30 B4 30 Day 25: Plant a Tree

With all of the charities and organizations out there, I believe that the earth should be at the top of the priority list because if we don't save the environment and its creatures, there will be no diseases or hunger to worry about. I have to say though, I am a sucker for charitable causes, which is not a bad thing. I try to help every Keep Art in Schools, Stop Hunger and Cure Cancer organization out there, if I can but I don't have enough money or time to help them all. My husband tells me to just do what I can do so I decided to Plant a Tree to make a contribution to the environment.

During my lunch break, I ran to Home Depot real quick to scoop up an inexpensive tree that I could plant in my parents' backyard. I found the perfect mini Christmas tree and bought it for $8. It is an Alberta Spruce and I nicknamed her Bertie because if you are going to bond with a living thing, it should have a name. When I called my parents to tell them I would be planting a tree at their house today, they laughed and my dad suggested I plant it behind the shed. (They have experienced a lot of my antics over the past 29 years.) Then my mother told me that she had enough trees. I don't think there are enough trees in their yard because it lacks a mini Christmas tree. Who doesn't want a little Christmas tree in their yard? So, after work I drove over for laundry night and took Bertie with me. My mom told me to pick a spot in the back so that the tree had enough space to grow where it would get full sun. I chose a spot to the left of the shed, instead of behind it like my dad suggested. Funny guy. I dug a hole two times the size of the root ball (their term, not mine), shook the tree out of its container and placed it in the hole I had just made. I didn't even get dirty, but wouldn't mind if I did because Bertie deserves it.

Global warming, the polar ice caps and the greenhouse effect are all things I don't know enough about to comment on, but I do know that every time a tree is cut down, another tree should be planted and wild animals should not be brutally slaughtered because a human being just felt like it. However, I do eat meat because people have been surviving for centuries doing so and I do have one leather pocketbook that I got for free. I am not a vegeterian or a tree-hugger, especially not with Bertie because she has needles, but I do know what is right and how to treat things that are in danger. Now, let's just hope that WWF, the Sierra Club and the Ocean Conservancy don't read this submission because I can't afford it.

30 B4 30 Day 24: Ride the Greenport Carousel

Even though I am going to be 30 in several days, I don't consider myself a real adult. I mean, I have a full-time job, I got married two years ago and I pay my bills on time, but when it comes to life, I make a joke of everything (except cancer because that stuff's not funny) and I just want to have fun. To me, growing older only means I have to check a different box on forms and I may have to get more tests at the doctor. Like Peter Pan, I don't want to ever grow up and lose my sense of humor or my sense of adventure. So, today, I decided to Ride the Greenport Carousel to reassert my youth.

The carousel is on the edge of town and it borders the Peconic Bay on one side. The structure is huge with three rows of large horses which cost $2 each to ride. I chose the black horse with the blond mohawk because he seemed like he had a lot of personality. Fortunately for me, my friends share the same youthful attitude that I do because Leslie and Allison rode alongside me. None of us are afraid to have fun, even if it means waiting on line behind 5 year-olds to ride a carousel in the middle of a bayside town. As the horses lifted up, dropped down and circled around for a few minutes, I feel like I really got my two bucks worth.

I have a great family who provided me with a very enjoyable childhood, which is why I think I am trying extend it as long as possible. Walt Disney World is one of my favorite places on earth and I get chills just talking or thinking about it. It is one place on earth where adults and children can laugh and play together. Walt Disney created Disneyland so fathers could have somewhere to go to have fun with their children. Every time my family and I go to Disney, we all have fun together and we range in age from 63 to 29 (I am the youngest). There is no shortage of laughter or good times when we are at Disney, especially when I force everyone to eat an enormous ice cream sundae called the Kitchen Sink or when my dad gets picked to go on stage at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and wear a ballerina skirt. Now that I think about it, maybe silliness is genetic because we are all young at heart and we love it.

On the other hand, being a grown up isn't so bad because now I really know when and how to have fun. It is like Pablo Picasso said, "Youth has no age," and I truly believe that. No matter if I am 30 or 80, I am going to do what I can to stay young. What fun is it to get old and cranky anyway? Forget that. I'd rather hula hoop and juggle.

30 B4 30 Day 23: Send a Secret to Post Secret

Every person has a secret, and don't lie because you know you do. Personally, I only have a few because I consider myself an open book. I am just a horrible liar and anyone I talk to can tell. When people ask me a question, if I know the answer, I offer it. It is harder to keep up with lies than to just tell the truth. At least one person knows each one of my secrets. There may be more because some of my friends have big mouths, but that is OK because I am comfortable with myself at the ripe old age of 29. Today I chose to Send a Secret to Post Secret and, of course, it was anonymous.

Post Secret is a mail project started by Frank Warren where people send him serious and not so serious private thoughts that he may post to his blog or add to his books. When people send in their postcards, he is free to do with the secrets as he wants. I decided on the secret that I would send in and then found imagery to be paired with the text. (TK even helped me.) I made my anonymous, homemade postcard and I am going to send it tomorrow, in a random mailbox. You can never be too safe...

I believe that a secret should remain a secret and that is why I am not telling you what my postcard looks like or what it says. Sorry. You didn't think I would spill the beans, did you? It wouldn't be a secret anymore if I did. Also, out of respect for some of my friends and family, I have a few secrets in my mental Rolodex that I will be taking to the grave. Their secrets are not my secrets to tell, so I am being responsible with their privacy.

I submitted my own secret because I support what Frank Warren is doing. He created a project and has received a lot of response and interest. It would be very hypocritical of me to not encourage this creative and interesting outlet that he chose to establish online. I can only hope that my blog and my submissions are half as popular as his site is, but, like I said, I am an open book so there are no secrets here.

If I have inspired you to purge yourself of a secret that has been eating away at you for decades or if there is a naughty thought in your mind, send your anonymous homemade postcard, to:

Post Secret
13345 Copper Ridge Rd.
Germantown, MD 20874

It feels kind of nice to let out a secret and send it away. It's like the secret isn't mine anymore. Now it's Frank's to worry about. Enjoy!

30 B4 30 Day 22: Sketch in Central Park

Ever since I could remember, I have sat with paper and a pencil and have just drawn. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an artist, a librarian and a background dancer for music videos. I guess I thought I would have a lot of time on my hands as an adult. Since my brother didn't let me play G.I. Joes with him, I sat and sketched images of my family, my house and whatever inanimate objects I could find. In high school, I began to draw portraits of friends and family members and then in college I was formally trained in figure drawing and still life. I haven't created many landscape drawings in all the years I have studied art, but when a friend of mine suggested that I Sketch in Central Park, I thought it would fit perfectly with my 30 B4 30 project.

