SpoonFullofJelly

So many magazines and news articles have promoted what women should do by the age 30. One was to purchase something expensive for yourself. These vanity promoting magazines suggested thousand dollar purses, jewelry, and even cars. I flipped through as many magazines as possible trying to find something that I would want. I already have fancy, expensive purses from Coach, Dooney & Bourke, and Louis Vuitton that were gifts and hand-me-downs. I use them once in a while. I received my first diamond(s) at 16 years old. I don't even wear them and they have more sentimental value than the purses. I was lost on what I can purchase for myself that would be expensive, and worth it. I don't want to waste money on something that will sit in my closet. I didn't want to buy anything that would promote the wrong cause. (Many companies use child and slave labor to manufacture their products.) I was so confused on what to buy so I bought nothing. I let age 30 come and go and I never...

At first I wanted to title this post, "What I didn't Finish", but I don't want to convey that I actually started these tasks. I have failed to complete a few of my 30 While 30 tasks by the end of August. While I have completed so many tasks up until this point, I am slightly disappointed in myself. I played alot, forgot some and ignored a few. To be fair to myself, most of my short comings are no fault of my own. I planned it all out and gave it a good old fashion try and for some, I damn near killed myself to accomplish it. However, time has run out. I am now 31 years old! Task #1 Travel Abroad Again Mr. Mind and I were unable to book an international trip over the past 365 days. However we will be skipping across the water to the Caribbean in Feb. 2015! Task #15 Pass a Level of the Japanese Proficiency Test Two test dates came and went. I just simply did not register. I have not studied enough to justify taking the test. Hopefully I will gain enough knowledge ...

#19 Get in the BEST Shape of my Life I actually need to pat myself on the back. I lost 12 pounds over the past 6 months. You might not think that's alot, but I have gained nearly 15 pounds a year over the last 3 years. If I follow gluten free more often like my husband, I might have lost more. All I can say is Bagels and Rolls! Nonetheless, I'm proud that I've actually welcomed 31 years old weighing less than I did at 30. My eating habits have changed tremendously over the past year. I rarely eat potatoes because hubby can't eat them, and I have cut down on white rice and added brown rice. I continue to eat peppers despite hubby's allergy, and I managed to only buy single servings of ice cream at the shops rather than half gallons for the home. I'm proud of myself for drinking lots of water and tea through out the day. (I just need to work on doing it daily.) I am also proud of not snacking all day. That's hard to do when you work a stressful desk job. ...

#20- Stop biting and picking at my nails

#2- See the Pacific Ocean I was going through my 30 While 30 list, and I noticed that I nearly forgot about our travels to Costa Rica. That trip was our wonderful honeymoon. We spent 10 days basting in the sun and running in and out of the Pacific Ocean. The sun drenched sand was only a few short steps from our one bedroom suite. We went in May, the beginning of the off-season, and was among just a handful of people on the resort. Every time we went into town, we were with locals instead of other tourists. I loved that! We took a relaxing boat ride out in the bay and went snorkeling. I loved the snorkeling part of the trip as well as the seafood lunch, but I was quickly paralyzed by seasickness. The smallest rock in a boat and I'm hunched over trying to keep my head from spinning off. My new husband thought it was fun to snap a picture of me while I was waiting for the seasick pill to kick in. It's ok, but I got a picture of him scared to death to get in the water to snor...

#23- Go to a Concert and Scream like I'm 13 Mr. Mind is such a wonderful husband. He is always keeping the smallest details in the back of his mind. His company was giving away tickets to trumpest Mr. Chris Botti at the newly remodel Opera House. He took full advantage of it and we headed out for a night on the town. Mr. Botti began the night with one song before encouraing all the school aged children that play instruments to come and sit down in the front roll. He asked each one to name their instruments that they play and encouraged them to keep playing. I began planning the saxophone in 6th grade so I know how important it is to congratulate and encourage young people to continue on that path. Instrument planning never leaves you. I was delighted not only with the sounds of Mr. Botti, but by all the accompanying musicians. The drummer and base players were so talented and witty. They gave breath taking solos that were mesmerizing. The violinist played so beautifully, near...

#22 Completed- Have a Spa Day and Invite Someone Pain Goes Bye-bye Sometimes women just need a spa day. In my case, a back and leg massage day. Mr. Mind gave me a wonderful Christmas gift, two deep tissue and hot stone massages. It was a pleasure to lay back and let someone press and push out all the kinks. Not only am I stressed from my crazy job, but I also have pain in my legs. Once a month my left leg goes numb with pain as my sciatica throbs and stiffens. The only way I can sleep at night or walk during the day is to constantly take B-Complex or Folic Acid. Of course pain pills would help, but I rarely touch the stuff. The massage therapist took my sciatica problem into consideration as she began to work. She described how the sciatica vein begins in the buttock and runs down the back of both legs. When the vein is pressed on in the hip/buttock area, the sciatica swells and causes the stiffness and pain. She will analyze how I sit and get up and down from a sitting posit...

