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The Year of Adventure--what are your adventures???
I think that desire for immediate satisfaction is a symptom of being American. I don't have much patience either, and honestly I can't think of one person who does. And it's a shame, really, because the process--no matter what you're doing--is ALWAYS more precious than the product.
Upcoming adventure: Ladies, I am in the process of QUITTING MY JOB! I had a chat with my Girls Night Out friends (including my business partner--I have a small business on the side) last night, and everyone agreed that it's way past time for me to get out of my day job. So, although I really need to put my notice in this afternoon in order to start my scrambled brain back on the path to recovery, I've decided to give it until the end of June. If I haven't found new employment by then, I'll quit anyway. I can no longer be afraid!!!!!!
Mod
Yes, girl, do it! You'll probably give the rest of us a few ideas for adventures of our own.And Tera, you should TOTALLY make it a goal to cross something off this week!!!!!!!! Just one thing. I know you can do it!!!!
http://chelseatalkssmack.blogspot.com...I saw this link on a friend's blog, and immediately thought of re-posting it here. Ladies, there is something so precious about taking ownership of one's own life. The little things in life. I think that we sometimes forget how lucky we are to be living in the United States, Canada, the UK, or other countries where women have the right to make our own choices. Insetad, we are ABUSING that right by sitting around on our butts, just waiting for whatever to happen to us. (throwback to the Dr. Seuss ref in post 50).
I beg you women to make a choice--ANY choice--eat bruschetta if you want--just choose. You are comprised of nothing but the choices you make.
Am I doing this right? I don't know. This is my first post ever on this board.Adventure...I would not say it is an adventure per se, but maybe it could lead into one. I want to learn and start meditating. Of course, with 2 children, a new house and a full-time job I have no idea where I will fit it in. At night I usually have to make a choice between reading, watching bad television, meditating. I usually go for the bad tv and cap it all off with a sentence or two before my eyes close.
Jolie, that sure sounds like an adventure to me! Lots of places have group meditation sometimes--I wonder if there would be a class near you that you could do on your lunch hour or day off from work. Hmmm... Might be worth looking into. I think you should go for it. I heard a news story once about a school (in the midwest somewhere I think) that has their students meditate twice a day for 15 minutes and their test scores and extra curricular performance levels have improved markedly. Neat, huh??? :)
I am actually starting a "girls group" that focuses on body image and self-esteem. Part of the daily activity is meditation. I think they will be totally into it. I do not know much about meditation, but I love the idea of it in school. The students that I work with are so "tuned out" because they are always "tuned in" to something...ipods, computers, texting, myspace, facebook, etc.. I just wish they would slow down for a few minutes and tune back in.
I'm thinking of going back into teaching in the fall (just THINKING about it. No decisions yet, gals) and that "tuning out" is one of the things that gets me all riled up. Geez, teenagers are apathetic enough as it is, but you're right about them only focusing on myspace, itunes, etc etc. If I do go back, I would LOVE to do daily meditation with them, but I live in the bible belt. I'd get railed for doing satanic/pagan rituals in the classroom. And again, that is soooooo stupid because meditation has NOTHING to do with religion. Ugh. Don't get me started.And lastly, before I shut up and get off this soap box o' mine, girls groups are AMAZING!!!!!! My GNO girls meet every Thursday, and it has changed every one of our lives.
Update on the Year of Adventure:Last night I went to watch my friend play in a Dodgeball tournament. Yep, Dodgeball for adults! It was so much fun. And we in the audience were sitting so close to the court, that we were dodging some balls ourselves. I was thinking for a split second that I might want to play when the league starts back up in the fall, but there are some MEAN boys that play. Serious cutthroat competition. Yikes! :) And they always try to get the women out first. (I kind of want to complain about that, but the argument has been done a thousand times before.) Anyway it was fun to watch. Oh, and by the way, my friend's team got last place.
Mod
Way to go, Tera! That's a wicked-cool bucket. :) I bet you can get all 31 flavors knocked out by the end of the summer!!!And great idea about the inaguration--less than a year away. Are you considering making a go of it?
I just bought a car - used but still new to me. It was quite an adventure considering it's my first car purchase...I don't particularly want to do it again anytime soon.
