#2 Run Like HELLLLLLL

Adventure # 2- Complete.  I got out of bed at 6:45 yesterday morning to attend my very first 5K in Oakland Cemetery's annual Halloween Run Like Hell.  I was very lucky to have the support of my best friend Kim, who originally didn't get a number but came with me for moral encouragement.  I have never been to Oakland Cemetery.  In 1850, the city of Atlanta established the new cemetery on farmland away from the bustling center of town. Today Oakland it lies in the middle of downtown Atlanta.  Walking through the gates, you feel like you are taking a step back in history.  Some of the headstones are so old, you can barely read the year or state. It is the final resting place of many Confederate soldiers; Maynard Jackson Atlanta's first African American mayor, Ivan Allen, Jr., and  Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind. Many of Oakland’s graves are etched with familiar names borne by Atlanta parks, streets, neighborhoods and businesses. For every beautiful monument marking a prominent or wealthy family, there are hundreds of small, simple headstones. Not far from some of Atlanta’s best known sons and daughters are paupers buried at public expense. It is truly a melting pot of Atlanta history.  It would be a perfect day exploration adventure.

The interesting and fun aspect of this race is that it's on Halloween and there were SO many people dressed in costume.  We saw everything from a guy dressed as a Bee Hive and he had 4 or 5 bees surrounding him to a woman dressed as Dog the Bounty hunters wife.  There was children dressed as smurfs and toilet seats.  It would have been fun just to go and watch the race.  When we got there, luckily there was a table selling extra race numbers and Kim got to get a number!!! It was very exciting to do my first 5 K with my best friend.  I planned to walk the entire thing, so we started out at the end, but as we got close to the start line, with the energy of everyone, we just had to run it (A LITTLE). *side note- I had not eaten breakfast or dinner the night before, not my smartest move.  We were doing really well and ran/walk the first mile in about 15 minutes.  Since we started so far back- I'm gonna say we probably ran/walk it a little faster than that.  The course was very diverse- up and down hills, through neighborhoods, over interstate 20,  and of course through the cemetery.  During the second mile, I tweaked my ankle a bit (damn uneven payment), AND I dropped my Point and Shoot camera-  It threw me off. So we definitely slowed down a little.  Kim was always ahead of me, she is super awesome athlete all-star, but she was always very encouraging and tried not to get too far ahead.  We were saving the "run" part for getting back back to the cemetery.  Once we hit those gates again...there were SO many people there encouraging- saying "Way to go",  "You are almost there,"  It's just around the corner. I was running with Kim, but I was really running out of gas.  I didn't see this corner that everyone kept referring to.  :)  I had to walk a bit, run a bit to keep up with Kim, got a little dizzy (should have ate breakfast), and I finally saw the corner. It was UP another hill. Kim, being the bestie that she is actually got behind me and was literally pushing me....It was hilarious.  Once we got up the hill- she grabbed my hand and was like "We are finishing this together."  We were actually running, holding hands.  This must have been funny, because the guy with the bullhorn was like- "Look at them go, Holding hands. Calhoun, GA."  I had my cousin's wrestling sweatshirt on so I was representing the hometown.  We finished at 49:00.  But we think It was probably in actuality 45:00, because we were so far back in the actual line.  The race closed at 1500 runners, but Kim was 1555.

I am proud of myself.  I think Kim and I are gonna make it a tradition.  I will definitely train a little more for the next one.  I plan to run one completely by the end of the year. I can only improve.  It was a great time...and even better by celebrating at Flying Biscuit!     

The band was playing Thriller to start us off

After the race, Kim wanted me to do the #1 dance

After the race

Adventure #1

I had my first new adventure on Friday.  Two of my best friends joined me for our Pole Dancing class.  I must say going into the class was a bit intimidating at first. You walk into the Orchard Room and it's surrounded in mirrors with beautiful, brightly colored orchards painted on the walk and FIVE poles!  Our instructor comes in in her Halloween "dancing" clothes in 5 inch stilettos.  Her name was Barbie.   Barbie was very encouraging and wanted us to work it and sex it up.  She was like the less clothes the better, so she encouraged us to strip if the feeling hit.  We warmed up with stretches on the pole...moved into squats, dancing, working the hips, stirring the pot.  My hips really don't move like that, but I tried everything.  We learned basic pole moves.  Curling our bodies up and down the pole.  And we learned spins. I was an under achiever at the spins, because I got scared,but I eventually got it down. Kim R. However, could work that pole. Those gymnastics has paid off.  It was a great night.  I'm so happy I got to experience this first adventure with two of my best friends.  I have an entirely new respect for Pole Dancers now. My whole body is sore.  You have to be extremely in shape to do half of those moves.  And you need to have great upper body strength and lower abs. It is something I'll definitely do again.  Maybe take Barbie's Santa land workshop.  Clothes did come off...not ours, but I'll wear something different next time...I have bruises all up in down my legs...Poles are definitely dangerous...but FUN!  If you ever go out, be sure to really tip your dancer ;)

Kim and I before class

Barbie tried to pose me

And then she posed us all

check out the mirrors

Pole Dancing and Prayers

I've been trying to decide the best course of action on actually posting on the blog.  Should I only post when I accomplish a task or when I get an idea or right before the task?   I made the decision that I should post every week, whenever I get inspired to write.  I want the structure of weekly writing, but I don't want the limitations of a schedule.  It's my blog and I'll write when I want to, right?

