Fun Things We Did in January

January was fun. Want me to prove it? Here's what we did:

1. Dialog in the Dark - Amy scored some free tickets and invited me to "see" the exhibit with her. It was really cool. I'd definitely recommend it. Go ahead and purchase the combo tix and see Bodies too.

2. Celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday by visiting his childhood home and the King Center. Welcome to Atlanta.

3. Checked out the boat show just like we do every year, but with free tickets. Visited JOA. Was happy to be remembered as last year's Wakeboard for Life winner. Picked out my new ride. Let's just hope I can get the new boots on a little easier.

4. Watched some Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network. Paid closer attention when they said they were visiting a restaurant in the Atlanta area. Decided to check out they hype. Waited over 45 minutes to be seated (at a diner, remember). Was not overly impressed.

5. Enjoyed Stomp with the elderly (aka our fellow Fox Ushers).

Resolutions 2-4

I think one reason I've done so well on my New Year's Resolution #1 is that I've had accountability here on my blog. Since I never got around to blogging about the rest of my goals in January, I'll just list them quickly. It can't hurt, right?
2. Work out at least 3 times a week
3. Visit at least 2 foreign countries
4. Find a new job
Of course I have many others I could add, but these are the ones I REALLY want to achieve. I was doing really well with #2, until I lost my job. Then I was in "depression mode" for a week and did pretty much no physical activity (similiar to the activity I did in 2008 - no excuses, I'm just lazy). But I'm bouncing back this week and am trying to make up for lost time.
#3 was going to happen in August. I spent so much time over the last few months planning our 3 week trip to Europe to celebrate Mark graduating. Then I got laid off. But I can still dream, right?
#4 is the most pressing. As you've gathered by this point, I was laid off just over a week ago. I'm really not sad about losing my job, since I completely hated it. Just sad about the income. And the insurance. And the vacation that now can't happen. But I'm hoping something better is going to be found in the future. Hopefully, the very near future (or we may be moving into your basement).

Resolution #1 - Read 75 Books in 2009

Since I already read a lot, I could have made the goal to read more classics this year, or read more challenging books, or something like that. But let's be honest - I read for fun. Chick lit books are fun. So my goal is 75 books by the end of the year. I was gonna aim for 100, but then I realized that would be 8-9 books a month which might be a tad unrealistic. So I'll try for 75.
This morning, I was reading Natalie's blog and love her idea of keeping track of the books she's read on her blog sidebar. So I'm copying her, of course. Check out my sidebar list...don't judge, but feel free to recommend any of your favorites. And if you want to be my friend on Goodreads let me know.

Playing Catch Up

I've decided that, although I love reading other people's blogs, I'm not the best at updating mine. Oh well...you'll just have to settle for this. Of course December was crazy and busy for us, so here is a quick update of what we've been up to:
-December 12 - My birthday was great! We celebrated at Agave with a few friends and had a great time. I still can't believe I'm 29!
-December 16 - Had a Fraxel laser treatment to (hopefully!) help with the scars on my face. Spent the next week swollen and shiny. At least I'll know what I look like if I ever gain 100 pounds (the answer is NOT cute!)
-December 20 - Mark and I worked our first event at The Fox - The Nutcracker. We had a great time with all the retirees. Meanwhile, in Florida, my brother Matt and his fiancée Ashliegh welcomed their little man Mason to the world. (You can check out my sister's blog if you want the height/weight, etc.)
-December 23 (morning) - We got to visit with Emily and Ben. I can't wait until you guys move here!
-December 23 (afternoon) until the 26th - We spent a few days in Florida for Christmas. We pretty much did this......and hung out with these cuties...-December 30 - Mark's birthday was was pretty low-key. We celebrated with his family a few days after, with some sushi and fun.
-December 31 - I got my hair cut. Was asked by the stylist "How do you like being a redhead" and then 30 minutes later he launched into a 15 minute discussion about how (according to my roots) I am a natural blond. I like the haircut, but that guy was seriously a loon!
-January 3 - Had a fabulous time at Cirque du Soleil with Mark's family. And that brings us pretty much up to date. Mark is back in school. I'm working as always. Next post...resolutions?

Let the Celebration Begin!

Some people like to celebrate a birthDAY. I'm not one of those people. I like to celebrate for at least a week! So to start this week off right, we went to The High with Mark's family. If you haven't been to see the Terracotta Army yet, I would definitely recommend it. It is seriously fascinating learning about China's First Emperor and seeing statues from 200 BC! After the exhibit, we had a great lunch at Tap followed by some chocolate pie (Thanks Karla!). So far, 29 isn't looking that bad...

100 Things I've Done (Almost!)

Found this fun tag while blog-stalking today...thought it was pretty fun.
If you want to join in, just copy and paste the list below - put the ones YOU have done/experienced in bold.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band/orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Learned to play an instrument
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – SICK!
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

Tour of Turner Field

This is definitely belated, but a few weeks ago (ok...maybe more like a month ago) we had another super touristy day - just like I like! :) Mark's mission friend Adam was in town, so the 3 of us went on the tour of Turner Field (which I would recommend, for sure!), lunched at The Varsity, and then went on the tour of the CNN Center (you kinda need to do this once if you live here, but it's really not that cool - and they don't let you take ANY pictures!). The weather was amazing, and we really had a fun time.HaHa...tomahawk chop! Mark and Adam in the dugout