"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
When I was about to turn 28, a coworker told me that she had done a 30 before 30 list before turning 30. I thought it was such a great idea, especially considering that I wasn't really looking forward to turning the big 3-0. I made a list and planned to begin doing things from the list after turning 28. However, things at my job began to get turbulent and I was terminated two months to the day after I turned 28 years old. All of my plans for my 30 before 30 list were put on hold. I started a new job two months later that proved to be challenging and stressful. Also adding to my stress was that all of my income from my new employer needed to go toward building back my savings, which were depleted during my unemployment. Over time, the list was lost and forgotten.Until September 2012, six months before I was going to turn 30.
A friend suggested that we go to a shooting range. I remembered that that was one of the items on my 30 before 30 list. And so it began, again, my 30 before 30 list. I have accomplished everything from the list except one item, which I still consider a secret. (I left it blank below) It would have been finished by now but there are a few things I need to do first in order to make it happen. So here's a brief run-down.
Top of the Riverfront Restaurant: I always wanted to go to this restaurant because it rotates 360 degrees at the riverfront downtown. It is expensive but through Downtown Restaurant Week, I had a 3 course meal for $25! This was a steal! The steak and dessert were divine! My friend Devin joined me and it was great.
Ice Skating: Me, Abrea, Devin, and Nate went ice skating. It was scary but fun. I hadn't been since I was a child. I couldn't ice skate then and I can't ice skate now. There was this very small kid who was a wonderful ice skater who kept looking at me, as if to say "what is your problem? this is easy." I did not like that kid.
Paint balling: Through a bargain living social deal, Devin and I went to a zombie paintball haunted hayride.It was entertaining, however there were hardly any moving targets. I still got the experience. One day I'll actually go paint balling with friends and shoot and get shot as well.
Shooting Range: This was intense! I was scared and jumpy the entire time. Holding a gun intimidated me and didn't feel right. Over time I may feel more comfortable but it nerve-wrecking.
Helicopter Ride: My sister and I went on a 3 minute ride for $35 each. It was short and sweet. I enjoyed it.
Blues Hockey Game: My mom and I went to a Blues game., It was the first hockey game either of us had ever been to. It was a lot of fun and lively! A lot of good white-people-watching as well!
Attend a Boxing Match: My sister and I went to the charity Guns N Hoses boxing match between the fire department and the police department. This would have been way more fun at a title fight in Vegas but this was the only boxing match happening in St. Louis before my birthday, so it had to suffice.
Hot Air Balloon: Who knew that it was so much trouble to ride in a hot air balloon. I got a good groupon deal for $165 (half-off) the price of a hot air balloon ride. After 5 attempts and cancellations due to weather, I finally got to take a ride. It was great however I got dizzy toward the end of the ride and had to sit down in the basket. Still fun though and the champagne toast at the end was great! I went alone.
Drive-In Movie: I had never been to a drive-in movie before and conveniently I went to my first two times to the drive-in two weeks in a row with two different guys on dates. I can't make this stuff up. Each of them wanted to help me get things done on my list. I enjoyed going to the drive-in, however it is easy to be distracted. There's constantly people driving or walking around you. Not to mention the fact that with both guys, I was drinking wine and talking. It was hard to pay attention to the movie. And, no, there was no "necking" or physical activity going on either time. I'm a lady for crying out loud!
Start a Blog: Accomplished obviously.
Go to the Symphony: Although I am a former violinist and had concerts of my own every year in school, I had never been to the actual symphony before. My mother, sister, and I went and saw the "Rite of Spring" in the fall of 2011. It was great.
Get violin tuned: My violin had been out of tune for years! I finally went to the music store and got it tuned after years and years of procrastination.
Take a Vacation: Cruise to the Bahamas for my 30th birthday. This was awesome! My friend Jackie B and I kicked it! I kissed and played with a dolphin, and kayaked.
Mechanical Bull Ride: I had found out about a country western club that had a mechanical bull in St. Charles. Devin and I went and were surprised by the diversity of the crowd and music there. However, we were disappointed by the club never turning on the mechanical bull. We left. However, in October 2013 at Oktoberfest in Soulard, we stumbled on a mechanical bull in service. I rode it, laughed, was laughed at, and crossed it off the list. Finally.
Charity Walk: This was done twice by the time I turned 30. Susan G. Komen 2012 and Sista Strut 2012.
Donate to President Obama's Campaign: I donated $5. Hey, every bit helps!
