Adding to the List

Be in a Flash Mob!  How fun would that be!
This made me think of it!  How does one go about finding where Flash Mobs are going to be located? hummmm  well Google came up with a few options and I am on the list to participate now!  Bring on another first! =] (How cool would this be... flash mob for a special 10 yr old... http://www.flashmobamerica.com/videos/) :)

Paddle Boarding A First! =]

  I actually felt guilty doing trying paddle boarding Weds, and not waiting until Oct.  In the end, it was just too tempting to pass up the opportunity.  Perfect weather, location and company.  Sarasota, FL.  Fabulous place and The sunsets were amazing every night! #paddleboarding  #fblink

Outlander Sweepstakes

I figure I have nothing to lose by trying and that would definitely be a 'first'!! haha  Plus phew 

Sam Heughan who plays Jamie 
 is a cutie... #goingtoscotland 

http://sweepspage.com/entryform.aspx

Living Fully

The idea of living life fully is extremely personal.  I read a book by His Eminence Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche which, " reveals timeless wisdom that can help us fulfill this deepest aspiration. Each succinct teaching is a luminous jewel, an invaluable guide to actualizing our innate potential and breathing with joy and ease."   Interesting but it didnt touch me the way I had hoped.  This website however, livinglifefully.com did.  It is full of quotations and biographical information from impressive people.  People like the Dalai Lama, Anne Frank, Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou and even Andy Rooney. People from different walks of life with some solid advice and thoughts.

"The worst curse to befall anyone is stagnation, a banal existence,

the quiet desperation that comes out of a need for conformity. "Deepak Chopra


"Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have
no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively;unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence." &

"In the long run we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. 
The process never ends until we die.And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." Eleanor Roosevelt

I understand that the journey I am embarking on is selfish. ' I ' centric and all that.  The thing is, its my life and from what I know, I only get one go around.  I can wait around for something to happen or I can move forth and conquer. I have a need to see the world, do as many things as I am able and touch as many lives as I can.  Not everyone has this burning need that I do but that doesn't make it wrong.  It's just different.  Or maybe its not even all that different... I am just talking about it. 

Comfortable Routine vs New, Fresh Stimulating

I found this interview with Judith Sills, Ph.d.  
She’s a contributor on the Today Show, she writes a column for “Psychology Today” and she’s written six books, (one of them a New York Times best seller).  

She speaks about the importance of doing new things when you aren't satisfied with the comfortable routine.  Sills suggests there is an invisible anxiety that you have to push through to branch out of your comfortable routine.  The way to make it happen is by having a schedule (list of firsts- big or small) and a set of action steps (what exactly you will do and when it will happen).  

Another interesting point she makes is that its fine to have other people motivate or participate with you but there is real value in finding the energy within yourself to take that first step.

Cat's Out of the Bag

Well I officially told some friends today about my wanting to do at least one new thing (a first for me) every week for a year.  They were really receptive.  I got some suggestions like Attend Fashion Week in NYC (one girl is somehow affiliated and can get us in) go to a strip club, sky diving, repelling from a mountain and even flashing my boobs at Mardi Gras haha.  I even had someone tell me they would go do the Polar Bear Plunge 1/1/15 with me when I mentioned it!

I have been actively searching what ideas other people have and its helpful, but what I am quickly realizing is that its a really personal list.  Not only because some people have done things already and others havent, but because people have access to opportunities that others dont, people have interests others dont and some things are time sensitive.  In any event I am on my way.  I have an ongoing Word Doc with some ideas I like as well as some sites bookmarked for later review.   I just cant chicken out! =/

I think once I get an actual list taking shape I will post the link to this Blog onto my Facebook page and give it to some other people I know might be interested in reading.

I feel the Wheels Beginning to Turn!

With a big birthday in 53 days I am sick and tired of feeling sorry for myself and am determined to get unstuck. 

I have been dreading this for years.  I joke that I have been 39 a lotta years but its about time I own up to my age.  Not that I wont fight to feel and look as young as possible, more that I should be proud of all I have achieved and done in my lifetime. 

I bought Lu Ann Cahn's book I Dare Me yesterday. Its my jumping off point. 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an Adventure Junkie.  I guess dopamine is my drug of choice! (with vodka a close second! haha)

So my current plan is to research ideas of things to do throughout the year.  I would like to do one or more a week.  Some big, some small but all things that I havent done before.  I want to make it happen so I need to set myself up for success and have ideas on hand as well as a blog established to give me the motivation to keep going throughout the year!  

I am actually excited about my next year!  First time in a long time that has happened! #dopaminefromfirsts

Ice Bucket Challenge Nears $80million Mark

Ice Bucket Challenge Nears $80million Mark... what a brilliant idea this was! Fun and for a good cause! So sad that the co-founder died recently. (Not too much hype about his death though which I think is interesting...)

