Number 19 and an Addendum to 26

Thing number 19 was to see an Opera. I went with Jenny, Pam, Amy, and Nicole to the Kennedy Center to see Turandot last month. The third act starts with Nessun Dorma, which was the reason we chose to see this opera. I enjoyed it very much.

Thing number 26 was originally to take part in the polar bear plunge. Due to some scheduling issues with school I wasn't able to make it out to the event. So I decided to change it to "ride a donkey up a mountain." This was something we decided to do while planning our shore excursions on our cruise in Greece. I really wanted to do it but I was a little nervous since I have a small fear of falling or vertigo or something (I don't mind being up high, just being close to the edge). Honestly is was an amazing experience, definitely a highlight of the trip. The donkeys zig-zag up a wide stone path, often getting close to the edge. This is all done without a guide, the donkeys just know where to go. About a quarter of the way up, I was no longer bothered by the fear and even thought I might try skydiving next. Ha. I don't know if I actually will (why jump out of a perfectly good airplane), but riding that donkey has been quite liberating. Thanks donkey!

Kat, me, Amy, and Jenny at the top after our ride.

Thing #4!

For this thing, I went to Greece with a few friends! We spent 8 glorious days traveling the country, visiting ruins, and sailing the Aegean Sea. We spent time in Athens, Delphi, Cape Sounion, and then the cruise took us to Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Crete, and Santorini. Santorini was hands-down my favorite part (when we got back, I even looked up how much it costs to get to Santorini - $2200 in case you're wondering by airplane). The whole trip was fantastic! I enjoyed all the places we went - Ancient Ephesus is a must, Mykonos is quaint. I now have a travel bug and am trying to decide where to go next. For more pictures, go here.

Kathleen, me, Jenny, and Amy in front of the Parthenon

the beautiful Aegean sea

me in Patmos

Jenny in Santorini

Several Things

So it's been a little while since I update, but I've been busy accomplishing things on my list.

Thing #17 - Sample a new ethnic food

Jenny, Amy and I went to Passport DC on May 2. Several of the embassies on Embassy Row in DC open their doors to anyone. Many of the embassies have food and music and display items from their countries. It's an amazing chance to see some beautiful places and things.

We went to several embassies including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan. We bought a plate of food at the Pakistani embassy, which was delicious. As for trying new food, we had a small plate of food at the Bangladeshi embassy. It was very good, similar in taste to Indian. Then at the Malaysian embassy we tried Air Batu Campur (ABC). They were selling it for a dollar. It means shaved ice. It contained shaved ice, red beans, corn, jelly, and cherry flavored syrup. I wish I could say I enjoyed it...

Thing #1 - Graduate from Library School!!!

I graduated from Catholic University's School of Library and Information Science on May 16. It was a great day (even with the 15 mins of rain during the ceremony) with friends and family. It hits me every once and a while that I'm finished.

Matt, Nicole, Ash, Jenny, Amy, Pam, Me, and Sara

Thing #2 - Read "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Somehow I missed this classic during my public education. I absolutely love this book. It is definitely in my top 5 favorites. I adore Atticus, and loved Scout and Jem and Dill. It was so easy to get lost in the story and the language.

There's a couple more...I'll write about them soon.

Thing Number 13...

Number 13 was to visit the National Arboretum. The arboretum makes you forget that you're in the middle of DC (and that the Anacostia is a dirty, dirty river). It was a fabulous day; sunny and warm. We visited the azaleas, the dogwoods, and the pillars from the original capitol building that burnt in 1814. There was so much that we didn't see, the park is huge. I love spring in DC!

PS. Thing number 1 is less than 3 weeks away!!! I passed my comprehensive exams and am just 1 final exam away fom completing my course work.

Thing #24

Last week I went with some friends to play laser tag. It was exactly what I expected it to be. There were so many people in the game, I'm not sure I actually shot anyone. But there we go...one more thing done. Sadly, we didn't take any pictures, but these kids pretty much sum it up:

The next 6 weeks or so should be much more exciting in accomplishing things on the list. I think there are at least 4 things that will get done in that time and some of them are BIG!

A mid semester update

So I've been slacking on my 27 things, but with good reason. I have comprehensive exams in less than two weeks, plus keeping up with the two classes I'm enrolled in. It has been a roller coaster of a semester. I'm pretty sure I'll make it through in one piece.

