Sara Free

Experience 38: That's a Wrap

I did not execute my list as I had hoped to do. Here is a list filled with at least 38 wonderful things I did (one I'm still doing, i.e. children's book reviews) in my 38th year of life. I would have been happy to leave off gallbladder surgery, but I was in good hands and that worked out.

Tomorrow I will be 39, I have commanded myself to finish writing this list. 

I have discovered sometimes arriving at the end of a project is not always what is envisioned when it begins. For me, at this point, I want to learn to finish things, even if it's only half assed at this point. I want closure with this project, so I can move on and determine what projects I want to work on when I'm 39. 

This is what I will look back and remember happened when I was 38 years old:

Experience 38 - A Reverse To Do List

1. Eat at Food Trucks
2. Take A Calligraphy Class
3. Read 50 Children's Books (In Progress)
4. Pick Blueberries
5. Get to Storytime
6. Visit Museum(s)
7. Cross stitched some (art journal pages)
8. Visited a thrift store (Goodwill)
9. Painted with acrylics (art with the kids and art journal)
10. Floated a lazy river (vacation in August)
11. Ran a half marathon (Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon 2/15/15)
12. Took a family picture
13. Framed some pictures
14. Cooked dinner for friends (bonus played Cards Against Humanity)
15. Got in Nature (Houston Arboretum)
16. Tried new Restaurants (Paulies and Provisions)
17. Learned CPR at work
18. Watched some good TV shows (The Blacklist, Outlander, Agent Carter, Game of Thrones, Marvel Agents of Shield, Pretty Little Liars)
19. Read books (Outlander and Big Little Lies)
20. Ran with my kid (Color Run)
21. Rode the metro and had a walking adventure
22. Acquired proper rain gear (finally!)
23. Went on date nights to restaurants and a museum
24. Played with markers and words
25. Hiked in the hill country 
26. Ate sushi
27. Read to my children
28. Ran on the Austin boardwalk
29. Deferred the Chicago marathon : (
30. Had gallbladder surgery
31. Found an awesome chiropractor
32. Listened to podcasts (Serial and the Accidental Creative are my faves)
33. Hosted a bridal shower
34. Attended two beautiful weddings
35. Joined an art journal group.
36. Engaged in a Whole 30. 
37. Joined a volleyball team
38. Finished this list (writing it out and living it)

I may one day attempt this project proper. It is a project I could come back to and finish in a nifty little book. I started the book...ahem...ah well, getting sick this past year was not part of my plans. Alas, I dealt with it and now believe I am on the mend. 

Good bye 38! The years seem to be rushing by too fast. Will there be a project for 39? I'm hoping so. I'm going to keep it simple (if that's possible), but it will be one thing instead of keeping track of several small events. Maybe that will help.

Image via Pinterest

Experience 38: Write Poetry

I’ve written poetry on and off since I was a kid. December I set a goal to write a few poems each day, at least one on days when life had other plans. It was refreshing and liberating to play with words again. It’s been a while since I’ve done that.

    I picked up Poemcrazy from my bookshelf, which a friend gave to me a long time ago, and I never gave it back. (Thanks friend!) I am slowly working my way through it and using some of the exercises in it. My hope is to be more deligient in practicing the exercises. They offer unique creative word play and exploration.

My lovely husband gave me Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook for Chanukah. I have yet to read it, but it will be read. I love Mary Oliver's poetry. At a glance, this book appears to focus more on poem structure. I welcome both ends of the spectrum, and I am sure A Poetry Handbook will reveal more once I actually read it. 

The current state of my poetry collection

I organized my poetry books into one area, and discovered my collection is pretty descent. It couldn't hurt to learn about more poets. I

New poetry book for me this year:  Chava Rosenfarb - Exile At Last: Selected Poems (Essential Poets Series)

My plan is to get those December poems typed up. I want to keep up a poetry practice, maybe it can be a quarterly thing. That means up next is a spring addition.

A December Sampling: 

On a day filled with other activities:

I am always going to be a little poem crazy. It is those few playful words that I remember most. I will keep experiencing poetry, and hope my ability to practice it only increases.

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow. 

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Experience 38: Visit Museum(s)

As As I emerge out of toddlerhood and into big kid landia, I am finding we can visit other museums beyond the Children's Museum. I would visit more museums with more time and planning on my part. I am grateful we have a few artists in our family who create work that we can go visit or who have access to more professional supplies. I am also grateful we are in a large city where art can exist at a grand level as well as a smaller, experimental level. Both are valuable. Art and creativity are important to experience and explore. I made sure to get myself to a museum, kids in tow or on a lunch date. 

