Day 17

Challenge – a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.; something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort; a call to fight; a difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.

I’ve said before that I’m up for any challenge, so I’m going to take the Special K Challenge.  I know what you’re thinking, is this really a call to fight?  I’m sure that seems like a bit of an over exaggeration.  But, when you pour yourself a cup of cereal and see how big 1 cup of cereal and 3/4 cup of milk actually are, you’ll be in tune with the “call to fight” part of the challenge.

The Special K Challenge claim is that you will drop a jean size in two weeks.  Obviously that is just a general claim and they can’t apply that to everyone.  So, I’m taking the challenge to see if it will actually apply to a tall girl like me.  I’m starting tomorrow.  I know, I know – famous words for the I-need-to-go-on-a-diet-but-I’m-not-really-going-to people.  But, I promise I really am!  I’d have started today, but I ate the wrong meal for breakfast and I want a clean challenge.  I’m going to be very careful and follow the instructions to the letter;  Two meals replaced with a bowl of Special K or a Special K protein bar, two Special K snacks, and a healthy third meal.  What also may be my saving grace is the fact that you can eat as many fruits and veggies “as needed”.  I’m not really sure what “as needed” means, but I’m sure I’ll need them in my moments of “Wow, I’m going to die if I don’t have something to eat”.  Guess we’ll see what happens!

Update on my teeth whitening:  I’m on day 9 of 14, and I have to be honest, I’m not noticing much of a difference.  I’ve been very diligent about whitening every day.  I did forget one day, though, so I whitened twice the next day.  I supposed maybe it’s the fact that I drink 1-2 cups of coffee each day.  Or, maybe it’s just that they do look different, I just don’t notice it because I’m seeing the gradual change.  I’ll post the after picture next Friday night.

Verse for the day:

“I want you to be free from anxieties.  The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.”

Day 9

I've always wondered if whitening strips really make any difference on your teeth.  I mean, I've tried them before.  And they worked... I think... I've just never really monitored it before to see if it actually made a difference.  So, Mindy and I went to the store and bought a two week supply of Crest 3D Whitestrips.  First of all, let me say they were very weird.  I felt like I was putting Scotch tape across my teeth.  And, the ENTIRE time you have them on, you feel like your lips are going to crack off and turn into dust while at the same time you have drool constantly threatening to pour from the sides of your mouth.  And, when the 30 minutes are FINALLY over, you feel like you're going to rip your teeth out from pulling the strip off.  I finally understand Renoir's quote "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."  Understand it... don't like it...

The box says you can tell a difference in 3 days.  Guess we'll see!  Here's the dreaded before shot:

I'll keep you updated!

Verse of the day:
"Lest us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!" Lamentations 3:40

Day 8

I'm starting to feel like trying new foods is all I'm going for here.  That's not really it at all!  I usually have some kind of reason behind that.  For example, tonight I tried Kyoto Garden.  In case you're not from Bowling Green or have never been to Bowling Green, you don't know the Kyotos vs. Kyoto Garden debate.  I am a loyal Kyoto customer.  Mindy and I usually go once every week or so.  It's fast, it's good, it's cheap, and the waiter knows our order.  But, Kyoto Garden is right next to my house.  It's not owned by the same people, but it's the same kind of food.  I've never even considered going there because I know Kyoto and I love Kyoto.  In typical Melissa fashion, I go for what I'm comfortable with and don't consider any options.  However, I thought it would be fitting to take the chance of wasting $6 and just give it a whirl.  Wrong. It was seriously no good.  They got my order wrong and the chicken was just dry.  Point goes to same old same old.

Verse for the day:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Day 3-6

It’s been an eventful 4 days. I’ve checked lots of things off my list! First though, let me say, that some friends really are the best. I could not have checked off so much in such a few days without Deborah and Jamie. They willingly went on a VERY long trip in a VERY short amount of time just so I could see some states. Thanks to the both of them for that. A BIG thank you goes to Jamie for driving the entire time! I was very thankful for all the little naps!

Here’s the skinny on the weekend and things accomplished:

46th State – Wisconsin
We drove through Wisconsin on Saturday. It was actually a very beautiful and green state. It was hard to imagine it with 3 feet of snow. There were outdoor water parks everywhere! I mean, don’t they know they only have about 2 weeks of hot weather in the year? We also stopped in Madison and went to the strangest place I’ve ever been to – literally. It was called Ella’s Animatronic Deli. Every decoration in the place moved. It was seriously creepy. And the food was a little creepy, too. Except, I did try my first fried pickle.

47th State – Minnesota
We drove to Minnesota Saturday night and stayed all day Sunday. There were also water parks everywhere in Minnesota, but at least in this state they made them indoors. We went to the crazy big Mall of America. We also saw some random artwork in downtown Minneapolis. And when I say random, I mean a giant spoon with a cherry in it and a water fountain coming out of the cherry’s stem. That’s how I define random. I also triumphantly tossed my hat in the air long with Mary Tyler Moore in downtown Minneapolis.

48th State – North Dakota
I spent a grand total of 10 minutes in North Dakota. In fact, if it weren’t for the map app on my phone, we wouldn’t have even known we were in North Dakota. We did pass through a town that had a sign that said Population 6. Really? I mean, how much did it cost those 6 people to put up that sign?

49th State – Iowa
Umm… yeah… really not much to say except for corn.

We also stayed the night just outside of Omaha, so Deb and I stopped at a steakhouse and had an Omaha steak for lunch.  It was seriously amazing!  And I don't even like steak!

