Breakfast at Tiffany's

I arrived at home today to find "Breakfast at Tiffany's" waiting for me (thank you, Netflix)!

I loved that at one point in the movie Holly and Paul spend a day doing things they have never done before--- how very appropriate, don't you think? :)

You can watch a video of one of my favorite scenes here: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2714174233/

Ahhh, Tiffany's...what girl doesn't love the thought of a small, Tiffany blue box with something sparkly inside, or at least something from a Cracker Jack box that's been engraved just for her?

Oh, Say Can You See?

So this morning I have been attempting to contact local semi-pro hockey organizations to see if I can perform the national anthem at a game this season. I e-mailed the Syracuse Crunch (http://www.syracusecrunch.com/) and the Rochester Americans (http://www.amerks.com/), and received my first response!

Hi Kristy,
Thank you for your interest. I have forwarded your message to John Catalano, VP of Production, who will contact you to work out the details.

Sincerely,
Jolain Foster
Senior Vice President of Operations
Rochester Americans Hockey Club

The Binghamton Senators page did not have a "contact us" option anywhere on the page, and I did not find e-mail addresses of anyone to contact. This may mean I actually have to pick up the phone and speak to someone, my least favorite thing to do! I am considering contacting the Sabres organization as well, although I think that would be a long shot. I keep reminding myself, though, that the worst they can say is no!

I also looked at a whitewater rafting site this morning (http://www.whitewaterchallengers.com/). The closest river for rafting, the Salmon River, only offers it two weekends in the summer. Both of those weekends have passed. This leaves the Black River, which makes the most sense seeing as I was born and raised in Black River, NY. This weekend would be ideal since I am planning a trip home, however, thunderstorms are in the weekend forecast and I am not about to be on the river in a storm!

A dear college friend, Amy, e-mailed this morning with a fabulous invitation:
I'd love to help you out with two things on your list. Every year My mom,her next door neighbors, Mike, and I celebrate the Kentucky derby with betting the horses, Watching the race, A great home cooked dinner, and best of all mint Juleps. Also, we could go to the Anchor Bar if you came in that weekend. I thought I'd let you know, you're always welcome.

This is only one of many invites I have received from my Buffalo area friends. Thanks so much to everyone who has been so willing to help me reach my goals!

I have also been invited to NYC by my college friends Emily and Victor to cross many things off my list, including the St. Patrick's Day parade (http://nyc-st-patrick-day-parade.org/default.aspx)! Vic tells me it is like Christmas for Emily's Irish family, and that her father actually marches in it! The only problem? St. Patty's Day falls on a Wednesday in 2010, and I doubt I can justify taking the day off. Although, I am Catholic..... do you think if I checked "religious observance" on the personal day form, it would be approved? :)

HAPPY 32nd BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well, on August 5th of this year, I turned 32 years old. I know-- I don't look a day over 24, right? :) It's true though-- I have been alive for over three decades. I am amazed by how quickly time has gone by...and by how many things I have yet to do in my life! I decided to make this year a memorable one by creating a list of things I will do before my 33rd birthday in 2010. The purpose? To step outside my comfort zone, do and see new things, and grow as a person. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have some sort of direction for the upcoming year. Getting older has never felt like so much fun! I hope you will follow me as I cross each thing off my list within the next 12 months. OK-- here's the list:

1. eat sushi
2. cook a turkey
3. visit Hollenbeck Cider Mill and/or Burrville Cider Mill
4. watch the movies “An Affair to Remember”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Gone With the Wind”
5. paint the guest room and office
6. build a snowman
7. learn how to make Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce
8. eat at a Thai and/or Indian restaurant
9. drive a motorcycle
10. go whitewater rafting
11. go on a wine tour in the Finger Lakes
12. go apple picking
13. stay overnight at a bed and breakfast
14. buy a fabulous piece of jewelry for myself
15. milk a cow
16. go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade
17. go to Washington, D.C. OR Chicago, Illinois OR another major U.S. city
18. kiss someone under the mistletoe
19. learn how to do an oil change and/or how to change a flat tire
20. ride on a carousel
21. get a bikini wax
22. buy flowers for myself
23. pay off my CitiAssist college loan
24. submit a teaching idea to an education magazine and have it published
25. send a letter/postcard to all of my graduating students
26. learn how to tie a man’s necktie
27. sing the national anthem at a major sporting event
28. pay for the person behind me in line at a drive-thru restaurant or coffee shop
29. drink a mint julep while watching the Kentucky Derby (on TV)
30. spend a day in Cooperstown, NY
31. eat chicken wings at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo
32. keep a blog about doing these 32 things

One of my friends asked how it would be possible to do all of these things. I don't have an answer for that other than ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. :) If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. So-- what things on my list HAVEN'T you done? What's stopping you from making your own list?