(101/1001)

Last week a sorority sister told me about a challenge she gave herself almost three years ago: 101 goals to complete in 1001 days.  I was immediately fascinated by this idea and started writing down my own goals.  Once I had a few of my own, I went onto my friends blog (http://lostdrgnfly.wordpress.com/101in1001/) and looked through her goals.  I will admit I stole some of her ideas.  Now that I had my 101 goals, I decided to look up the date in 1001 days.  July 10, 2016.  MAJOR PANIC ATTACK!!!  In 1001 days I will be 29 years and 7 days old.  It's not that I am scared of getting older, it's just the idea that so much is going to be different in 1001 days.  Who knows where I am going to be physically and mentally in my life.  I tossed and turned all night thinking I needed more life changing goals.  Thankfully when I woke up the next morning relaxed and confident with what I wrote.  On July 10, 2016, I will (hopefully) have a better grip on life, of who I am and what my passions are.  I've reread my list dozens of times getting excited to attempt to complete each goal.  I am also excited about the stories I will have.  Here is to the next 1001 days:  I hope every single day is filled with excitement, laughter, love and courage to be the person I am going to be in 1001 days.

For inner peace:

1. Take a week off from Facebook (0/7)
2. Write a letter to myself on day one that I will read on day 1001
3. Watch a sunrise (0/1)
4. Identify 25 things that I like about myself (0/25)
5. Write down 5 good things a day for a month (0/31)
6. Observe Shabbat once every three months (0/10)
7. Blog twice a month (0/66)
8. Put my clothes away immediately after wearing/washing every day for a month (0/31)
9. Clean out my car once per week (0/143) 

For my body:

1. Get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night 2 weeks in a row (0/14)
2. Wear makeup every day for a week (0/7)
3. Wear jewelry every day for a week (0/7)
4. Go on a bike ride (on my own bike) 
5. Go to a yoga retreat
6. Go to the gym at least 3 days a week for 2 months (0/24)
7. Go running 3 times a week for a month (0/12)
8. Try a spinning class (0/1)

For my entertainment:

1. Go on a hot air balloon ride
2. Go skydiving
3. Build a sand castle
4. Build a snowman
5. Go to 25 concerts (0/25)
6. Watch 25 new movies that are recommended to me (0/25)
7. Go to the opera 
8. Go to a psychic
9. Find one new town to explore every month (0/33)
10. Host 3 dinner parties (0/3)
11. Visit a museum once a month (0/33)

For my travel obsession:

1. Go to Disney World
2. Go on an African Safari 
3. Attend the 2015 World Fair in Milan
4. Revisit Costa Rica
5. Take a road trip somewhere
6. Visit one new state a year (0/3)

For my inner explorer:

1. Spend a day at the beach
2. Learn Hebrew
3. Go on a weekend hiking trip
4. Scrapbook my travel experiences 
5. Attend one sorority alumnae event per month (0/16)
6. Visit at least one friend in a different state every six months (0/6)

For the left side of my brain:

1. Learn to drive a standard car
2. Sign up for different classes
3. Complete 1000 piece puzzles every three months (0/10)
4. Complete a book of crossword puzzles
5. Pick one persons blog and keep up with it

For the right side of my brain:

1. Participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
2. Read for 30 minutes a day everyday for a month (0/31)
3. Read 25 books that friends recommend (0/25)
4. Scrapbook my college experiences 
5. Scrapbook my post-college experiences 
6. Take an art class
7. Sign up for a dance class
8. Take a photography class
9. Take a photo of the same places every month for one year (0/12)
10. Take one photo and share it online everyday for a month (0/31)

For my future:

1. Join dictionary.com's word a day mailing list to increase vocabulary
2. Write down everything I spend money on for 1 month, then make cut backs.
3. No shopping for one month
4. Push myself to do something outside of my "comfort zone" once a month (0/33)
5. Pick a stock and invest in it
6. Live in another country for at least 6 months

For strangers:

1. For every goal I don't complete, donate $1 to charity
2. Host at least one charity event each month to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (0/33)
3. Volunteer or do charity work at least once a month (0/33)
4. Start a charity organization
5. Give a compliment to at least 3 strangers every day for a month (0/33)
6. Do something for a stranger at least once a week (0/143)
7. Join the postcrossing.com project and send at least 10 postcards (0/10)

