When: December 31st
Where: Online
Fifty two down...0 to go!!!
What: #67 Write a will
When: December 31st
Where: Online
Why: As a year closes out and one takes stock of what they have in their lives, it isn't usually the material things that you think about the most; it's the people that have had an impact on your life. I know I spent time on today's flight - leaving my family, flying over friends, and returning home to more friends - reflecting on and counting my blessings for the presence of all these amazing people who are a part of my story. And while it's not at all pleasant to think about ever being without those people, in an effort to be proactive, I felt that writing a will should be something that I should do to provide for those individuals I care about, and to hopefully make any difficult decisions a bit easier. So, with the help of some online resources, I created the most basic version just to have something on file. I will likely continue to modify it as things come to mind over the next few months, and I do still need to make it official by getting witnesses to sign it for me, but it is written and that's a start!
When: December 31st
Where: Online
Fifty-one down...1 to go...
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!
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!
Fifty down...2 to go...
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!!
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!!
Forty-nine down...3 to go...
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!
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!
Forty-eight down...4 to go...
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!
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!
