One down...

So, the day after creating the 30/30 list, I already did one. I watched a documentary called "A Cross in Alabama". Below you will find the description. It was great. So, one documentary down.... it is off to a good start. Irish folk singer Brendan Shine grew up knowing that his great uncle, a priest named James Coyle, was killed by a member of the Ku Klux Klan in Birmingham, Alabama in 1921. A CROSS IN ALABAMA follows Shine on a journey from Ireland to that American city to learn the truth of what happened to this relative he never knew. What he discovers is a shocking story that caused a major scandal at the time and still resonates today in that community. The special combines interviews, archival footage and re-enactments of key moments in the dramatic and powerful story of a man who championed freedom and equality and was martyred for his beliefs.

The Official "30 Things Before 30 Years List" for Ms. Sarah Jane

"30 Things Before 30 Years"

1. ONE Holiday to Sweden
2. Take TWO wind surfing lessons
3. Help organize or particiapte in THREE canned food drives
4. Buy FOUR people their morning coffee
5. Take FIVE steps to establishing a toy library in Mobile
6. Buy SIX of my favorite books for my favorite people
7. Take a SEVEN day retreat
8. Make an EIGHT course meal for Eight people
9. Organize a PACE NINE reunion
10. Tithe TEN percent of my income in a year
11. Read ELEVEN classics that I have not gotten to yet... including Gone with the Wind, Ulysses, Wuthering Heights.... any other suggestions
12. Visit TWELVE historical sites in the South
13. Learn THIRTEEN Chords for the guitar- that entails buying a guitar though....
14. For FOURTEEN days, write five things I am thankful for a day- this might be good to do before Thanksgiving
15. Learn FIFTEEN new skills- this might include how to use excel, which I do not know. Or how to play the guitar, which still needs help. Or how to make a video or a wiki.
16. Watch SIXTEEN documentaries
17. Make SEVENTEEN blankets and given them away
18. Volunteer EIGHTEEN times
19. Make NINETEEN delicious dsserts and give them away
20. Discover TWENTY new bands
21. Enjoy TWENTY- ONE Beach sunsets
22. Clean out my stuff and give away TWENTY-TWO things
23. Create TWENTY-THREE amazing lesson plans- maybe games, create my own videos, etc.
24.Take TWENTY-FOUR yoga classes
25. Learn to make TWENTY-FIVE new and exotic dishes.
26. Run TWENTY-SIX mile- oh god, I have just signed myself up for a marathon!!!
27. Write TWENTY-SEVEN letters to twenty-seven people
28. For my golden birthday (turning 28 on April 28) I will hug TWENTY-EIGHT people
29. Send TWENTY- NINE postcards from New Zealand
30. Celebrate turning THIRTY with one hell of a party

I think I am going to print out this list and post it in my bathroom or somewhere I will look every day. I will keep you updated on how well I am doing with my list. It sounds pretty big, but you know what they say, "Go big or go home!"

A Welcomed Break

Thank God for the beach. Thank God for the sunset. Thank God for good friends. Thank God for beer.

This Tuesday, I took off from school early- also Thank God for people at work who will cover for you, so that you can do fun and unexpected things.--

So, Tuesday I headed down to see Evan at the Gulf Shores. His family got a condo and he is staying for Hangout fest. Next year, I am going to go to that. I need to plan it now. I really wish I could go this Sunday.... I will miss you Black Keys. Anyway, it was such a simple night. A beer. A two and a half hour walk on the beach with great conversation. A nice seafood dinner- I love shrimp!- Then, a fun game called Farkle. I WON!

It was so simple, but so nice to have a break from the daily grind. At the end of the school year, there are so many things that break into the school day and that is tiring. But, these disruptions are not life giving. I want life giving adventures. I want to connect with people. And, this night was so great because all week, I was able to pull energy from this little trip.

I think on my 30 Things for 30 Days, I need to dedicate a number to saying things I am grateful for. I think that would be a really positive activity for me.

30/30 List

So far, I think I have come up with a few things for my 30/30 list.

I think I am going to try to make this list a mix of things for myself and things for others.

1. Holiday to Sweden.
2. Take 2 wind surfing lessons.
3. Canned food drives that I organize or participate in.
4. Buy 4 people their morning coffee.
5. Take five steps to establishing a toy library in Mobile.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. Write 27 letters to the people I love.
28.
29.
30.

As you can tell, the list needs help. But, I have the whole month to keep working on it.

One Year Anniversary

This Sunday, May1, was my one year anniversary in Mobile. I arrived from New Zealand on May 2. So, officially, I have lived in Mobile for one year. To celebrate this event, which has not happened since 2006, I did all the things I love doing in America. I drove my car with the windows down and the the radio loud.I let my hair blow all over my face and I enjoyed some girl rock. It is such a freeing feeling. I missed that freedom in Ireland. Going where I wanted, when I wanted to. Most days in L'Arche I felt like a 32 year-old single mother of three. I was running around caring for them and cleaning the house. I had a mocha- a big one! I worked out, had the most spectacular dinner- dumplings and stew followed by mint-chocolate chip ice cream roll cake-, and went to the library. I have a delightful time with my friends and family. It was an overall lovely day. But, of course, it made me think of my year anniversary in Ireland. That day, I spent on a hidden cove- Strandbally cove. That was beautiful, adventureous, and fun in its own way. But, this one was relaxing. I really felt free. I felt like I was living my life with good balance. I strive for balance.