (attempt replenishing) - Fail. I still hate almost all of my clothes.
   
4. send Thank You cards - Fail. This does not mean that I was unthankful.
   
5. quit at least one of my jobs - Check! Too bad I unquit. Now I just have to requit.
   
6. ride a razor scooter in Europe - 1/2Check. I went. I saw an old man in a suit riding a razor scooter in Basel. Sadly, I did not ride a razor scooter while there. Bitchin' trip though! Please watch this video.
   
7. piece a quilt - Fail.
   
8. go to the temple monthly - Mega Fail. At least I went once. Yes. Just once. Oh man...
   
9. learn to make stir fry like my mom - Fail.
   
10. start a beach cruiser bike gang - Check! Best damn beach cruiser gang ever. We don't even need a beach! (Thank goodness the BlackWidow blogged everything for me)
    
11. turn a photo into a jigsaw puzzle - Fail. Sad fail. But you should see my puzzle collection. I'm thinking about building a special closet for it.
    
12. throw a fancy party - Fail.
    
13. crash a wedding - Fail.
    
14. go to calico ghost town - Check! Probably one of the most amazing days of my life.
15. go to 20 concerts/live shows - Check. Too easy. Best of? Fun. And Keane.
    
16. photoshoot at the dry lake bed - Fail. Meh.
    
17. go to a play - Fail.
    
18. have a mohawk... or fauxhawk - Fail. Didn't even have anywhere cool to wear one. Then again, isn't my life just a cool enough place to wear one?
    
19. do tin foil dinners - Fail.
    
20. keep my room clean for two consecutive weeks - Epic Fail. Couldn't even keep it clean for two consecutive days.
    
21. post more pics on le blog - Fail. Ya know... cuz I didn't even blog.
    
22. knit something - Fail.
    
23. attend a photography workshop - Check! Very, very successful check.
    
24. put shelves in my storage room - Fail.
    
25. learn to play the ukelele - Check! I learned 3 chords. Which means I can play one song... which is probably one more song than you know.
    
26. go hiking in Zion - Fail.
    
27. watch a meteor shower - Fail. Did we even have one of those this year?
    
28. go kayaking - Fail.
    
29. road trip with just one other person - Fail. Unless you count driving across town.
    
30. read the book of mormon in french - Fail. Again, I say: Oh man...
    
31. pay off my car loan - Check! Getting the title in the mail was the second best piece of mail I've ever gotten.
    
32. go to a rave - Fail.

9 of 32.
Considering the hell of a year it was I am actually amazed and proud that I even checked that many items off my list. Despite the hell of a year it was, it was a good year. A real good year.

Church of Calico

Did I tell you about the time we went to Calico Ghost Town?

The Black Widow summed it up nicely so you'll have to go here to check it out.
All I can say is: MAGICAL!

Jack, a Bible and a Smoking Gun

32 for 32

Right now I have a mile long list of things I should be doing (sleeping being high on the list) but instead I can't get my mind off of how excited I am about being an even age this year. My odd years are never quite as good (ie- they suck) as my even years so for 362 of the 365 days of 2009 I was just waiting for the year to get over with. Arrival!

I herewith present my 32 for 32.

1. stop putting off going to the grand canyon and go to the grand canyon already
2. read "Les Miserable" (unabridged)
3. get rid of everything in my closet that doesn't reflect my true style (attempt replenishing)
4. send Thank You cards
5. quit at least one of my jobs
6. ride a razor scooter in Europe
7. piece a quilt
8. go to the temple monthly
9. learn to make stir fry like my mom
10. start a beach cruiser bike gang
11. turn a photo into a jigsaw puzzle
12. throw a fancy party
13. crash a wedding
14. go to calico ghost town
15. go to 20 concerts/live shows
16. photoshoot at the dry lake bed
17. go to a play
18. have a mohawk... or fauxhawk
19. do tin foil dinners
20. keep my room clean for two consecutive weeks
21. post more pics on le blog
22. knit something
23. attend a photography workshop
24. put shelves in my storage room
25. learn to play the ukelele
26. go hiking in Zion
27. watch a meteor shower
28. go kayaking
29. road trip with just one other person
30. read the book of mormon in french
31. pay off my car loan
32. go to a rave

