My sister, Kelly, has started an inspiring challenge to keep herself motivated and cheer on others as well.  In support, I’ve decided to come up with a few challenges of my own for #project30days.  If you’d like to read her original post, it’s here.

In April, I will strive to

• call or text my mom every day
• wake up at 6:30 a.m. each weekday
• go an entire day without using the word, “like” and
• give up Facebook (for 30 days).

The reasons behind these are pretty simple.  First, my mom wants me to talk to her more.  I often get busy and forget there are other people outside of my usual circle in town (coworkers and friends), who want to hear about my day and how I’m doing.  And sometimes, even if it feels like a bother, you should do things to make the people you love happy.

Second, I need to get to work earlier, because I get more done if I do.  Also, it means I can leave earlier and there are usually lots of other things to do after work, such as exercising, socializing, eating, etc.

Third, I would say most people of my generation find themselves overusing “like.”  I’m not sure how this came about, but this word creeps into my everyday vocabulary, and I cringe every time I use it, but sometimes I feel as though I can’t control it.  I really think my biggest problem is speaking too quickly, and trying to fill up every breath with something audible.  If I just slowed down a little, and became used to a little dead air, I think more useful and colorful words would fill up my conversations.

Last, I’m not going check Facebook for the entire month of April.  I can’t really explain why I log on so often, but sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by it.  It’s similar to using “like.”  I really don’t enjoy it all that much, but I don’t know how to get rid of it, other than stopping cold turkey.  I also feel I would enjoy more the people I’m with and the things I do if I wasn’t so preoccupied with posting something about it on Facebook.  Maybe, just maybe, I would have more engaging conversations if I didn’t take the time to “check in” everywhere I go (and then check to see who liked what and what comments people made).  And perhaps I would have more genuine smiles and laughs if I wasn’t so concerned about how the pictures will look when I’m tagged in them.  I know this all sounds silly, but it’s actually pretty serious, and I don’t think I’m the only one who deals with issues like this.

If you want to join in on #project30days, don’t hesitate to use the banner and post your comments, blog posts, etc. on Twitter and Instagram with #project30days.  Tweet-it/Instagram-it to @trimommykelly and @emmylou522 too!

I’m glad I went into this movie with an open mind, instead of expecting to “enjoy” it or something along those lines. While I can’t say I actually “enjoyed” it, I did sort of like it. The content of the story was tough. It’s not the typical storyline that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and if you saw my current DVD collection (When Harry Met Sally, Shrek, Anchorman, The Notebook, etc.) you would know I usually go for that sort of thing: funny and sweet. Despite the rough and tough shell of a powerful drug mogul and his flunkies, the movie reveals a delightful center of straight-up funny dialogue and incredibly normal characters.

One thing I did enjoy about the movie is that it’s different and breaks the mold of linear storytelling; it gives us a snapshot of a point in time and then tells a story in a circle so you end up completing the puzzle at the end. It goes against everything I was taught in my scriptwriting class in college. It doesn’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It doesn’t have a pinch. The characters don’t really grow or develop within themselves. But somehow, it works.

Another pro to the movie is the positive female/male relationships. There is a great deal of love among the pairs. I especially loved the French girl and Butch. They were sweet together, with just enough dysfunction (ok, a lot of dysfunction) to be realistic. Jules and Vincent’s relationship is another great aspect to the movie. I loved their conversations about miracles, Quarter Pounders, and filthy animals. That type of conversation is the kind you could catch me in with any of my friends.

I knew I had grasped the point of the movie when I laughed out loud as Vincent exclaimed, “Aww man! I just shot Marvin in the face!” I had made it past the harsh, gross aspects to comprehend what was under the surface.

So, there you go. Now I’ll get the joke whenever someone mentions how tasty that Kahuna burger is, and I’ll laugh if someone says, “Stay out of trouble, you crazy kids.”

Pulp Fiction: check.  Next up: Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones’ foot-tapping playfulness is thinly-veiled by a few hard times and just enough eccentricity to make it interesting. This music feels true to life: there is a roughness to it that makes me feel accepted, but also cheerful melodies and good tempos to make me believe everything will be ok. The Rolling Stones are the friends I’d like to take with me to the beach on a sunny day, playing hooky, in a top-down convertible with the wind blowing through my hair.