Mary Kate and I walked into Central Park looking for a large open space with people lounging on the grass and trees hanging around creating shadows. We plopped ourselves down on a bench and I took out my sketchbook and pencil, and began drawing. I tried my hardest to capture the trees, the lamppost, the concrete path, the metal garbage pail and a few people that were enjoying their day in the park. Little did they all know, they were modeling for me. Most of the drawings I have done included a naked person sitting in front of me for three hours in the same pose so I could depict the way their spine curved, their face wrinkled or their leg folded. Today, I can't find anyone willing to take all of their clothes off so I can draw them. It's not something I go around asking people. So, this was a little more difficult because some objects were in motion, even if it was ever so slightly with the wind. And, I had a time constraint of one hour because TK had to be picked up across town. However, I have come across things many times in my travels that I would like to sit and sketch, and this is one of the only times I have actually done it.

As I sat there, Mary Kate and I caught people looking at me and my drawing, and we realized that I was one of those artists that people stand behind to analyze their process. It made me feel like I didn't have to hold on to that little bit of jealousy anymore. I am an artist, even if a paycheck doesn't tell me so. Getting paid to do something can be validation that you have the skills necessary to complete that job, but for me just doing it and coming up with a finished product is validation enough. I don't need anyone to tell me I am an artist, I have a degree, a passion and a talent that tells me so. Sometimes, I just forget that I have this in me because life gets in the way and it is a shame. Creating art allows my true self to come out and express itself, and for that, I am thankful. Maybe one day a paycheck will agree with me.

30 B4 30 Day 21: Go to the Top of the Empire State Building

I live in the shadow of the busiest city in the world and I feel like I haven't taken true advantage of it. Even though I have not seen all there is to see, I have been to the Met, the MOMA, the crown of the Statue of Liberty, Tavern on the Green, on a horse and carriage ride, to F.A.O. Schwartz, the Museum of Natural History and Patsy's. In New York City, there are countless things to do and they are all in walking distance. Pedestrians have access to some of the most interesting and magnificent places in the world. I don't think anyone has enough time in their life to do everything available to them in NYC, but it doesn't hurt to try. So, today I added another NYC landmark to my list by Going to the Top of the Empire State Building.

Mary Kate and I went into the Empire State Building and took every elevator and escalator to get to the 86th floor. We decided to get the $20 tickets for the 86th floor and not the 102nd floor. We felt like there was no need to go to the smaller crowded space while at the top of the city. Claustrophobia at 102 stories is not an interest of mine. When we got out to the observation deck, I realized that it didn't look anything like it did in Sleepless in Seattle because the surrounding deck was more narrow than I thought. However, I did hear the song, "Make Someone Happy," by Jimmy Durante in my head while we were up there.

The view was spectacular even with the summer haze that sits on the city when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. The Building is surrounded on all four sides by the island of Manhattan and the significant buildings that make the city the spectacle that it is. I saw the Chrysler Building, the Met Life buildings, the Statue of Liberty and the Flatiron Building. They looked miniature from up there, but still just as majestic as they are from the street level.

I can't believe that, in almost 30 years of my life, I never made it up to the top of the ESB. (That's what they call it online.) It is an icon and since the skyline was catastrophically altered forever with the collapse of the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building is the symbol of the city. There has recently been talk of building a similar skyscraper adjacent to the ESB, but I feel that it won't be as aesthetically pleasing and it will take away from the significance of the ESB. The ESB is a unique structure and I feel that it should stand alone. The Building stands as a sign that you are approaching the Big Apple and welcomes you into one of the best cities in the world.

30 B4 30 Day 20: Get a Ridiculous Pedicure

A lot of women think it is a necessity to get their hair done, their nails done and wax all of the hair off of their body. I am not that girl. I get my hair cut at Super Cuts for $20, I only get pedicures before weddings, I pluck my own eyebrows and I bite my nails. I am very low-maintenance. So today I chose to Get a Ridiculous Pedicure for my 30 B4 30 project.

I was born in 1980 so I wasn't really an 80's girl with Frito nails or sprayed out bangs, I just existed and sometimes wore neon spandex pants. In elementary and middle school, I was never someone that anyone wanted to dress or be like. I even had a long braid on the top of my head that I used to whip mean boys with. I should have been on the show "What Not to Wear" so Clinton and Stacey could cut my hair and help me to dress like a girl. I also had no front teeth until I was seven, I got braces at ten and the doctor discovered that I had scoliosis that same year. There was definitely a modeling contract in my future...SIKE! I think it was the period between 5 and 15 years-old that really shaped my opinion of my physical appearance and it wasn't the most positive or feminine.

So, this evening I went to the nail place with my friends Colleen and Nicole, and I decided to get my nails done in some crazy color with a crazy design. I love shopping and clothes, but I am not one to spend money on my appearance or worry too much about it. If I need a haircut, I get one. If I want a hamburger, I eat it and if I need a dress, I check the clearance rack. Don't get me wrong, there are days when my hair isn't cooperating, my muffin top hangs over my pants and I get seriously down on myself. Today though, I decided that since we had big plans for the weekend that I would be a girl for once and put an artsy twist on it. I chose a color called "Jade is the New Black," which, you may have guessed, is green. Then I decided to get a girlie design and had a sunflower with some gold flecks painted in the corners of both toes. I spent $28 without tip which is expensive for someone who refuses to pay more than $3 for hairspray.

On several websites, it says that a good way to usher in your 30th year is to pamper yourself and after all the massaging, lotions and attention to detail, I feel relaxed and my nails look pretty...interesting. Fashion is an extension of your personality and creativity, so why not be more expressive with it without having to make a political or inappropriate statement. Just paint your nails green instead. That's what I did.

30 B4 30 Day 19: Write My Will

No house, no kids, no need for a will, right? Wrong. If I died tomorrow, which I really hope I don't, there would be plenty of items in my possession that TK would wonder what to do with. I mean, I have a whole collection of penguin decorations for Christmas and I know people are just wishing for me to give it to them. So, I decided today to Write My Will as my 30 B4 30 item because, at almost 30 years old, it is time to think responsibly.

Before I begin, let me explain to you that creating my will was not scary because I am not afraid of death. I am only afraid of how I will die because I don't want any pain. I believe that there is a heaven where souls are at peace and my grandmother and my friend Tom Mirabelli are both waiting there for me. So whatever happens, happens.