Station Museum of Contempary Art

Exhibit: Collective Reaction: FotoFest 2014

Kyle and I were able to visit the Collective Reaction exhibit on a lunch date. We had the whole museum to explore at our own pace. It was an interactive experience with videos to watch, headphones to listen to, and a certain noise level repeating itself as we walked around. 

I was challenged by what I saw, trying to understand what messages were being conveyed. An installment that showed a bombing in Baghdad that looked similar to a Fouth of July fireworks show in America, gave pause to the two different emotions that might play out in these two very different events. The collection was diverse and gave perspective to both foreign issues and modern shifts in how information is dispersed. 

I'm glad we were able to experience a smaller musuem and consider some modern issues expressed artistically. 

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Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Exbibit: Soto - The Houston Penetrable

My kids want to touch things in a museum. I was happy to see that the Museum of Fine Arts had an exhibit that was so cool we could touch and walk through it. 

Soto's Penetrable exhibit was grand. There were times I lost the children in the plastic strands. Of course they wanted to bunch them all up and test how much weight the strands could hold. We were swiftly told not to do that by the docents. 

This one was too neat to pass up. Even though we can only do the Fine Arts musuem in short, quick visits - this was a fun experience for all ages. 

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Encylopedia Article for Museum: institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the primary tangible evidence of humankind and the environment.

My Article: I want museums to make me think, feel, and see the world from more than one angle. I think of them as playground for my mind. The kids still think of them as playgrounds. I'm sure there's a place for both. 

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow.

Experience 38: Get to Storytime

(Remember that little birthday project I've been neglecting? Yay, well, I'm getting back on track with that. Another year around the sun is coming up for me!)

We've found a great storytime hour at one of the many library in our city. Thankfully, a friend told us about this particular library, or we might have done something else with our time. 

5 Reasons Why This Storytime Works for Us:

1. Fun rhymes and songs - They songs are lively and engaging and the girls enjoy them. When they continue singing them after storytime, that's a thumbs up. Icky-sticy bubble gum anyone?

2. Super cute crafts - The crafts are awesome. The librarian has the matierals prepped so that just the right amount of adult help is needed. We've made a cute bookworm and little pumpkin hats (see below). I'm probably more excited about the crafts than the girls. 

3. Good books and themes - There is a good balance of classic books and books that aren't as well know. I've learned a few new titles. The library also works with local organizations like the Children's Muesum and the Opera to plan special storytimes. 

4. Their Time - I find we need to find time balance on the girls days off from preschool. I want to make sure I focus on them and share in the joy of reading with them. Storytime gives us one hour to focus on books and being together. It's a one of my favorite ways to spend time with them. 

5. The Giant Puppy! - Who can resist a giant stuffed puppy? Not my girls. The giant puppy is all part of the storytime fun. 

I'm so happy we found a storytime that works for us. Libraries have so many wonderful resouces available to the public.

I believe in libraries!

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow.

Experience 38: Pick Blueberries

 The past weekend, Kyle asked me what would make me happy. I said, "Blueberry picking." And it was good to get out, even though there was rain on and off again. The clouds kept the heat away and allowed for a pleasant, happy afternoon. 

It was opening day at Moorhead's Blueberry Farm, so there were plenty of ripe blueberries to pick. There were also plenty of unripe berries so we did have to explaing the difference to the kids. Once they understood, that's when everyone wanted their bucket to be filled the highest. 

The farm is isolated from the city and is truly calm and peaceful. It cost $2.50 a pound for pesticide free local blueberries. I'd say that's a pretty good deal. I want my kids to know where food comes from and how it gets to the table. We are lucky to have this blueberry farm close by. 

After an hour and half, we picked 7 pounds of blueberries. I froze half - to be used later, and I put half in the fridge. Blueberries have been on the table almost every day. Now it's time to make a plan to use the rest. 

Blueberry picking is something I'd like to experience at least once a year. It's an activity the whole family has fun doing. 

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow.

Experience 38: Take a Calligraphy Class

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take a modern calligraphy class with Korie Herald from The Weekend Type. Since I took the brush scripting class with Kal Barteski through Studio Calico, I have been obsessed with hand lettering. Or what I call "pretty words."

I've got a basic understanding after this class about modern calligraphy. I have a practice letter set and the basic tools - nibs, oblique pen holder, and ink. Now, I need to practice, practice, practice.