Led Zeppelin

Listening to Led Zeppelin gives me a healthy dose of anger, determination, and soulful creativity. It’s mostly cool and collected, but you can feel the angst under the surface.

Jimi Hendrix

I listen to this guy and can’t help thinking, “Damn Jimi, you were stoned when you performed this, but damn, Jimi, you’re awesome.” Seriously. His quirky lyrics and singing guitar make me imagine riding a unicorn in Pleasuretown. And it makes me want to eat pizza.

Any other suggestions?

The advice I got going into this movie was to imagine watching it at 10 years old. So, I channeled my 10-year-old self: the skinny, happy girl who carried her pink Barbie suitcase to sleepovers, played Skip It on the driveway, and rode a white Doodles bike with flowers painted on it.

You know what I think of it? It’s terrifying! The freezer scene and the creepy Fratellis would’ve scared me silly as a 10-year-old. Jeez, at 26 I was squirming and squealing at times.

Past the terror, the movie was delightful. It’s magical, whimsical, and downright funny. I also can’t be the only one who thinks this would be an awesome theme park ride. Wait, they don’t have one, do they?!

Lastly, if I were to have a “fantasy,” it might include being in a watery cave, a strand of pearls around my neck, and embraced in a passionate kiss. C’mon, you know you were thinking that, too.

The Goonies: check. Next up: Pulp Fiction.

So, I’ve decided to remedy this situation by immersing myself in the culture I missed out on. I would love your input. I was born in 1986. What movies are must sees? What music would it be a shame for me to never have heard? What TV shows should I watch? Help, people.

Here are a few starters I have come up with:

• Karate Kid
• The Rolling Stones
• Jimmy Buffet and
• The Goonies (to the guy I pinky-promised in the hotel lobby at 4 a.m. that one night, this one’s for you!).

Go ahead, give me your list. As I go through them, I will share my thoughts and reactions.

That’s Craig Alexander, one of the world’s top triathletes.

I know several people who are triathletes, and believe me when I tell you the longer you are around someone who races, the more you want to participate.  Just go to a few races as a spectator and you won’t be able to deny the thoughts of “I think I could do that” or “That could be fun.”

I’ll admit, I resisted for quite some time, but just recently have found a sincere urge to spice things up a little.  I’ve been running regularly for some time now, and since switching to Paleo a little over four months ago, I feel better than I have…ever.

If I can conquer swimming, I think I would be set to sign up for a sprint triathlon.  I’m thinking a sprint distance is all I’d ever be interested in, however.  I like it because it would bring a lot of variety to my life as far as training goes, but each sport’s distance is so reasonable and easy to work with my busy schedule.

My big question for any triathlon- or marathon- or workout-junkies is this: why the long-distance races?  What’s the point for doing an Olympic, half, full, etc.?  If a person is fit, strong, and healthy, does distance prove anything beyond that?  In fact, at many races, I’ve seen people crossing the finish line who are overweight and seem generally miserable.  Why do they do it, then?

My thoughts are, short distances seem like a better fit for me and my lifestyle, but I’d like to get some opinions from people who appreciate long distances.  Why do you choose them over short?  How do they improve your life?  If you were “selling” the idea to someone who was on the fence, what are the selling points?

Costume #1: Rocky Party

My friends and I decided to have a party where we dressed up like Rocky, watched all the Rocky movies, and ate lots of Rocky-like food. It was awesome.

Trying to look tough

5K #1: Mayfaire

This was a great race here in town. Even better, it started at 7 p.m.! How often do you get to race so late in the day? You can read more about the details of this 5K here.

Smiling at the start of the race

Costume #2: Luau

My girlfriends and I like theme parties, so next on our list was a luau. My friend Rosa has an awesome pool and hot tub, so we took advantage of the beautiful Florida weather on a hot summer day.

I should learn to hula dance

Costume #3: Rockabilly Party

My coworker Cynthia’s husband David turned 50, and he threw a blowout Rockabilly-themed birthday party. Awesome food, dancing, and music combined with adorable costumes made for a great night.

My favorite picture from the “photo booth”

Dancing candid

Costume #4: Halloween

After gentle prodding, I succumbed to the idea of spending the evening partying in Tampa for Halloween. Little did we know, it was “Guavaween,” which is basically a huge block party with Tampa socialites. We had great weather and it was really fun seeing all the creative costumes.