I came up with my basic last will and testament, and have good reasons for all or most of my decisions. I found a free fill in the blank form online, which served as the template for the very first version of my will. So, here is what I came up with:

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

of

______________Melissa Anne Kuehnle_______________

___XXX-XX-XXXX_(you didn't think I would give you my SSN, did you?)___

1. Declaration

I hereby declare that this is my last will and testament and that I hereby revoke, cancel and annul all wills and codicils previously made by me either jointly or severally. I declare that I am of legal age to make this will and of sound mind and that this last will and testament expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress. (This is for real!)

2. Family Details

I am married to _TK (that's his name to me)__ hereinafter referred to as my spouse.

3. Appointment of Executors

3.1. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint __TK__ as Executor or if this Executor is unable or unwilling to serve then I appoint _Michael Gonzalez, Sr. (he said he was up for the job, if need be) as alternate Executor.

3.2. I hereby give and grant the Executor all powers and authority as are required or allowed in law, and especially that of assumption.

3.3. I hereby direct that my Executors shall not be required to furnish security and shall serve without any bond.

(Blah, blah, blah...)

3.4. Pending the distribution of my estate my Executors shall have authority to carry on any business, venture or partnership in which I may have any interest at the time of my death.

3.5. My Executors shall have full and absolute power in his/her discretion to insure, repair, improve or to sell all or any assets of my estate, whether by public auction or private sale and shall be entitled to let any property in my estate on such terms and conditions as will be in the best interest of my beneficiaries. (Blah.)

3.6. My Executors shall have authority to borrow money for any purpose connected with the liquidation and administration of my estate and to that end may encumber any of the assets of my estate.

3.7. My Executors shall have authority to engage the services of attorneys, accountants and other advisors as he/she may deem necessary to assist with the execution of this last will and testament and to pay reasonable compensation for their services from my estate. (Blah.)

4. Bequests

4.1. I bequeath unto the persons named below, if he or she survives me by 30 (thirty) days, the following:

Name:________Kaitlyn Russo (Alyson's daughter)_________
Relationship:_________niece ________________________
Address:________Medford, NY_______________________
Bequest:_All of my books, excluding photo albums and scrapbooks (She's smart now and she is just getting smarter. Most smart kids like books.)

Name:________TK_________________________________
Relationship:_______husband_________________________
Address:_______Holtsville, NY_______________________
Bequest:_My artwork, jewelry (excluding grandmother’s ring) and car (He needs something to remember me by.)

Name:________Angelina Gonzalez____________________
Relationship:_______mother _________________________
Address:_______Medford, NY_______________________
Bequest:___My grandmother’s ring (This is all I have from her after she died.)

Name:________Mary Kate Mahoney___________________
Relationship:_______friend _________________________
Address:_______Levittown, NY_______________________
Bequest:___My accessories (She always compliments me on my choice of earrings or bracelet. I think she would really appreciate my collection of cheap jewelry.)

Name:________Angelina Gonzalez____________________
Relationship:_______mother _________________________
Address:_______Medford , NY_______________________
Bequest:___ My bachelor's degree and master’s degree (My mom is proud of my academic achievements and already has my bachelor's degree framed and hanging on the wall in her house.)

4.2. I bequeath unto the organizations or institutions named below the following:

Name:__Savers (They sell the donated items and give the money to Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's a circle of charity.)________
Address:____Medford, NY_________________________
Bequest:___All clothing and footwear that friends and family do not claim_

Name:___Brighter Tomorrows (A domestic violence agency.)__
Address:_______Shirley, NY_________________________
Bequest:_____All toiletries and makeup (They need these items the most.)

4.3. If at the time of my death any of the property described in 4.1. and 4.2. above is no longer in my possession or part of my estate, then the bequest of such property shall be deemed null and void and shall no longer form part of this will and testament.

4.4. If any of the persons named in 4.1. above do not survive me by 30 (thirty) days, the property bequeathed to such a person shall become part of the remainder of my estate.

4.5. If any of the organizations or institutions named in 4.2. above no longer exist, the property bequeathed to such an organization or institution shall become part of the remainder of my estate.

4.6. If any property described above is encumbered by debt for which the beneficiary of such a bequest does not want to assume liability, such property shall revert to the remainder of my estate.

5. Remaining Property and Residual Estate

I bequeath the remainder of my estate, property and effects, whether movable or immovable, wheresoever situated and of whatsoever nature to my spouse _TK__.

6. Alternate Beneficiaries

6.1. Should my spouse not survive me by thirty (30) days then I bequeath the remainder of my estate, property and effects, whether movable or immovable, wheresoever situated and of whatsoever nature in equal shares to:

Name:__Angelina Gonzalez___________________________
Relationship:______mother___________________________
Address:______Medford, NY_________________________

AND

Name:__Michael Gonzalez, Sr.________________________
Relationship:______father ___________________________
Address:______Medford, NY_________________________

6.2. If any of the beneficiaries named in 6.1. are proved to be indebted to me by means of a legal instrument, then his / her share of my estate shall be reduced by the amount of such debt.

6.3. Should any of the beneficiaries named in 6.1. not survive me by 30 (thirty) days I direct that the non-surviving person's share goes to his / her natural, adopted or step children in equal shares.

7. Special Requests

I direct that on my death my remains shall be buried in a mausoleum of my spouse’s choosing and all funeral expenses shall be paid out of my estate. (I have a little bit of life insurance and I don't want to be buried in the ground for bugs to crawl all over my body.) I would like for TK to pick a song to be played at my funeral that represents me and my personality. (I am not into depressing music.) I would like for attendees to wear whatever color they wish to the wake and funeral. There is no need for only dark colors to be worn. (I am a colorful person and don't like monochromatic outfits, even in my death.)

8.1. Words signifying one gender shall include the others and words signifying the singular shall include the plural and vice versa where appropriate.

8.2. Should any provision of this will be judged by an appropriate court of law as invalid it shall not affect any of the remaining provisions whatsoever.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereby set my hand on this 25^th day of August 2010 at 9:46 p.m. in the presence of the undersigned witnesses.

SIGNED: _______________________________

WITNESSES

As witnesses we declare that we are of sound mind and of legal age to witness a will and that to the best of our knowledge Melissa Anne Kuehnle is of legal age to make a will, appears to be of sound mind and signed this will willingly and free of undue influence or duress. We declare that he / she signed this will in our presence as we signed as witnesses in the presence of each other, all being present at the same time. Under penalty of perjury we declare these statements to be true and correct on this 25^th day of August 2010 at 9:46 p.m.

Witness 1.

Name: ______________________

Address: ________________________________________

Signature: ________________________

Witness 2.