For my tummy:

1. Try 101 new recipes (0/101)
2. Learn how to cook (including meat/chicken/fish)
3. Try 1 new baking recipe every other month (0/16)
4. Go to the farmers market
5. Try 25 new wines and rate them (0/25)
6. Try 25 new beers and rate them (0/25)
7. Learn to grill meat
8. Eat fruit every day for a week (0/7)
9. Attend a food festival 
10. Learn how to make sushi
11. Host or join a cooking club
12. Replace one meal a day with a salad for a month (0/31)
13. Take cooking classes
14. Eat breakfast every morning for one week straight (0/7)
15. Cook dinner once per week (0/143)

For my passion:

1. Create a Vision Board
2. Get certified as a travel agent
3. Get a job as a travel agent
4. Start my website
5. Blog about the people and places I love
6. Take journalism/writing classes
7. Find indie theaters in NYC and share them with friends
8. Go through all my stuff, and get rid of what I don't need.

For those I love:

1. Send birthday cards in the mail to 15 people (0/15)
2. Give 5 "I saw this and thought of you" gifts (0/5)
3. Send holiday cards
4. Go on a picnic
5. Send out thank-you notes in a timely fashion
6. Call one friend once a week via telephone or Skype (0/143)
7. Reconnect with 10 friends that I haven't spoken to in a long time (0/10)
8. Donate to 10 friends' charity walks
9. Inspire one friend a month to try something new (0/33)
10. Host a holiday meal (0/1)

Happy Spring =)

We just changed the clocks, and spring is only days away.  Time Out New York has put together their list of 101 things to do in spring.  Here are the few things that I have picked out.  For the complete list, visit: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/101-things-to-do-in-the-spring-in-new-york-city-2013.

Chow down at Smorgasburg

Feeling hungry?  On Saturdays you can visit Williamsburg's East River State Part and on Sunday Brooklyn Bridge Park (at Tobacco Warehouse) for different food stations.  Vendors come from all over to offer fresh farm foods.  There is also a bar within the market.  In May or June they will be expanding their beer selections.  For more info visit: smorgasburg.com. 

Picnic in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5

Brooklyn Bridge Park is finally up and running!  For the past few years I have walked over the Brooklyn Bridge seeing the empty land, wondering when they will do something with it.  Now there are wooden tables and 22 barbecue grils (no permits needed!).  There are also two tetherball poles.  So put on a bikini, grab a beach towel. food and something to hide your alcohol in!  It's time to tan while looking at the magnificent view of NYC.  

Mingle with mixologists at the The Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Interested in cocktails?  May 17- May 21 is the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.  The five days are filled with lectures, conferences, parties and bar crawls.  Tickets for events go on sale on March 15 at noon, so make sure to look at the schedule and see what you want to do!  Visit manhattancocktailclassic.com.  

See rock-star fashion at the Met’s “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”

Last year it was Alexander McQueen, this year it is PUNK.  The exhibit will examine rebellion meeting high fashion.  There will be about 100 designs on display, including artifacts from punk-rock scenes.  The exhibit will have pieces by more than 30 fashion designers, including John Galliano, Helmut Lang, and Gianni Versace.  Make sure to get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art between May 9-August 11.  

Stop and smell the cherry blossoms at Hanami

No need to go to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms.  Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see their 220 cherry trees.  The Garden offers tours on Wednesday at 1pm and Saturdays at 11am, or explore on your own!  Head over between March 20-April 20. 

Celebrate Grand Central's Centennial

Happy 100th birthday Grand Central!!!  At 11am and 2 pm from March 25-31, Heard-NY will be performing throughout the terminal.  There will be 60 dancers from the Ailey School dressed in tandem horse costumes.  They will sporadically come together to perform choreographed pieces accompanied by live harpists.  

Make a day of it in Beacon

Hop onto Metro-North and head to Beacon, New York--in Hudson Valley.  Take a day trip and start at Dia:Beacon.  It is a contemporary-modern art gallery built inside a former Nabisco factory.  You can also awlk along the river and find a restuarant.  Before heading back to the city, make sure you visit Hop- a high-class beer spot.  It has over 150 craft beers, and more on tap! 

