Done! #50. Go skiing!

Things that will help give an idea of what my state of mind was going into this:

1. I don't especially care for the outdoors. I don't dislike the outdoors, but given other choices it wouldn't be at the top of the list of places to hang out or things to do. Unless those other choices involved, say, eating a mouthful of cilantro.
2. This winter has been especially hard on me. Maybe it's the getting older thing. Maybe it's because it got so cold so early. I don't usually mind winter, but this year, I'm feeling strong feelings about it.
3. Sometime at the end of the summer or beginning of fall, we were hanging out with our friends N, C and V who live in Wisconsin. We decided to plan a skiing trip far in advance. We put it in our planners / calendars. I love N, C and V, and would probably follow those cats anywhere. Except into a field of cilantro, of course.

So while the idea of going skiing made me cranky, the thought of getting to hang out with N, C and V helped curb some of those feelings.

We drove to a place called Devil's Head and after about an hour of getting ourselves and our kids into gear we were ready to go. We rode the magic carpet up to the top of the bunny slope and after some instruction from N (whose parents are Swiss and who learned to ski at a Swiss skiing school!) and C there was nothing left to do but go down the hill before the snowboarders behind us freaked out and plowed us down already.

And, wait for it, it was FUN! E got the hang of it quickly and though we had to bribe him to go down a few more time after lunch he ended up having so much fun he went down over and over again past the agreed upon number of required times. Of course, he did try to cash in on the many extra runs. I went down the bunny slope more times than I anticipated. Yes, I fell a few times, but I spent less time laying on the snow that I thought I would.

Me + skis

N, V and E heading back up the magic carpet.

The drive home. A pretty winter sunset through the frosty car windows.

I think it's safe to say that I might be the first person on either side of my family to ski. I couldn't help thinking of that 80s commercial (I'm picturing Spike Lee in it, but it could be one of those Bo Knows commercials) where someone says the line, "We don't surf in Brooklyn." We don't ski in Miami. But there you go, I skied, I survived, and yes, I would do it again. Here's to trying new things now matter how scary they seem or how old you are. I mean, what's the worst that could happen….?

The List: 2014 Edition

Oaxaca, Summer 2013

Tallied up my successes for 2013. I completed thirty-six of the things on my list and attempted fourteen. Of those attempted, I either didn't finish at all or it's ongoing. The list is updated and officially wrapped up. So, a grand total of fifty out of one hundred. Fifty percent is a failing grade, right?

The thing that wasn't on the list but that was accomplished was getting through one full year without my sister. Three hundred sixty-five days. The first year of my life with no older sister. The hardest day by far was my birthday. It felt as fresh on that day as it did in early September of last year. When I think about this year and years to come being easier there's a part of me that doesn't want it to be.

I made a new list for 2014. Some items have carried over from the previous list. I've left some spots empty for filling in later and open to suggestion! What are you doing this year?

1. Go fruit picking.
2. Throw a party.
3. Make things and send them to friends.
4. Start a conversation with a stranger.
5. Renew my passport.
6. Firecakes Donuts!
7. See the seasons mural in the kindergarten classroom at E's school.
8. Take a class / learn something new.
9. Teach E to write in cursive.
10. Make a cootie catcher. Ahem, "fortuneteller."
11. Learn to identify midwestern leaves.
12. Develop an exercise routine and stick with it.
13. Try a new food.
14. Read a classic children's book with E. I'm thinking The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
15. Explore Miami with Gina.
16. Go on a haunted Chicago tour.
17. Read and watch East of Eden.
18. Try all the fare offered by the street vendor that sets up outside E's school.
19. Read the entire Love and Rockets (or as much as I can get my hands on).
20. Do some guerrilla art.
21. Make a list of my ten most influential / life-changing books.
22. Go to Portland.
23. Pie-baking with Karen!
24. Eat one of those Ninja Turtle ice cream pops. Mmmm, bubblegum eyes!
25. Make ceviche.
26. Play a game of Risk with B.
27. Wear glittery eyeliner.
28. Make one article of clothing.
29. See live music.
30. Listen to records more often.
31. See "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Music Box.
32. Try to grow a pumpkin…yet again.
33. Volunteer with E.
34. Make a flan.
36. Make a joint zine with la Jenna.
37. Juice cleanse!
38. Read the 50 best back to school articles. For real this time. One a week should work, right?
39. Watch the entire run of the new Degrassi.
40. Read one story from The Golden Book of 365 Stories every day. (In progress)
41. Send someone a pigeon post.
42. Table at the Chicago Zine Fest.
43.
44. Read A People's History of the United States.
45. Zine anthology!
46. Eat a Philly cheesesteak in Philly.
47. See Cy in Vegas.
48. Grow garlic.
49. Make an advent calendar.
50. Go skiing.
51. Give up sugar for a TBD amount of time.
52. Teach E to make coffee.
53. Read Pura Belpre winners.
54. Learn more about coffee (roasting, drinks, etc.)
55. Finish a draft of my book.
56. Submit writing for publication.
57. Send out holiday cards.
58. Record mom talking about her life.
59. Speak Spanish to E.
60. Complete at least one zine.
61. Catch up on photo ordering. Snore.
62. Bake bread again.
63. Switch up photos currently on display.
64. Start an art journal. Be better about taking my time and being more patient when drawing.
65. Take the Empire Builder west.
66. Write thank you notes.
67. Sit outside more (as much as I feel indifferent about the outdoors).
68. Read Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea books.
69. Make a lechon for noche buena.
70. Get a new winter coat.
71. Write or draw at some point each week.
72. Make birthday cascarones for someone! Maybe you?
73. Get rid of clutter (ongoing).
74. Watch the entire "Twin Peaks" series again.
75. Discover one new musician / band.
76. Read the Mexican "Vogue" special issue on Frida Kahlo en Español.
77. Go dancing. Somewhere! Anywhere!
78.
79. Read more fairy tales.
80. More letters and postcards out into the world. Who wants mail?
81. Light a candle on the feast day of la Caridad del Cobre. (September 8)
82. One work week: no headphones on the train.
83. Eat a burger at Kuma's Corner.
84. Do something with my TIAA-CREF account already.
85. Read a George Saunders book. All the cool kids are doing it.
86. Make tamales.
87. Stockings and / or handmade gifts for Christmas (except maybe E).
88. Watch two classic films. What do you recommend?
89. Go to the top of the Sears Tower.
90. Visit Vivi's treehouse!
91. Set up a lemonade stand with E.
92. Read books from the Mexican American Studies Department's (Tucson Unified School District) reading list.
93. Get a massage.
94. More love, compassion and gratitude toward others.
95. Light fireworks!
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.

Happy new year!