Amazing and Not Happy

Before I get back into my blogs about the trip to England I would like to share a video.

I am likely way behind on sharing this.
I was likely way behind on viewing it.

When we boarded the plane back to Atlanta from Manchester, we approached our seats and I was a little deflated that there were not individual screens in our seats for our viewing pleasures.

Jessi immediately asked me, "Have you seen the Louis C.K. video, Everything is Amazing and Nobody's Happy?"

I had not.

So she explained it to me.

Her explanation made the duration of the flight much more enjoyable as I remembered that I was in a seat, in the sky, traveling through the air, across an ocean, in a matter of hours. I was not on a ship, with dysentery, for months on end trying to make it to a new land.

You can view part of it here.

And all of it here.

*Disclaimer: I cannot say that I support all of the comedy of Louis C.K.

Now when I fly or use my phone or anything that seems a little frustrating technologically, I try and remember that it is all amazing and I have no idea how it is really happening. Almost every time I fly I think to myself that I cannot understand how this works and part of me is a little afraid that because I doubt the physics behind the flight that we will just start plummeting to the earth because of my doubt.

So next time you are waiting in line, traveling a far distance in a short time, or waiting for your phone to communicate with a satellite, try and remember that it is actually pretty amazing even if it makes you wait a whole 20 seconds before it does what you want.

30 by 30: The Completed List

You can find the original list here.

However, it did change quite a bit. And I am ok with that. Because of all the things I have learned in 30 years of life, one of thing that often bubbles to the top is change happens and you should probably just roll with it.

So here it is, the amended and completed list of 30 things done in my 29th year before turning 30:

1. Go to a play/live performance 

The first was The Living Gallery at a local university. It was quite impressive. I also went to a second play at a local theater that starred two dear friends in an adaptation of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Also quite impressive.

2. Become a coffee/tea drinker

I have become a warm beverage appreciator, but not addict. My favorite drink aside from everything I had in England is the Indian Chai Latte at the Forest Coffeehouse in TR.

3. Downsize my wardrobe

With losing weight it has been interesting shifting and going through clothes, but I believe that I have indeed downsized my wardrobe and likely will a little more in the coming weeks.

4. Drive to the beach and back in one day

We did this in June and I don't know why I haven't done it more. It was so fun!

5. Go to the Braves vs. Reds game at Turner Field

As well as go to all the MLB stadiums in the US, I would like to see the Reds play in as many as stadiums as possible. This make 4, with one more on the horizon.

6. Eat adventurously

I tried everything new that I was offered and ate at many new restaurants. And I must say that I really like food.

Haggis, blood pudding, and baked beans for breakfast,
if that's no adventurous eating, I don't know what is

7. Visit 3 states I have never been to

I actually made it to 8, touching ground in every state from New Jersey to Maine.

8. See 3 bands that I have never seen before live

Band 1 - the Avett Brothers, Band 2 - Ben Rector, Band 3 - The Lumineers, and just for good measure, Band 4 - Brett Dennon

The Avett  Brothers

The Lumineers

9. Ride in a cab

No, I had never ridden in a cab before. Yes, my first cab ride was in England, with a very chatty little mate.

10. Just keep running

I did my first 5k, mud run, and 2 half marathons. I think I can qualitatively say that I am a runner, even if I am running at a pace that some people can walk.

11. Stay debt free and reach personal savings account goal

So far so good on the debt free and having the number I would like to see in my savings.

12. Find a semi-regular volunteer opportunity

I have been able to volunteer at my church during the week helping with piddly office tasks that I enjoy and others do not.

13. Try out 30 new recipes

Some from Pinterest, some from Aunt Betty (you may know her better as Betty Crocker), all mostly successful.

My first scones.

 

Sweet potato pie.



Blueberry lemon cookies



These muffins were de-licious!

Baklava

14. Try as many interesting chocolates as I can

The add ins were: almond, cherry, ginger, coffee, toffee, peanut butter, pb&j, cocoa nibs, sweet potato, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, honeycomb, pop rocks, paprika, curry, bacon, orange, and maybe some others. The only one I honestly did not care for was the curry. My favorite was the pop rocks.

15. Plan an itinerary for international trip 

Success on all accounts here. It was a fantastic trip!

16. Get a new stamp in my passport

Manchester, England.

17. Rent a car

This was the first amendment, when I realized I had never done it before and had to do it last minute when some plans changed. I liked it. It is nice to drive a car that is new to you for a short time.

18. Visit 3 friends I have not seen in 3 years

BFF Leigh Ann and Alison were one trip. Jonathan and Rachel were another. And Rachael and Andy the last set. I also got to see my friend Chelsea that I also haven't seen in years. So that makes 7. Plus seeing my friend Amy and skyping with our other friend Amy whose face I hadn't seen live in 5 years.

19. Have an outfit for an interview if the opportunity arises

And the opportunity did arise and I was ill prepared, but now I have the interview outfit!

20. Climb a new mountain

Literally, not figuratively. I climbed 2. One in Maine I think called Pleasant Mountain and the other being Mount Le Conte in the Smokies.

Maine

Mt. Le Conte

21.  Travel by train

We did this in England/Scotland. Great way to travel. I wish it were a more convenient option here.

22. Join a small group at church

I am hesitant of this and was very cynical about it at first, but it has been wonderful!

23. Choose family

I rarely choose my family, it seems, living so far away. I had the opportunity to go to Mardi Gras this year and then a surprise party was planned for my dad's 60th birthday. I chose Dad and I am so thankful that I did. It was a wonderful weekend home and celebrating my dad's life and work.

