30 in 30

For this first month of being 30 I'd like to try 30 new things in the next 30 days... we'll see how it goes.

It does not necessarily need to be something new to try, but can just be something new to my 30's. I really just want to make note of experiences I have within this 30 day time frame. And in each thing I will also seek out a lesson to be learned, no matter what it is.

I began writing  this post a week ago, but today, my friend Jennifer posted as her status,
"In every situation in life... I ask myself 'What can I learn from this?'" 
Not merely a coincidence, but I believe many of us are in a similar phase in our lives and we are asking this question of ourselves much more often. When I was in my twenties I think I asked this a lot less, which resulted in me being a lot less present.

So here I am. I've been 30 for 1 week now and here are my "things" thus far.

Dec. 5-12

Thing 1: Train ride in California. 
I am a fan of trains. I believe the first time I'd ever ridden on one was when I was about 3years old during a trip to the East Coast. I remember, vaguely, riding and looking out the window with my Tio Carlos, at the green trees zipping by. I've been on many more trains since then, across the country and in Europe, but I had been eager to ride one in California.

I love train stations, the sound of the train along the tracks, the way it sounds when it pulls into the station... I love the romance of trains... the images I've seen in movies of lovers separating or being reunited.... I was not disappointed with my first train ride in California.

My husband surprised me on my actual birthday. I had no idea where he was taking me. When I suddenly realized where we were headed I immediately became 5 years old again, screaming and giggling about how excited I was. It was a short ride (about 45 min) to San Juan Capistrano. It's a lovely mission town with great restaurants and historical sites. But honestly, it could have been 1 stop to Santa Ana, and I would have been just as thrilled.

Lesson learned: Continuing a sense of wonder and excitement is crucial 

and will keep your heart young.

Thing 2: Polenta
Not the most thrilling experience of my life, but I saw it on the menu and really wanted to try it... With a consistency of something between tofu and pound cake and flavor of... something like yucca or bland cornbread. But I ate it, with lots of marinara sauce, topped with a Salciccia (sausage). Not sure if I'll be eating polenta again, any time soon, but I'm glad I tried it.

Lesson learned: It's worth it to try new things, regardless of the outcome, 

a discovery will be made.

Thing 3: First Wednesdays at the Community in Anaheim
I absolutely adored my first "official" visit to Community. It's a small shopping plaza run by independent artists and crafters. The place was packed when I arrived. A live band played while shoppers walked through open galleries and shops, getting a head start on their Christmas shopping. The atmosphere was very hipsteresque and shop owners were eager to meet their guests, share stories, and continue the effort at building a diverse and creative community.

One of the shop owners (of the Nest) is a friend of mine from high school. She has been immensely successful with her own artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors and I couldn't be more proud...
which leads me to my 4th new thing....

Lesson learned: A night alone and on the town is needed every once in a while. 

Also, don't do so with empty pockets.

Thing 4: Bought my first Flask
Not sure why, but I have always wanted a flask. I'm not a drunk and I normally don't even drink hard liquor. Maybe it was due to my early fascination with Marilyn and the way she made it look so cool in Some Like it Hot... not sure. Before last week, I could never get myself to actually purchase one, until I saw the ones at the Nest. From the variety of colorful prints, to the unique and relevant designs, these flasks are simply awesome.

It was hard to choose, but I finally decided on the the green flask with a hot air balloon. It reads: Wanderlust. With a constant urge and desire to travel the world, this flask was calling my name. And with that I ran home and filled her up!
(Not really. She sits empty and waiting on my book shelf. Soon.)

Lesson learned: I am not as sexy as Marilyn, but it's fun to try.

http://www.communitysocal.com/nest.html

Thing 5: Car Accident
I don't have much to say on the subject. It happens. I'm sad, irritated, and a bit stressed at the added expense during this holiday season, and really they [accidents] are just always real butt-busters when you're involved in one. None the less, all involved are ok and I am sure there are lessons to be learned all around. This is the 1st, and hoping the only, accident I will be in during my 30's (and beyond).

Lesson learned: Poop happens... But, be grateful, don't rush through life, forgive easily.

Thing 6: First Christmas Photo Shoot

laughing at a sprinkler incident

I have known Sheryl for about 25 years. We met in Kindergarten and she now has a 13 year old and a 3 1/2 year old. She is dedicated to her kids and works very hard to support them. Even going back to school to study graphic media she has set new goals for her life and is being a great example
to her two children.

I offered to take her and the kids out for a Christmas photo shoot. We spent about 2 1/2 hours in both Anaheim and Downtown Fullerton taking some fun candid/posed shots of her and the kids.

Lesson learned: It's the real and raw moments that matter most. 

Keep it simple and fun.

innocence & awe

Thing 7: First temper tantrum in my 30's

Well, I'm not proud of it. But sometimes it happens. I have always had a bit of a temper (it's hereditary, I'm convinced). We've been planning a trip... well discussing taking a trip to Europe this summer. And as I mentioned in Thing 4, I love to travel. I not only love it, I need it in my life. It's something Luis and I have a common passion for and we make a point to travel as often as possible, near or far, it doesn't matter. It could be a simple trip to a semi-local city I've never been to, or to a completely foreign country... we LOVE  to travel.

Well, due to a few added expenses that 2011 has bestowed upon us, the idea of our trip is slowly fading from a concrete plan, to a distant dream. That said, the idea of taking this trip this coming summer is a dream I am not willing to give up on. (Sure, taking extra trips here and there, I'm sure, are not helping the odds, but I do think it's still possible.)

It's always been true of our relationship, he is the realist and I am the perpetual dreamer. This does lead to minor kerfuffles now and then, but I help him see new possibilities and he keeps me from flying away. I should not have panicked and lost my temper the way I did. (sorry, babe.) That's what my angry moments usually amount to, panic. I need to continue to breathe and understand that eventually we will find ourselves on that side of the world again, but I need to get there with a patient heart and a focused mind.

Lesson learned: Don't panic. Just breathe. 

(Which reminds me... I need to get back into my yoga practice this week.)

argentina 2009... on our way to mendoza