Dorothy, Rafael, and Cute Sailor

5K#2 and Costume #5: Reindeer Run

Despite getting up at 4:30 a.m. to drive to SeaWorld, this race was awesome. If you participated without wearing a costume, you would’ve felt out of place. The sound of Christmas music and jingle bells surrounded us as we trekked through the streets of SeaWorld. We are already thinking of costume ideas for next year’s race.

How often can you wear a tutu in public without getting stared at?

I was lazy about making goals at the beginning of last year, but I still managed to make quite a few changes.

• Probably the biggest change in my life this year came in September when I revolutionized my diet by turning back to Paleo. I wrote an entire post about it and it’s here. Besides meeting a special someone, eating Paleo-style has been the best decision I’ve made in a long time.
• I had an unspoken goal of reading one book each month and got to 10, so I feel like that’s pretty good. You can see the full list here.
• I ran my first and second 5K, and logged over 100 miles just in running alone this year. There have been ups and downs in my training and I’ve learned better ways to run, better ways to stretch, and everything in between.
• I traveled more than I thought I would at the beginning of this year. I visited Boston, Virginia, Connecticut, and Ohio.

Those were the highlights, but I know I’m forgetting things. Anyway. On to next year’s list.

Oh yeah! The Bucket List. My current list is below.

• white water rafting
• zip lining
• run a 5K
• be a model for a day
• take a bubble bath in a clawfoot tub
• eat caviar
• eat foie gras
• write a book
• write my initials in wet cement
• ride a gondola in Italy
• ride in a hot air balloon
• stand underneath a waterfall
• slow dance with someone I love

Before the whirlwind we call “Christmas” begins, I decided to reflect on this year. It’s always been something I like to do. I enjoy thinking on the things I did right, the things I did wrong, the good, the bad,…you get the idea.

1. You can run from crazy, even break up with it, but you can’t hide from it…unless you change your number.
2. There is no happiness guarantee with making more money. In fact, making more money might make you less happy.
3. Gluten is not my friend.
4. “It’s better to feel pain than nothing at all. The opposite of love’s indifference.” –The Lumineers
5. Make every effort to keep your family ties strong. When you’re old and need help, they might be the only ones by your side.
6. Sometimes “To be continued…” sucks, and it hurts, and it doesn’t seem worth it. BUT, you never know what the next season will bring. “To be continued…” is sometimes better than “The End.”
7. Forgiving and forgetting don’t always go hand in hand. Sometimes you can forgive but you just can’t forget. It won’t be the same as it was, and that’s ok.
8. The best thing that could ever happen to you might be right around the corner.
9. It is incredibly hard to find wet cement.
10. There is great joy in not caring so much about what others think. Taking time to be a little silly, appreciating small things, and sometimes acting like a kid softens the edges of this incredibly hard life.

In addition to a few things I’ve learned this year, here’s a quick recap of what I read. I just recently watched The Jane Austen Book Club and decided to read each of her’s in chronological order starting in January. Sense and Sensibility is next on the list!

1. Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly-Great fiction-like non-fiction. Does that make sense? I learned so much, but felt like I was reading a novel. 
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson-The book is better than the movie. Very dark and suspenseful
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins-It’s been years since I stayed up until midnight for nights in a row because I was so hooked on a story. This was my favorite of the series.
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins-Very interesting and I can’t wait to see the movie they make for this book. 
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins-One word: weird. It seemed like it dragged the story on a bit too long. This was my least favorite of the series.
6. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein-If you’re looking for a sweet, pick-me-up kind of book, this is the one for you. Also, I will never look at a dog the same way again.
7. A Painted House by John Grisham-I raided my dad’s bookshelf one day and this seemed interesting. It’s very different from most of Grisham’s novels. It was well written, but didn’t have enough of a “story” to make me feel complete at the end.
8. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham-Great short read, especially at this time of year.
9. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks-Lovely and romantic with lots of great quotes about life. Don’t bother with the movie, or at least read the book first. 
10. Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James-I admit it, I read it. All the hype drew me in. I’ll just say this: S&M isn’t for me, and it took me much longer to finish than Anastasia.

Well, I guess life got busy after that and I haven’t read anything since. Killing Kennedy is on my list for next year, along with the Austen novels. Coming soon are my goals for 2013…

For those who are unsure what Paleo-style eating is, you can check out the basics here.  There are a few different varieties of the diet, but the basic concepts are the same, so I’ve been using balance and good sense to figure out what works best for me.