24. Give up something I love for a short time

I gave up chocolate for 40 days. But I think I have eaten enough in the immediate days following to make up for the 40 days. 

25. Take the opportunity to see your favorite band more than once because you can

I saw Switchfoot 3 times this year. All of them were fantastic. And I would go again today if they were going to be nearby.

Fading West Film Screening, ATL

Music Farm, Charleston

Hangin with Jon in the balcony!

Charlotte, Amos' Southend

26. Meet a famous person

This had been suggested for the list, but I did not add it originally because there was no way that I could just make that happen. But then the stars aligned and last week I met Jon Foreman (and unknowingly John Mark McMillan) at a food court pre-show. I'm still feeling a little of the excitement from that.

Jon Foreman, my favorite since 8th grade.
He also let me know that 30s are better than 20s.
Hopefully he is correct!

John Mark McMillan, nice to make your acquaintance.

27. Go to the Biltmore Estate

I have lived in this area for over 5 years and never have I visited the Biltmore Estate. Now I have. It is quite impressive.

Richie Rich anyone?

28. Go on a hair-brained road trip

This happened in September and I would let it happen again tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself. SC to Maine in 2 days.

 

29. Read 30 books

The list will be a later blog post. Some of them ended up being children's books, but I read 30 books none the less.

30. Plan a trip to Fenway Park

The original list said to go, but the baseball season did not cooperate with my schedule. However, it has this year and I have a plane ticket to Boston and 2 tickets to Fenway Park to the Reds vs. Redsox game and free place to stay and a friendly face to visit in the month of May. Can't wait!

Now on to the next 30 years of things to do, places to see, and adventures to be had!

Birthday, Biltmore, Besties, Switchfoot, and Selfies

This year, I will be working on the day of and around my birthday, thus I organized a pre-birthday day of best friends and fun things.

The first fun thing of the day was a trip to the Biltmore House with my lovely friend Amanda. 

This house is incredible. It is overwhelming to think of how it was built in the time it was built. It is overwhelming to think that so much of it was frivolous. It is overwhelming to think that things like this even exist. 

None the less, I was amazed at the detail and the beauty and the secret passage ways and the grounds and the landscape. 

After a lovely day at the Biltmore, I followed it up with an evening with my fabulous friends Ashley and Lara. 

When I saw that Switchfoot would be playing close by and close to my birthday, it seemed like the best choice for my birthday celebrations to begin. And who better to take than my two best friends? (Even if they don't know much of their music.)

Before the show we went to a trendy little food court/marketplace in Charlotte. I had found a living social coupon for a good deal for a little pizza place called Pure Pizza. 

The Living Social deal was nothing close to the best part of the day. 

We ordered, Lara and Ashley, meandered around, and I turned to look around and low and behold, there was Jon Foreman, the front man and lead singer of Swithfoot! Immediately I became a 14 year old girl inside. 

I did what every respectful fan would do sat and considered and thought about what to say and then went up to him and forgot about anything i had thought about  saying and said 'hey, I don't want to bother you, but you've been my fave since the 8th grade...blah blah blah. ' somewhere in the short convo, we snapped a picture and he told me that your 30s are much better than your 20s. And I went back and ate my pizza in a daze. 

Then I checked the photos, and there was a selfie of the guy who took the picture, who looked familiar, but I just assumed was another run of the mill person like me. 

Fast forward to this afternoon, I was piddling on the Internet and saw a picture and thought, 'wait a minute....' Got out my phone and compared pictures.  And apparently the guy that I handed my phone off to was none other than John Mark McMillan. Also a well know among the Christian music realm. Fun guy, that John Mark McMillan. 

Rewind back to the night before and back to the show. As usual, the boys didn't disappoint. 

Acoustic Hello Hurricane, Jon climbing into the balcony, and encouraging words and songs. I'm so thankful that I have had this band for half my life. 

A good start to the birthday celebrations with more celebrating to come as I ring out my 20s and ring in my 30s. 

And to top off a great day yesterday, things just keep getting better because today I got my tickets for the game that I am going to at Fenway in May in the mail!

Let the birthday week continue!

30 Blogs in 30 Days (or lack there of)

I guess that was a lofty goal.

30 blogs in the 30 days before I turn 30. A blog every day. I could have done it, but I guess life happened a little bit too much the past few weeks.

I went to OH for a few days and had a fantastic time with family.

Have had some interesting opportunities present themselves.

Have been baking and cooking a bit. (Pictured: Blueberry Lemon Cookies, yum!)

Just haven't been in a writing mood.

I think I will make my goal for 3 blogs this week, the week before I turn 30.

The 30 by 30 list has had much editing, but there will be 30 things completed that I had not done a year ago.

Spring has begun to spring up all over around here. The smelly Bradford Pear trees are blooming. In the park in Downtown Greenville the first greens of spring are starting to peek out of their slumber. We have had a series of days that are just to lovely to be spent inside.

This week, the week before I turn 30, I will be venturing to the Biltmore Estate, to which I have never been, with my wonderful friend Amanda. Then later that evening I will be following a presumably lovely day with a fun evening in Charlotte with 2 other wonderful friends at a Switchfoot concert (to which I have been a few times, and my friends have not).

A few more lofty goals are on the list for the coming week and the weeks to come, but I need to wait a little longer before rolling them out on the blog.

Until them, hopefully I can pump out the rest of the England blogs and some other musings that have been rolling around in my head.

Couldn't resist buying this beautiful tulip this week.