#29: Plant a Tree on/for my Birthday

Completed: 01/30/2010

My first goal accomplished! WOOHOO! Let me tell you how this came to be!

As part of one of my goals, I signed up for a volunteer event (in March) with the Memorial Park Conservancy for a Park Fun Run. This is part of goal # 16 (make a difference in at least one person's life). The best way to make a difference in someone's life is to be there for them, for a particular event, a moment in time that means the world to them. How better to do that than to volunteer for special events?! Also, Im a sucker for volunteering for marathons, 5k's, MS150, etc. It is inspiring in ways you cant even describe, LUV IT!!!

Once  I volunteered for the Fun Run, I received an email confirming the date time and my position. The email also contained a flyer from the MP Conservancy about future events. Wouldnt you know it?? they had a tree planting event the following week! I was thrilled and thankful that opportunities where presenting themselves that would allow me to fulfill my goals. I immediately sent out my request to volunteer and shortly after I received my instructions.

The day of the event I got up early and super happy! I wanted to be there early and ready to plant my tree but then, the funniest thing happen! I could not find the place!! Oddly enough, I saw some people planting trees accross the highway, but I thought "that cant be them??" So after much circling around I decided to join those folks. Once I got there I asked "is this the even for the MP Conservancy"? The nice lady replied, "no", this is for "Trees for Houston". I knew it wasnt my event, but I thought, well I might as well stay and plant a tree. It wasnt long after I had that thought that the same nice lady said "we are done planting trees" but thanks for coming by. Suddenly, the feeling of failure took over...but not for long. I walked back to my car and decided to try again. This time, I found the volunteer event...yuppy!!! Even though I had passed through the same spot an hour before and nobody was there, but it was because I was too early!

So now Im there and immediately walked over to sign up to plant my tree. Then came the next challenge, no shovels! URGH! So I waited and waited, nothing. Everybody had a shovel except for me, yet I stood stilld and held on to my tree for dear life. Finally they sent me to do something else in the meantime, but I knew if I was patient I would eventually plant my tree. And so it was, I found a shovel laying on a corner, ran to it, grabbed it and said "here comes goal #29!!!"

All that to say, I planted not only 1 but 2 trees. Meet some nice people along the way and helped even if in a very small way the environment.  I named my trees "Hope" & "Faith", and I will come back to see how they are growing through the year as I come back every week to Memorial Park to train for my 5K run in October. No doubt they (Hope & Faith) will outlast me, that is at least my hope.

Not only did I not give up but I learned a little more about patience and how it can take you far in all you want to accomplish.

Check out the pics! "This is my tree HOPE!" Located @ "Balls Field" in Memorial Park

Bloggers Remorse

I know a thing or two about giving up, who doesnt? In my case, I had made it into an art, but is not something Im proud of, not even close. I stronly believe perseverance and will comes from an unseen force and if you have never experienced, well, is that much harder to perfect it. But you see, that is the point! This is what this whole project is all about. Is not about crossing things off a list, but about persevering and making it happen. I learned not too long ago that 1% is easy, but 99% is a "bitch". How do you really overcome that 99% when you have nothing to stand on? You press on, even when it seems impossible and unatainable. Even when nobody supports you or cheers you on.  Even if its you and only you who believes it is possible. Even when your closests friends and family look at you crazy and think you have gone off the rails. Even then, you know deep down that you are working towards a better, happier life.

Every day I thought, "I havent blogged"!! What if I dont accomplish anything and end up looking like a fool? What if the end result is completly opposite to what I want to accomplish, complete failure? Then I thought, not a chance! You are only into the 3rd week of the year and there are  many more months, weeks and days to come!

Sure, most of the goals on this list require months of preparation in order to be completed. Most of these goals require hours and hours of "persevering wisdom" and "joy rising" feeling, things not easy to come by. But again, that is the point! No matter what comes out of nowhere, no matter what small things try to become big obstacles, not even the cold shoulder of some, this is for me and for a happier life, not to make anybody else happy!

So remorse is over and the hard work continues. Today, Sunday January 31st I crossed my first goal off the list! WHAT A FEELING!!!! It will only get better from here, withouth forgetting that sometimes setbacks will happen, but it is how I react to those obstacles that will help me achieve more and more goals!

