9/4 Update

Well, baseball season is almost over, so that means I get to go back to a normal schedule. Getting back to a normal schedule also means more time to work on my 39 things in my 30s. One of things I really want to concentrate on is reading the 500 books. So far, I'm up to 23 completed (I also forgot to update since May so I could be missing a few books).

If you want to see the list of books I'm reading, or have read, you can check out this list. As you can see, I also forget to mark dates. If I remember books I've read this summer, I will put them on there.

If you have any recommendations, please send them my way!

By the end of 2016, I would realistically like to get to 50 books. I would also like to accomplish a few other items on my list such as getting my passport and finally figuring out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. Every time I try, I always take a BITE!

I also want to get back to studying Spanish. Maybe I can buy a book on Spanish! I can work on two things at a time (work easier not harder).

Well, it's time to continue reading The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson. (Pretty interesting story so far)

#33 Done!

I haven't updated the blog in a while, but I did get to accomplish another thing on my bucket list!

On Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 6 p.m. (ish) I was able to get my second tattoo!

Yup! That's right, I got an arrow on my middle finger! So you might be asking, why an arrow tattoo? Well, my dad had a small part of Native American in him (according to my grandma, we're related to an Indian Warrior Princess). So when I look down at my finger, I get to think of my dad.

The arrow also symbolizes my time spent at Florida State. Florida State's symbol is the Seminoles! I got my Bachelor's and Master's degree from Florida State and worked there from the time I was 18 until I was 29. I'm very thankful for the time I spent at Florida State and I'm very proud to show off something that was a major part of my life and to give me so many opportunities.

Also, an update on #30 on my list (making 30 new recipes). I finally tried a new recipe! I made Slow-Cooker Cilantro-Lime Chicken this week because I started the AdveCare 24 Day Challenge on Monday. This is what I made for the week to bring to lunch and it is Ahhhhh-MAAAAY-zing! It was so juicy. One recipe down, 29 more new ones to go!

Maybe I'll go get my passport next! Mark another thing off my list!

#38 - DONE!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much to my brother David and my sister-in-law Maghen for the awesome Christmas gift of Diet Coke and Mentos! I'm so thankful I was able to cross off another item on my bucket list! 

Why did I have this on my bucket list? Because why not! Life should be fun! 

Also, having a bucket list helps people buy Christmas gifts. Thank you to my mom and siblings for getting me movies and books that I want to read! 

#16 - Amy Poehler and My Mom

Recently I had my mom write down about the day I was born. I know that sounds really out there, but I will tell you why. In my task of reading 500 books, one of the books I've read is "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler. In the book, she let her parents write about the day she was born.

I thought it was a very personal story and I loved reading it. She set aside some blank pages and said "If your parents are still alive, call them today and ask them to describe the day you were born. Write the details down here, on the following pages. Tell the story every year on your birthday until you know it by heart."

So that got me thinking about the day I was born. There were a few things I knew: I was early, my mom had toxemia and we were killing each other. there was a helicopter waiting on the top of the hospital to go to Boston and the doctors told my dad he might have to choose between one of us. 

So I asked my mom to write it out for me. Here is the (unedited) story.

"For most people the birth of their first child is a very clear image in their memories. I'm sorry to say not for me. I had already been in the hospital for a week. I had a severe case of toxemia. So severe we both came close to dieing. 

I'm not sure why your dad wasn't with me when I awoke that morning. I remember he spent so much time with me in the hospital. But that morning, the morning of your birth I was alone. You see it wasn't planned for you to be born that day. You were so small the doctors were trying to delay delivery as long as possible. 

I remember laying in the hospital bed. The room was dark as it had been for a week. The doctors allowed no stimulus, no TV, closed windows, and minimum light. I buzzed the nurse. She was irritated that I asked her to come to my room. She wanted to know why, but it was hard for me to explain. I told her my heart felt funny. 

