Tuesday, July 27, 2010

local chicago

If I haven't already said this, I love living in Chicago. It's such a fantastic city.
And for those of you who don't live here, I want to start sharing with you some of the awesomeness that you're missing out on...
Our favorite place to get tacos.
Savor the city with these sweet treats.
Public transportation and these L-shirts rock.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

the list

I am 30. It's been exactly one week since my birthday and my freshly turned 30 self has perfectly chosen this day to inspire my one-week-old 30 self. I woke up this morning and was reminded that now that I'm 30 I want to shake things up a bit. The habits, routine, rut, what-have-you that I've created for myself since I moved to Chicago are not getting me any where. I need to wake up in the morning, clap my hands, and say "Today, is gonna be a great day!" And, although, I didn't quite do that this morning, there was an unknowing shift that happened- a little whisper telling me to write, to do something, to create my happy.
So, I've boldly plunged into the icy, cold waters of the unknown, without thinking too much about it, and have thus emerged with a sense of exhilaration for what is to come.
And the first thing I needed to do was to revamp my '30 Things I've Learned Before Turning 30' list since I wasn't able to finish writing it before turning 30 (see #1, #15, #17 and #19).
I hope I am always inspired by this list.
30 Things I've Learned About Me, Myself, and Life
1. I don't like making lists as much as I thought.
2. When I met 'the one' I just knew.
3. Practice really does make perfect.
4. Don't get attached to things; things do not make my life.
5. Sometimes it's hard to ask for what I want, but it's very important that I do.
6. Beets are good!
7. When faced with a choice between strawberry or chocolate, I will always choose strawberry.
8. Don't take myself too seriously- so smile often, dance wildly, laugh as loud as I can, and sing my heart out.
9. Death can be a beautiful event if I can give those who have passed my love and grant them their freedom.
10. It's best to order a la carte at Mexican restaurants.
11. Solitude and Silence.
12. When I think about doing something, don't wait to do it, just do it now.
13. Time doesn't necessarily heal all wounds, it just serves as a band-aid for them.
14. Regret is not going to get me any where.
15. I have and probably always will be a procrastinator.
16. The details are very important to me.
17. I am easily distracted.
18. I still and probably never will like onions, although at times I can tolerate them.
19. I can be very indecisive, so I need to trust that as long as I commit to something, anything, I can't go wrong.
20. It's easier to forgive then forget, but I will be a happier person if I can do both.
21. Showers are better than baths.
22. The dollar to quantity ratio, for whatever reason, is important to me.
23. Cooking from scratch always tastes better.
24. Everyone is busy and sometimes it takes more effort on my part to stay in touch with the people I care about the most. But, no matter how much time has past or distance separates us, your true friends will always be worth the effort.
25. If I don't want to do something, then I shouldn't. Although, if I feel like I have do it then it's probably best to change my attitude about whatever I'm doing.
26. There are times when sleeping in and staying in my pajamas all day is a must.
27. Dancing in the rain is good for my soul.
28. The prettier and the more sparkly the better.
29. My creativity likes to play hide 'n seek with me.
30. I am a better seeker than I think I am.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

lessons 9 - 13

9. It's best to order a la carte at Mexican restaurants.
10. Enjoy your solitude.
11. When you think about doing something, don't wait to do it, just do it now.
12. Time does heal all wounds, or at least makes you forget about about them because your memory isn't as good as it once was.
13. You don't like making lists as much as you thought.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

30 things i've learned before turning 30 cont'd

5. Beets are good.
6. When faced with a choice between strawberry or chocolate, choose strawberry.
7. Don't take yourself too seriously- so smile often, dance wildly, laugh as loud as you can, and and sing your heart out.
8. Death can be a beautiful event if you can give those you have passed your love and grant them their freedom.

Friday, July 2, 2010

30 things i've learned before turning 30

3. Don't get attached to things; things are not what make your life.
4. Ask for what you want.
To Be Continued...

Thursday, July 1, 2010

goodbye 20's

I turn 30 in 15 days. I honestly don't mind getting older - I'm looking forward to gaining wisdom that only comes with age, having a certain confidence I lacked in my twenties, and a better knowing of who I am and what I want. But, at the same time I'm not exactly where I thought I would be at 30. I know it's a bit of a cliche to say that time goes by fast and that I thought I would have accomplished so much more by this age, but it's true....Where the heck has the time gone? And what exactly have I been doing with my life?
Ok, ok. I know that in my 29 years and 350 days of being on this planet that not only have I accomplished some things I've also learned some things. So, in an attempt to become aware of everything that I have learned I'm writing a list.
30 Things I've Learned Before Turning 30
1. When you meet 'the one' you will just know.
2. Practice really does make perfect.
To Be Continued...