See things another way at "Topsy-Turvy: A Camera Obscura Installation"

The new Madison Square Park public art is in!  From now until April 6 head into the darkened room and you will see the surrounding trees and building projected upside down.  

Go wild at Pillow Fight NYC

Saturday April 6 is New York City's annual pillow fight.  The location is still to be announced, but get your friends ready!!  Also, any pillows that survive the fight will be donated to homeless shelters.  Please do not bring feather-and down-stuffed pillows just to keep the mess to a minimum.  

Record Store Day

This year will be the sixth annual celebration of independent music shops.  On April 20 more than 25 vinyl stores across the city will be participating.  Check recordstoreday.com for info on specials and events.

Groove at a roller-skating jam on Saturdays (and Sundays)

I can't skate, but I sure do love watching those who can.  Starting in April, on Saturdays and Sundays you can find the Central Park Dance Skaters Association in the heart of the park.  Bring your own skates, or rent them (two hours- $15, four hours- $20, all day- $25).  There will be one section for those not-so-good skaters, and another section for people who actually know how to skate.  There will also be a DJ there.  

Give the gift of a good read for World Book Night

Last year, the city and the rest of the U.S. and U.K. celebrated World Book Night.  Volunteers signed up to hand out donated special editions of beloved novels to strangers who might not have access to literature.  This year on April 23, promote literacy by targeting a group of needy readers and sharing some great novels.  Visit worldbooknight.org to sign up.

Get a sneak peek at future movie hits at the Tribeca Film Festival

Who doesn't love to see movies before they are out in theaters?  This year is the 11th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival in NY.  Tickets go on sale April 15 for the general public.  Make sure to check out the website and see what's playing!   Visit: tribecafilm.com/festival for details.

Feeling Lucky in Unlucky '13

I am really excited to be ringing in 2013 in just 2 days.  2012 was an interesting year for me.  I was working in a job that was making me miserable; I went on more trips in twelve months than I could ever imagine; went to more concerts than I have in my entire life; met a bunch of celebrities; and I made some of the best friends a girl could ask for.  This past year really opened up my eyes to what is right in front of me.  

A few weeks ago I saw this picture on Facebook: I absolutely love the idea of having an empty jar and filling it with notes about good things that happen. I am excited to try it out in a few days.  However, I am going to change the rules a little bit.  I am not going to put a little note in the jar when only something good happens, I am going to write a little note every day.  This way I will force myself to come up with something, anything, that put a smile on my face.  it could be something funny that the girls I babysit say; a show that made me really happy; a text message from a friend that really made me LOL for a long time.  At night I might be able to fall asleep easier if I think about the good things that happened during the day, rather than worrying about what needs to get done the next day.  

My jar will be public on Facebook.  If you want to keep track of my jar, click here and "Like" my page.  You can also leave posts about what happened to you that made your day so awesome!  I love hearing stories from anyone and everyone!  

My 2012 Jar (starting from January):

• I was caught while doing trapeze. (January)
• I went to visit a best friend in Chicago (February)
• Had a really awesome time celebrating St. Patrick's day (March)
• Went to Costa Rica, and had the trip of a life-time (April)
• Helped work the Met Ball.  Went to Nashville and fell in love with country music, cowboy boots and cowgirl hats (May)
• Went to Vegas for a bachelorette party.  Celebrated a bridal shower for an amazing friend.  Finished teaching. (June)
• Saw movies in Bryant Park.  Celebrated my 25th birthday. Celebrated my sister/cousin's wedding.  (July)
• Celebrated the wedding of two very good friends. (August)
• Started a new season of kickball, and made great friends.  (September)
• Went pumpkin picking.  Survived Sandy.  (October)
• Visited Jeremy in Spain and went to Amsterdam.  (November)
• Jeremy came home from Spain.  Celebrated SantaCon.  Reconnected with friend's I haven't spoken to in a long time.  (December)

Winter Fun!

Please don't hate me for what I'm about to say: I dislike the Time Out New York magazines.  There is just too much information and writing in each weeks' edition.  I never know where to start.  However, I do love the emails that TONY sends me.  They are full of information, and everything is easier to find.  Below is my winter bucket list thanks to Time Out New York.  For the full list, click here.  