I don't remember much after that. Things happen so quickly. It was time for you to be born. We were literally killing each other. I remember a helicopter was dispatched and waiting on the roof to rush you to Boston because the doctors believed your lungs were not developed well enough for you to breathe. 

The next thing I remember is waking up and asking what did I have? Is she okay? Your Dad said I awoke and asked that question half a dozen times. Then fell back asleep. I had recovery to do. 

Prayers had been answered. The helicopter was sent away. You could breathe on your own. The babies are scored on a 1-10 scale when they were born. You scored a 6. But them it quickly went up. Seven, eight, ten. All you needed was to be on your own. (Note from MJ: Apparently that hasn't changed at ALL). 

You spent some time with me in my hospital room, but not a lot. Our mother-daughter bond was interrupted by the recovery. I laugh now but I even questioned in my head if they could of possibly switched babies on me. I was very relieved to find your birth mark on your back. The same birth mark as your Dad. Same shape, same spot. It was the proof I needed to know you were mine. 

It took about 2 weeks for the mother-daughter bond to kick in. Breastfeeding wasn't an option with my recovery. You were so tiny, so beautiful."

 In her words

I have to say, I was not expecting that. I'm very happy my mom was able to write this and share it with me. 

The reason I started my 39 in my 30s was not to cross things off a list, it was to accomplish things while creating memories and learning about myself. Needless to say, this was something I learned about myself.

I wish I could have asked my father this same question (he was probably way more lucid than my mom). If you knew my dad and he ever told you about the day I was born, I would love for you to let me know. 

This is my challenge to you, "If your parents are still alive, call them today and ask them to describe the day you were born. Write the details down here, on the following pages. Tell the story every year on your birthday until you know it by heart."

#16, #18, #21, #25

It has been almost a month since I put together my new bucket list of 39 things in my 30s, so here is an update about what has been going on.

When I found out I got my new job with the Blue Wahoos, I was ecstatic! But then reality quickly hit me... I can't get out of my lease and I need a place to stay. After 11.5 years on my own, I had to call up my mom and ask if I could live with her. Needless to say, I didn't even have to finish asking the question before she said yes. The last time I lived at home, I was 18 and thought I knew everything. I returned home just 2.5 months shy of 30...still thinking I knew everything.

It's also really crazy to think that the last time I was at home, my little sister Alexia was five. She's basically lived her entire life without me living in the same town as her, let alone the same house.  While my mom had the joy of raising me for 18 years, my sister had only lived with me in the house for 3.5 years (and probably didn't remember much since she was, you know, a toddler). Although we all struggled at times, I'm very appreciative of my mom and sister. They let me invade a space that was theirs.

So THANK YOU to my mom and sister. I really love and appreciate you for helping me out. With that said, it's time to move out of my mom's next month and return back to living on my own! #Yes
#WelcomeBackIndependence

So without further ado, here are some updates on my list.

#16 - Read 500 Books! No, I'm not finished, but I had read quite a few. So far, I have read SIX books! Yes, I know... 494 to go!

 Illuminae: The Illuminae Files_01

The latest book I read was "Illuminae: The Illuminae Files_01" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.... READ IT NOW! Yes, Amazon has it labeled under 'Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction & Dystopian Romance", but it is amazing. I loved the different way they told the story. The authors told the story through files, transcripts, etc. I loved the story and read it in three days! 

Another book I read was "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler. It's her autobiography and I left like I knew her when I was done reading it. And to be 100% honest, I didn't realize there would be so much drug use talk, but I loved how raw she was talking about her emotions through her divorce, having kids and being a female in a male dominated world. 

I have a few books I'm getting ready to read, but if you have any recommendations, send them my way! 

#18 - Listen to 1000 songs - I've listened to 165 songs of 1000!!! WHAT??? That's awesome! I got to listen to a lot of musicians and bands beginning with A's (Abba, Aerosmith, Al Green, Aretha Franklin) and B's (BB King, Ben E King, Bing Crosby, Black Sabbath and Bob Dylan).

