Heather: 30 at 30

So for starters, my arm is twitching and I don’t know why and it won’t stop.  Interesting start to the morning…

In other news, hello readers!  I am sorry I haven’t been as on top of my blog as I’d like to be lately.  Crazy times = less blogging.  And less working on my list, unfortunately.  But I have plans and I have some things in the works.  So I thought I’d give you an update.  Want one?  OK!

I have been reading this month.  Check.  I have been journaling weekly.  Check.  I have been kettlebelling a lot…which is helping me get closer to all my fitness goals.  Check.  I have been watching what I eat as to get down to my ideal 4 lbs. weight range.  Check.  I practiced unicycling once.  Check.  I am working a lot to make money and pay off debt.  Check.

I’ve decided the next goal that I will most likely cross off my list is #7: hold a handstand for 15 seconds.  I am gonna practice being upside down everyday and I know I will get it sooner than later.  I can already hold it for about 5 seconds, tops.  I think if I just learn to breath better and relax while being upside down, I’m golden.

Sorry my blog isn’t terribly interesting lately, I promise I’ll change that.  Videos galore.  Crossing off goals galore.  Bring it, FALL.

This is what was going on with Aly during the airport search…pretty amazing footage:

Well, the time has come to make some changes to the list. One great piece of advice I got about making my 30 at 30, from Alejandra, was to let it be a “living, breathing list”. Let me explain….say you have a desire to do something but a couple months later, you realize that pull is gone. It’s not due to laziness, but rather just lost interest. So why would you spend the time and the money on this “thing” you said you wanted to do a few months ago? Just because it’s on a list you made up for yourself? Not a compelling enough reason, honestly.

Another good point: contradicting goals, well, contradict. One of my most “adult” goals on the list is (#13) “pay off half my debt”. But then a lot of the other goals on my list require quite a bit of money to pull off. So I keep spending, but not paying down the debt. Something has to go.

After careful review, I am taking off (#6) “perform in a dance recital”. I love dancing but I’m not trained in it and to perform on a stage in front of people, I’d need quite a bit of training. Which cost money, of course. Also, I already have quite a few hobbies and activities I participate in on my weekly schedule. AND I am picking up climbing again so I can complete #28: Climb a 5.11 with no takes or falls. So I just don’t think I have the time or means for the dance classes I’d need to take. But just for the record, I was planning on doing aerial dance…which is pretty amazing.

I am replacing #6 with one I stole from my fellow 30 year old inspire-er, Jon Barr. Well, it’s not a direct steal, but similar. I will fast from TV for one week straight. That might not seem like a big deal to many of you; but I have always had a pretty strong couch potato inside of me. Granted, I work in video so that might be part of the pull. But regardless, I should be able to spend a week without it. One rule on this…it HAS to be a regular week. If I’m on vacation, I will probably not be watching TV. But that doesn’t count. It must be just a good ole week in Denver.

So last week I took a little trip to Spokane, WA to see Aly.  While she has been living in Peru the last 4 months, she is spending some time at home now with her family.  I decided it’d be a great time to see her and experience a new city.  So off, I went.  I had a wonderful night time plane ride with my journal and my Southwest drink coupons.

I arrived in Spokane and was greeted at the airport by Aly (sort of).  The trip was filled with complete goofiness and a lot of activities.  Please enjoy this highlight video of the entire experience (it’s long, but worth watching):

We had a great time, obviously.  I miss Aly and while I know she plans to go back to Peru, in my selfish heart, I would rather she move back to Denver.

Well, I made the purchase.  I bought this awesome blue Unicycle.

Now I HAVE to learn.  It’s hard, man.  Real hard.  I practiced for quite a while at the store and then in the parking lot.  Here’s a clip of where I’m at with it:

As you can see…I have my work cut out for me.  But I’ll get it…you know I will.

**Video taken by and uni-practice had with this guy:

Many of my goals are to be done on a “regular” basis.  That could mean different things to different people, sure.  But this is my list, so it’s up to me to define that.  And for two particular goals, once a month is my “regular”.