Yikes! My roomie is in the process of buying a car and it's freaking her out! How'd it go for you? Any words of caution (or excitement) for the rest of us??? :)
tera ~ your bucket list sounds like my 'big dreams to-do list' which i started a few years ago in my journals after reading about it in a magazine. (you write down 30 things you dream of doing, regardless of whether or not you can actually do them & no matter if you think it's small or silly and then you try to make at least one of them happen). MAYBE i'll post my list on my blog... ;)i want to add something to what i posted here already about my 'year of adventure'!
living with less has been on my mind a lot lately ~ it started earlier this year with watching 2 oprah episodes about a woman with a HORRENDOUS hoarding problem and the fact that we're trying to save $ so i've been using the libraries instead of buying books and not going thrift shopping ~ and then brought to the forefront since reading my goodreads friend brandi's profile (last week i think)!
there's so much excess stuff around our home and in the basement & i just want to be free of it! the task itself is overwhelming!
last week, i decided i wanted to have a yard sale, but had no idea when. today we got the flyer for the town wide yard sale & it's going to be on may 3rd! ok, there's my date/ deadline/ goal! this gives me plenty of time to begin going through things around the house first, then the basement! i can do it a little at a time & not all at once so i can actually accomplish this & not give up! there's also plenty that can be dontated (like clothes) and some stuff for the trash. just the thought makes me feel lighter! (i wanted to say 'easier' but that just doesn't sound good!!!)
oh, and i realized yesterday when i was out that i've actually become acutely aware of what i'm bringing into our home! i didn't pick up the freebie newsletters at the library or the foodstore. doesn't sound like much & it's not, it's the awareness i'm talking about! that's huge!
AND! tomorrow i take my last exam & make my final payment for my online gardening and landscape design course! exactly 2 years to the month from when i first signed up & rec'd my first set of materials (aka on time!)! **did it! i'm done! 3/28/08!**i've still got over a year to go on my online interior design course, but that's ok, i started that last year ('07)!
It wasn't too awful. I didn't spend much time looking. I decided on Sunday I could afford a car and started looking around. Just for the hell of it, I searched on a type of car I'd given up on, and lo and behold, there is the perfect car for a reasonable price. Consumer Reports and Carfax and Kelley Blue Book have necessary information so you should have her look at them if she hasn't already. I'm picking it up tomorrow morning and am very excited.
Hey, all! Guess what adventure is next up??????? Bookmark swap!http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show_g...
This totally counts as an adventure. :) Rock on, Tera!
Hi all. I'm writing because I need some well-wishes and break-a-legs! I'm starting rehearsal tonight for a play I'm going to be in--in may: here's a link http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/6...Anyway, I'm pretty nervous about it. I did a couple small plays earlier this year, but this on is BIG. Yikes. I'm a back-stage girl! What the heck was I thinking accepting a role as an actor???
Mod
Youll do fabulous. Best of luck although you wont need it.
Thanks, Tera. :) Hey, how's your bucket?
The Year of Adventure: Bob Woodward Episode.Background: One of the colleges in my town (Guilford College) does a lecture series every year. They bring in 6 or 8 speakers throughout the year, but it's not just for college students--the rest of us can go, too! Earlier this year, I saw Isabel Allende speak. She was A-MA-ZING!
The Adventure: My friend Bill, who works at Guilford, gets free tickets to this lecture series, so when he asked if I wanted to go with him, I absolutely leapt at the chance. Yesterday afternoon, after a delicious Thai lunch, Bill and I ventured towards an auditorium packed with over a thousand people. A thousand adults sitting and waiting like kids on Christmas Eve.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Wood...