Carriage Ride: Mom and I did this together. A 15 minute ride but still fun on a chilly late winter day.
Lose at least 20 Pounds: This happened, but then I gained it all back. Smh So sad...
Read the Bible: I started. And that's about it. I haven't left Genesis yet, but I did start.
Sing at Karaoke: Devin, Nate, Abrea, and I went to Carson's. I did Anita Baker's "Caught up in the rapture." Eh, it was OK. I followed up with a duet with Abrea of our favorite song, "We don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time." I don't know how we even found it in the binder.
Pole Dancing Lesson: Abrea, Yolanda, and I went on a Sunday afternoon and had a blast. However, I couldn't do the last trick which was embarassing. My feet didn't want to leave the floor. Better luck next time.
Read a poem I wrote in Public: In honor of my Grandmother, we were all asked to speak on her behalf as we celebrated her life and birthday. I went all out with a lengthy 4-page prose. Hopefully I didn't bore my family to death.
Learn Something New: I learned how to snorkel and kayak in the Bahamas on my trip.
Try a different type of food: I ate fried alligator at Mayfest 2012. Not bad.
Go to a unique museum: I went to the Griot in St. Louis. It wasn't bad. I learned about a variety of African American figures in St. Louis history that I wasn't aware of which was nice.
Learn how to ski: This was the thing I most feared. I went and was embarrassed. I fell a lot and couldn't wait for it to be over but i did it. I was shocked that I wasn't the only chip in the cookie either. I actually made "us" look bad... I was the only black person there that didn't know how to ski. Still glad I did it though.
Volunteer Somewhere: I volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Re-store. It wasn't too bad. They didn't know what to do with me because I wasn't a guy and couldn't lift a lot of heavy items. But they gave me paperwork and odd jobs. I met a guy who worked there who I dated briefly so I guess that was God's reward to me for volunteering. ugh.
Donate Blood: I hadn't donated blood since college and I went and it felt good to do my civic duty. I hope by B+ blood helped someone.
Pay it forward: For me, this took a lot of guts. At a McDonald's drive-thru one morning, I offered to buy the person's bill who was behind me. Unfortunately for me, the person behind me basically ordered her breakfast and lunch. I spent $12 on the lady's mirror behind me but after looking in my rear view menu, I could tell she was shocked and appreciated it. Hopefully she did the same for someone else.
I'm pleased with what I've accomplished on my list. I've had some great experiences and it's made me appreciate the blessings that God has given me. I'm happy for the friends and family that I have that experienced this journey with me. And I look forward to many more adventures in the future.
~*30 Before 30/31*~
2. Ice Skating (November 2012)
3. Paintballing (October 2012)
4. Shooting Range (September 2012)
5.
6. Helicopter Ride (March 23, 2013)
7. Blues Hockey Game (February 5, 2013)
8. Attend Boxing Match (November 2012)
9. Hot Air Balloon Ride (September 14, 2013)
10. Drive-In Movie Theater (May 11 2013: Iron Man 3 Skyview Drive-In/May 18, 2013: Star Trek: Into Darkness)
11. Start a Blog (February 2012)
12. Go to the Symphony (October 2011)
13. Get violin tuned (January 12, 2013)
14. Take a Trip/Vacation: Cruise to the Bahamas, Nassau and Freeport (March 7-11, 2013)
15. Mechanical Bull-riding/Go to a Country Western Club: Electric Cowboy (May 25, 2013) Mechanical Bull Ride (October 13, 2013)
16. Do a Charity Walk (June 2012)
17. Donate to Pres. Obama’s campaign (September 2012)
18. Carriage Ride (January 19, 2013)
19. Lose at Least 20 pounds
20. Read the Bible
21. Sing at Karaoke (February 15, 2013)
22. Take Pole Dancing/Strip Aerobics Class: Michelle Mynx Acadamy of Pole Dancing (February 17, 2013)
23. Read a poem in public (December 29, 2012)
24. Learn something new: Kayaking and Snorkeling in Freeport, the Bahamas (March 10, 2013)
25. Try a different type of food (May 2012)
26. Go to a unique museum I’ve never been to before: Griot Museum (January 26, 2013)
27. Learn how to ski (February 16, 2013)
28. Volunteer somewhere: Habitat for Humanity ReStore (January 26, 2013)
29. Donate blood (January 24, 2013)
30. Pay it forward: McDonalds (February 28, 2013)
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