Twelve down...40 to go...

What: #13 Go to a psychic/tarot card/palm reader 

Where: My friend's house party

When: April 20th

Why: I’m a walking contradiction when it comes to the supernatural. While I frequently will read my horoscope and admittedly use it to determine minor aspects of my upcoming day/week, I also take it with a grain of salt knowing it is intentionally vague enough for me to fill in the blanks. 

This book is surprisingly accurate!

     As a huge believer in fate, I think that certain people or things show up in my life for a reason, but I also want to believe in free-will, knowing that I can choose a new path anytime I desire. So, with a large amount of skepticism, but also a healthy dose of curiosity, I accepted an invitation to my friend Lindsey’s psychic party. There were 7 of us there, and I was the last to have my reading, so it was interesting to see the looks on the faces of the others who went before me. Most of them looked freaked out, and told tales of how spot on the psychic was pulling big things out of the air about their health, their pasts, their families, upcoming life events, etc. There were a few stories told around the table that definitely were eerie with what she knew, and a few others that were ridiculous that she was trying to put something together that wasn’t there. Still, it seemed overall that she was hitting on some key points in each of their lives, so I was anxious to have my turn. I had thought ahead of time of a couple questions, general things like big events, names, dates, that sort of thing. And I also gave some thought to some of the unintentional signals I might give off and how that might be interpreted by a person who is incredibly intuitive, so I likely entered the room a bit more closed off than I normally am. Or a lot more. It was the skeptic in me taking over. 

Right away, she started asking me about my sibling, and trying to make a connection with Chicago, and I wasn’t feeling it. There were other times that I felt she was reaching and heading down a path that led nowhere. Still, there were certainly a few things she said that stuck with me. I’m not saying they were deep dark secrets or she revealed any big hidden plans for my life. But, there was one issue in particular that she hit on that is not a common thing I’d think one would guess, although I suppose given enough pieces of a puzzle, it might be a small leap to this one. Anyhow, I have to admit after that short segment where it seemed she did discuss something most people wouldn't know about, I did start to pay a bit more attention to what she said. Some of it was out of left field (she is convinced my work place has a carbon monoxide problem that I need to alert the authorities about), but some of it made sense. So, if I’m spending more time at the pool, more money on clothes (because she referred to me and my attire as soccer-mom-ish on more than one occasion…really?!?), and more time in Canada, it’s all because the psychic told me to do it. Oh, and she intimated that I’d have two homes, adopt one kid and end up with a smart guy who cares about grammar…I feel like I just played "MASH" in middle school again! :) 

Eleven down...41 to go...

What: #4 Own a really nice pair of matching pajamas

Where: VS website
When: April 18th
Why: For most of my adult years, I've pieced together random tank tops and t-shirts with other random shorts and pajama pants. Functional, yes. Adorable? While sometimes these outfits do manage to work out in a not-so-hideous way, they weren't really much to look at in general. Of course, it doesn't much matter as the full intent is to lounge about the house or under my covers, not strut down a runway or go into public for any reason (other than escaping my burning home, which, knocking on wood, isn't likely to happen). Still, there is something that seemed very grown-up about having a set of matching pajamas, and so this made it on to my list. After making the decision to get some, I couldn't help but see matching pajamas everywhere...in my magazines, in old movies, on TV shows, etc. In fact, the inspiration for the pajamas I ended up getting are from New Girl.

I saw these cute striped pjs on Zooey and wanted to find something just as cheery and comfy and, well, as she would say, adorkable. So, I found my new blue-and-white striped pajamas online and ordered them, expecting the delivery to arrive sometime later next week, but UPS surprised me by bringing them to me already today! I giddily took the package off my front porch, ran up my stairs, and immediately changed into my new pajamas in the middle of the day, and other than a quick spin in the washing machine, I haven't taken them off and honestly, I'd love to wear them every day every where all the time forever! So, if you need a great way to elevate your lounging and nightly ritual to a place of pure bliss, I highly recommend new matching pajamas...they work like a charm!

Ten down...42 to go...