Bob Woodward is one of two reporters who helped crack Watergate in the 70s. Cool, huh?!?!?! Bob came out on stage, dressed in a suit, and smiling. And the first thing he did was ask us who we were going to vote for. I thought, "oh no, am I going to have to spend the next hour and a half getting berated for my views?" But that didn't happen. After we told him who we were going to vote for, he simply told us ONE nice thing about all 3 of the candidates. I thought, "ok, maybe this won't be so bad." He then spent the rest of his lecture talking about the driving force behind what makes him a good reporter, which I believe is a 'never say never' attitude. It was fascinating to hear his opinions about the media (he said that the media does NOT have any influence over American politics) and about the government (he said that "transparency" is necessary if our government wants to continue to be a successful one. i.e., the big political bosses need to start telling us what's up). I was absolutely enthralled by a man who has been digging up dirt on people for more than three decades. And it's surprising to me that the guy has the spirit to joke around. I think I would probably be pretty bitter after only a couple years of that gig. Ha! Listening to Bob Woodward, I was somewhat reassured that there is some unbias left in the media, though I think those unbiased reporters are few and far between, no matter what Bob thinks. In the end, it was a pleasant experience. A refreshing and positive twist on some of the crazy stuff going on in our country.
Jenni! How was the marathon? I'm so excited to hear! Actually, I bet you're still in Boston--didn't you say your family was going to hang out for a while? Ok, I'll be waiting patiently here on the edge of my seat until you get back.
Remember I told y'all that I was going to quit my job and change careers??? Well, today was the day. I turned in my notice. I'm slated to leave my current job on June 30th (give or take). I have no idea what I'm going to do after that, but oh well. Here goes nothing... :)
congrats & kudo's amanda! bravo! best of luck with what comes next!
That was a very brave and scary thing to do Amanda but life truly is short. Live it doing what you want.....not what you think you HAVE to do. There's a huge difference!! Have fun.........can't wait to see where this decision leads you!!!
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Amanda you get the chick medal of bravery!
The Red Leather Diary read this month is turning into quite an adventure for me! I'm excited to see where it leads!
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So you're going to be one of THOSE people Tera!! Just kidding....I always like hanging with the kids on my flights........its fun and sometimes it gives the moms an extra pair of hands if they need it. I have seen so many kids fly that are really really good.......you guys will have fun!!
Gals, this is why I started this thread. I want all of us to realize that adventure comes in all shapes and sizes, and damn we women do some seriously gutsy stuff all the time! Tera, a long plane trip? That's insane--you are brave! And Jo, you have already stepped it up on the May read. Most people would chicken out of talking to the author, but geez, you're now her FRIEND on Goodreads! How freaking cool is that. Holli, do you really hang w/ strangers' kids and help the moms out? Talk about noble gestures! That's a BIG DEAL!See girls? Adventure is right here in our presence just waiting to be embraced. Ahhhhhh...
Ok, enough sappy stuff from me. Today's adventure: Salsa Dancing. It's my best pal's bday celebration and that's what she wants to do! We have a 2 hour lesson, and then go to the salsa club to show off our mad skillz. :)
(And thanks again, all for the three cheers on quitting my job. June 30th is my last day. If I come back here in a panic sometime around that date, don't worry. I'll recover!) Woo Hoo, salsa dancing, here I come!
I seriously do....I can't have kids so I take time with them when I can get it....even if they are strangers!! God I hope people don't think I'm weird LOL
Amanda, why do you think most people would chicken out of talking to authors? Authors are real people too, and we even participate in groups on Goodreads! My first book came out in the UK last week, and I'm doing all the press and TV and stuff, but the most exciting thing that has happened to me was getting an e-mail (through my blog)from a complete stranger who said "I bought your book at the airport yesterday, and I'm already on the last chapter..." Better yet (because my book's non fiction), she had some really good ideas in my area of work that I hadn't thought of, but I can help do something about.In my opinion there's nothing more thrilling for an author than to get feedback and exchange ideas with readers. So you shouldn't feel scared to do it -- you're doing them a favour!
I know for me, Elizabeth, if there is a book I really connect with....in a personal way, I also feel a personal connection with the author. Even though I am a complete stranger, it's that weird kind of circumstance (and I have found it happening in my blogging adventures as well) where you feel like you know someone, where in reality you only know their opinion on the subject of their writing. So maybe I would be a little nervous as well. I guess it would depend on the type of literature for me. Sometimes it is hard to remember that people you may put on an artistic pedestal ARE just regular people.
It kinda just happened! I didn't go out of my way & yes, honestly, it's just a tad nerve racking in the beginning but gets better as you get to know someone!