#21 - Watch all the Adam and Derek movies - I've watched three more movies on the list since my last update. I finally watched Top Gun (RIP Goose), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Dammit, Janet!) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (nothing like the Disney cartoon). 

#25 - Give up soda - I haven't had soda in like 3 or 4 weeks... except to try a sip of Funnel Cake Soda. Which was a mistake... why would anyone ever want to drink this? I don't know if this should be crossed off my list yet, give me another month of no soda and it should be off the list! 

Ewwwww

See you all later! 

#21

So you might have noticed an item on my list that didn't make sense: #21.

If there is one thing I have realized recently, it is that I haven't seen a lot of movies. So my fellow press box posse of Adam and Derek (who I consider the masters of all things pop culture), put together a list of 53 movies I need to see. Some of these are on the AFI Top 100 list, some of them definitely are not.

I started the list off today with Dr. No, the very first James Bond movie. I had never understood the fascination with Sean Connery, but now I do... WOWZA! What a fox! I can't wait to watch the rest of the James Bond movies on the list!

(Sean Connery is my new favorite fox)

Here is the list of movies that Adam and Derek think I should watch. What do you think?

1 Top Gun completed 11/8/15
2 Ghostbusters 8/7/17
3 Ghostbuster 2
4 Dr. No  completed 10/24/15
5 Skyfall
6 Goldfinger completed 12/15/15
7 Citizen Kane
8 Godfather
9 Rocky completed 12/25/15
10 North By Northwest
11 Sixteen Candles 1/3/16
12 Ferris Bueller's Day Off (got for Christmas)
13 Young Frankenstein 8/18/17
14 Man on Wire
15 The Terminator 11/23/15
16 Aliens
17 How To Train Your Dragon
18 Raiders of the Lost Ark
19 Back to the Future completed 9/25/16
20 The Right Stuff
21 Fight Club
22 Wayne's World
23 Groundhog Day
24 The Fugitive
25 American Beauty
26 Pulp Fiction
27 Saving Private Ryan 8/20/17
28 Up 10/14/16
29 Shawn of the Dead
30 Million Dollar Baby 12/12/15
31 Argo
32 Rocky Horror Picture Show completed 10/31/15
34 Avatar
35 Wolf of Wall Street 12/4/15
36 The Life Aquatic 1/28/17
38 Casablanca
39 Jaws
40 Metropolis
41 Big Trouble in Little China
42 Chef completed 9/14/16
44 Karate Kid 7/22/2020
47 Mallrats 12/25/15
48 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
49 Mad Max
50 Mad Max: The Road Warrior
51 The Sting
52 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves completed 11/6/15
53 Tin Cup
54 Gone Baby Gone 8/6/17
55 Blood Diamond
56 Gran Torino
59 An Office and a Gentleman
60 Bambi 1/3/16
61 Mulan 11/20/15
62 Lady and the Tramp
63 Saturday Night Fever
64 The Kingsman 10/1/17
65 Die Hard
66 Hot Fuzz
67 Dumbo 12/13/15

In My 30s

So, it looks like I didn't finish my 30 before 30 list.

However, I did get to accomplish a lot of things. I went vegetarian for a month. I applied for Big Brother (sadly I did not get on). I found a wine I like, I talked to my mom everyday and I wrote letters to people who matter to me. The biggest accomplishment from the list was I grew my hair out and donated it to Wigs for Kids!

Some big things in my life happened before I turned 30. After 12 years in Tallahassee, I left and moved back home. I spent 10 amazing seasons in Florida State's Sports Information Department, but it was time for something new. I'm now working in the crazy world of minor league baseball for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos while living with my amazing mom and sister (who graduates high school this year!). I also get to be closer to my brother and sister-in-law. I love it!

But, now it's time to make a new list. 39 things to do in my 30s. My next milestone is 40, and since it's far away, it gives me a chance to actually accomplish the items below. If you have any tips or want to be a part of any of the things on my list, just let me know!