So far, I think it’s wonderful.  My goal is not to lose weight, so after I lost a few pounds the first week, I had to adjust a little to get back on the maintaining train.  That means I simply had to incorporate more calories and fat.

The biggest reason I wanted to post about this is because I didn’t realize how generally-upset my stomach was until these past few weeks.  When eating lots of fruits and veggies, along with good fat and good meat, I never feel bloated, gassy, or nauseated.  It makes every morning more regular, too, if you know what I mean.  Also, cutting out refined and added sugar makes everything taste a little better, ironically.

If I had to rhyme how I feel, I would say I feel lighter and tighter.  In my old ways, I frequently would feel like I was carrying around a heavy lump in my stomach after a regular meal.  I would get heartburn and it seemed like it took me days to digest some of that stuff.  Now, I feel clean and light inside, like everything is working the way it should and moving around at the right pace.

I feel tighter in that I don’t feel bloated and pudgy.  I get excited for exercise because I know the results will shine through.

My oily skin hasn’t broken out in three weeks and my teeth look whiter.  I feel stronger and have more energy.  I’ve come to realize how much I was actually missing out on.

I’ll be honest and say it has taken a LOT of discipline and self control.  I’ve caved a few times.  The sugar cravings were the first hurdle, but that really wasn’t terrible; eating up in-season fruit really helped.  The biggest hurdle for me was resisting fried things.  The other day I wanted a doughnut so badly.  I was just craving some fried dough!

I have one “cheat night” a week.  I have dinner with a couple neighbors on Thursdays and rarely do our menus not include some pasta, tortillas, bread, and cheese of some kind.  Oh! I almost forgot to mention dessert.  We have some killer desserts.  Last night, for instance, we had ice cream sandwich cake: ice cream sandwiches covered with Cool Whip and sprinkled Butterfinger crumbs on top.  The single bite I had was divine.

However, since my neighbors now know about my new style of eating, I’m hoping we can incorporate more of the core Paleo values as the weeks go on.  I know it might not happen right away, and I’m ok with that.  Having great friends to laugh with is definitely worth it.

I thought this would fit well on my bucket list blog, not only because I mentioned it in this post, but because my whole idea behind eating Paleo-style is to be the healthiest, happiest version of myself, and that version of myself is destined to check everything off the list.  So often I hear the phrase, “Go with your gut,” and I’m telling you, my Paleo-style gut is happy!  Who can argue that?!

It might not work for everyone, and there are areas where I’ve found I need a little give-and-take, like having a piece of dark chocolate every now and then.  J  In our modern world, it’s hard to eat “perfectly,” but setting high goals at least gets you somewhere.  If you’ve considered taking the next step in your diet, maybe this post is for you.  Maybe it’s something you could try and end up enjoying as much as I do.

Yesterday, May 12, 2012 I ran in my first 5K race, the 33rd annual Midflorida Mayfaire. I have not been running regularly for very long; I practiced the 5K distance for a few weeks preceding this race. My goal was to come in under 30 minutes, and I did! My official race time was 29:24, which put me at 29th place out of 73 other girls in my age group. I ended up being in 502nd place out of a total of about 1,500 participants. Don’t worry, I already patted my back.

Overall, the race was good! It started at 7 p.m., which turns out to be a nice time for me. I was able to sleep in, do some yoga, eat a decent lunch, and have a generally lazy, relaxing day up to that point. That’s just the way I like it.

I felt the course was good for a beginner, but the hill at the end was pretty tough. It’s amazing how steep the streets feel when you’re running them as opposed to pressing the gas pedal in your car. The last hill was at the very end of the course, right when my energy was waning and my lungs were struggling to find enough oxygen amid the humidity. But, alas!  I ran like the Little Engine that Could and crossed the finish line.

My friend Mary was committed to run alongside me for my first race, and she kept me so motivated!

Pre-race: That’s me, Adam, and Mary. This was Adam’s and my first race.

Moments before I crossed the finish line

After the race, there were all sort of festivities, the best being fireworks. We all found a peaceful spot to sit along the edge of Lake Mirror, with an awesome view of the fireworks. We “oohed” and “ahhed” abundantly then shared some delicious pizza. It was the perfect end to a rewarding day.

Maybe I’ll stick with this running thing for a while.