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25 New Experiences Before 25 Years

So my wise and life loving Aunt Joanne told me in March of 2018 that she and my Aunt Judy were doing a bucket list type adventure where every main 5 years they were doing things they'd never done before. She was currently working on 65 new things before they turned 65! I love this idea because it doesn't have to be crazy things like skydiving, touching every continent, or swim with sharks...it could be! But it could be something little that you've always wanted to experience... so Marlae and I created our lists. I had 9 months to complete 25 new things.

1. Learn to drive a Manual
-Did this in Europe, a good mix of break downs, exhilaration when I knew what was happening, and some close calls with almost hitting pedestrians. I don't think I feel the urge to ever do it again, especially not in downtown Amsterdam. 

 2. Experience First Friday in Fort Collins
-Historic Downtown Fort Collins is home to a vibrant art community! Each month during First Friday Gallery Walk, 15 of Old Town’s finest galleries, museums, and art-minded shops stay open late for new showcases, interactive displays, and artist talks during this self-guided walking tour. 

 3. Do a solo backpacking trip
-Hiked up to Cirque Meadows and camping during the Perseid Meteor Shower. No, I saw zero meteors and am still unsure how that happened because it was a beautiful and clear night. 

 4. Hike a 14-er
-I thank my partner in crime, Marlae, for laughing with me up Mt. Bierstady

 5. Eat Escargot
-Again, Marlae is the best adventure buddy. Sitting below the Eiffel tower, 2 wine bottles in we explored the dirt garlic tasting gastropods. 

 6. Drive on the Autobahn
-**Learned how to drive stick shift on the autobahn** :)

 7. Summit an Alp Mountain
-Man this was one of the hardest hikes I've done, and so insanely beautiful. Chaco life, the only bear to exist in Swiss National Park, and literally crawling up the mountain by the end

 8. Learn to Play Chess
-The goal was not to become good at chess...

 9. Start an Herb Garden
-This did not go well at all...I had lemon grass, citronella, basil, and mint. They all died. I have now killed 3 basil plants, but I have oregano and sage growing curerntly and they are doing great

 10. Open my Own Geodes
-Ruined some socks while cracking open the rocks, but this was super cool!

 11. Start a Compost
-I kind of keep forgetting I have a bucket with like a year supply of compost... 

 12. Tye Dye
-Nope, I had never done any tye dying... but I chose my T-Rex t-shirt and tye dyed the shit out of it

 13. Go to the Colorado Sand Dunes
-Thank you Jacob for that adventure, and finding someone's iPhone buried in the sand

 14. Fly a Kite
-My parents say I've done this before, but I have zero recollection so I did it again and it felt like the first time :)

 15. Take a Krav Maga Class
-Twas cool, expensive to become an expert though...

 16. Perform a Poem in Front of People
-@Blue Door  on January 10th I stood up in front of probably 25 people and performed "The Architect", and even did it without alcohol! Shook the whole time, but felt extremely proud of myself

 17. Completed Whole 30, including 30 days without alcohol
-I'm pretty sure I haven't gone 30 days without alcohol in YEARS. This was hard, and also easier than I expected it was going to be. 

 18. Get Waxed
-Marlae and I agreed to not shave our legs from October to March and then got our legs waxed! Also don't think I need to do that one again..

 19. Buy Art off the Wall
-Blue Mug Coffee Shop in Greeley, CO I found a beautiful painting 

 20. Try Aerial Yoga
-Thank you Natalie for showing me this! The silks kind of smelled like sweaty balls, but it was a whole different way to move your body


21. Buy a Lotto Ticket
-Mormon childhood... I didn't win

 22. Take a Boxing Class
-ILoveKickboxing has some amazing classes, and if it weren't so expensive I'd totally be a full-time boxer

 23. Visit a Ghost Town
-this one has been on my list forever, and Marlae supported me in my trampezing to St.Elmo which was incredible and full of tons of humming birds 

 24. Touch 4 States At Once
-Four Corners: Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona

 25. Enter a New State
-New Mexico traveling :) 

We, probably, only have one life to live. And so many of us spend our time making lists in our head and hearts of things we hope to do before we die. Then we spend more time coming up with excuses to not do them; money, time, kids, etc. Yes, we have responsibilities if we want to be functioning adults, but also we owe ourselves, this world, and our loved ones our best selves. Experiencing new things, fighting back against fear, facing the unknown, coming alive! That's what we owe the world, is to be alive. Do the things, big or little, that you've always wanted to. Embrace the magnificence this world holds for us. There are so many options and opportunities out there to LIVE. 

Great Sand Dune burying done right :)

Who doesn't want to yodel on top of an Alp??

Gastropods

Mt. Bierstadt, first 14-er

Geodes!!

Me feeling all adult-like, buying art off the wall. But isn't that BEAUTIFUL?

My beautiful best friend in St. Elmo Ghost Town

Let's bend into four states..:)




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