Disclosure: Sure, there are things I want to do that aren't on the list, I want to get married, have kids, etc., but this is a list of things to do that I can control. As crazy as some of them sound, I can do them and I can control if I accomplish it or not.

Traveling
1) Get my passport 10/23/2017
2) Visit all 50 states
3) Visit Mexico 11/15/17
4) Stand in four states at one time
5) Ride a train
6) Go on an Alaskan cruise
7) Visit five continents
8) Visit the Grand Canyon
9)  Visit Ireland and meet my relatives
10)  Visit one of the Great Pyramids
11)  See the Northern Lights

12)  Go on a roadtrip with my sister (roadtrip with my sister neighbor) June 2020 

13)  Go to Niagara Falls

Sports

14) Visit every Major League Baseball park
15) Finally go to a NFL game accomplished 12/6/15 Jacksonville at Tennessee

Movies/Music/Books
16) Read 500 books
17) Finish a book in one sitting
18) Listen to this whole list of 1000 songs
19) Watch every AFI top 100 movie
20) Read the entire Bible
21) Watch all the Adam and Derek movies

Personal Accomplishments
22)  Do a 10k
23)  Take boxing lessons
24)  Learn how to speak Spanish
25)  Give up soda
26)  Pay off my student loans  2019
27)  Work on buying my first house April 24, 2019 I bought my house!
28)  Learn to drive a manual car
29)  Own a pair of Jimmy Choo Shoes
30)  Make 30 new recipes

Personal Relationships
31)  Handwrite a letter to 12 people who have inspired me or helped me in my life July 2020

32)  Get rid of anyone negative in my life, forgive them, and move on

Something Fun
33)  Get one more tattoo 2/9/16
34)  Hold a panda

35)  Treat myself to a massage 3/14/17 - Thanks Heather! 

36)  See Cirque du soleil 10/22/17

37)  Finish a coloring book

38)  Put mentos in diet coke 12/25/15
39)  Find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop 11/10/17 (396 licks)

Time to get started!

28 To Go!

I have 22 states down and 28 more to go! 

Wow - I'm Behind #7, #10, #28

I cannot believe how far behind I am on my posts!!!! 

Well, I finished my going vegetarian for a month. I can't believe I way able to do it! (#10 on list). It honestly gives me hope that I can accomplish this list! I set my mind to something and I did it! 

The most challenging thing on the list is #28 - talking to my mom everyday. I love my mom so much, but it's been interesting to realize at 10/11 at night I haven't spoken to her. It was really difficult this past week at CoSIDA, a work conference. 

I had such a blast getting to meet new people and getting to rekindle relationships with other people. I can spend a whole season emailing someone results and rosters, but it's awesome to finally meet them in person. 

I also got to have my first cigar. Yes, I had a cigar. I will never have another one. It was a fun experience sitting with my office and trying something new, but my mouth felt so dirty! 

Once I left Orlando, I flew straight to Boston to visit my family and that is where I am now. 

Another thing on my list has been #7 - reading 30 books. I read Silent Honor by Danielle Steele which was about a Chinese family in America during WWII. It was very interesting because its not something that I think of when I think of that war. I think of Jews in concentration camps and Pearl Harbor. The other book I read was Look Again by Lisa Scottoline. It's about a mom who sees a missing child card with a picture of someone who looks just like her adopted son. Read it!!!! So good. I'm currently halfway through World War Z so I can be ready for the movie when it comes out. 

Well, once I get back from Boston I'm gonna look at my list to see what is next. 

Peace, love and hockey! 

Time to watch the Bruins!

#10, #14, #29, #30

One more week!!!! One more week!!!! What am I talking about? Eating meat! For the past day, all I have wanted to eat is Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. I can't explain the craving, but I want it so bad! I have continued to be successful with my month long vegetarian adventure (#10) and I'm thinking of modifying my meat eating habits after the month. After reading articles about red meat, I'm thinking of just adding chicken into my diet. It will be a way not to shock my body after a month of no meat and it will be healthier. I have continued to experiment a little bit and tried a black bean burger, it wasn't too bad but I think I may stay away from it. 

