The Year of Yes

After re-writing my list of things I'd like to do this year, I realized that this adventure is quickly becoming like Jim Carrey's character in "The Yes Man."  And for the first time in my life...I can honestly say that I'm REALLY enjoying trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone!

To date...

• I've tried new foods---chayote, squid (no batter...just rice!), baby bok choy, leeks, AND more to come!
• Made the baby quilts---Jennifer and Courtney, with more babies on the way---which means more projects!
• Went to Build a Bear and created Herbie, the Love Bug
• Started volunteering---first event at Bee Cave, Dr. Seuss Party next weekend, volunteer orientation for reading at storytime with the Austin Public Library, and teaming up with a friend for Bake-A-Wish
• Made sushi at home---we think we have the whole zushi (sushi rice) figured out...and YES, it's crucial to the success or failure of the adventure!
• Climbed Enchanted Rock (kind of a big deal, as I'm scared of heights!)
• Took a women/handguns safety course!
• Took a Pilates Reformer class.
• Went to JuicyTart Yogurt, a DIY yogurt shop (this is big, because I've NEVER gotten to do this DURING contest prep!)

A few of the things on my list depend upon the season---kayaking, stand up paddleboard, sporting events---while others are projects that will take some time---training for a triathlon and marathon, reading and watching the entire Harry Potter series, container gardening, creating an Etsy store to sell crafts.

What's so exciting for me about this experience is sharing it with other people.  William has been working on his Ducati, and one of the items on my list is going for a motorcycle ride---I'm scared of motorcycles.  Others will involve projects and cooking experiments with friends or family. 

My dad and I spoke early on when I was thinking about doing this, and he reminded me not to get caught up in the number, and it's safe to say that I'm having so much fun branching out that I don't think I want this to have a hard stop at January 2012. 

As they say in Shawshank Redemption---"Get busy living, or get busy dying."  We all have choices, and I'm choosing to get everything I can out of life these days!