What: #58 Read Anne Frank’s The Diary Of A Young Girl

Where: A round-trip flight to LA and the couch
When: Completed April 15th
Why: There are many books that I feel like others have read as required reading at some point in their education, and yet I have not been exposed to them. This was one of those books, and so I borrowed my friend Karen's copy to finally read it for myself and know this story. At times, it was difficult to keep going because, similar to the movie Titanic, I know how it ends before I even start, so as I got closer to the end of the book, I really started to drag my feet on getting through it. Last night, I read about 100 pages, and then didn't want to get to the end and have negative images in my mind before going to sleep, so instead I finished it this morning. My overall impression is that it is amazing how, no matter the circumstances, it seems that the female mind is often filled with the same thoughts/worries/concerns. Friends, family, self image, relationships, goals for the future, etc. I was also struck with how soon they all adapted to this way of life, as unbelievable as the circumstances were, and started to operate under this new sense of "normal." On a much more superficial and selfish level, I also started to be freaked out about anyone publishing my journals!!

One of my favorite quotes from her writings: "Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again." - Anne Frank on Wednesday, February 23, 1944

Nine down...43 to go...

What: #20 Pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers for myself 

Where: Saline Flowerland
When: April 12th
Why: Over the years, I have received flowers and they are always an inconvenience. That sounds bad, I know, but when I get them, it then becomes my responsibility to trim the stems, tidy up the fallen petals, refresh the water, arrange them in a vase, keep clipping the dead leaves, and mourn when they finally die. See, that's a lot of responsibility! It seemed to me that if I made the decision to actually get myself flowers instead of having them forced on me (I know, still sounds bad), maybe I'd be more invested in the whole process. So I chose today to test out this theory. One of my motives for choosing today is that it would have been my maternal grandmother's 104th birthday. Yes, she would have been older than the Titanic. My earliest memories with my grandma include walking around her old farmhouse looking at all the flowers and walking through paths in her garden. There were all types of flowers mingled together, and many were mirrored in the beautiful pieces of china and other heirlooms she had around the house. To pay homage to her love of flowers, I thought today I'd bring home a bouquet of fresh tulips. I chose yellow - what's cheerier than that? - and tulips because they just seem more natural than the highly dyed pre-gathered bouquets. So far, they are definitely putting a smile on my face, and I did enjoy the process of arranging them in a vase much more so than I expected. Plus, the lady at the flower store told me a secret, that if you make a small slit near the head of the tulip to let the gas out (no idea what gas, but ok), that helps them to stand upright without the weight of the blooms pulling them down. I'll have to see if this is true as they open up over the next few days.

Eight down...44 to go...

What: #100 Attend a service at the Zen Buddhist Temple

Where: The Zen Buddhist Temple of Ann Arbor

When: April 8th

Why: The entire complex is tucked away behind a wall, and isn't everything behind a wall something that rouses curiosity? I've always been interested in the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the ideas of Buddhism in general, and the concept of meditation has also always intrigued me. This seemed like a great way to get my feet wet - aside from a book of the Dalai Lama's that I read a few years ago. I had some trepidation about the meditation aspect because my mind does not quiet itself under any circumstances, not even sleep. So, I was a bit unnerved about how much time I knew would be spent in total silence and absolute stillness, and the silence was apparent from the moment we walked in and removed our shoes. From there, we were given a brief intro to meditation ("focus on your breathing") and sent in to begin. The first portion is total silence for almost 30 minutes. Eyes closed, no noise, sitting in one position...it's a little intimidating to do, but after the first 10-15 minutes of feeling awkward and clueless, I actually really got into it and found it relaxing. Following the first sitting, everyone gathers their cushions together to repeat some of the Korean sayings and also to chant. Honestly, I really liked the chanting! It was "ma-um" which means mind and body. The blend of everyone's voices, the rhythm of the syllables, and the overall pattern of the notes was really easy to absorb and made the process much easier than sitting in silence. And then once our chants were done, we went back for a shorter sitting, followed by a lesson. One thing I really liked from the lesson - and that honestly would have helped me in my meditation - was this: in this moment, there is nothing to worry about; in this moment, there is nothing lacking; in this moment, there is something to be grateful for in your life. I liked that, and can see using it as a sort of mantra when I get stressed or overwhelmed.

   The true test is if I go back again. I'm a person that would rather be outdoors thinking spiritual thoughts than sitting in a church wishing I was outdoors, but this experience in this environment was one that just might draw me back again...

   Update: I've taken a few workshops now on Mindful Meditation, which has its roots in Buddhist practices. Right now, I'm reading "How To Train A Wild Elephant" that helps me to practice being more mindful. I highly recommend it!