Tomorrow is the first task on the list.  I'm super excited about the Pole Dancing.  All week, I've just been thinking it's something I've never done. I haven't been thinking about what exactly I'll actually be doing. I'm a little nervous about it, given my lack of rhythm and 110% lack of sexiness.  I'm a cute girl, but I'd never think of myself as sexy.  So tomorrow we will see if four years and a degree in theatre has given me the confidence to fake the sexy.  I plan to bring SEXY BACK!  :)  Carie is flying down from Michigan, for her birthday and My BFF's Kim and Ann will be joining us.  Should be great fun.  I've really been concerned with what to wear?  Silly, but I'm a girl.  I want to look the part, but it's also a work out. It's not like I'm going to go apply at the Cheetah when we are finished.  But the extra cash would be nice.

There are still SO many more things I plan to add to the list.  Each day I have a new idea.  After reading and watching Eat, Pray, and Love a few months ago, I was inspired to learn to meditate.  I bought books.  I made prayer beads.  I just can't seem to focus. The first Sunday of each mouth the Duprung Loseling Monastery teaches the Basics of Meditation class. I am VERY excited to attend.  The Tibetan Buddhist introduces the practice of meditation starting with a talk by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, the Spiritual Leader.  This is followed by a guided meditation, along with a question and answer session.   I know that it isn't as easy as one might think, but I definitely would love to really learn this and actually start to practice the art of meditation.  Each Sunday  they have Shamatha Meditation - which brings clarity, stability, and focus to the mind.  The word "Shamatha"is Sanskirt for "calm abiding" and it refers to the minds ability to remain in a peaceful state of awareness when faced with anything.  This is not a specific Buddhist form of mediation and you don't have to be Buddhist in order to practice.  In fact there has been many studies that have shown that mediation can alleviate stress and promote health and well-being.  OR so the website says.  I just find it fascinating. There is an entire section of etiquette for visiting the center.   I'll write more about it all later.  I'm very excited about learning about another culture and alleviating stress at the same time.  If I can get my mind to slow down and focus for 5 minutes, I would consider the day a success.

More to come.

33rd Year Project: Happy Birthday to me...

33rd Year Project: Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me...

And we are off. 

I celebrated my birthday Sat with the girls.  I had a little break down in the middle of the day, but I decided that was not the way to begin my new, exciting year.  Therefore, I made the conscience decision to just enjoy MY day!  Starting the day off was a facial from Youthopia http://www.youthtopiamedspa.com/.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  I LOVE facials.  This was different from the ones at Spa Sydel, but wonderful just the same.  I also consluted with a nurse about the possiblity of getting botox to get rid of that ONE wrinkle I have on my forehead!  I think that is definitely something that is going to be added to the list.  A detour to the beverage store and I was off to get ready for the fesitivies for the night.  I made myself a wonder Apple Martini while I was getting dressed and had one more before we went to Flip.  By the time we got to Flip I was feeling quite nice.  I decided that our bartender would be my very own guy and had him make lots of yummy drinks!  A few people had to cancel, but I had a blast with the girls and by surprise- Ann and Seth came!  I missed David, Tim, and Kim, but I was so happy to have Ann and Hannah;  Seth really flirted it up with the girls.  Thanks to Amanda, Ann, Sarah, Loren, Seth and Hannah for making the night SO much fun and really special!!!

Sarah, me, Loren & Hannah at Flip

Aw, Seth, Ann & me

Amanda, Sarah, Hannah, & me

 For more pictures...Birthday 2010

And now on to important pressing matters- This weeks task:  First up- Pole Class Single Drop-in -

This is a 1-hour drop in beginner class that will show you everything in the Intro to Pole class, plus dance “transitions”, that will help in compiling choreography for the pole series recitals. This class is a great transition to make before taking the Flirty-Fit Pole Series.

I was on a dance team in HS- but honestly- I have no rythem.  It's sad really.  I can fake rythem very easily.  This is be a challege, but a fun one.  Carie is even flying down from Michigan and will take part in the festivities.  Anyone is welcome- but you have to sign up for the class in advance.