  Distraction I am half way through 30 years old with only half of my list completed. Winter crept in so beautifully then snatched every ounce of energy from me for months on end. I ran from the car to house just to advoid breathing too much frost ridden air. I've seen temps as low as -40F to as high as 45F in the last 3 months. Everyone around me has been sick with all the typical nasty winter colds. I had a cold for 1 week in early March and it wasn't too bad. Light at the End of the Tunnel Now that the layers of snow are peeling back like a sweet onion, I have noticed how many months I have left to complete 30 While 30. I have completed nearly 18 tasks so far. With another 12 left on the list, I am trying to make plans to get them done. I noticed that most of the tasks left require money of some sort. How did I manage to do all the free stuff first? Hummm, none-the-less, I must stay on task. Groupon just posted a discount tandem sky-dive adventure. Perhaps I should...

Being a professional requires that one stay abreast in their industry. It is advised that you know the latest changes in laws, software and practices. One blessing for not returning to my previous job was the ability to complete a week long course on the Project Management exam. I really enjoy leading projects and events and this internationally recognized exam will allow for me to obtain a better position doing exactly that. I complete a training course on Visio and Microsoft Project. These two software ease the functions of project management. It is also great to use when managing nonprofit projects and large projects with schools and churches. It allows for you to visually identify what needs to be done, who is doing and if you are on schedule. I love that it plans out the budget for the project and allows for you to present information according to the needs of the audience. I will combine this certification and my degrees in a job one day. My eyes are open and I have been search...

If you are unfamiliar with the concept please check out the movie: The concept has grown and people world wide are trying to make a difference in other's lives. My Small Pay-it-Forwards: Held a Shoe Stuffing Party for  Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child  (11/2012)     Second Shoe Stuffing Party is 11/9/2013 Packed Food at  Feed My Starving Children  (12/2012) I wanted something that would make a difference. I didn't want to count the number of times I've let people go before me in line. I don't mind completing the most common act of paying for the food of someone behind me in the drive through. But then I thought, 'perhaps that might have made someone else's day'. I want to do more than make someone's day. I want to make a impact, life changing, emotional, heart uplifting impact. My Large Pay-it-Forward: Then I thought about the community garden that my church has been putting together. We are preparing a plot of land for people t...

#29 Wear Contacts at Least 50% of the Time Anyone that knows me knows that I wear glasses all the time. I got my first pair of glasses around the age 5. I started off wearing them to read, then during the day and now I can't see without them. To prevent hurting myself in the blurry world around me, I wore glasses everyday. I had to suffer with every nickname and tease about glasses. Bring them on because I've heard them all. Around 1998, in high school, I received my first pair of contacts. They were thick and I felt them every-single-time-I-blinked! I just worn them to hang out with friends but my BFF kindly told me that I'm walking about with my eyes wide open like a deer in headlights. Those contacts were tossed. Fast forward to 2002, I got another few pairs with only the right eye (worse eye) being slightly thick. But they were expensive. Glasses took center stage again and I began to buy two or three funky pairs at a time. It was fun changing them out with my out...

#13 Be dedicated to SpoonFull of Jelly, LLC I have a confession,  I own a small business. You might have noticed with the Party Favors tag above. I have dropped hints here and there, but I'm coming out and shouting it to the roof tops. I have faith that one day my small business will be known among the largest and most popular party planners and the hippest brides. I want my business to sustain me financially, and provide a fun environment for my fore-mothers to participate. I have placed my small business on the back burner for so long. I do a little here and there and fill orders as they come in. I now realize that a corporate job was what was blocking me from progressing with me special skill. Now that I have passed on returning to my previous position, I can now focus on me. SpoonFull of Jelly, LLC I attended the Wedding MBA conference in Las Vegas two weeks ago. I learned about all the new trends, and fashions for 2014. I also learned about how to make my business stro...

#9 Attend a Charity Ball/Event It was my pleasure to walk beside Mr. Mind this past week in the Nami Walk. The Nami Organization raises awareness about mental illness and to eliminate the stigma. We raised money nearly all summer and was happy to be apart of the city's walk. It rained all day, but it was great to see some of Mr. Mind's clients with mental illness walking the whole way. Through the autumn chill, I got to meet new people either will mental illness or works will clients with mental illness. Their perspective softened my heart and opened my eyes to what my husband has been involved in for the past 5 years or so. My involvement of has just begun, however. I have worked with different charities and organizations for years, but I am proud to say that this cause means more. Completed 9/28/2013

