What: # 87 Stay at an all-inclusive resort
When: Booked December 28
Where: Punta Cana
Why: When I travel, I usually do it on a budget, and I typically do all the research to find the best deals on flights, hotels, food, and things to see and do. While I do love planning (a lot!), it is also very time-consuming and at times a bit overwhelming. So, I've lived vicariously through a few friends who have taken trips in the past to all-inclusive resorts, and the idea seemed appealing on a certain level. This year, some friends and I decided to plan our own trip to a resort, and while it did still require a lot of decisions up front about where to go, how long to stay, and the types of adventures to have, it is now completely booked, and we just get to look forward to it; oh, and buy fun new beach clothes and bathing suits for our week of lounging in the sand and at the pools!
What: #55 Experience a Cirque du Soleil show
When: December 23rd
Where: Not Vegas
Why: When I drove cross-country after college, we stopped in Vegas for a night, and my friend went to see a Cirque du Soleil show while I stayed in the hotel room and slept. I was exhausted, probably felt like it was too expensive, and just wanted to relax. To this day, I sorta regret that because I've wondered since just what the experience would have been like to see one of their shows. Luckily, they have just released a 3D movie compiling portions of each of their Vegas shows to tell a love story! So, while I didn't actually go to the show itself, I will someday, and this just convinced me that I have to do that! Throughout the movie, I think there were likely a dozen times when I'd go minutes without blinking or breathing...it was that captivating. And, having done my fair share of circus-y things this year (trapeze, silks, climbing, pole-dancing, etc.), I know that most of what these performers made look simple and graceful is in fact harder than I could ever imagine. They must have amazing physical strength and agility, wonderful control of their bodies, and let's face it, a ton of fun! The various shows all feature different aspects of a circus, and probably my favorite will always be "O" at the Bellagio, so the scenes from that show really intrigued me the most. I definitely think this is a wonderful preview to the real thing, and I can't wait to go...maybe in the new year.
Update: In 2013, I did finally get myself to Vegas to see "O" at the Bellagio!! Fantastic!!
What: #21 Buy or make something for a neighbor
Where: My neighborhood
When: December 22nd
Why: I live in a neighborhood where everyone keeps to themselves. There are maybe two people that I recognize and we say "Hi" to each other, and I've lived here for over 5 years. In general, there aren't very many community events, and while there is a pool, I tend to frequent it when most other people are at work, and when I make it to the mailboxes for my area of the neighborhood, it is usually late at night and no one else is really around at that time. Another thing is that most of us go in and out by our garages, not our front doors, so I think that eliminates a lot of socializing. I wanted to at least know someone that lived near me, so I thought that baking a holiday treat would be a good way to do it. Luckily, my friend found an easy-for-Sarah recipe to make these amazing decadent brownie bites. After we made a whole tray of them, she brought an adorable container to put in an assortment, and we wandered out to find a neighbor who was home (and would answer the door...we're not a friendly neighborhood, as I've indicated). After 4 failed attempts, we finally got to a neighbor who had actually just moved in about a month ago (I had no idea!). Beth moved from across the street and was actually happy to meet me and ask a bit about our neighborhood. Her daughter Aubrey is a college student at UofM and was home for the holidays, and they both had the best curly blond hair ever! My friend and I couldn't stop commenting on it! Beth had a very cool welcome mat, and adorable frog candle holders in her garden area...I think she and I could totally become people that say "Hi" to each other now, too!
What: #17 Dance at the Diamondback Saloon
Where: Diamondback Saloon
When: December 21st
Why: For years, I've been driving by the building and never once entered. It is a country bar, which is my kind of music, with dancing, which is also my thing, but something about it seemed like I would not fit in there. And, as the years passed and I got less young, I felt even more as tho I'd stick out like a sore thumb. Finally, I rounded up some friends who wanted to people watch with me, and they accompanied me to the saloon. The parking lot was packed, so I thought the bar would be smashed full of people, but when you go inside, the place is enormous! The bar area itself is tiny, but the focal point was an almost arena-style dance floor with tables surrounding it at various levels, and a stage with a live band. Early on, I got out on the dance floor for some line dancing, but then firmly planted myself at a ringside table to just watch the scene unfold. It was a very odd blend of people, music, and events, but not nearly as sketchy as I had anticipated. There were some "End Of The World" games hosted by a local radio DJ and that was fun to watch, altho the winners were much more hipster than country. The music selection ranged from Pat Benatar to Huey Lewis to country stars and back to Stevie Wonder...what?! I'll admit, I wasn't the oldest person in the bar, or the most ridiculous looking, so that's always a good pick-me-up. And hey, I did get to line dance, so it was a successful evening!
What: # 38 Get a fake spray tan
Where: Uphoria
When: December 21st
 |
| Tan lines in December?!? |
Why: Living in a state with a pretty consistent record for having a high percentage of days with no sunshine, being tan isn't a big deal to me. It's nice in the summer when there is a different glow to my skin, but I'm fair and will often burn to a painful crisp before I get a base tan. Let's just say that sunblock is my friend. I had tried the self-tanning lotion before and found it to be a mess. The idea of a tanning bed seems horrifying, but ever since the ridiculous episode on Friends where Ross gets a spray tan, that captured my interest. They also talk about it, a lot, on Dancing With The Stars, so I figured it must be the cool thing to do. I was telling my friend about it, and they do organic spray tans at the salon she visits, so I went there for my initiation into the world of bronzed goddesses. The whole process is different than I imagined. I was basically in a human car wash, being sprayed by a cold mist (with a pleasant raspberry almond scent!) while I stood in a ventilated tent, then I was dried down with a hairdryer contraption. I could see a difference on my neck and face right away, and it actually continues to look good. There were some glitches...I have really stripey wrists, alternating orange and white like a fruity zebra...but overall it's a fun way to change up your look and bring a bit of the summertime glow to the middle of a dreary winter.
Why: When I travel, I usually do it on a budget, and I typically do all the research to find the best deals on flights, hotels, food, and things to see and do. While I do love planning (a lot!), it is also very time-consuming and at times a bit overwhelming. So, I've lived vicariously through a few friends who have taken trips in the past to all-inclusive resorts, and the idea seemed appealing on a certain level. This year, some friends and I decided to plan our own trip to a resort, and while it did still require a lot of decisions up front about where to go, how long to stay, and the types of adventures to have, it is now completely booked, and we just get to look forward to it; oh, and buy fun new beach clothes and bathing suits for our week of lounging in the sand and at the pools!