Although I have super motivation now - I just booked my trip to Greece! (#4 on the list.) I'll be going in May with my sister and a friend. The trip will allow us to spend a day on the Turkish coast as well!

I did go to a Vietnamese restaurant in February with a couple of friends (# 17 on the list). We decided this only half counted since I had previously had pho. I also need to revise the list since I missed the polar plunge. Any suggestions?

Thing Number 14

Number 14 on my list of 27 things was to see a show on Broadway. We decided to see Wicked. If you ever get the chance to see it, go. It was fabulous, wonderful, spectacular.

Amy, Pam, Jenny and I headed up for a weekend in NYC. It was freezing, but we had a great weekend seeing the Empire State Building, visiting the Met, and eating A LOT in Chinatown, Lindy's (the cafe in Guys and Dolls was modeled after it), and Serendipity.

outside the theater!

More pictures from the weekend can be seen here (along with a few others).

A Few of My 27 Things

It's off to a great start. I have to accomplish at least 2 a month if everything is to get done this year.

In December, my Dad got tickets to tour the U.S. Capitol. They just opened a new Visitor's Center. This is #8 on my list. I didn't get very many picture inside. It's a huge open space with lots of natural light and lots of great exhibits. It's worth the trip.

me and my parents

It also happened to be the day my family was celebrating my birthday, so after we went to a fabulous little Mexican place behind the Library of Congress. I took the family on a tour of the tunnels under the Capitol and the Library of Congress.

dad and me in the tunnels

In January, I started with #22 - Tour the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). They have a small museum collection and a bunch of rooms done up in different time periods. AND they have a library. It's in an old theater, so it's pretty unique.

outside the DAR building

the DAR library

Amy and Kathleen in the library

one of the rooms in the DAR building

27 Things for My 27th Year

So I've come up with a list of things to do this year that I've never done before. (I turned 27 on December 12th.) I will post updates as they are accomplished and pictures sometimes. If you'd like to join me in any of these things let me know. I have no set schedule for any of them (except numbers 1 and 16, and I guess number 16).

1. GRADUATE from Library School
2. Read “To Kill a Mockingbird”
3. Visit the Newseum
4. Take a trip somewhere I’ve never been before
5. Take a creative class (pottery, cooking, etc.)
6. Train for a half marathon
7. Read (or listen to) Anna Karenina
8. Visit the Capitol Visitor’s Center (Done)
9. Hike Old Rag
10. Whale Watch
11. See the Supreme Court in session
12. Pansy Skydiving (Vertical Wind Tunnel)
13. Go to the National Arboretum
14. See a show on Broadway
15. Take the water taxi to Georgetown
16. Attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
17. Sample a new ethnic food
18. Hike 3 miles on the Appalachian Trail
19. See an Opera
20. Visit the National Geographic Society
21. Go to Washington’s Grist Mill
22. Tour the DAR
23. Attend a professional soccer game
24. Play laser tag or paintball
25. Write a short story
26. Polar Bear Plunge
27. Is a secret

A little bit of catch up

My sister Jenny and I have been taking lots of pictures of the fun things we've been doing and we wanted to share them with you. The picture links will take you to Facebook photo albums.

In March, we went up to Maryland for the Maple Syrup Festival. We learned how trees are tapped and syrup is made. They served pancake breakfasts - probably the best we've ever had. It was in a state park called Cunningham Falls. There is indeed a waterfall at the park. It a small hike there. (The pictures also include Jenny's birthday bowling party.)

In March, I went to Canada for my dear friend Tanya's wedding. She got married in Lethbridge, a small town about an hour north of the U.S. border.

Last month, I went with a co-worker and some friends to the Virginia Gold Cup. It's a steeple chase out in a beautiful part of Virginia. It was a perfect day. It was lots of fun to dress up and be outside and people watch. The horses were pretty interesting too. You can see pictures here.

A few weeks ago, we headed to the outter banks of North Carolina for Memorial Day weekend. We stayed in a great house with 25 friends. It was a wonderful weekend of sun, sand, friends, and a visit to Kitty Hawk. Pictures can be seen here and here.

We've also gone to a few Nationals games, visited the new National Harbor, watched kites at the Kite Festival, done musems and concerts. There are always things to do in D.C. =)