Let the fun begin!

You guys, I am SO excited about this weekend! It's Texas Independence Relay time!

I have been waiting for this day for such a long time. My BFF Ashley (no seriously, since I was 2) organized a relay team of her, me, and ten of my favorite strangers to run 201 miles across Texas. Best part: my handsome husband (who still needs a blog name btw) is my driver. One of the rules is that you must have a runner on the road at all times. Basically we will be running/traveling for 30 hours straight. And I will be blogging about all of it.

So basically, here is the skinny. We start at 7:50 tomorrow morning. I have legs 2, 14, 27, and 37, for a total of 18 miles. My longest run is a little over 6 miles and shortest is 3. Since we will not have much time to rest Saturday night, we will be staying and showering at a local high school gym. Should be interesting.

So here are the details and half of our team aka van 1.

Thirty under Thirty

I've learned a lot about myself in my twenties.  I like to make list.  And not complete them.

Things are actually going OK in the Thirty under Thirty department.  I thought we could have a status update, a check-in if you will.

So here are the things I have completed:

1. Half marathon in under 2hours - nailed it. (and hoping to do so again next weekend).
2.  Buy a car - forget the remainder of this goal.  We scratched that off remember?
3. Go vegetarian for one month.  That was actually fun.
4.  Make Sushi.  This was really fun, particularly because it involved my favorite su chef.
5.  Run on the beach before sunrise or with the sunrise. I did this.  Sort of.  I mean if you count walking as running.
6. Volunteer for a race.  Completed.  Can't say it was fun.  Does that make me selfish.  Don't answer that.
7.  Read a book to Evan every day for a month.  This is well established.  Insert visual of Evan doing sign language for book here.

OK, so I recognize that it is February, and I recognize that my birthday is in May.  Let's just all think positive, mmm K?

Here are the things I really think I have a shot at.  

8. Buy a stranger's lunch.  Certainly I can do this. The problem is, I kind of feel like a stalker, creepy person.  I mean who do you choose?  Instantly, this person is going to be like who are you and why are you watching me eat?  This would be much easier in a drive thru, that is if I went through drive thrus.  Does Starbucks count as lunch?  I will do this, eventually.

9.  Ride "the" bike.  You know the one.  It ripped me apart, broke my heart and shattered all my dreams of ever completing a sprint triathlon on our very first day together.  I actually almost completed this task last weekend. Then I started working in the flower beds.  Procrastination at its finest.

10.  Take a cooking class.  I actually forgot about this one.  Still want to do this.

11 and 12.  Attend a food festival/three day trips in Oklahoma -  oh yes, we are multitasking.  This should get completed. The dates are already on the calendar.  In fact, the first trip is scheduled for this Saturday during my mom's visit.  Fried oysters here we come.

13.   Take yoga once a week for at least two months.  I went to my first yoga class on Monday.  I promise to post more about it soon because basically I received a free private lesson -- SCORE.  I am hopeful that I can keep this up as my Monday lunch routine.

14. Watch the sunset on Lake Hefner.  This task is likely going to go something like this.

J:  Bill, come on, it is May 4th, my birthday is tomorrow and it is only one stupid sunset.
B:  Evan said he will go with you.
J:  no romance, I tell ya, no romance.  ;)

15.  Run a Relay.  This is happening on March 23 and 24th.  I CANNOT wait to blog about.   Bill is our driver for over 24 hours and Ashley and I will be operating on little to no sleep.  Expect video footage of this baby.

16.  Give someone flowers for no special reason.  I have someone in mind.  Three someones in fact.  You will find out soon enough.  This one has actually been pretty difficult.  I feel like I am choosing people here.  So, if I promise to put a virtual flower on the blog, will you guys not get mad at me if I don't send you flowers.  I promise if I could afford it, I would send flowers to all of you who read this.  All 8 of you.

17.  Mentor a lawschool student.  This is in the works.  I have had lunch with a couple and have spoken with the school administration about becoming more involved.  I look forward to more of this.

18.  Watch at least 10 movies on AFI's 100 years .. 100 Movies list.  This will most likely be an up all night adventure on May 4th.  After Evan and I's sunset date, of course.

19.  Hot air balloon ride.  Birthday present, maybe.  Here's looking at you, Mr. C.

20.  30 days of thankfulness.  OK, so this one is laughable.  Does anyone remember the three post I did here, here and here?   Well, that was about all the thankfulness I had in me in August.  Once the ear infection turned rash kicked in, there didn't seem like much to be thankful for. Maybe I will just do some thankful in one word post on the blog.  That should be fun.

21.  Volunteer at a food bank.  Not much to say here. Will happen.

22.  Host a dinner party.  Sharon, Beth, are you listening? Wanna come over?

23.  Read at least 5 books on the AP high school book list that I missed out on in high school.  I can do this. If I can find the list.  

And now for the Jodi that was a little ambitious of you, things that will likely not get done post.

24.  10K in under 50 minutes.  Tried this once in the past year.  It didn't go so well.  I may try again in the next few months.  Who knows.

25. Go to New Orleans with Bill.  I envisioned turning 30 in NOLA with Bill by my side, gumbo in my belly and jazz music in the background -- Jazz Fest is the weekend of my birthday after all.  Very fun and also very expensive.  It just isn't in the cards this year.  Oh well, maybe Bill will take his shirt off and let me throw beads at him from the backyard.

26.  Establish date night.  Truthfully, I haven't felt much pressure or desire to do this.  Bill and I hang out together a lot.  We have a great time and love to be around Evan too.  Evan goes to bed at a decent time (usually 8), and we spend time together after that.  If I did this, I think I would be forcing it.