Head to Chinatown for their New Year- On Feb. 12 join up to 200,000 people come together to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony.  They will be ringing in the year of the Snake.  They will have dancing troupes and Pan-Asian food booths.  Also, the firecrackers are supposed to drive away evil spirits, which we all need!

Freeze Tag on Wall Street- Every weekend I play kickball, so it makes sense that I would want to join in on a really big game of freeze tag.  On Sunday, January 22 there is a large game of freeze tag down in Wall Street.  Meet at Wall Street at Broad Street for the fun!  If interested, send me a message, and I will let you know about what time it starts!

Light Show in Madison Square Park- This winter, until Feb. 1, the art piece called "Buckyball" is being showcased in Madison Square Park.  It is a pair of illuminated geodesic spheres, one inside the other.  The sculpture is 20 feet in diameter and composed of multicolored LED tubes that put on a changing light show.  Sit back in the wooden zero-gravity chairs surrounding the sculpture.  

Pop Art Scavenger Hunt on the High Line- The High Line has joined with the Whitney Museum to celebrate the artwork of Richard Artschwager.  Until Feb. 3 the High Line, down by the Gansevoort, has 9 pill-shaped works along and around the park.  The artist began putting up his artwork in the late '60s, hoping to draw the viewers attention to unnoticed spaces.

Flavored Cocoa's at City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival- Anyone else a really big fan of hot chocolate?  Especially with whipped cream on top?  During the month of February at City Bakery (3 W. 18th Street btwn Fifth and Sixth) the owner Maury Rubin will serve a different flavor of cocoa every day of the month.  Click here to see their flavors from February 2012.   Check back after January 18 for the 2013 list!  Also on January 31, they will be having an opening-night party.  

Restaurant Week- From January 14 to February 8, New York City will be hosting Restaurant week.  Dinners are $38 and lunches are $25.  Each person gets an appetizer, main course and dessert.  Check online after the new years to see what restaurants will be participating, or visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek to sign up for a notification when the list is posted.  Hope you all have great meals!

Fondue Night at Trestle on Tenth- For you cheese enthusiasts, from Dec. 30-Feb. 24, on Sundays, you can pay $25 per person and have a fondue night.  Order Emmentaler, Gruyere and Vacherin cheeses with a crusty baguette and some dried meat and steamed potatoes for dipping.  Perfect girls night out in the middle of winter!  Trestle on Tenth is located at 242 Tenth Ave at 24th Street.

Polar Bear Dip at Coney Island- Are you brave enough for the Polar Bear dip in Coney Island?  I am not, but I have always been fascinated by the people who are able to jump into that freezing cold water!  On Jan. 3 at Coney Island Beach, thousands of people will be participating in the dip.  You can go and cheer those brave people on.  If you do not have time, you can donate money for Camp Sunshine, a charity that supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.  Visit http://www.crowdrise.com/coneyislandpolardip to donate.  You can donate in general, or look for a fun team name, and donate to them! Oh, and if you do participate, please take pictures!!!

Vintage Photos of NYC Landmarks- I really love history, and I really love New York City.  The New York Historical Society and the Landmarks Preservation Commission are exhibiting 90 pictures of the city's most impressive edifices and explains how they fit into the larger story of New York.  Make sure to go before Sun. Feb. 17 located at 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Streets. 

Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery- Hauser & Worth are opening a new art gallery at 511 W. 18th Street between 10th and 11th Streets.  The new gallery now takes up a 24,700-square-foot-space.  The artwork is very unique, and will soon be a must-visit stop for everyone.  The gallery opens Jan. 25.  

No Pants Subway Ride- On Sunday, January 13, the twelfth annual No Pants Subway Ride will happen.  It started out as a playful prank, and just continued as a tradition.  It will be fun to see which guys are "manly" enough to ride the subway with no pants on!

Seal Spotting- Did you know there are seals in New York?!  I did NOT!  Apparently from December to March the seals swim their way down from Maine to spend the winter in "warmer" waters.  They hang out by local beaches such as Orchard Beach in the Bronx, during low tide.  