So, here's what I've checked off this weekend:  my 46th, 47th, 48th and 49th state, my first Animatronic Deli (and believe me, my last), my first fried pickle, seeing the Mall of America, eating the best banana cream pie ever at the Twin Cities Grill and eating an Omaha steak in Omaha.

Verse of the day:

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

Day 2

Well, unfortunately today's new task wasn't any idea of mine. I have some big accomplishments lined up for the next few days, but I was still a little unsure about what to do with today. So, instead of me choosing something to do, someone else chose for me.  An Illinois cop, actually.  I got my first ticket in almost 8 years.  So, I seized the opportunity and made the best of it.  I decided I'd try a different technique to weaseling my way out of a ticket.  I would just act like it was no big deal and that I typically pulled off the side of the road to have conversations with people.  I was so laid back, that I didn't even get that nervous feeling I usually get just when I think a cop is going to pull me over.  He told me that I was going 20 mph over the speed limit. (Apparently the highest Illinois goes is 65, that seems just crazy to me!) And he told me that I didn't use my blinker when I changed lanes.  So, we chatted for a minute and it seemed my plan was going well, until... he informed me that he'd be right back.  Blast.  So, I'm reverting to the really upset method when getting a ticket.  But hey - had to try!

Verse for the day:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Day 1

Well, here we go… my year of thirty begins! So far so good. I had a pretty good birthday. My roommates decorated every spare square inch of my house to greet me this morning. I had a ton of birthday wishes today. I had a great weekend this past weekend with my family and friends surprising me with a fantastic party. Overall, nothing to complain about. Still a little gun shy about being 30, but starting to grab hold of the idea a bit easier! And, the best part of all, today begins my big adventure! Can’t wait to see what each day holds!

Alright, day one’s big task... I decided that if I’m officially in adulthood, I should get rid of my one last childhoom item. This one’s a big one, believe me. Those of you who know me really well know the item I’m referring to. And, if you do know the one I mean, you’re probably completely shocked that I would ever get rid of it! Today, my friends, I said good-bye to my Simba pillow. I know… so sad… I’ve had that thing since the Christmas when I was 14. If you need me to do the math for you, that’s 16 years! That thing was nasty as all get out, but I just loved sleeping with it. It was the perfect size and it just cuddled right into your arms. But, in the words of Rafiki, “It is time.” So, I opened the garbage can, said “Hakuna Matata” and threw him in! Feeling pretty good about it tonight, but ask me in a week and I may change my mind!

I started a few other tasks today as well. I’m back on the Financial Peace plan. I really liked it when I did it before. But, I went on a trip and it kinda faded away. So, gonna give it a try again and see how it works. I also am going to get back into a daily bible study habit. Nothing too lofty, I just want something I can commit to. So I’m just going to focus on one verse a day and share it when I can. Today’s verse:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Looking forward to tomorrow. It begins my trip to visit my 47th, 48th and 49th states! And, for those of you that don’t think Minnesota counts since I’ve only been to the Minneapolis airport, I’ll be picking up my “46th” state as well. Love road trips!

I’ll leave you with a quote:

"Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of." ~Charles Richards

Day 1 Eve

What is it about 30 that is so terrible? It’s the number that comes after 29 and before 31. How could it be that bad? There’s no evil symbol assigned to it like 666. There’s no bad luck associated with it like 13. It’s a nice, even number that’s divisible by 8 different factors.

However, when you tag the words “years old” on the end, it becomes a dirty phrase. A phrase that you’re not supposed to say. A phrase that causes critical looks. A phrase that you completely deny is a true if anyone were to ever accuse you of being. However, tomorrow, the phrase “30 years old” will be accurately applied to me.

Thirty. I’m turning thirty. I can’t even believe such a statement! How could I have been alive on this planet for thirty years? Is it even possible? Could I really be in my thirties? Isn’t thirty supposed to be old? Shouldn’t I have accomplished many more things by this point?

I ended my 29th birthday with a good cry fest over just these questions. In fact, I carried on the cry fest for most of the rest of the year when no one was looking. If anyone even had the nerve to have a birthday of their own, I would find myself falling down the hole of depression again.

But, for whatever reason – whether it was just being tired of feeling that way, or annoyance at myself, or simply by the grace of God – about 3 months ago I finally snapped out of it. Don’t get me wrong; snapping out of it didn’t make me “excited” about turning 30. The snap was that I realized my attitude towards that dreaded phrase was no way to live! Life is not a destination, it’s a journey. I have to embrace who I am and be thankful for I how I got here. I have to continually make “here” somewhere I want to be. I have to make the most of being 30 years old.

And so began my idea about “The Year of Thirty.” I decided to make my thirtieth year of life the best one yet. I decided that my year would be some kind of adventure, whether great or small. I want to do things I’ve never done before or rarely ever do. I don’t want to just count the days; I want to make the days count.

I made a reasonable list of things to purse in the next year. Some are huge, some are not. They range from going to my last four states to eating sushi, from running a half marathon to going a day without my cell phone. Everything I do will be something I want to try, experience, or learn from. Some I’ve been dying to do for ages, some I just think sound cool. But, all in all, I want to stand at the end of my thirtieth year of life and think, “Wow, that was a great year – bring on 31!”

So, tomorrow officially begins my year of thirty. I plan on using a blog as a place to write my reflections on my pursuits. I can’t guarantee it’s all going to be pretty, but I can guarantee that it will be an adventure!

Well, here goes nothing. Bring on 30!

(Is it okay if it still stings a bit when I say I’m 30???)