Here's my practice so far:

The Future:

Sky's the limit - right? We'll see, I'm still in brainstorming mode about how I want to continue practicing this art.

Addtional Modern Calligraphy Resources:

I still Love calligraphy - Online modern calligraphy classes

The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting - Lots of information regarding handwriting, including free video tutorials, lessons - basically an AWESOME resource with tons of information. 

Book - Modern Calligraphy: Everything You Need To Know Get Started in Script Calligraphy - something I'm hoping to add to my collection. 

The Paper Bride Handwriting Practice Sheets - FREE downloadable practice sheets, already printed mine!

Video: Calligraphy Basics (Approx. 26 minutes) - in the first few minutes I was directed to many more resources to explore (see above). 

Learning about modern calligraphy was so much fun. I'm grateful I had the opprotunity to take a class. I've only scratched the surface. It will be no surprise when more calligraphy shows up here!

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow

Experience 38: Eat at Food Trucks

The first item added to my reverse to do list is eating at food trucks. Our temple organized a food truck event and had about 6 different food trucks there. Half dinner trucks, half dessert trucks. I focused on dinner. Food trucks excite me because they tend to do very interesting and fun things with food. At least, these are the food trucks I try to seek out. 

Food Truck One: The Waffle Bus

This was a great food truck for the kids. The waffles and chicken were well received and the fries are always a hit. Our oldest son got wild and ordered a waffle burger. I had to try a taste. It was the delightful combination it sounds like, waffle goodness with a cheeseburger stuffed inside. I also sampled the Ancho Chile Honey, mildly spicy and sweet. We'll be back Waffle Bus

Food Truck Two - Oh My Gogi!

 Lessons learned from this food truck:

• Gogi - means meat in Korean
• Be ready to try many things. This food truck did not have what we wanted to order, so we tried something else. Hopefully this was an exeception and not the norm. 
• Have a back up option for your significant other. Even if you've waited in line a long time for the thing your significant other really wanted, be ready to order something else. 

Other than the slight disappoint in not getting to try what we wanted from the menu, we were still able to get our fill of gogi and kimchee. So that was a win. The gogi was quite flavorful. I'm enjoying kimchee more and more. It was obvious this was a popular truck because the line was long. They were playing Despicable Me while I waited. I appreciated that they took into consideration their waiting patrons and kept them entertained. 

Food Truck Three - Bernie's Burger Bus

No pictures for this food truck, but it was pretty awesome. I could not pause while eating my burger to justify taking a picture. I had a burger called the Firedrill which I can't seem to find on their website menu. It was spicy, with avocado, cheese, just some downright greasy goodness. 

Then I saw this, "Bernie is paleo friendly!" I wish I had informed myself about this before going because I like to be aware of my paleo options. 

Bernie's Burger Bus, I will hunt you down again.

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My hope is to grow this food truck list. Food trucks entice my adventurous eating habit. I'm impressed with the combinations that can be created in a food truck. I'd love to attend the Houston Food Truck Festival, but I would definitely need a plan in place both for my belly and for waiting in line with children. 

There will be more food truck experiences to be had, they are so fun!

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This is my birthday project - Experience 38, a reverse to do list. Watch the experience list grow. 

Experience 38

I found this article in Flow, my new favorite magazine:

I thought, hey what a good idea. I am one to beat myself up over all the things I haven't done yet. Plans go astray often in my world. 

Instead, my plan is to allow the list to grow. I have created a dream list of sorts, experiences or things I'd like to try and do in this upcoming years. Some of them will definitely be repeats from life, and that is bound to happen. It's nice to revisit the good, happy places. 

Let the good times continue to keep rolling. This is my birthday project for my 38th year. Hoping to turn hopes, wants, desires, and birthday wishes into reality.

Check back to see this list grow. 

Experience 38 - A Reverse To Do List

1. Eat at Food Trucks
2. Take A Calligraphy Class
3. Read 50 Children's Books (In Progress)
4. Pick Blueberries
5. Get to Storytime
6. Visit Museum(s)
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Image Via Pinterest

 

37 Things

I'm turning 38 tomorrow. I don't feel it. Whatever that means. I'm mean, I guess I FEEL it, I had to sit down to take off my rain boots today or I would have eaten floor. I have little muscles that twitch and ache, and I hate the cold. I'm sure that alone ages me every year.

Yet, I do feel like I am physically in the best shape of my life. I am working on the mental stuff, slowly and surely. I'm trying to keep my head above water, and some day I hope to swim gracefully and confidently through this sea of life. 