Thank you 2010. So far you have been good to me and I wont let this feeling go, not anytime soon!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

#2 - Run a 5k Deadline: 10/30/2010

What is it about running a 5K that is on every bucket list out there? I dont know for everybody else, but for me, I have been after that illusive FINISH LINE for far too damm long! I dont think there is a better feeling than the one you feel when you cross a finish line. Have you seen the people that run marathons or thriathlons? Most of them lift their hands up and with total exhilaration says YESSSSS! I did that!!!! Im a total sucker for these type of events, but I havent been able to take myself seriously enough to compete in one. So far I have told  myself that since you cant do it you might as well support those who can. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE waiting for my friends at the finish line and celebrating their big win, but a little bird in my head says, cmon Karla, you can do it too!!  I have been dreaming about that finish like for far too long. Its time to put the foot where the mouth is and accomplish it!

The Event!
2010 Monster Mash 5k
2010 Monster Mash 5K

The Date!
Saturday October 30, 2010

If my calculations are right, I have left:     298 : 10 : 17 : 22

                                                              Days Hours Mins Secs

How am I going to get this done?  Well, there is an APP for that! Ill be using my C25K program to get me ready! First day to start training: 01/09/2010

If you have any tips about getting int the best shape possible for this event, please send them my way.

This one for sure will be a sweet cross out on my list!

#1 - Sing Karaoke (in public) Deadline: 02/12/2010

For most people, singing Karaoke comes easy, after 1 or 2 drinks anybody can grab a mic. For me, this is much more than just getting up and singing a song, is about confronting my fear of being out in public, with strangers looking at me. If you look good, then hey, half the battle is won, but for someone who looks like me, is not that easy. That said, this would be the best opportunity to do something fun, new and totally out of my comfort zone.

The Place!
SPOTLIGHT KARAOKE
Spotlight Karaoke

The Song!
Don't Stop Believing by Journey (yeah, gutsy, very very gutsy!)

The Date!
February 12th, 2010

#26: The 5 things that I'm grateful for EVERY day Deadline: 12/31/2010

We all have much to be grateful for, but more often than not, we take this part of our day for granted. This is part of my list because while I will do all in my power to complete the list (and beyond) even in times of uncertainty I want to remind myself of all Im to be grateful for. A daily list of 5 things might seem small, but when you really get down to it, it truly makes you think. 

01/04/2010 - Today I'm Grateful For:
1. Waking Up
2. Making it to work safely
3. Prayer
4. Healthy family and friends
5. Ate healthy foods and avoided temptation of junk food.

#11: Read 4+ Books

Goal #11: Read 4+ Books
Deadline: 12/31/2010

This may be a surprising goal to those who are following my blog, why? because most of them are avid readers, but not me. I never really understood the passion behind reading, except for the ocassional magazine. Im not sure why not, afterall my dad is a professor in literature and loves to read. I think I missed out on that gene. Maybe they did, but I dont remember my parents reading to me at night, once again, childhood memories for me are scarce so if they did I just dont remember. Why do people love to read so much? While researching for Project:35 and my list of books I came across this ""Reading is to mind what exercise is to the body" (Sir Richard Steele). Need to research this topic no more. That was the reason I was looking for!

Here is a list of books I have bought or borrowed in the past years that have been collecting dust for a while. My goal for this year, as a "first time reader" is 4 books, but more is definetly a possibility.

1. Lessons For Success "Quotes to Inspire Your Personal Best" by Lorraine A. Darconte
2. Dont Sweat The Small Stuff....and it's all small stuff (Simple ways to keep the little things from taking over your life) by Richard Carlson, P.H.D.
3. Joy Breaks (90 Devotions to Celebrate, Simplify and Add Laughter to Your Life) by Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll. **This one is particularly important to read as it was a gift from a dearest friend, Margaret. She gave me this book on 12/20/2000. Thank You Margaret!
4. Lions Dont Need To Roar (Using the leadership power of a professional presence to stand out, fit in and move ahead) by D.A. Benton
5. The Success Principles (How to get from where you are to where you want to be) by Jack Canfield
6. Nice Girls CAN finish first! (Getting the results you want and the respect you deserve...while still being liked) by Daylle Deanna Schwartz
7. The Courage To Be Yourself (A woman's guide to Growing Beyond Emotional Dependence) by Sue Patton
8. Who moved my Cheese? (An A-mazing Way To Deal with Change in Your Work and In Your Life) by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
9. Become a Better You (7 keys to Improving Your Life Every Day) by Joel Osteen. This one is also on top of my list, it was a gift from my dear friend Philippa.

Book Wishlist:

1. It's Your TIME (Activate your faith, achieve your dreams!) by Joel Osteen
2. EAT, PRAY, LOVE (One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia) By Elizabeth Gilbert.  **Recommended by my super duper friend, Tonya Boo*

If you know of any books that I might enjoy, please send the info my way :) Suggestions are encouraged and appreciated!

"The List"

"You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights." Dr. Seuss

And so here it is.........in no particular order...