#9: Call Grandparents (Memaw & Pepaw) once a month

#21: Volunteer somewhere on a regular basis

This week I took on those challenges.  Not that calling my grandparents is challenging at all…it’s definitely a joy.  The challenging part is to be mindful of their existence now that I live far, far away and don’t see them on a “regular” basis.  Those calls mean a lot to them and I so often get swept up in the daily winds of my own little world in Colorado.  So a wee chat once a month is just wonderful.  I called them on August 26.  They told me about their health, their wine, their plans to play 42 that evening, and their plans for the less immediate future.  Even in your 80′s, you’re always planning for your future.  At least Hubbard’s are.  And most importantly, they told me they loved me and missed me.

I volunteered to make a fund-raising video for a non-profit, Denver Children’s Home, this week.  They showed it tonight at a Gala (that I got to attend!) before asking for donations.  I think it touched some hearts because I know there was a lot of money raised.  Here is that video:

If DCH is an organization you’d like to help out, check them out here.

And in other news, I am really excited about my good, old friend, Jon Barr, taking on his own 30@30.  He’s documenting his journey as well.  His list is quite full and it will be fun to follow him.  Check his blog out here.

And ya know what?  You should make a list TOO! Even if it’s not 30 things…just set some goals and tell some people who will help you follow through.

My first actual “mark off the list” accomplishment: on Sunday I hiked a Colorado 14er!  A 14er is a mountain with elevation over 14,000 feet.  It’s high.  And the air is thin.  It takes a lot of work to get up there.  But me and several friends made our way up!  And my goodness, it’s pretty.  (Side note: the sunglasses that appear on my face are not mine…I left mine in Denver and had to borrow Carmen‘s extra pair…which are from an 80′s outfit. I am aware they look ridiculous, but I’m still grateful for them on that sunny day.)

A few tips for those of you who also want to hike a 14er:

• -Sleep more than 4 hours the night before
• -Hydrate with water, not wine the day before
• -Bring a rain jacket, just in case
• -Eat a lot of snacks on the way up
• -Wear sunscreen on your scalp, or a hat
• -Wear a bit of makeup if you’re gonna video yourself
• -It’s not a race, so go at your own pace
• -Stop and enjoy the view along the way!
• -Talk to other hikers you pass on the trail
• -Hiking poles are helpful
• -When breathing gets hard, just remind yourself that you are OK – don’t panic
• -Take a bath with Epsom salt when you get back home

After hiking a 14er, it makes me wonder how and why people do Everest (elevation: 29,035).  I think 14,000 is high enough for me.  All in all, this accomplishment feels good!  I’m ready to keep a steady pace and get through my list.  Onward and Upward!

#4: Read one book a month

#15: Journal at least once a week

Done and done.  This month I read The Book Thief.  I have no doubt that this IS the best fictional book I have ever read.  The author paints vivid pictures with his words.  And the story itself is one of those you become invested in.  The characters become your friends and you find yourself thinking about them at night.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves good writing and story-telling.  Thanks, Bree, for the borrow.

Proof that I DID actually read the book (this was on my family’s big RV vacation):

I have been 30 for 3 weeks and sure enough, I have written in my journal 3 times (each Sunday it seems). My journal is really cute. See?

My handwriting, on the other hand, is not so cute.

I love words…especially in written form.  I plan to do much more with them this year.  #27: Write (at least) a fictional short story.

So I changed my list a little.  After two weeks of being 30 and not doing my 30 push ups most days, I figured I should just take it off the list or change it.  Bree suggested I just do a set amount each week.  Good idea.  But then I talked to Joel of Evil Twin Brother and was motivated to make another career goal: become an After Effects expert.  After Effects (a motion graphic program) is something I should have learned better years ago when I was using it frequently.  I could get by in it, but I never felt comfortable like I do in my editing programs.  So I took a good look at my list and saw that I already have so many physical goals and only one career goal…so there lay my answer.  After Effects it is.  Joel will be proud.

Also, I changed “learn to do a windmill” to “learn to do a coffee grinder”…I watched a video on how to do a windmill and it is incredibly hard.  Also, it’s not at all what I was envisioning a windmill was…so with a little research, I discovered the “coffee grinder/helicopter” is what I saw in my mind.  Here are some youtube videos of each:

See what I mean??? So, After Effects and coffee grinder and it is!

Videography, commentary and special finger appearance by Joel Bailey.