This past year I was able to:

1. Run two marathons - Marine Corp and Austin.
2. Complete a sprint triathalon.
3. Visit the beautiful countryside.
4. Swim in the Frio River with friends and take the kids on a three hour tubing ride - yikes!
5. Try new restaurants: Sorrel, Americas, Oxheart, Poscol.
6. Drink some facinating drink combos at Anvil.
7. Read and read and read some more, with my favorite book being Eleanor and Park.
8. Begin to explore eating a Paleo diet, which lead to learning how to do interesting things with vegetables i.e. hello Cauli - mash.
9. See movies with friends and Kyle - Catching Fire, Superman, The Silver Lining Playbook, The Heat
10. Visit the fine arts museum two times - wowza - one for a work function and one for a date night. We saw Picasso on date night, it was awesome. 
11. Eat at food trucks in Houston and Austin...I'm still thinking about the kimchee french fries from Koagie Dogs and the soft serve ice cream with saffron and toasted coconut from Cow Tipping Creamery.
12. Find, learn, and creat brushscript.
13. Look back at my past, almost 20 years ago, and appreciate that I had documented moments of my story creatively.
14. Try to finish the Brene Brown Oprah class, if nothing else it got the art supplies back in my house.
15. Start this blog, I need the words, the practice, the opportunity to organize the thoughts. 
16. See Washington D.C. for the first time, loved it.
17. Make an effort to see friends, in what I am naming the "Date Our Friends" project.
18. Dance like fools at a friends' wedding. 
19. Challenge myself to complete the 31 days of blogging. 
20. Become more addicted to Pinterest.
21. Think about  completing my 2013 Project Life album.
22. Think about beginning my 2014 Project Life album.
23. Take the kids to a couple of movies: Chicken Run, Planes, The Hobbit - Part 2, Frozen, The Lego Movie. I am getting braver about getting them all out of the house
24. Seek to be open.
25. Continue to evolve.
26. Write poetry when I could.
27. Drink several glasses of wine and eat cheese with Kyle while we watched Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, The Newsroom, and Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
28. Visit the zoo many times.
29. Explore the science musuem during the hot, hot summer.
30. See at least one Shakespeare play.
31. Support one of Kyle's old camp friends by watching a reading of a play he wrote.
32. Throw several birthday parties and make many birthday pancakes. 
33. Invest in a proper triathlon bike. 
34. Make a move into another rental house, watch our old rental house get torn down, it was bitter sweet.
35. Become the soccer mom, still a work in progress.
36. Coach my first preschool soccer game. 
37. Take the time to plan a little more and put in the work so that I can be prepared later.

Those are the things that I'm remembering now. There is so much that happens in a year, but if I had to quickfire 37 things I could remember about my 37th year of life on Earth, these would be at the top. 

It was a very fun year. There were struggles too, like all the travelling Kyle sometimes had to do or the many hours I sat in the car shuttling kids back and forth to school and activites or what seem like never ending tantrums. Those are just the everyday. They are apart of the journey, but there's so much adventure to be had in all of it. 

I'm trying to see that and set my mind to fully accepting all the good and wonderful experiences that come my way.

Tomorrow, I level up. I'm going to use my experience points to upgrade. I've got things I'd like to do and probably even things I don't even know I want to do. I'm going to continue following my heart and listening to the things that speak to me.

The path continues to unfold.  One step in front of the other and digging my toes in to live fully in the moments I am given. 

Info Share: Projects by Numbers

Photo

I have a thing for numbers, so I happy when I find projects that are a collection of items or practicing something over a time specific period of time. I like to see the numbers grow and the work accumulate. 

Two projects I have found are the 30 Day Minimalist Challeng and The 52 Project. 

30 Day Minimalist Challenge

The #minimalistchallenge is an attempt to purge stuff in the month of February. On day one, purge one thing. On day two, purge two things. By the end of the month, have a massive collection of things purged. I'm down with that. Why wait until spring?

The hashtag #minimalistchallege on Instagram will help to keep me honest. 

The 52 Project

This project sounds like a great way to take a weekly photo of child (or in my case children) and create an individual collection of one person. I keep a Project Life album, but it's harder to see one specific child evolving over the year. I think the 52 project would be a nice way to create a book for each child every year and to visually see the growth from week to week. 

Maybe one is for you? Maybe not. I know I'm going to consider some way to attempt them both, along with my other projects. I like big projects and I cannot lie.