31 for 31: recap

What a craptastic year. I'm not kidding. This was undoubtedly the most challenging, stressful, exhausting, frustrating, dissappointing year I have ever had. I'm almost embarassed to do my recap this year because the majority of my goals were forsaken in lieu of work, work and more work. Alas, it must be done. Here goes:

31 for 31

• go to the Grand Canyon - Fail.
• ride a horse - Fail.
• take photos in a photobooth - Check!
• read the Book of Mormon in french - Fail. I didn't even read it in english.
• read 20 books - Check! I loved this.
• run 500 miles - Fail. It was more like 5 miles.
• run a marathon - Fail. I signed up and didn't follow through. Again.
• photograph an entire wedding - Check. I love my job.
• go geocaching outside of Las Vegas - Fail.
• buy art - Fail.
• frame my own photography - Fail.
• ride my bike to church - Fail. First it was too cold, then it was too hot and now it's too cold again.
• go to DC - Fail.
• pay off credit cards - Fail.
• take swimming lessons - Fail.
• go skinny dipping - Fail.
• go to an amusement park - Fail.
• find a (photography) mentor - Fail.
• research organic foods - Check. Organic food = overrated. Organic milk = yes, please.
• have a spa day - Check! And it was lovely.
• go to a demolition derby - Fail.
• attend First Friday - Check.
• share a Book of Mormon with someone - Fail.
• read the entire Harry Potter series again - Check. Kind of. I'm still have half of book 7 to finish.
• go hiking in the Valley of Fire - Fail.
• make a quilt - Fail.
• play the piano in Sacrament Mtg (special musical number) - Check. Blew the roof offa dat house.
• donate money to a worthy cause - Fail.
• compile a book (a la David Sedaris) - Fail. But at least I came up with a new book idea that is genius. Genius! It's half written in my head.
• lose 31lbs - Fail.
• get married - Fail. I'm over trying to accomplish this one.

Hmm... that was even more depressing than I thought it would be. Oh well. That year is over with. On to the next! Huzzah!

Brie, please!

I know it kind of feels like contest central around here. Sorry to bombard you but... BUT!

I think you all need to head over to a little sussy to vote for my sister's Toasted Cranapple Brie Sandwich (France). The one by Kalani Cropper.

Also, you should head over to Kalani's new blog Kalanicut. Delightful!

---

And since I haven't posted any good photos of anything good for a good long time I'll share the ditty I created for my birthday invite. Yes, I stole the pic from the interweb but I made it better.


PS- If you want to celebrate my birthday with me, save the date for January 2 & 3. You're all invited. Flogging Molly. Singstar. Cupcakes. Need I say more?

31 FOR 31

I'm almost 2 months late posting this so I'd better get on it. I hereby present you my list of 31 things I will do at the age of 31 (seriously, I can't believe I'm now "in my thirties").

1. go to the Grand Canyon
2. ride a horse*
3. take photos in a photobooth*
4. read the Book of Mormon in french*
5. read 20 books
6. run 500 miles
7. run a marathon
8. photograph an entire wedding
9. go geocaching outside of Las Vegas
10. buy art
11. frame my own photography
12. ride my bike to church
13. go to DC
14. pay off credit cards
15. take swimming lessons
16. go skinny dipping*
17. go to an amusement park
18. find a (photography) mentor
19. research organic foods
20. have a spa day*
21. go to a demolition derby
22. attend First Friday
23. share a Book of Mormon with someone
24. read the entire Harry Potter series again
25. go hiking in the Valley of Fire
26. make a quilt
27. play the piano in Sacrament Mtg (special musical number)
    
28. donate money to a worthy cause
29. compile a book (a la David Sedaris)
30. lose 31lbs
31. get married* (I'll just keep this one on the list for good measure until it finally happens)

Who wants in on what??

*denotes unaccomplished repeats from 30 for 30

30 for 30: recap ammendment

• confess to a crush - retro check! I think it went very well. I didn't confess to my girl crush. I confessed to a boy. A real boy. I think he already knew ;)
  

30 for 30: Recap

I can say without hesitation that 30 was seriously one of the best years of my life. Nothing huge or overwhelming happened. It was the best because I felt happy for the entire year (which was a huge relief from kind of crappy years 27, 28 & 29). Just REALLY happy.

Alas, 30 couldn't last forever, which is just really unfortunate... but then again, maybe I'll just lie about my age and 30 really CAN stay forever! Anyway, here's a recap of the 30 things I planned to do this year.

