Half Way

My 30th 1/2 birthday is next week. That means I am about halfway through my year of fun and adventures. I am also halfway through the list. Right on track...

1. Learn a dance
2. Make a $30 donation to a charity
3. Make a list of 30 accomplishments done before 30
4. Touch my toes
5. Write a book \ get an article published
6. Drive a Porsche
7. Do something meaningful for society
8. Volunteer (12 out of 30 done)
9. Get a tattoo
10. Swim with dolphins
11. Invent something
12. Learn sign language
13. Lear to cook 3 new meals
14. Earn a shirt with my name on it
15. Go on the field at a professional baseball game
16. Motorcycle to the shore
17. Visit a castle
18. Go to my ancesters town in Italy
19. Skateboard/snowboard
20. Learn the drums
21. Go to a Union game- see every pro sport
22. Learn AutoCAD
23. See a rocket launch
24. Travel alone
25. Paddleboard
26. Trapeze

I have no idea how I am going to do some of these. Help is always welcome. Also, I have spots for 4 more. If you have any ideas, please share!

Whoop There It Is

Many of the adventures on my list have been added recently in life. I have wanted to do others for years. Going onto a baseball field is probably the thing in the list I have wanted to do for the longest time. Its weird too because I have no idea why. I've never been a huge fan of playing baseball or softball. I have, however, always liked the Phillies. In 1993 my dad took us to the World Series. The next season I had a calendar of the games and I would write whether the Phillies won or lost on it (there were a lot of L's that year). Since then I have gone to tons of games. Some in good seats, some in bad, some at the Vet, some at Citizens Bank, I've even been to some Yankees games. No matter where the game or what stadium, it always seems so exciting to be on the field.
When my friends Roseann and Kristen heard about my 30 adventures, they decided they wanted to help me accomplish one. They planned a trip to Philly today for us to tour the stadium and walk on the field! I was so excited!
We got to see the diamond club seats and the behind the scenes lounges. We saw the press boxes and the news a rooms. We saw the batting cages and the interview room. We did not see any players and we were not allowed in the locker room since it was a game day. The culmination of the tour was the chance to go on the field and into the dug out.

 Here I am in the dugout.

 

 You weren't allowed to touch the grass. The tour guide (who was already mad at us) looked away so I had to quickly walk on it. 

Here I am pretending to give an interview.

 

 

Goal accomplished: Go on a baseball field--check! 15 down, 15 to go!

Not Yet Hooligans But Close Enough

I've seen a football game, lots of baseball games, some basketball and hockey games, but never soccer. So I decided that this summer I needed to see a Union game. I like soccer the best and I've heard good things about the Union so its about time I went. The team only has a couple of home games a summer so it took some planning. In the end, I ended up going with my dad and we had a great time. Our seats were awesome! You could see the game and had a beautiful view of the bridge. The weather was perfect, there was a huge full moon, the home team won, and it was an all around fun, wonderful evening!

This was our view from the stadium.

The game to the left and the bridge and river to the right.

 

Goal accomplished: See all of the pro sports--check! 14 down, 16 to go!

 

 

Two to Tango

When I decided to take a dance class I did not care what kind and I basically knew nothing about any of them. Learning at least one routine sounded doable though. When I had the opportunity to take a Tango class I decided that would be perfect. Since I didn't know the differences between the dances, that one seemed as good as any. Today I took the class. While Tango itself is pretty fun, I do not think dance lessons are something I will continue. I learned a lot and caught on to the moves. I do not, however, like having strangers touch me. I think if I knew my partners it would have been way more enjoyable. I now know and can do the basic Tango steps though so goal accomplished.

Goal accomplished: Learn a dance--check! 13 down, 17 to go!

Flying Trapeze

This was hands down the most thrilling, exciting yet terrifying thing I have ever done! In my first lesson I learned how to hang upside down by my legs and then to turn right side up and kick to do a backflip off. Basically your body weight does the work and you just hang on and do what the instructors tell you. They worry about the timing and all of that for you. Then once they know that you can do the steps on time, they had a catcher there. Climbing up the ladder was scary, standing on the little platform was scary (although you got an awesome view of the city), jumping off was scary, and flipping was scary. But then you get down and you realize its fun and exciting and you want to try it again. After the 3rd or 4th time I realized I was out of breath from the adrenaline, bruised, and scraped but having a great time.

 

 

 That's me... flying!

 

 

Goal accomplished: Trapeze--check! 12 down, 18 to go!

 

Special thanks to my friend Brian for suggesting this activity.

Paddle boarding

My friend said she would teach me how to paddle board. The only directions she had for me were, "stand on it, paddle, and don't fall in." Ok, got it.

 

Goal accomplished: Paddle board--check! 11 down, 19 to go!