#15 Try a food you have never tried before

I have met this goal twice since it has been written. The same night we wrote these goals, I tried guacamole at Emilee's house. Good, minus the cilantro. However, I never thought I would eat radish greens. Yep, that was a first. We are growing radishes in our garden and I was looking online for different ways to cook them. Several websites suggested cooking the radishes as well as the greens in a saute pan. Skeptical but curious, I gave it a shot. It was edible but far from delicious. Guess I won't be making that again.

#11 Go to a cultural event (one you don't normally do)

On Saturday, May 10, I dragged David to a very special cultural event at American University. My co-worker Kristina had invited us to a recital from her dance studio which would feature 150 dancers. And not just any kind of dancers. BELLY dancers!

The performance was fun to watch, but after awhile, we both had had a bit too much visual stimulation. I didn't know where to look! But the best part was, all shapes and sizes can belly dance, and, in fact, the rounder your belly, the better you can shake it! I loved the celebration of women's bodies and all their different shapes and sizes.

Another accomplishment from the evening, though not part of the 30 things list, was that David and I managed to run across the street and order dinner from McDonald's, eat it, and make it back into the show before the end of intermission.

#12 Shake a Celebrity's hand

On Wednesday, April 23rd, almost a full month after turning 30, I finally got to shake a celebrity's hand. No, it may not have been Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts, but I was still pretty excited to shake ole Bill's hand.

...one down, 29 more to go!

The List

Here's the list! We'll post each time we cross off an item.

1. Go on a trip to an exotic location.
2. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail.
3. Create a work of art for display in the home.
4. Go on a girls' weekend (and Julie Greer has to be in attendance).
5. Lose 10 pounds.
6. Take a cooking class (and supply photo evidence).
7. See a world's largest something.
8. Create your own recipe.
9. Take a train trip (Amtrak or other).
10. Think of a new use for an old product.
11. Go to a cultural event (one you don't normally do).
12. Shake a celebrity's hand.
13. Attend an inaugural ball.
14. Get an annual checkup at the doctor.
15. Try a food that you've never tried before.
16. Go tent camping.
17. Host a party at your home.
18. Go to a winery that you haven't been to.
19. Go on a full-fledged picnic.
20. Eat at a famous chef's restaurant.
21. Write a persuasive letter or an editorial and submit it.
22. Participate in an fundraising event for a cure.
23. Visit a chocolate factory or other confectionary.
24. Have your picture made at a famous landmark that you've never been to.
25. Read and finish two books in a year (we each pick out one of them).
26. Plant a tree.
27. Do a random act of kindness for someone you don't know.
28. Learn how to play a song on a musical instrument and record it.
29. Go to a live radio show.
30. Grow a plant.

How it Works

While visiting Emilee on her 30th birthday, we had a grand idea to come up with a list of 30 things we should do while we are 30. After many grueling hours, we developed our list (to be published by Emilee soon). Our rules are simple. Within the span of this year, we must complete the entire list, no cheating. To ensure adequate completion, we have established a committee of verification to certify the accuracy of our progress. Members include ourselves, my husband, and Emilee's husband. Join us as we embark on this adventure to not only learn a little more about each other, but about ourselves too. Who knows, you may even find out something about yourself in all this!