Since this has taken a all of my attention this month, I think I'm going to continue that idea and spend next month on #29, reading the entire Bible. One of the reasons this is on my list is not necessarily for religious or spiritual reasons, but because it's one of the most influential books of all time. This book has been criticized and scrutinized, torn apart line by line, word from word. Conservatives and Liberals talk about things being wrong and right citing the book, and I feel like it's time I delve in. I attempted to do this a while ago, but it's time to start over, beginning at Genesis. 

So #14 on my list is to write a letter or card to someone who has influenced me in my life. I'm very proud at myself for not waiting until the last day to do this. I wrote this month's card to my hairstylist, I know what you are thinking... your hairstylists??? Well, she's much more than that. She's an awesome listener and a great mother. So if you want your hair done, see Tarah at Haute Headz in Tallahassee.

So I'm making a change to my list.... That's right, I'm making a change. I feel like I can do this because it's my life and I need to do what's best for me. So, I'm changing #30. Getting a kiss from Adam McQuaid is super unlikely and won't really help myself grow or help anyone else. So at the suggestion of Tarah (see above paragraph) I'm not going to cut my hair until I'm 30. I'll get it trimmed, but I'm not going to cut it. So you're probably asking yourself, what does that have to do with helping someone else. Well, I'm gonna donate my hair to Locks of Love after my 30th birthday. Time for me to embrace my long hair. 

This is the shortest my hair will be for the next two years! (Don't know why photo wouldn't turn)

Tomorrow I head to Atlanta for men's golf NCAA Championship. Should be a great week! Well, intermission is ending and it's time to watch the Boston Bruins! 

#10, #17, #30 (Outback, Bonefish and Deli's Oh My!)

So traveling Wednesday through Sunday prevented me from posting sooner, but here is an update on my #30before30. 

Doing more of  these things have made me be on my computer far less than usual. But that is good! 

As I write this blog, it's currently intermission in Game 7 between Boston and Toronto. Adam McQuaid is playing stellar tonight (see #30).  I love my Bruins so I really hope they win tonight. It's been such an intense game so far! Hits and checks all over the place. So here is a confession, the last time I didn't want a game, I hung out with friends and acted stupidly, plus the Bruins lost. So here I am, ditching my friends for dinner. I can't help it! I just believe in superstitions I guess.

So an update on #17, listening to 1000 songs. It's been going well. I have found more and more songs that I really like 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers, 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls and 'Never Ever' by All Saints.... I mean, yea, I was totally just kidding on those last songs. Actually no, I loved them! Got to listen to a song I really liked that I never heard of before, 'Is She Really Going Out With Him?' by Joe Jackson. It was so good. I could listen to it all day. 

I had some hard vegetarian tests (#10), but I passed them! Traveling with sports teams can be a lot of fun, but you can have soooooo much good food. We went to Subway (not good but lots of meat), Outback Steakhouse (had one pasta choice which I ate), Bonefish (hello mix and matching sides), Jason's Deli (yummy Plain Jane potato for me), B.J.'s (cheese pizza!). And then I went home on Saturday night for mother's day and my mom made steak! 

I have gotten a lot stronger since I stopped eating meat. I feel like my body is getting cleaner and I feel more refresh. Definitely learned what I needed to add to my diet. I have been eating WAY less fast food which is obviously really good. 

Well intermission is over, time to watch the BRUINS! 

#26 Crossed Off, Update on #10

So the last five days have been very interesting for me. I am five days into my vegetarian goal (#10) and it is going okay. I started off a little skeptic but I have been doing surprisingly well. I have discovered that places like Chipolte and Moe's charge less money when you don't have meat. I have discovered that black beans are super awesome and have added tomatoes into my menu. I never liked tomatoes but am starting to like them a lot. I have discovered that my body is reacting differently now. (Perhaps it was my May the fourth be with you/Cince do Mayo party last night). The last couple days I have been sluggish. I think I need to increase my fruit intake. I'm actually becoming more and more used to the idea of being vegetarian and eating out has not been an issue for me yet. 

