Update on 30 before 30

It has been a very long time since I have blogged anything but on the day after turning 28, I was reviewing my 30 before 30.  It is amazing when you write goals down how you accomplish them.  So here is the update of events on the 30 before 30. 

4. Run a 5K

On Mother’s Day, I ran a 5K!  Well, I walked up most of the hills (mainly because I am learning how much I run on my toes…dang ballerina in me!).  But, I did a 5K and have another one scheduled for June (my cowokers got me signed up).  

The first one was the Color Run.  It was so much fun.  I had a great group to do it with and it was a beautiful day for a run.  I am proud of myself!  Here are some pictures:

5. Celebrate Kendal’s 21^st birthday

I went down to California and celebrated Kendal’s 21^st birthday.  On her birthday, her mom and I surprised her in her house, we went to dinner with her parents and boyfriend, and then her boyfriend threw her a surprise party.  On the day after, Kendal and I went to Disneyland and had a great day.  On that Sunday, we also went out to lunch with some of our “moms.”  I had a blast seeing her and celebrating with her.  I am so grateful for her and am AMAZED she is already 21 years old!

9. Read 15-20 books

I continue to read.  Although to be honest, the progress has slowed down.  I am not complaining… I have been having a great time and trying new things (see #19 below for an example).  I love to read still and continue to read as much as I can.  I am currently re-reading Big Stone Gap for a book club. I hopefully will get to reviewing more books. 

19. Do something creative that I am proud of

This one kind of sprung up on me.  I didn’t even realize I had done this until I re-read my list.  I was invited to a Paint N Sip class by an SMC alumna.  I have done three classes now and it is so fun!  The premise is to do a painting class with some wine or drinks or whatnot.  The painting process is broken down step by step.  I am very proud that I was able to create a painting that looks like what it is intended! 

 

Musical Memories

One of my favorite things to do on drives, especially when I am frustrated with my same old playlist, is put my iPod on shuffle. There are at least 7,000 songs on my iPod. I absolutely love music. I generally have music on (or the TV but we are focusing on music). For me, music is an essential part of my life. I honestly (not even being remotely over the top) have NO idea what I would do without music in my life. Musicians take emotions and feelings and put them into words. I am able to yell out emotions singing intense songs (especially in the card). I can get very excited or very sad due to a song. There are some songs I can’t listen to because they literally make me cry every time I hear them.  Music is an emotional thing for me. 

But, I don't think any of this is news. I always have my phone or iPod ready to go with a playlist based on a road trip. Kendal has come to expect it! And, I love that. What I really want to focus on with this post (which is 100% a reflection for me) is how some songs bring me right back to a moment in life. Memories are tied so strongly to some songs. So I am starting this blog post and will build on it as songs remind me of moments.

So here are some songs that put me right back in a situation:

Bleed American album by Jimmy Eat World – This entire CD makes me think of Lord of the Flies. Apparently, in 10th grade, I read this book for school with this CD playing enough that I still can picture entire scenes when I heard the songs.

Heirlooms by Amy Grant- This is a Christmas song.  I can picture being at our old house in Meadowview, in the front room where the Christmas tree was, home alone, putting a show on for the empty house, singing at the top of my lungs and dancing around.  "My precious family is more than an heirloom to me."

Bandages by Hot Hot Heat - My brother singing it in our kitchen.  He was so into it.  It was hilarious and it has stuck with me.  I laugh every time I hear this song. 

Jump, Jive an' Wail by The Brian Setzer Orchestra- my first dance competition.  It was a tap large group and three of us started on, me being one of them.  I was in the middle of a group (because I was actually the tallest... haha) and we start the show.  I was SO nervous.  I think I almost threw up before the show.  It was a huge step for me.  I hear that song and can feel that anxiety again, but then about two seconds later I laugh.  I can't believe how freaked out I was.  I came off stage and my mom was so worried about me because it was written all over my face how nervous I had been.  It is amazing that didn't end my dance compeition career. 

In This Diary by the Ataris- standing on a chair at my high school graduation looking for my parents.  Meredith and I had gotten seperated from them and I was standing on a chair looking around for them.  This song came on and during the three minute song (or whatever it is), three people came up to me and said this song made them think of me.  It really made me happy.

Home by Michael Buble- I can picture sitting in my little hotel room (dorm room) in Rome feeling homesick and this song brought me a lot of comfort.  I journaled a lot in Europe and wrote letters to people I never sent.  I really got homesick for my family and familiarity towards the ends. There is a line it in that really resonated with me: "I'm lucky, I know, but I want to go home."  This explains exactly how I felt.  I knew I was lucky to study abroad and I really did enjoy my adventures.  But that didn't take away that I really missed my family and my home. I missed SMC and the semester that was happening without me.

I Like It, I Love It by Tim McGraw- I always picture Kendal being a baby girl, old enough to have learned a few of the lyrics.  We would be on the way to the North County Fair mall and she would be in her car seat, singing, and kicking her chubby little legs.  I love that song because I picture this every time I hear this song!