Name: ______________________

Address: ________________________________________

Signature: _______________________

So this is what I came up with for all of my worldly possessions and I think it is pretty comprehensive. Let's be realistic, I don't have much and I don't know anyone who really wants what I have. I think most people are more concerned with what I eat for lunch than what I can give them. Now to print it and have it signed by two witnesses. Hmmm...

P.S. Anyone who is mentioned in this will, don't get excited because I don't plan on dying anytime soon. I have more than a week left to this 30 B4 30 project and I am no quitter. Also, if anyone pisses me off, I have no problem removing their name. Watch it!

30 B4 30 Day 18: Create My Family Tree

My family is huge, hysterical and very important to me. (How could you not love uncles with nicknames like Rocky, Beaver, the Big Chill and Peanuts?) My mother's side is Italian and my father's side is Puerto Rican. (Can you guess which side the uncles are from?) My mother is the second oldest of eight and my father is the second youngest of six, but they chose to only have two children; my older brother Michael and me. We grew up in my grandparents' house with our parents, five of my mother's siblings and my grandparents. I love being part of a big family because holidays are truly happy and there is no shortage of love or laughter. My belief is that a full house is a happy house. So, since my extended family is so big, I decided to Create My Family Tree as today's item for my 30 B4 30 project.

Unfortunately, my family tree didn't have too many branches, but I did find out some interesting facts after paying $19.95 to use Ancestry.com. For example, my mother's father's brother Angelo (who had the same name as my mother's brother and my godfather) was in World War II and he worked in Special Services or, as I like to call it, spied on the Italians. He was executed by the Italians after they found out about his "special" job and he was buried in Florence, Italy. He received a purple heart and a silver medal for his service to our country. We even found out the exact burial plot row and number. My mother was excited about this tidbit of information and believes that we must go to Italy to find his gravesite. I say we leave tomorrow...

We also found out that my mother's grandmother (they are both named Angelina) was born in Messina, Sicily and her father's name was Giuseppe Sciacchitano and he was born in Girgenti, Italy. They have the most difficult last name to spell, not like Kuehnle is any better, but I was way off when I first typed it into the form. However, Sciacchitano is a full-blooded Italian name and I love to say it. It is pronounced SHACK-eh-tanno. Well, that's how my mom says it anyway.

Searching for my dad's side was a little less satisfying. I did find out the birth and death dates of his mother's parents, Domaso and Aurora Hernandez. They were born in Puerto Rico and died in New York. Then my father tells me that he thinks my great-grandfather had two families. (I'm sorry, what?) I am still in search of his children and the supposed other wife. Also, I heard that Domaso was too tall to fit in his coffin when he died, so they had to cut off the bottom of his legs and bury them in the coffin alongside his body. Not sure if either of these stories are true yet, but I will make sure to interrogate my family members the next time I see them.

The basic layout of my family tree has been created, but I am still not satisfied. There are several questions I still need answered. I will be taking the remaining 29 days of my month subscription to find out the names of my orphaned grandfather's parents and if I have more family out there that my father doesn't know about...yet.

30 B4 30 Day 17: Read the NY Times, Cover to Cover

Do you ever notice how detached you are from the world when you don't read the newspaper, check your e-mail or watch TV? I feel this way when I am on vacation, and I very much enjoy it, but I also like to be in the know. On a daily basis, I scan a number of local papers for mentions of my employer. Sometimes I even stop to read human interest pieces or stories about art theft. Today, I decided to Read the New York Times, Cover to Cover and that took me about 4 hours to complete.

I am not a speed reader or a slow reader, I just read EVERY article in the Times and learned quite a bit about what is going on in the world I live in. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, China, Korea and Venezuela are horrible vacation spots, and colleges want parents to stop babying their kids. Very interesting. Also, I learned that LaDainian Tomlinson was a pretty good pick for my ESPN fantasy football team (so there TK!) and President Obama should be able to take a vacation, after all, he has one of the most difficult jobs in the world. The guy needs a break. I know I would need a pina colada with an umbrella in it from time to time if I was the President of the United States. Who am I kidding? I would need a few drinks if I was the president of the PTA. Obama also doesn't take mulligans (do-overs) in golf, which shows that he is an honest person. I don't take them either. I just suck and accept it. Which leads me to believe that I should study the Stack and Tilt Method of golf that was explained in the sports section. It is all about keeping your weight on your front foot and keeping your arms in. It is probably easier said than done.

There were also other stories that really caught my attention. Like:

• They have a bar in the David Barton Gym so that people can have a few cocktails after they work out. Doesn't that just cancel out what you just worked off? They say they want to make the gym a more "social scene," but I don't think anyone would want to have a conversation with me if I was all sweated up and had just thrown up because I had a cosmo after running 2 miles. Gross.
  
• Caster Semenya, the runner who the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) thought was a man, is back to racing. Personally, I feel bad for her. I can't imagine taking a test to prove I am female. I would tell people to hang out with me once a month so I can rip them apart with words while I am PMSing. That would really be sound proof.
  
• A Van Gogh painting is still missing from a museum in Egypt. These stories I always read because art interests me. Art theft is most interesting because it baffles me how and why people do it. I would be afraid to steal any piece of artwork because most pieces are so fragile that I would probably ruin it and then it wouldn't be worth anything. Then I would be in jail for something worth $100. That would be my bad luck.
• And finally, there were paragraph marks left in the Giants story. My editor eye caught that. Oops!

So, reading the New York Times expanded my knowledge of current events and I think I would even like to read it on a regular basis. Next time though, I think I will just read the lead paragraphs instead of every article in its entirety. Reading the newspaper shouldn't take all day. It should really just take the length of time it takes me to drink a hot cocoa and eat a chocolate chip scone. That's about it.

30 B4 30 Day 16: Send My Parents Flowers

I can't complain. I had a great childhood with family vacations, Barbie dolls and Plaster Fun House birthday parties. My parents always focused on what was best for my brother and I, and never asked for anything in return. They just wanted us to be the best at whatever we wanted to be and to have respect for ourselves and others. I am not the best at anything, but I do have good manners, so I am not officially disappointing them. Today I decided to Send My Parents Flowers to show my appreciation for their love and support.

I bought my parents a bouquet of lilies on ProFlowers.com and included a card that said:

Mom & Dad, Thank you for the support and love for every one of my 30 years. I appreciate all you have done for me and I just hope I haven't given you too much grief while I was becoming the person I am today. God couldn't have done a better job choosing parents for me. I love you, Melissa XOXOX

I definitely had to add that part about not causing them too much grief because I was a difficult teenager. I was a good student, with honors classes and A's, and I was an athlete, so I stayed away from drugs, but I did have a mouth on me and I was pretty dramatic when I got upset (still am). I tried to push the envelope whenever possible and gave my mother attitude on a regular basis (this ended in adulthood). I was a typical pain in the butt teenage girl. My mother hopes that I have a daughter just like me and if I do I am naming her Rapunzel and locking her in a tower with a shaved head. There is no need for a clone of me. I can be, or maybe I just am, annoying.