While I was at the party (mentioned above) someone brought a bottle of wine to the party. I never thought that I would finally find the one wine I like (#26) where it was all margaritas and Coronas. But I did it, I finally like a wine!!!! SWEET RED! It's perfect for me. I love sweet drinks and it's just what I want. 

On a personal note, May 10th is coming, it marks one year since my dad passed away . Obviously I miss my dad very much. It still hurts me knowing I can't give him a call telling him about new things in my life. It still hurts that I can't get a hug from him when a boy is mean to me. It still hurts that I can't hear him say he loves me, or he's proud of me, or that I'm beautiful. I'm sad that my sister won't have her dad at her confirmation. I'm sad my brother can't go out on the golf course with my dad. And mostly I'm sad that my mom can't lay in bed next to the man who she loves. 

However, I'm glad that I call my mom everyday. I'm glad my sister is my best friend. I'm glad my brother and I don't fight anymore. I'm glad that my family leans on one another. I'm glad we hug each other and love each other just a little bit more than we used to. 

#2, #10, #14

The number two thing on my list is to road trip through all 48 continental states. I can say that North Carolina has been checked off of my list! Wednesday I flew to Raleigh Durham Airport with the FSU Men's Tennis team. 

(tennis team after we beat Georgia Tech)

I have been to Cary, NC many times for the ACC Championships so I was able to travel around the town well enough when needed (pick up drinks, lunch, racquets  etc.). When the team lost on Friday, I went to meet up with the FSU Men's Golf team's tournament. 

(golfing at the ACCs)

Since it was in the middle of nowhere, my hotel was 30 minutes away from the course and a two hour drive from Cary in Albemarle, NC. The drive took me through many different back roads that I had never even head of, it seemed like the setting of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Houses were broken down and I'm so glad my minivan didn't break down because I don't know whose door I would have been knocking on. I did happen to drive a very nice court house. It stuck out from everything around it. 

(the very cool court house)

After I got to my hotel on Friday night, I fell asleep very quickly! I couldn't believe how tired and exhausted I had been from traveling with tennis, and I was only halfway through my trip. The next morning, I took off for the Old North State Club in New London, NC, 30 minutes from my hotel. During the drive to the golf course, my eyes were wide open as I had no clue where to go! My GPS got confused and I had to go down the windy road that seemed like a roller coaster! I started traveling down dirt roads and started to get scared, but eventually I found the golf course. The neighborhood is gorgeous, but it is literally in the middle of no where! Where do they shop? Where do they work? Go to school? Go out to eat? Saturday was a great day at the course and then I took my trip back to my hotel and enjoy some amazing Bojangles! 

(the best part of North Carolina)

And then my traveling woes took place on Sunday. It was a rainy and cold day in which I spent shivering in a  light jacket and khakis. Eventually I went to my beloved minivan and through on a fleece pullover and sweatpants but I was still wet! And cold! 

(our golf coach showing just how wet it was)

So when the tournament was over I had to take off to Charlotte, about an 90 minutes away. I jumped in the van and pulled out my duffle bag. I threw on a dirty pair of jeans and polo. I spent most of the way drying my socks and shoes in the vents. It was horrible. Then, my flight was delayed by 35 minutes. I got on the plan and traveled to Atlanta. My flight to Tallahassee was delayed until 10:20 p.m., which was perfect because my flight got in at 10 p.m. Since I was in the front, I knew I could run to my flight and make it home, however the airport had a different opinion. Our plane sat waiting for a plane to get out of our way for 40 minutes! I missed my flight! Needless to say I stayed the night in a hotel, got on a flight at 12: 45 p.m. (which of course was delayed) and finally got home to my own bed! Therefore, North Carolina is off my list! 