"Inventing Abstraction 1910-1925"- The MoMA is hosting an exhibit about the development of abstract art.  The exhibit goes until Monday April 15.  If you don't want to pay all the money to get in, visit on Friday evenings after 4 pm to get in for free.  But get there early, lines tend to be long!

Chili Fest-Those of you who enjoy Chili will be happy to know that on Jan. 20 a chili fest will be held at Chelsea Market.  Competitors from over 20 local restaurants will battle each other to serve the perfect meat-based chili.  They will also be serving Sam Adams beers and live country music.  Times have not been announced yet.

Gingerbread Extravaganza- Visit Le Parker Meridien for their annual display of Gingerbread houses.  Local bakeries and restaurants designed gingerbread houses to benefit City Harvest.   Stop by the concierge desk to buy a $1 ballot and you can cast a vote for your favorite house.  Make sure to stop by before January 3!

Beer Week- I am pretty excited to learn about beer week.  This year holds the fifth annual beer celebration.  Beer week goes from Feb 22 to March 3rd.  There will be over 300 events in 150 venues.  Events should be announced soon, so check at nycbrewersguild.com  to stay up to date!

Central Park Zoo- When was the last time you went to the Central Park Zoo (and seeing Madagascar does not count!)?  During the winter, the Central Park Zoo has a Tropic Zone.  The tropic zone is a balmy, rainforest-like environment.  There is a raised platform that you can walk on and look down at the floor-dwelling mammals like deer, and look up to see their tropical bird collection.  There are also tamandua and sloths hiding in the trees.

First Time Jokes- Each year in early January, John F. O'Donnell invites his favorite comics to show of their first new joke of the year.  On Friday. Jan. 4 you can join in the laughs (or lack there of) at The Bell House.  Go to http://www.timeout.com/newyork/comedy/50-first-jokes to get tickets in advance.  

Truly Thankful

Thanksgiving, as well as many other holidays, is a time to reflect on your life, and appreciate all that you have.  This is something that is usually very hard for us to do.  Many have grown up in houses with loving parents  siblings and pets.  A lot of you have wonderful significant others.  We have good jobs.  We have never been in need anything like food, shelter or clothing.  These are all things that we have taken for granted while growing up.  In the aftermath of Sandy it is much easier to be appreciative and thankful for everything that we have.

When Sandy hit, my house lost power for 7 days.  I am so thankful that we only lost power.  I couldn't believe people were on Facebook complaining that they did not have electricity, internet, or cable when there were, and still are, so many people that have lost their houses and family members.  Hurricane Sandy put a lot of things in perspective for me.  Not going to lie, it was difficult living in a house with no lights or heat.  I was constantly worrying about my dog becoming too cold, or someone breaking into my house because it was so dark.  All of our food spoiled, and we couldn't even go out and buy more because there was no where to store it.  I wasn't able to do laundry.  I couldn't figure out outfits because it was too dark to see in my closet.  I had to throw on layers when I went to sleep in order to stop shivering.  Thankfully I had friends who did not lose power, and invited me over to recharge (mentally and electronically), eat, stay warm.  I am very happy to have you ladies in my life.

But I only had to live this way for 7 days.  There are so many people in America who live worse than this every single day of the year.  I find it very interesting how after a big natural disaster, people come together and help one another.  So many donated food, clothing, blankets and money to those who have lost things during Sandy, but once the hype calms down, people aren't as generous.  

One of my new years resolutions for 2013 will be to volunteer at least one day a month.  A program called "New York Cares" (http://www.newyorkcares.org/volunteer/volunteer_opportunities/) has a lot of different options to help those in need.  I am eager to get started, and would love friends to participate with me.  Please let me know if you are interested!

By the way, in case you were wondering, here is what I am thankful for this year: mom.  dad.  jeremy.  pudge.  having a house.  heat.  a laundry machine.  a refrigerator and freezer.  awesome friends who are always there for me.  electricity.  my iphone.  my computer.  memories.  a job I enjoy.  my TV & DVR.  freedom.  always having food in my kitchen.  all my readers.  my extended family.  books.  my parents jobs.  a full closet.  traveling.  happiness.