While in college, I realized how lucky I truly was to have the parents that I do. They have been together since high school and they are just as much in love now as they were back then. They are each other's best friend and it sets a really great example for what a married couple should be. I mean, sometimes it is sickening because they are my parents, but I'll confess, it is kind of cute too. After college, I learned to open up to them and it strengthened our relationship. They know I am nuts and they accept me and most of my peccadilloes. Since they are my parents, they kind of have to love me and I have to love them, but if I did have the choice, I still would have chose them. I mean, they are fun on vacations, they laugh at my jokes and they cook my favorite foods, so I really can't complain.

P.S. If they don't find out for themselves that they should be expecting flowers, please don't be a thunder thief and tell them. Much appreciated.

(NOTE: Mom called and thanked me for the flowers. She also said I was silly and I agreed.)

30 B4 30 Day 15: Frame My Artwork

My artwork has been in my portfolio ever since I took it down off the wall at the end of my final college art class. Upon graduation, I was hoping to have this illustrious career in the arts and draw the human figure for the rest of my life. Very realistic of me. Then, I went on interview after interview, the bills came rolling in and the money didn't, so I decided to refocus my creativity and go back to school to study public relations, with some graphic design and advertising mixed in. With a master's degree, I scooped up a job in public relations a little over a month after graduating. So my art has sat in my portfolio since my new career in writing and promotions had begun.

So, my item for Day 15 is Frame My Artwork for my 30 B4 30 because I really need to start getting my pieces in local shows on Long Island. That is what I have always wanted and that is what I am going to do. Just because I have a full-time job that I enjoy doesn't mean I can't do what I love on the side, which is one reason I started this blog; for the creative outlet. I would hate for my day to day to stifle the creativity and expression I have inside. When I think about what I am and what I love to do, I always think I am an artist first, even if it is a word or thought artist and not a drawing or painting artist. The arts come in many forms and if I can't do one on a daily basis, I try to do another in substitute. Life has no balance when you can't do what you enjoy.

My first stop was Michael's because they are having a framing sale. Well, I don't know what they mean by sale because their services were way more expensive than I thought, even with a coupon. So, I had TK call one of his best friends, who owns Island School and Art Supply, and does framing as well, and the price for matting, preserving and framing was much more reasonable. I deliver my art in the next couple days and am very excited to have this all done finally. I am excited for the possibilities of shows or exhibits or even just hanging my own artwork in my home.

P.S. I will update this blog post with photos of my framed pieces after the process is complete.

OK, this is one of my drawings entitled, "Bacchanal," that was actually in an art exhibit in May 2011. It is framed very simply with no matting, but it accompanies the piece nicely. 

30 B4 30 Day 14: Learn to Play Chess

"Melissa, you can't be the best at everything," said Ms. Brennan, my cheerleading coach in 10th grade. She made this "profound" statement when she saw me crying out of frustration because my straddle jump sucked. I knew at 15 that I couldn't be good at everything, no matter how hard I tried, and I still know now, but thanks for the sensitivity Ms. Brennan. Over time, I have learned to accept that I really can't play soccer because I don't have fast feet and that I don't have the cooking gene that runs in my Italian and Puerto Rican family. These qualities, among others, I have accepted as personal flaws. And tonight, I learned another very valuable lesson...I am not good at chess either.

Tonight's item: Learn to Play Chess, was interesting but very difficult. TK is excellent at chess (and soccer too...figures!) so I had him teach me how to play. He started out with the placement of the pieces, then their names and what they can do. I had to jot down a quick cheat sheet to refer back to, complete with sketches of a horse (knight), a castle (rook) and a place card holder (bishop). When I was a kid, I used the chess pieces to play checkers because the boards are similar and no one had the patience to actually teach me to play. I'm slightly surprised TK was up for the job because when I ask him to teach me how to snowboard or surf, I get shot down.

So, we played a few games and I lost them all, but I learned how difficult chess really is. You have to play offense and defense at the same time, which I am not used to being that I played sports my whole life, and you have to think two to three moves ahead to keep yourself out of trouble. It is interesting and intricate. One game it took me only 45 seconds to get myself into checkmate. I am far from becoming a Bobby Fisher protege, but that doesn't mean I won't play again and keep trying to win. It may take me a couple of years, but I will prevail.

You never know what you are capable of if you don't try, and by try I mean get beat and learn why you lose before you start to really succeed. So what if I suck at chess now? It's only the beginning.

30 B4 30 Day 13: Make a List of 100 Things That Make Me Happy

There are so many things that make you happy, but have you ever thought to make a list of them? I had the idea to Make a List of 100 Things That Make Me Happy for my 30 B4 30 project, but I ended up with more than 100. Oops! I am not sure if this means I am a happy person or just excessive.

Since this list is long, I don't want to bog you down with more words than I have to. So, let's just get to it, right? Here are my 100+ things:

1. The Christmas season
2. Being married to my best friend
   
3. Art museums or galleries
4. Skip-It
5. Sharpened pencils
6. Music to dance to
7. Bubble baths
8. Sinking a 3-point shot
9. Naps
10. Lemonade
    
11. Babies laughing
12. Sunshine
13. Hitting a line drive
14. Getting an A on a test or a paper
15. Strong scented candles
16. Being with family
17. Clearance racks
18. Flowers in full bloom
19. Hot cocoa
    
20. Summer festivals
21. Fireworks
22. Baby animals
23. Shave ice or snow cones
24. Finding a favorite movie on TV
25. Going out to eat
26. Amusement parks
27. Planning a vacation
28. Fishing with my dad
29. Playing Rock Band or Bomberman with TK
30. Knowing the Final Jeopardy question
31. Theater performances
32. Getting a good workout
33. Finishing a crossword puzzle
34. Winning money
35. Rollercoasters
36. Finding the perfect gift for someone
37. Scream-singing at a concert
38. Sharpies in a variety of colors
39. Getting the shading right in a drawing
40. New outfits
41. Sales
42. Good mascara
43. Walt Disney World
44. Electric blankets
45. Milkshakes
46. Weddings
47. E.L. Fudge cookies
48. The Rhymes with Orange comic strip
49. When my team wins (Giants, Mets, Penn State, Spurs)
50. Finishing a drawing
51. Reruns of The West Wing
52. Hammocks
53. Compliments
54. Mister Softee
55. Road trips
56. Yoga
57. Warm towels
58. Fresh fruit
59. A table close to the buffet (can you blame me?)
    