1. Sing Karaoke (in public)
2. Run a 5k
3. Visit my friends in Denver, CO
4. Learn to Skate
5. Learn to play Piano
6. Learn Basic Chinese
7. Learn Contemporary Dance
8. Ride in a hot air balloon
9. Times Square on New Year's Eve Day
10. Travel to China
11. Read 4+ books
12. Create an apartment with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere
13. Loose 100+ pounds
14. Complete 1 year of B.S. with a G.P.A of 3.90 or better
15. Be on the cover of "Half Their Size"
16. Make a difference in at least one person's life
17. Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it, instead of just thinking about it
18. Donate blood 3 times in 2010
19. Make loans to 1 entrepreneur in a developing country through www.kiva.com
20. Go to a concert and let my hair down
21. Host Christmas Dinner for friends
22. Spend a weekend at a Silent Retreat
23. Learn Yoga
24. Surprise a family member or family friend, really surprise them
25. Says YES to every invitation and SHOW UP!
26. Write down 5 things that I'm grateful for every day
27. Remember and celebrate the birthday, anniversary or special day of all close friends and family
28. Create my own Christmas Letter
29. Plant a tree on my Bday
30. Find my spiritual self
31. Sleep under the stars after going hiking
32. Ride 20 miles at Ride for the Roses - Austin
33. Create an emergency fund $3K
34. Learn to accept myself for who I'am
35. Before the clock strikes 12 on 12/31/2010, think of all I experienced and then raise my arms up to the sky and with a true feeling say, YES..I DID IT!!!!

"Where It Came From"

So by now you know I want to do something radical with my life before the end of year 2010. Are you wondering where I got the idea from? Let me tell you, it wasnt just from one place, or experience(s), or even lack there of. The idea came from came from a couple and very different instances. Some of them will make sense, and some will not. Thats OK, they all made perfect sense to me, and that is why Im now here, at the beginning of this exciting journey.

Here are all the things that cosmically came together to hit me in the head, like a frying pan and said "wake UP"!

The Movie: Julia & Julia (2009) - Julia Child and Julie Powell - both of whom wrote memoirs - find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both women are at loose ends... until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible. This movie gave me the idea to blog about my project and to keep my friends and family looped into what I wanted to accomplish and maybe get a little encouragement when things didnt go exactly as planned.

The Christmas Letter - A very dear friend of mine sent a letter describing all she did in 2008, and now again in 2009. Her letter was full of adventures, some difficult moments, but most of all, you could feel the sense of total accomplishment through her words. She is a class act, never fearful, never says she cant, a great inspiration, even if she doesnt know it. She is "life's cheerleader" and Im thankful every day because she is in  my life.

The Kindest Heart - Another dear friend of mine spends most of her days (busy days) helping others. Her volunteer commitment is superior to any other person I know. Her smile is contagious and her spirit is total class. While she might not realize it, it is because of her that I finally understood that is NOT always about me and that when others need help I can put my two good hands to work for them.

The Little Voice - You know what voice Im talking about, that little voice in the back of your head that says "hey, hey you, pssssttt!!!!" wanna come out and play? So after much "couch searching" and many sleepless nights I just decided to give SOMETHING, ANYTHING a chance! Like a fad diet, Ive tried everything else, and nothing had worked, so why not try this? What could happen? Failure? Guess what, the most succesful/happy people didnt get there in a straight shot, they had to work at it. If they can do it, so can I!

Lets get busy! Time to post the list...In....3....2....1.....Push the Little Red Button! Zoommmmm!

"Where It All Begins"

Just shy of 2 months I will turn 35. I cant remember many things of my childhood, but I do remember this. "When I grow up, I will do everything and anything I want to do, just wait and see". Well, most of what I wanted to do hasnt really happen, or wait, I havent really made it happen. Most people say that life gets in the way, but I really dont find that to be true. Honestly, we let things get in our way, nothing else, we do it, to ourselves. That is a harsh reality to face and not easy to get over. But guess what, GOOD! Why get over it? Why forget all those great dreams and the miniscule things you allowed to get in the way?

Enough ranting! This project is not about me feeling sorry for myself. On the contrary, it is a call to
"G-E-T-I-T-T-O-G-E-T-H-E-R" once and for all. We all have to start somewhere, and this is my start or at least a first stab at it.

How did I get here? Who knows? But I can tell you what were the things that made me wake-up and say, heck, I can do that too!! Why not? I know to some it may sound silly, childish and even ridiculous, thats OK! This project is to prove to myself and the critics that anything is possible, nothing is out of bounce, and all can be achieved.

With all that said, lets get started! Here's to a GREAT, HAPPY, WONDERFUL, EVENTFUL 2010! I wont have it any other way!