Street Dance Studio

My own pictures to follow- WISH me LUCK- If you want to join- email me and I'll let you know what day and where!  Should be good times!  We aren't taking the Monday Class...but I thought I'd put the picture up to give you an idea.  Fun times!

Getting Closer

There are nine more days til my birthday.  I have gotten alot of personal positive feed back. It appears that everyone I know thinks I should jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  I did hear the statement today saying if God wanted us to fly, he would have given us wings.  Well, didn't he give us wings when planes were invented?
Personally, this is not something I've EVER wanted to do, but it does scare me.  Therefore, it would count as a terrifying adventure and that is the point of this project.  I want to test myself and see how strong and dedicated I really am.  The past few months, my life has been very erratic and I'm looking forward for the structure of actually completing the list.  Right now the big goal is making a list.  I'm sure it will alter and evolve throughout the year.  I wanted to add a few suggestions.  I have found- if I don't write them down- I forget what they are.

11. Learn to drive a stick shift
12.  Go camping- for real (No bathrooms in walking distance)
13. Volunteer somewhere random (Any suggestions?)
14.  www.zorb.com 
15. Sing Karaoke alone (Big Scary Deal for me)
16. Zipline
17.  White water rafting
18. Take a salsa class
19. Take a cake decorating class
20. Self Defense Class
21. Don't apologize to anyone for an entire week
22.  Tell someone how YOU really feel
23.  Go to Alabama with ur bestest and jump off a bridge into southern water!! 
24. Visit a state I've never been to.
25.  Talk to a complete stranger for 2 hours
26.  Cook something French from Julia Child's cook book
27....

More to come

The Beginning

In thirteen days, I will turn 33.  Normally, I'd say I'm turning 29 for the 4th time, because honestly who likes to get older?  This past year has not been the easiest and that is saying the least I can about the subject.  Moving forward I have decided to embrace my age, embrace my life, and MOST importantly I want to embrace new experiences.  I'll give you a brief synopsis of my life. I'm 32 (easily enough to figure out :) ), single, never been married, and no children.  I have a double degree from the University of West GA in Mass Communications AND Speech and Theatre.  I work in Advertising, and I no longer work in the theatre (and I'm not sad about it). And I'm actually starting to bore myself just writing about my life so that's why I said "brief synopsis." I'm sure I'll share lots more over the course of this year about myself, because I have decided that this year WILL be different.  A few weeks ago, I was listening to a local radio morning show and there was a segment about this woman who decided to do something she had never done every single day of the year before she turned thirty. This challenge inspired me.  I have done many of different things in my 32 years, but there are so many things that I haven't even thought about doing and there are also so many things that scare me.  I've decided to take on an abridged version and challenge myself to do one thing a week that I've either NEVER done or thought about OR do things that terrify me.  There will be 52 new experiences that I plan to under go this year.  I want to challenge myself, push myself to new limits. And I want to share all of them through this website/blog.  I'd love to get lots of feedback.  I'd love to get ideas.  It's a challenge just to come up with 52 unusual and scary things.  Every week, I plan to write about the experiences, share pictures, be more open with my life which will be a challenge all in itself.  I'm usually a very private person, unless I really know someone and I have trust issues.  Hopefully, this will be a positive- exciting- wonderful experience. 

In high school I was a "journalist"- therefore I want to give credit to the show and woman who inspired me give myself this mini-massive task.   I just went to her website and found out that her blog was called Project 29 to 30. I'd already written the first part of the entry before I even saw her blog.  I hope that she is flattered that she has inspired me to test myself and not see it as someone who is completely duplicating her idea.  She was WAY more ambitious than I am.  Please visit her blog- She may inspire you too.  Project 29 to 30 . I'd also like to give a shout out the radio show that where I first heard the idea The Bert Show.


I don't expect to have all 52 ideas up front.  And although this is my journey, I am completely open to ideas, or even companions for each mini adventure.  Below is a list of things I've come up with so far:

1-Get my inner ear pierced (I'm not a fan of pain, but I think it looks cool)
2-Hold a snake (I'm SCARED, TERRIFIED, Just writing this freaks me out)
3-Run a 5k (I don't run outside, only on a machine in the gym)
4-Ask and Actually go out with with someone I see while I'm out somewhere (the actually going out part is the hardest part because I have to be okay with someone saying no.
5-Take a professional Dance Class- Belly??
6-Go on a vacation ALONE
7-Go Snow Skiing
8-Learn how to swim and maybe go snorkeling ( I HATE my face being in water)
9-Take a cooking class
10- MAYBE- a BIG HUGE Maybe- sky diving?  My best friend wants to do this. I'm scare of heights. The free fall at six flags makes me cry- But it would be taking a really BIG feel.


These are just a list of maybes- except- I'm GOING to hold a snake... So thirteen days and counting...