Some of my favorites:


( http://time.com/3173833/als-ice-bucket-challenge-fundraising-total/)

1. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204557556041678

2. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=621053234660513

3. http://jezebel.com/toddler-surprised-by-ice-bucket-challenge-swears-harder-1627082305?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

I truly believe that.  

When I am down, I can sleep, drink or do drugs to numb things but some time with my friends/family is usually better than anything.  When I am not confident, its comments from others that hold my insecurities at bay.  I am sure that there is a counter to that... about some hurtful comment or conversation, but luckily I think that most of us live in a kind world where people good hearted.  

I Blinked and its Already August!

How in the world did that happen?

So on my quest to make Oct 2014 as easy to handle as possible,
I worked on my body, my health (sorta) and planned fun events to take away from the fact that I am turning the ripe old age of 39 again (though personal documents keep reminding me its a another decade change...)

I have a girls trip planned to Puerto Rico to celebrate and will be in LA for Halloween I think. (Oh and btw China never happened =/ I did get to England with 2 of my kids for their Uni spring break though and found out that my "unlocked" iphone wasnt unlocked )

So I am physically looking ok but I am mentally feeling horrible.  I am "a hot mess" as they say...  The 10th yr anniversary of losing my Mom, Brother and Father in law just passed and no one remembered but me. The day before yesterday Robin Williams the actor/comedian killed himself after battling depression and addiction.  =[

I read this blog about Robin and depression that resonated with me.  http://thedailybanter.com/2014/08/live-depression-understand-robin-williams-took-life/  Its the ying and yang... and the fact that most people with addiction issues feel too much... I get that. =[

Ok so enough with that.  I will end the post with a funny video of someone cell phone crashing =].  http://blog.petflow.com/cell-phone-crashing-airport/?utm_content=buffer3adc4&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_source=sungazing&utm_campaign=PFPost

China

Turns out I am invited to travel along on a business trip to China in 2 weeks!  Yes, unless it falls apart for other reasons, I have 2 weeks to plan, get a visa, anddddddd host 18 for Thanksgiving the weekend I leave! EEK!

The issue is that I will have to travel on my own for a good portion of this or not see all that I want to see while there!  I choose the first option and will have to do a lot of research on how to do that safely!  Stay in safe places and take tours instead of doing things on my own I think.

Beijing, Xian are really my top 2. I havent been in Hong Kong since it was part of the UK... so I would love to go there.  Tibit and the Sichuan areas would be sooooooo cool (and ironically probably literally so in Dec! lol).  Tripadvisor.com here I come!  I need cheap air carriers (do they have the equivalent of Ryan Air or Easy Jet?)  Better to fly into HK or Beijing? All sorts of decisions to make! =] Not that I am complaining!

New Iphone 5S in,Old Iphone 4 Unlocked!

For traveling internationally, having an unlocked phone is priceless! I just upgraded to the Iphone 5S and was told that ATT will unlock phones that have completed their contract with them for free!
In the USA you call 1800-335-4685.  Speak with a human and they will look up your account to see if you meet the criteria.  They help you find your IMEI #, (its under General in Settings) text you a web address and have you process it there.  I instantly got an email back giving me directions (see below).  Here is the important thing. I had a Iphone 4 and didnt want to do the ISO7 update which would make my phone really really slow but upon trying to 'restore' as directed, it makes you do both. I didnt restore and it turns out my phone is unlocked anyway!!!!!  Found this site to verify the status for free http://www.wikihow.com/Check-if-Your-iPhone-Is-Unlocked.  Not traveling for 2 weeks but I will try it out then and give you an update!!

Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 8:14 AM
Subject: ATT MOBILE DEVICE UNLOCK REQUEST RECEIVED

Request number: 639487

Thank you for contacting AT&T Customer Care about unlocking your AT&T Mobile device.

We have reviewed your request and confirmed that the device may be unlocked.

Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process.

To complete the unlock, simply

1. Open iTunes on your Mac or PC and verify that you have Internet connectivity.

2. Ensure a SIM card is inserted into your iPhone.

3. Connect your iPhone using the dock connector to USB cable that came with your iPhone.

4. Backup and restore your iPhone using iTunes. For information on backup and restore, please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414.

5. After restoring, your iPhone will be unlocked.

Additional information on unlocking can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3198

For questions regarding AT&T Mobile device, please visit the Phone/Device Learning Center.

Thank you for your business. For other questions about our AT&T wireless service or other Mobile devices, please visit att.com.

Sincerely, 
AT&T Customer Care Team 

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE
All replies are automatically deleted.