27.  Walk/jog/crawl a half marathon with my mom.  Anyone who knows my mom knows she is entirely too busy for my running shenanigans.    There is always life after retirement, right?  Surfside beach, 2014?

28.  Pick peaches with Sharon.  Peach season too short.  Not my fault.  ;)

29.  Run this City Challenge.  This will still happen. Just maybe not before I'm thirty.  Right Carlie?

30.  That's just it, I have NO thirty.  Help me people.

Sushi Time!

We are having a great time here at the beach!  Last night Bill and I were in charge of dinner and decided to host a Japanese party in keeping with my 30 under 30 theme.

 That's right, I cooked sushi!  And, it was good.  At least I didn't see anyone spitting it out when I wasn't looking.

Brendon was my Sous Chef.  Please ignore the popsicle.  That is not an accurate reflection of what his duties entailed.  

This is much more accurate.  Boy has been to entirely too many Hibachi grills.  He played with knifes practically the entire time he was suppose to be helping.  Hey, I have to win the cool aunt award somehow.

Mattie did not have time to help with preparations.  She was too busy working on her Kung fu panda skills.

 

The process was fairly long, but mainly it is just a lot of prep and waiting on different steps for the rice.  The 

assembly was much easier than I expected.

Proof that I do read directions.  Sometimes. 

In addition to the sushi, we had several Japanese appetizers, including edamame, gyoza, spring rolls, honey toasted seaweed crackers, shrimp flavored crackers, squid jerky and mochi.  For the main course, Bill (with the help of my sister Mandy), made stir fry and to top it off, every one drank Ramune, a Japanese soda complete with a marble.

Evidence that everyone ate and enjoyed.  Well, except for dad who proclaimed, "this crap is nasty."  Now you know from where I get my brutal honesty.

Hi Ali, you made it to the blog, and your are looking good.  When this picture gets picked out on the "internets"  remember me and our agreement for 10% royalty. 

For dessert, I made "dessert sushi" with rice crispy treats, fruit roll ups, and Swedish fish.  I didn't take a picture, but it looked a little something like this.

Stay tuned for more pics of my little beach bum on his first swimming trip ever!  I could just put them on this post but (1) I'm feeling lazy and its past my bedtime, and (2) I need something to ramble about tomorrow.  

Run The City Challenge

30 under 30 number 29 has been decided.  My good friend Carlie (hi Carlie) saw this idea on a blog and it is perfect for my running group and my 30 under 30 challenge.  The plan is to pick a city and spend the day running and exploring.  Run three miles, stop for a coffee and bagel, run a few more, stopping to shop along the way, run until you see a good place for lunch, you get the idea.  Now we need ideas for cities that would be fun to explore by foot.  All ideas welcome!!

Speaking of exploring by foot, today has been quite the active day for me.  I ran 8 miles with my running group this morning and Evan and I did a three mile walking expedition in our neighborhood this afternoon.  Well, he mostly slept while I explored, but I am pretty sure he had a great time!

30 under 30, one done

I completed my first task and I am already breaking the rules.  Oh well, it's my game.

No, I didn't buy a strangers lunch or take a day trip somewhere in Oklahoma (although I am looking forward to those things.

I BOUGHT A CAR!!

I love it.  I broke the rules because I did not pay cash for it.  Turns out, I like the cash right where it is, in savings.

Evan also loves the car, which is a good thing because I will probably drive it until he graduates.

Also, I have decided on number 28 - volunteer at a food bank.

26, 27

Thanks to Candice and Savanna for adding two to the list.

26. Go on a hot air balloon ride.  Not gonna lie, a little nervous about this one.
27.  Thirty days of Thankful.  One month this year I will make a special post everyday for a month listing the things for which I am thankful.  Should be fun.

I will be back later today to talk about my first mother's day!

30 under 30

As I mentioned in my last post, things are going to get crazy over here in my last year as a twenty something.  I'm talking stay up until 9:30 crazy.  Go to the zoo with the family crazy. And especially spending Friday night watching Dateline and 20/20 crazy.

To ensure that my life is a least a little cooler than those things, I have decided to begin project 30 under 30.  The premise is simple.  I must complete 30 things before I turn 30.  I have a list of 25. You guys must help me thing of the rest.  OK?  Here it goes.

1.  10K in under 50 minutes.
2.  Half marathon in under 2 hours.
3. pay cash for a new (to me) car.
4.  Go to New Orleans with Bill.
5. Buy a stranger's lunch.
6.  Go vegetarian for one month.
7.  Read a book to Evan every day for one month.
8.  Make sushi.
9. Ride "the" bike.
10.  Establish date night.
11. run on the beach before sunrise or with the sunrise.
12. take a cooking class.
13. attend a food festival.
14. 3 day trips to somewhere in Oklahoma
15. Take yoga once a week for at least 2 months.
16. Watch the sunset on Lake Hefner
17. Walk/Jog/crawl a half marathon with my mom.
18. Run a relay (whose with me??)
19. pick peaches (OK Sharon.  It is on the list.  It MUST happen this year!)
20. volunteer for a race. (I have thrown enough paper cups on the ground.  It is time to reciprocate.)
21. Host a dinner party.
22. Give someone flowers for no special reason
23. Read at least 5 books on the AP high school book list that I missed out on in high school
24. Mentor a lawschool student.
25. Watch at least 10 movies on AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movies list.

OK peeps, you heard me.  I need 5 more.  A couple rules.  Skydiving is off limits.  So is bunjee jumping, rock climbing, or anything else that involves insane heights.  I am a mother after all. :)  Also off limits is any extravagant vacations.  Unless your paying.  I also would rather not eat bugs, touch snakes or do any other ridiculously gross things.  Other than that, lets see what you got!!