60. Foam soap
61. Over-sized sweatpants
62. Ziplining
63. Zorbing
64. Riding an ATV
65. Waterfalls
66. When someone pronounces my last name correctly
67. Cuddling
68. Watching my mother dance
69. New adventures
70. Suddenly seeing a butterfly
71. New episodes of my favorite TV shows
72. The person who first put chocolate and peanut butter together
73. A good page-turner
74. Cracker Barrel
75. Sour candy
76. Baking
77. Matching
78. Knowing the answer
79. Getting TK’s full attention
80. A good bottle of wine
81. My father’s cooking
82. Fluffy slippers
83. Finding a $5 bill in the pocket of my jeans
84. Taking a great photo
85. Being in a great photo
86. Main Streets
87. Warm chocolate chip cookies
88. A new magazine
89. When a ladybug lands on me
90. Cookbooks
91. Alphabetical order
92. A pile of pillows
93. Helping a charity
94. Day planners
95. Mini-golf
96. Libraries
97. Being silly with my friends
98. A sun tan
99. Making someone smile
100. Straws
101. Gift with purchase
102. Sonic®, America’s Drive-In
103. Researching subjects that interest me
104. Zumba
105. Fireplaces or fire pits
106. Happy hour (duh!)
     
107. Laughing hard
108. Being referred to by my maiden name
109. Good manners
110. Hot showers
111. The Red Box
112. Vacation days
113. Free samples
114. Romantic comedies
115. Penguins
     
116. Snow days
117. Board games (except Risk and Monopoly)
118. Getting rewarded for a job well done

If nothing else, at least this list will make it easier for someone to buy me a birthday present.

(P.S. I am sure I can think of more, but I don't want to make your eyes hurt.)

30 B4 30 Day 12: Order a Drink I Have Never Drank

Since I am married to a bartender, there are endless possibilities when considering a beverage. Some nights I don't even choose to have a beverage, yet one is waiting in front of me. Not a bad deal. As a mixologist, TK likes to blend things together and see how well he can mask the alcohol. And, I willingly volunteer to help. Today I chose to Order a Drink I Have Never Drank as my item on the list of 30 B4 30. It is not very exciting, but it tastes good.

They come out with new flavors of liquor just about every week. There is a flavor for every fruit, dessert and candy. Some are nasty and some are delicious. Tonight I tried a drink that combined two different types of vodka that were just introduced. TK created it and the bartenders called it "The French Connection." (Interesting name being that my mother made an unexpected appearance in the movie of the same name back in 1971.) The drink incorporated the new Chambord vodka, the new Grey Goose Pear vodka, sour mix, Sprite and a splash of pineapple juice. It was fruity and sour, and I enjoyed it. Then I tried the new Pinnacle Whipped Cream vodka and to me it tasted like liquid cake. It would probably be a great addition to a White Russian or eggnog.

Like food, I will try most drinks. I've had Limoncello (great), Pineapple Wine (delicious), Don Perignon (no big deal), Guinness (too heavy) and Chelada (gross). I have even tried moonshine and I think it almost melted my esophagus. Eventually, I want to try Sake, Ouzo and Grappa, but probably not at the same time.

30 B4 30 Day 11: Watch a Foreign Film

I like to think of myself as a worldly individual, even though I haven't left the western hemisphere. Nonetheless, I am open and accepting of other cultures, especially when art and food are concerned. That is why I added Watch a Foreign Film to my list of things to do on my 30 B4 30 list.

The movie I chose to watch was Babette's Feast, a Danish Academy Award winner from 1987. It's about food and everyone knows how much I love food, so I thought, "How could I go wrong?" Well, this movie was a little dull to start because it took place in the 1800's but after the French maid (Babette) (minus the presumed black and white sexy outfit) won the lottery, it got interesting. She offers to make a celebration dinner for the two nice sisters who took her in and their small congregation. One of the sisters sees all of the ingredients for the feast and gets worried that Babette is into witchcraft. I don't know how a turtle, a dozen quails and cheese can create a spell, but I understand her issue because I wouldn't want to eat a turtle either. That is one of the animals I will not eat, along with rabbit, squirrel and dolphin. I hate squirrels and like the other animals alive too much to eat them. Although, I have had frog, duck, alligator, conch, veal, lamb and snails. Some were good and some, not so much, but I will try almost anything at least once.

Anyway, the sister goes and tells all of the congregation to keep quiet about the meal as to not show any pleasure because to participate in such luxury is a sin. So, at this luxurious dinner that Babette has prepared, they are all eating course after course and every time the guest from outside the congregation expresses how delicious eat course is, they change the subject and talk about the weather. This guest is the long lost love of one sister. He has eaten fine foods in Paris and knows what each course is and what it is supposed to taste like. He even quotes a bible verse while eating because he is so pleased with the meal. Eventually, they all give in and enjoy the meal, and even forgive each other for anything they have done to each other in the past. (I guess the meal was "magic"?) Just shows that you should trust people when they take on the responsibility of planning an event or a dinner for you. Maybe they will exceed your expectations.

At the end of the movie, Babette tells her employers that she was an executive chef at a restaurant while in Paris, but she will be staying with them because she spent all of her lottery winnings on the china, glasses, table linens and food for their celebration. This upsets the sisters because they are sad that she will be poor for the rest of her life. Then Babette says the best line of the entire movie, "An artist is never poor." To which, one of the sister's says that she will be the artist she wants to be while in heaven.

The moral of the story is: You don't have to get paid for your talents to be happy doing them. Those Danes are pretty smart.

30 B4 30 Day 10: Purge My Closet of Old or Useless Items

As you mature, you should really come to terms with who you are on the inside and on the outside. For instance, if you haven't been a size 6 in 6 years, you should get rid of the size 6 items in your closet. So, today's item on the 30 B4 30 list is Purge My Closet of Old or Useless Items.

I used to be in denial about being a "big girl." I am almost 5'8" with more curves than Lombard Street, and believe me, I am not flattering myself. When I was in high school and college, I wanted to be a little petite girl with caved in cheeks and thighs. You know, the type of girl who doesn't get a double chin and has calf muscles because she was born with them. In reality, I was not dainty or girlie and I was the farthest from petite. In college, I was convinced guys were afraid of me because I had wild hair and I wasn't the type of girl you wanted to give a piggy-back ride to. I could actually carry more guys on my back. I should have probably tried out for the football or rugby team, but then I may have received very different attention...hmmm.