(map of my trip)

#10 on my list is to go vegetarian for a month. Just about two hours ago I ate a juicy bacon cheeseburger! And now it's going to be the last piece of meat I eat until June 1st! I'm very nervous about it! I love chicken and beef and bacon and steak and bacon and chicken!!!! I don't really have a plan of what I'm going to do or eat yet, but I think I can figure it out one day at a time. I'm very excited to see how my body and mind reacts to this change. 

#14 on my list is about giving back to someone who has influenced me. It's April 30th, the last day of the month and somehow I forgot about doing this. Well, as soon as I finish this post, I'm writing to my former boss Tina Dechausay. She taught me so much about my career. She is also one of my closest confidants and someone who I trust immensely.  

I'll check in two days from now and let you know what I'm craving! Time for black beans and rice! 

PS - A lot of friends tell me they read my blog and they like it. I really appreciate it a lot, but PLEASE leave a comment, it would make me feel good!

#1, #21, #30

I really wanted to write this yesterday, but I was traveling and ran out of time. So here is my update! 

Number one on my list is to run a 10k. Now for those of you that know me, I'm not exactly about to go walk a 5k tomorrow. So what I want to do is build up my strength and stamina while burning the weight. I started this today with my good buddy Clay but doing 20 minutes on the bike. As tired as I was this morning, it felt great to go to the gym and get it done. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but that means I'm gonna keep working harder.

So I realized that in order to watch 100 movies (number 21 on my list), I would have to watch about two movies a week. I'm a little short on that number right now but I did watch two movies. I started with a movie I haven't seen before, 'The Grapes of Wrath'. I guess what struck me about this movie was how simple it was made yet how touching it actually was. There was no special effects. No one turned into a robot and flew about to save the world. It was just a story of a family. After the conclusion, it made me realize how much I wish movies were more simple.

And with that, the second movie I watched was 'Lord of the Rings' - FULL of special effects. Having seen the movie many times, I paid more attention to little details. Like have you realized that Frodo gets stabbed a LOT! Poor like hobbit. A lot of people love this story and I am one of them. What I really like most about it is it's about friendship. Frodo and Samwise. No matter what Frodo does, Samwise is right there watching over him. I think that shows a lot of dedication and true fellowship.

Finally, number 30. No, I didn't get a kiss from Adam McQuaid. But for the people who don't know who he is, he's a hockey player from the Bruins - take a look here. 

#7, #17, #28

For those of you who don't know much about my past, I was born 13 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts in a city called Lynn. When I was seven, my parents and the entire dad's side of my family decided to move to Milton, Florida, 1377 miles from Boston. When I was 18, I moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State and have stayed in town since then. Although 1307 miles have separated me from Boston this week, my heart, prayers and attention has been on Boston. With all of my mom's family still residing in that area, this because more personal for me. I had cousins at the race, I have a friend who works at a hospital up there and I have family members who couldn't go to work during the manhunt. My family is very fortunate that we are safe. I could not be more proud to be from Boston.

The last couple days have been very busy with work, but I have been able to work on more of my goals. I love reading very much and was happy to read one of my first of 30 books (#7). I have always been a fan of Danielle Steel so I picked her book "Five Days In Paris."

It basically followed the life of two people in Paris for two days showing the connection they made during that time. It remainder of the book shows how they reacted to that battling with their commitments and integrity. The book is written from the male perspective which I did not suspect beforehand, but I am glad it was.It was very eye opening to read it from his view and I recommend the book to anyone (no graphic sex scenes for those who don't want to read that). I have now moved on to my second book, "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer. I have only read the introduction but it looks to be very engaging. If you have a book you think I should read, send it my way!

I have continued to listen to the 1000 songs (#17), but it's getting too time consuming for me. I think I may have to just create the list on Spotify instead of going back and forth to click on the song from the list when the song is over. Just a little inconvenient at work.    

My mom is the most inspirational person I know and that's why I made a point to talk to her everyday (#28). Especially after losing my dad, I feel like it's so easy for someone to be in your life for one moment and out the next. I am happy to say I have spoke to her the last four days.

Thinking about watching my first AFI Top 100 movie tonight so I will update you all about that one later. 