30 for 30

• run a half marathon - Check! In fact, I ran 3 of them (Moab, SLC & Hobble Creek) and LOVED each one. The half is now my favorite distance and I will continue to run several each year.
• take a continuing education class - Check! I took a beginning photography class at CSN. I did not expect to fall in love with it as much as I did, nor did I expect it to launch me into a new career.
• read "The Count of Monte Cristo" (unabridged version) - Check! That's a good book.
• stay out all night - Check! I learned to carry a toothbrush with me at all times because you just never know when you're not going to go home.
• write a short story - Half Check. Consider it a VERY short story. I wrote the first part. I still intend on writing the middle and the end.
• karaoke in a crowded bar - Check! "Total Eclipse of the Heart" never sounded so good. By the way... it's a very, very, very long song.
• attend an mlb playoff game - Half Fail. I bought my tickets for a playoff game that never happened. Boo.
• use a fake name/story - Check! You can call me "Shelby".
• road trip to nowhere - Fail! Unless you consider Utah "nowhere".
• play in the rain - Check!
• make a budget and at least try to stick to it - Super Fail!
• kiss someone in a crazy location - Fail! I don't even want to talk about this one.
• attend church services of a different religion - Fail!
• cook with homegrown herbs - Fail! I didn't even try to grow them.
• go skinny dipping - Fail!
• confess to a crush - Fail! I should probably have made this "get a crush". OK, truth be told, I did get a crush. But it was a girl crush and I never got the courage to confess to her because I was 200% sure she'd freak out and never talk to me again.
• have a spa day - Fail! The sad thing is I really deserved it.
• make a rad bleach pen shirt - Check! I made several and have more in the works. Who wants one?
• hike havasupai - Fail! I had my trip planned and everything. Then, a couple of weeks before the trip a flood wiped the whole place out. Very dissappointed!
• go one month without tv - Fail! I hardly watch TV anyway. I did go a whole month without soda though.
• swing on a rope swing - Fail! I didn't even SEE a rope swing.
• take photos in a photo booth - Super Fail! It seemed so easy and fun that I kept putting it off until it was too late. Bad idea.
• go to a drive in movie - Check! One of the greatest nights of my life.
• read the Book of Mormon in french - Fail! At least I read it in english. Too bad I only read it once.
• get a stamp in my passport - Super Check! Amazing trip! Though I should probably finish blogging about it.
• buy a digital SLR camera - Check! It changed my life.
• ride a horse - Fail! Very sad about this one.
• transition to a family ward gracefully - Check! And I love it. A lot. I don't miss the singles ward AT ALL.
• lose 20lbs - Half Check. I lost it, but then I gained half of it back at the holidays. Oops.
• get married - Fail! But I'm totally cool with that.
  

14 out of 30. Well, it ain't bad but it ain't good either. Regardless, it was a fantastic year.

me and ed playing in the rain...

who says you can't do an ultimate punch* in a pencil skirt and heels?

even though it was only a slight drizzle (hey, we take what we can get here in vegas) i checked one more thing off the list.

*skip to the 1:29 mark to see it in all it's glory

my boys in blue

So... guess who just bought tickets to "Homegame 2" for the Dodgers post season play. Me! Let's just keep our fingers crossed that they actually make it.

On either thurs 10/2 or sun 10/5 (yes... the Lord's Holy General Conference Sabbath) I will be hangin' with my boys in blue! Woot!

I got one extra ticket. Wanna come?

2 down 28 to go

KARAOKE- Check!

Friday night I decided it was time to start marking things off the '30 for 30' list and since nothing else was going on I got some friends together for dinner and a show. By chance we ended up having a girls dinner at Mantra Masala (again... indian food two nights in a row is so, so fantastic) then a bunch of us met down at Aloha Kitchen for some mad karaoke. It was amazing.

I decided it would only be appropriate to sing a song I hate so much that I kind of love. Remember this post? That's right friends. I rocked "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and it was hot. Want to know why I love drunk guys at bars so much? Because they make me feel so good! Seriously, I had a table of them swooning. Anyway... tons of fun.

SLR- Check!