At the ripe old age of 29, I have accepted the fact that I am just built different. I now know and have accepted that I would rather wear sneakers than high heels. I would rather throw a spiral than get a manicure and I would rather watch a Giant game than a soap opera. I'm just not graceful or girlie and I am well aware of it. Maybe it is because I was surrounded by guys when I was growing up or because my grandmother and my mother were both tough women. They didn't mess around, so neither do I.

So today I had to come to grips with my closet. I made a deal with myself and said, "Self, you can keep two pairs of skinny jeans and two pairs of skinny pants, but everything else has to go." And I agreed. The pants that I haven't worn since 2004 were added to the pile and so were the flat-chested girl shirts. There are shirts that I bought because I thought I could stuff my stuff into them, but then I wore them in front of friends or family and they laughed and told me I couldn't leave the house. Those are the shirts that those dainty petite girls can wear and I cannot. So they were gone and so were the clothes that I have been keeping because I got them as a gift and felt bad getting rid of them. I'm a Catholic, so my guilt bag is full and those shirts and shoes had to go too. Then there were the two tees that I bought for my grandmother that said "Penn State Grandma" and I decided that those were keepers. I bought them for her when she was alive and she wore them proudly. I can't throw them away because I don't have much left from her. I have two t-shirts, a ring and a small purse, that's it and it makes me sad. Maybe I can wear the shirts when I am a grandma. Who knows?

After four bags of useless items, I have decided that I will donate everything to Savers and then buy myself some new items for my own birthday in 20 days. It's the circle of life my friends. Just accept it and accept that image in the mirror that you see on a daily basis. That's you.

30 B4 30 Day 9: Take Myself Out on a Date

The other day when I went to the yoga class by myself, TK said, "I really admire you that you go do these things by yourself. I wouldn't be able to." This confused me because I could never understand why people would need anyone to go anywhere. You came into this world by yourself and you will leave it by yourself. You are the only one stuck with you for the rest of your life, so you might as well start liking your own company. In order to practice this belief, I chose to Take Myself Out on a Date for today's 30 B4 30 activity.

My date started out at the Sayville Cinema because movies only cost $5 before 6 p.m. I am not a cheap date, I just like to save money. When I walked in, the employees didn't seem to care that I was by myself. They probably see it all the time. I even saw a few other girls that were alone for the flick like I was. No big deal. No one talks while watching a movie anyway, or at least they shouldn't. And, as an added bonus, you don't have to share an armrest. Aside from the loners in the crowd there were also older women and gay men. Typical for a chick flick. Eat, Pray Love was very good, just like the book. I just finished it last night and figured it would be a great fit for a day of spending quality time with myself because it is the story of a woman who decides to travel alone to 3 destinations and balance out her life. TK told me the other day that he thinks this is exactly what I would do if I ever left him. I have to say, he is right, but I am not actually planning on it. My future trips will include him, for now. ;)

After the movie, I went for a bite to eat. I figured that if I am really going to do this, I should go all out. I went to Cafe Joelle and they sat me at the table right in front of the window. It was like I was advertising how enjoyable the food was for those passing or driving by. I honestly enjoyed being in the front window because at least there was entertainment while I had no one to talk to. I also sat next to a couple and was secretly hoping they saw my ring so they knew I wasn't lonely, which I wasn't. Ironically, one of the songs that played in the restaurant was "You're Only Lonely" by, I think, Roy Orbison or someone similar. Interesting how things just click together.

Humanity began with a pair, Adam and Eve, but I believe that one is sometimes enough. I have never lived alone, but I can dance alone, work alone, drive alone, draw alone and now, eat and be entertained alone. In certain circumstances, I just don't think there is a need to be with anyone else. I have told TK in the past that I don't need him to be my husband, I want him to be. I wasn't trying to be mean, I was just being honest. I have no problem doing things all by myself. Sometimes it is nice to be able to make decisions without compromising what you want. When you share a life with someone or you travel with a friend or friends, you have to learn to make accommodations and adjustments to reach an agreement. Even though compromise is good and I am very chatty, I do enjoy my quiet, alone time with no one to talk to or deal with. You can learn a lot about yourself by being alone.

I would have liked to finish my date up with some ice cream, but I already had plans for the night. At least she has my number for next time...

30 B4 30 Day 8: Write a Fan Letter to Conan O'Brien

There are some people in this world who are just naturally funny without having to try. Of all the funnies, I think this is the best kind of funny. For these people, it just comes up on a daily basis without provocation, like a vurp. My brother is one of these people, so is TK's friend Greg and my friend Jonelle. Sometimes TK even comes out with a few quick one-liners and just cracks me up. A sense of humor is one of the best qualities to have and I really admire funny people. One of the people that I admire most because of his wittiness, creativity and intelligence is Conan O'Brien. So I chose Write a Fan Letter to Conan O'Brien as today's activity for my 30 B4 30 project.

In all these years of watching television and movies, listening to music and reading magazines, I never felt compelled to write a fan letter to anyone. So, this is the first fan letter I've ever written:

Dear Mr. O’Brien:

So, I am writing to you because I am turning 30 in less than a month and I created a 30 B4 30 project that requires me to do 30 things I have never done during the 30 days that lead up to my 30^th birthday. (Sorry about all of the 30’s in that sentence.) One of the items on my list is to write you a fan letter, so that is what this note is supposed to accomplish. Do you feel flattered yet? No. OK…I will go on.

Basically, I started watching your show while I was in college at Penn State from ’98-’02. I was an art major so I could stay up late and not study. I continued to watch your show for years afterward, up until you went off the air in January of this year. And, in my honest opinion, you got robbed! I guess the choice for who should host The Tonight Show was based solely on seniority because Jay Leno is not funnier than you; he is just older and has more cars and a bigger chin. I wanted to know if most people felt the same, so of the 600 people I polled, only 12 answered, but 10 of them said they like you better than Leno.

Like many folks, I am anxiously awaiting your return to television to entertain the world. Late night television is just not the same. Now I just scan the Food Network, the Travel Channel and sometimes the History Channel, in hopes that something interesting is on. Maybe you should make a guest appearance on Down Home with the Neelys as their pasty neighbor or Pawn Stars trying to sell some memorabilia from The Tonight Show? It’s just a suggestion and it would kind of make things a lot easier for some of us.

Also, I included a graphic design project I did in typography class while in college. I had to use the letters of someone’s name to create a rendering of them and I chose you. You had an “interesting” look and I figured I could do a lot with your image. Let me know if you agree…or don’t, whatever.