Jules, I guess I'm learning what you mean. Some guy (a journalist at a very blue-chip paper) rang me out of the blue a few weeks ago and said "I've got a review copy of your book and I love it and would you like to come to my place to dinner?". Well that doesn't happen much with Brits, who are usually a tad more socially uptight. I must have sounded a bit nonplussed, because he quickly said: My wife read the book and she's in the same business as you and she'd like to meet you too. So that sounded OK, and I went there for dinner. They were perfectly charming but quite early on the wife said: I guess this must seem strange to you, because you don't know us at all, but of course we feel that we know you.From my (new) point of view, it's the authors who should be nervous about chatting with readers (because we can disappoint!).
Mod
I have read some of the past entries on this discussion. I really like Peanut's idea on the list of goals for self and adventure. I do something similar but not as fun by any means. Each year at New Year's while everyone is doing resolutions that they will NEVER keep...I do goals that look almost the same BUT with a goal if you get off that wagon or horse you can climb right back up and try again. It has definitely helped me out! I have my 20th high school reunion this summer and I want to look good of course. I have lost 5 pounds and many inches since last October. I feel great but I feel more happy about myself. But now I am thinking my goals are not as fun. SO I am going to add a few fun ones besides cleaning the closet and garage on my current list. Other than tai chi classes and doing a garden and reading nothing is fun. I am going to add learning to cook a new dish each month. And doing a 5k fun run/walk. I will be doing th walking part!!! My goal is the breast cancer one in October for my b-day!!
Wow I feel like I haven't been on in a while...I just booked a week in the Cape with some friends. It's my first really big vacation and I am DYING to get away this summer, so I am super excited.Also started training for a half-marathon, took a second job. I'm also trying to break my record for reading ;) And I have my 5-year college reunion next weekend!
You guys are so athletic! Way to go. I'm proud of you. Doing anythign active is the hardest thing for me. Keep up your adventuring, gals! :)
I am starting my Year of Adventure finally!! Last month I entered author Ellyn Spragins' contest from her books "If I'd Known Then" and "What I Know Now" that was in my Marie Claire magazine. You had to write your OWN letter to your younger self giving yourself advice in a certain period in your life you would have really needed to hear it. Yesterday....Ellyn Spragins CALLED me.....I was shocked!! She asked me if I would be on a talk radio show with her today to discuss my letter!!! I was thrilled....i couldn't believe it.....
Its called Make It Happen with Mel Robbins and I'll be on there with her and Ellyn to discuss how I wrote my letter and what my letter means for me and my life. I'm sure we'll discuss my heart attack and all of that too which is fine but I'm excited to be able to have this opportunity to get my story out there and maybe help others with it.
Just wanted to share this with all of you......have a great day!!!
Holliiiiiiiiiiii! OMG that is a-ma-zing!!!!! Can we stream it? podcast? I gotta know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)Ok, I'm going to google it now to see what I can come up with. Are you Live? Or is it recorded and played later?
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What a great topic to write on also. Got me thinking what I would write to myself. Would I recognize my own writing?
Amanda, congrats on quitting your cruddy job! That is SO brave! And good luck with going back into teaching...it's definitely an adventure!My husband's new chiropractic office is our family's big adventure (and all the debt we've incurred to do it)! It was supposed to open by April, and now it's almost June and build-out hasn't even started. Hopefully the city building permit will be ready to pick up this week, and we'll be able to open at the beginning of August. Wish us luck!
HOLLI! That is *awesome*. Congratulations!
I'm jumping into this post WAY late... but I've got a few adventures ahead of me after the adventure of changing careers last year. I moved from TV news producer to public relations. Still an adventure nearly 9 months later.Started a blog in January, because I need to get back into writing. LOVE IT!
Going to run two 5Ks this year. And I hate running.
And of course, motherhood is the ultimate adventure. Just ask my 2 year old. Wait. He's going to be three in a little over a month! GASP!
I heard Holli this afternoon on the radio show! She did GREAT! You'll be able to listen to the podcast once it's up ~ I'll ask her to put the link up here!
I am trying hard to take my dreams of "to do" and turn them into the adventures I "do do". That seems to be the longest and hardest part for me. A girl with no patience I always seem to be waiting for what I want to happen in the process of making it happen. I want everything NOW NOW NOW. My biggest goal this year is to stop and enjoy what is HERE HERE HERE.