Day Two Update - #17, #10, #22

Got started on my list the day of my 28th birthday and found my friends and family are very supportive of this, for the most part. They don't think I'm going to be able to get all the traveling in, but I think I can do it. 

One of the funniest and easiest things I want to accomplish is No. 21 - listening to all 1000 songs from here - at first I was a little scared that it would be all older songs, but that was proven wrong as soon as Beyonce came on. I listened to the first 45 songs at work yesterday. The list starts with love songs, and it's a little hard for me right now trying to come to terms I may not be married by the time I'm 30. 

As I started listening to the songs, a few really stuck out to me, first, Beach Boys is amazing and I'm so sad I haven't listened to them in like 5 years. After listening to I Want To Hold Your Hand and She Loves You by the Beatles, I really wished their songs were longer. So good and so classic. I was introducedd to Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino - it's such a great song and he's such a great artist. Thanks to Spotify I got to keep playing his songs and I love them! Do You Love Me by The Contours was also on the list and I couldn't stop smiling as I kept bobbing my head to it singing. But, I had to listen to so bad songs including The Man With The Child In His Eyes by Kate Bush.... just so bad. And I got to listen to a very unique song in Mehbooba, Mehbooba by R.D. Burman.... so weird. Listen to it yourself! 

I plan on doing No. 10, eating vegetarian for a month, during May. I'll be traveling some with work but I think it will be doable. I plan on making sure I eat enough protein, hello red beans and rice! I plan on eating as a lacto-ovo-vegetarian which means I will not eat beef, poultry, fish, pork, shellfish or animal flesh of any kind, but I will eat eggs and dairy products. This is going to take a lot of planning and learning, but I'm looking forward to it very much.

As for No. 22, getting my second tattoo, I've started planning it out, it will be an addition to my current on. I currently have the socks of the Boston Red Sox on my foot. I kind of looks like an 'L' I'm going to put the spooked B from the Boston Bruins in the corner coming out. I think it's going to look cool.

Can't wait to get started on these things and to continue listening to my music tomorrow!  

My List of 30 Before 30

I've been wanting to make this list for a while, and figured the night before I turn 28 was the way to go. 27 was a very hard year for me, especially losing my dad. With today's attack in Boston, it just made me realize just how important it is to make sure you live life to the fullest. So, here is my 30 things to do before I am 30. Apparently I'm traveling a lot, so gas gift cards are a great birthday gift. :)

If anyone has done any of those and has any tips for me, please send them my way!

30 Things To Do Before I Am 30

1)     Run a 10k then a marathon

2)     Road trip through all 48 states

3)     Visit every baseball park

4)     Finally go to a NFL game

5)     Drive down to Mexico  

6)     Get involved with a local charity in Tallahassee

7)     Read 30 books

8)     Go white water rafting

9)     Ride a train!

10)  Go vegetarian for one month accomplished May 31, 2013

11)  Take boxing lessons

12)  Visit Hawaii and Alaska

13)  Visit 6 continents (Antarctica will be hard toget to)

14)  Hand write a letter to someone who has inspiredme or helped me in my life once a month

15)  Apply for Big Brother accomplished March 2014

16)  Learn how to speak French

17)  Listen to this whole list of 1000 songs: https://opendata.socrata.com/Fun/Top-1-000-Songs-To-Hear-Before-You-Die/ed74-c6ni

18)  Visit Ireland and meet my relatives

19)  Learn to fly a plane

20)  Pay off my student loans

21)   Watchevery AFI top 100 movie: http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx

22)  Visit one of the Great Pyramids

23)  Get one more tattoo

24)  Work on buying my first house

25)  Get rid of anyone negative in my life

26)  Find a wine I like  accomplished on May 4, 2013

27)  Learn to drive a manual car

28)  Talk to my mom every single day

29)  Read the entire Bible

30) Not cut my hair until age 30 and then donate to Locks of Love (changed on 5/25/13)(accomplished!!!)