My 30th birthday present to my self was a Nikon D40x SLR camera. I finally bought it on saturday and I'm pretty much in love. Sunday I took a drive up to Red Rock to start learning the ins and outs of the camera (and since I have no idea about f-stop and aperature, etc, I have a lot of learning to do!) and enjoy the beautiful scenery that is so close to home. I got out a little later than I'd hoped so didn't get in as many shots as I'd liked. I'd planned on going into the actual park but ended up shooting around at Calico Basin and at the Horse Ranch. So fun.

This week I'm going to set up a faux photo studio at my house and force some of my friends to be my posers. Also, I'm planning a trip to the Neon Boneyard if anyone wants to join me. I think there will be some awesome potential for some wall art for my house.

*I'll post some of my Red Rock photos this evening.

30 never looked so good

Saturday was my birthday extravaganza. Extravaganza indeed!
Seriously, it was amazing. Special thanks to Tif for planning & inviting.

7pm: Cafe Rio. We started it off right and it never tasted so good.

Lesley, Hurley, Tiara and Me

Tif, Mojica and Marie

Tinkles, The Mexican, Budinger and Tyler

After debating over ice skating & mini grand prix and a failed attempt at bowling I finally made an executive decision-

9pm: Mini Grand Prix

Marie, Tiara and Me

DDRing it up. This made me so happy!

The Mexi-HOES! HO! Marie, Missy, Moss and Me

Mini Grand Prix!

Most everyone bailed on the next activity which consequently was the MOST FUN! Our dancing venue of choice is Carnival Court. We've been plenty of times. Birthday 29 was also celebrated at CC. But this time was THE BEST EVER! BY FAR! Before we got there Tif, Spence and I decided that if we didn't have any shenanigans while dancing we'd make something up in order to make all my friends who bailed really, really jealous. We SO did not have to make anything up! It was fantastic!

11pm: Dancing at Carnival Court

Crazy bass guy, Tiara and Me

This guy is my fav! He's the basist for the cover band "The Crashers" and he's usually up on stange sporting a grill. This time, no grill. But he did have a crazy eye! I got a kiss on the hand and a sweet photo op.

Me, Tif, AWESOME drunk friend #1 and Spence.
Seriously this guy and his 2 friends made our night! They were so fun and crazy.

Tiara, Drunk friend #2 and Me

It was his actual birthday so I had to share Tiara with him.

Tiara, Me, Tif and Spence

My dancing queens!! I'm forever indebted to these girls for braving the elements and the late night hour to make it the most amazing night at CC ever!

1:30am: Rock Band at Mojica's

The perfect way to end a perfect night. We met up with some of the friends who bailed on me to play Rock Band and eat ice cream. If'n you've never played, I highly suggest making friends with people who have this game because it's suuuper fun.

Maren, Tif, Spencer, Mojica and Me

Hurley and Me

Going strong at 3am! Still sportin' Tiara. I was the only one who was not tired. Maybe the awesomeness of the night kept me buzzed. Best birthday extravaganza ever! Getting home and 3:30am made me feel so young (however, going to bed at 4am and waking up at 8am for church made me feel so old)

Thanks friends for making it great!! I think 30 is going to be a pretty spectacular year.

You can view the rest of the photos here.

30 for 30

After lots of fretting about turning 30 it finally happened. Not so shockingly, I don't feel different than I did yesterday. 30 is just a number right? No need to worry.
Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out the obvious and such is the case with turning 30. It didn't occur to me until yesterday that, not only would my life not end, but that I can make this year anything I want it to be. I have the power to make it great. So... it's gonna be great.

I hear by present you with the 30 things I'm going to do this year to make my 30th year fantastic!

30 for 30

• run a half marathon
• take a continuing education class
• read "The Count of Monte Cristo" (unabridged version)
• stay out all night
• write a short story
• karaoke in a crowded bar
• attend an mlb playoff game
• use a fake name/story
• road trip to nowhere
• play in the rain
• make a budget and at least try to stick to it
• kiss someone in a crazy location
• attend church services of a different religion
  
• cook with homegrown herbs
• go skinny dipping
• confess to a crush
• have a spa day
• make a rad bleach pen shirt
• hike havasupai
• go one month without tv
• swing on a rope swing
• take photos in a photo booth
• go to a drive in movie
• read the Book of Mormon in french
  
• get a stamp in my passport
• buy a digital SLR camera
• ride a horse
• transition to a family ward gracefully
• lose 20lbs
• get married