Thanks for the laughter,

Melissa

Yes, that part at the end is true. I created the image to the left in my sophomore typography class. The people who have seen it have told me to send it to him because maybe he will put me on his show. What? That won't happen. Do you know how many crazy people send him stuff they made for him? There's probably a Conan potato chip and a Conan pot holder out there somewhere. Anyway, tomorrow I am sending this letter, along with my pride, to California. We'll see if I ever get a response. I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: It is 2013 and still no response ... What the heck, Conan?
UPDATE: It is now 2014, and still nothing. I am posting this to his Facebook page. Take that!

30 B4 30 Day 7: Try Bikram Yoga

Practicing yoga makes one more aware of their body, mind and spirit. It really tests your limits. I know I have made jokes about it testing the limits of my bowels, but I am serious when I say that yoga works its way into your body and makes you push yourself. Once it gets under your skin, you want to know what else you can challenge yourself to do. This desire to push myself motivated me to choose my activity for day 7: Try Bikram Yoga. Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, is a practice that incorporates 26 asanas (postures) for 45 minutes to an hour in a room with the temperature turned up to 95 to 100 degrees.

Preparing for yoga class, I did a little research on what to bring and wear. My Google search led me to pages that said I needed a hand towel, a lot of water and my own mat. The hand towel is to wipe any dripping sweat, the water is to rehydrate myself and the mat is needed to keep my sweat in my neighborhood. The gift certificate TK bought me covers 10 classes at Yoga is Life in Setauket, so I chose the hot yoga class at 9 p.m. and like the nerd that I am, I left my apartment at 8 to get there.

Obviously, I was the first one to arrive, so I signed in and waited for the class to start. When we were allowed in the room, I figured if I was going to do this right, I had to park my mat in front of the heater. So, that's what I did and as we went from posture to posture, it got hotter and hotter. It wasn't like a sauna where I couldn't breathe because I hate that suffocating feeling you get in a spa. I actually found myself thinking that it could get hotter. When I was in high school, I played basketball outside during the summer, so I was prepared to feel weak and tired, but I didn't. I felt exhilarated and accomplished when the class was over.

Let me be honest, sweat was definitely dripping down my face and down my shoulders, but it felt great to sweat. It also felt great to do this one power pose where you punch your hands down to your sides, kick your knee up and say "HA!" as you walk back and forth on your mat. The purpose of this act is to let out your frustrations and I definitely thought about TK's socks all over the floor (HA!), Duncan crying at me to go outside (HA!) and the jury duty I will have in 2 weeks (HA!). Also, as I was going from balance pose to breathing technique, I looked up to the ceiling and enjoyed that the panels had suns or clouds painted on them, a welcomed detail.

The setting was pretty peaceful, but that was until I was in a resting pose and had to lie my forehead on my mat. The rug under my mat smelled like a sweaty foot. People warned me that I might smell the body scents of my classmates, but they didn't warn me about the smell of the rug. It was the only disappointment I had during this experience and it was a small one being that I was standing up or sitting down most of the practice.

Tonight's class allowed me to let everything out...well not "everything" because I kept my bowels in check and only released sweat, frustration and toxins, and it felt good. I plan on using the rest of my gift certificate as soon as possible. Namaste!

30 B4 30 Day 6: Learn to Say Thank You in 30 Languages

Good manners were instilled in me early in life with my mom asking, "Whatdya say?" after I received an ice cream cone from Mister Softee or when the big kid from next door went to get the ball that I accidentally tossed across the street. After a few years, it stuck and now I shout, "YOU'RE WELCOME!" to people I knowingly hold the door open for at the mall who neglect to say thank you. I just feel that there is no excuse to not say thank you or you're welcome or even please, well unless you have a mouthful of food and the waiter comes by to ask how the food is. Then, it may take a minute...but you should still say it.

In addition, I have always thought there should be something else to say after someone says, "you're welcome," because sometimes saying, "thank you," is just not enough to convey how thankful you really are. So, for my 6th item on my 30 B4 30 list, I chose to Learn to Say Thank You in 30 Languages because sometimes "thank you" is the most important thing you can say in any language.

Now, some of the words were easier to learn, like asante (Swahili) which was said in The Lion King and arigato (Japanese) which was sung in "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. Also, I already knew the big 4: gracias (Spanish), merci (French), grazie (Italian) and danke (German), which every person should know regardless of what subject they chose to study in high school. Then there is the one I have used before: mahalo (Hawaiian), and the one I have heard before: mesi (Haitian Creole). But, after I got through these eight, the rest were slightly difficult to learn and even more difficult to remember, and I have been repeating them over and over. See for yourself:

1. ARABIC = shukran, shoe-krahn
2. BENGALI = dhanyabaad
3. CHINESE, Cantonese = do jeh, daw-dyeh
4. CHINESE, Mandarin = xiè xie, syeh-syeh
5. CROATIAN, SERBIAN, SLOVENIAN = hvala
6. CZECH = děkuji, deh-ku-yih
7. DUTCH = dank u wel / dank je wel
8. FINNISH = kiitos, kee-toas
9. GREEK = ευχαριστώ, ef-har-rih-stowe
10. HEBREW = toda, toh-dah
11. HINDI = sukria, shoo-kree-a
12. INDONESIAN = terima kasih, t'ree-ma kas-seh
13. KOREAN = kamsah hamnida, kahm-sah ham-nee-da
14. LATIN = gratias ago (from 1 person), gratias agimus (from more than 1 person)
15. LATVIAN = paldies
16. NORWEGIAN, SWEDISH, ICELANDIC, DANISH = tahk
17. PERSIAN = motashakkeram
18. POLISH = dziękuję, dsyen-koo-yeh
19. PORTUGUESE = obrigada (female speaking), oh-bree-gah-dah
20. RUSSIAN = спасибо, spah-see-boh
21. TAHITIAN = mauruuru
22. TURKISH = tesekkur ederim, teh-sheh-kur eh-deh-rim

Not as easy as it seems, is it? At least there were pronunciation hints included with some of them. I would be completely lost if that wasn't the case. For instance, try to read the Greek term without the pronunciation assistance. That's what I thought...

So far, I can remember several of the words listed but I fully intend to learn all 30 and keep them in my mental Rolodex for future use.

And, I would like to say a special thank you to Louise DiCarlo who suggested I add this item to my list. She can pick whichever thank you she wants from the list to accept my appreciation. Personally, I would choose mahalo because it is my personal favorite. Hawaii is an amazing place and the only location of the 30 that I have been to. Wow, apparently, I need to travel more and practice what I have just learned.

Oh, and thank you for reading about today's activity!