8. Pray Daily and Finish New Testament This was a hard task for me, but it's finished! I began this 9 months ago and was on track to complete this four months ago, but I gave up. I picked it back up this summer to take another month break. There were lots of distractions, and I let them distract me. I wasn't sure if I was going to complete this task, but Mr. Mind wouldn't let me quit.  I'm glad to say #8 is done. Completed 9/24/13

#7 Host a Themed Party #1  A good friend has been struggling in her marriage. I wanted to invite her over to chit chat about what concerns ladies rather than dwell on the problems in her home. This small 'party' was Asian themed. We made hand-rolled spring rolls, and ate yummy French inspired desserts. The table was adorned with bamboo place mats, wooden chopsticks and pretty square plates. The centerpiece was a Japanese bowl filled with fruit. #2  A new friend I met is pregnant with her first child. She is new to this state so I figure it would be nice to throw her a baby shower. A total of 6 ladies were invited to a Sunday brunch at a wonderful restaurant that featured local food. This non-traditional shower included flowers, gifts and no games (her request). We just talked about her, her new changes, and other fun matters of the heart. It was great to have thrown such a delightful event. No matter if it's for one person or for many, throwing a party is a wonderfu...

#4 Read/Watch 5 Classical Films/Books The majority of my readings in high school and college, outside of textbooks was classical literature. I even loved dramas written with settings in countries and centuries. I loved the way people viewed others throughout time, how simple life use to be and what families did to get by. It was like a road map for me. I could get off any stop and peek into the past. It provides an excellent example of how I can change my own life to reflect our ancestors. I spent weeks reading books and watching movies. I wanted to expand upon my knowledge of Classical books and novels. The following is what I drove: Books: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Films: The Great Gatsby (1974 and 2013)       I read the book in high school, but never saw a movie based on the book. It was fun watching the 1974 version as well as the 2013 version. The 1974 version doe...

#10 Do a Mission Trip/Activity I wanted to make a difference in my community, but I was cautious about what to do and the message that I will be passing along. I have been approaching volunteering as as something I did to make a difference for that day. As a life long Girl Scout, I have made a difference in my community through food banks, hospitals, day cares, nursing homes, and more throughout my schooling years. But now as an adult, I want to make sure that I do not become distant in passing along help, and assistance to the world around me. Someone suggested that I do missionary work. I have heard about missionaries and even encountered a few while living overseas. However, I always thought that their only job was to teach maybe force people to believe in God. I didn't approve of that focus, so I waved off that suggestion. Then I learned of a new friend's adventure to China. When I asked him more about it, he called it a mission activity. He is going to share music with...

#5 Take a Fun Class: Art Class *This post contains affiliates When Money is tight, and I want to have fun, I turn to  Groupon  and  Living Social . These websites offer huge discounts for products, restaurants, activities and trips for families, children, and adults. For example, we purchased a full car detailing service for $79 and it was originally $169. To have fun, and to fulfill a 30 Before 30 task, I purchased a discounted Art class at Chaos Art Gallery. Mr. Mind's Snow Covered fence and Cabin painting and my Flower Dropped Tree Mr. Mind and I sat in the studio with 8 other eager painters. We had our "painting" clothing on and smiles on our faces. A man walked up to Mr. Mind and said "Awesome, another man. I'm not alone!" Him and his wife were enjoying a long awaited date without children. With a blank white canvas in front of us we learned how to build from the background forward. "Have you ever noticed the background of paintings?...

#14 Get Promoted or Walk Away In 2008 I began a seasonal position with a national company. Toward the end of the season, I was asked to join the marketing team. A year later, my team was informed that the marketing department will become official and that they will hire a regional marketing manager. I was told by the head regional manager that he wanted to interview me for the position. I never heard back from him despite all my inquires. They hired outside the company. I spent the next three years in my current position, constantly looking for something else. I have torn myself apart because my life has been stagnant. I made a decision to either get promoted or walk away for my 30 Before 30, because I can not carry this burden any further. I put in for my manager's old position, last month June and have waited to see if the company will hire from within. My husband noticed how my demeanor has taken a nose dive because of this company. He even mentioned that my self-esteem ha...

Completed #26, Call Distant Relatives Once a Week Do you have family all over the US or the World? How often do you get in touch with them? My parents and in-law live in a different state, but we speak weekly and sometimes daily. There are times when we speak once a week, but that doesn't last long. My grandparents live over a thousand miles away and I often only see them every few months. It is difficult to save a conversation for months at a time and so I must call them. There are more reasons to call your distant relatives other than to say hi. 1. Learn about their new interests. My grandmother is always trying something new. Last time she was trying to redesign her bathroom. Can you say trouble?! 2. See what isn't working anymore. When you are a young adult, you talk about the fun you had. When you are a middle aged adult, you talk about children, career or how tired you are. When you are elderly, you talk about what is broken. "My knee keeps giving in!" ...