30 B4 30 Day 30: Write a Book

I have gone through 29 days of new things as I journeyed toward 30 years-old. Some items were ridiculous and some were just plain, well plain, but they were all milestones for me. All things I have never done in 29 years of life and did in 30 days before my 30th birthday. This project made turning 30 more fun for me, even though I knew that it was just an age and not a state of mind or body. So for my final item on my list of 30 B4 30, I have decided, with some advice from my friends, to Write a Book called 30 B4 30.

I have always wanted to write a book, but I never knew what I wanted to write about. Was there enough to create a book about my grandmother? Or figure drawing? Or my trips to Hawaii, Disney or Tennessee? I didn't think so, but after publishing blog post after blog post about all of my completed tasks, I realized that I have developed enough text to fill the pages of an entire book. I will be adding an introduction and a conclusion to the 30 B4 30, but I have finally found something that I can print. So, I researched a few publishing companies and sent them my information. They have contacted me but I wanted to make sure I didn't answer any of their questions until this project was complete. Now that it is, I can call them back and see how much money this madness is going to cost me because it will be expensive. (I am also tallying up how much these 30 days have cost me and will get back to you with that figure as well.)

I don't know if anyone will read this book I am publishing, but I think enough people have read this blog and just maybe they will be interested enough to purchase it as a book. Kind of like The Julie/Julia Project that started out as a blog, then a book and then a movie. I don't think it will ever become a movie because I think maybe my mother, my boss and a few of my family members will end up buying the book, but it is interesting to wonder who will play me. Hmm...

Now that my 30 days are complete, I want to thank you for taking this journey with me and for supporting me with each and every post. Like I said in my "Learn to Say Thank You in 30 Languages" post, I wish there was a sentiment I could say to you that would thoroughly show my appreciation, but there isn't, so all I can offer is a wholehearted THANK YOU because I really do appreciate your interest and hope you will continue to read what I have to say. After all, life is nothing without people to share it with.

XOXOX
30 B4 30

UPDATE: The total price of my 30 B4 30 is $338.63, but that is before any publishing or anything else. 30 days, 30 new experiences and more than $300 later, I am happy with the result. Thanks again!

30 B4 30 Day 29: See the Sunrise

I am not a morning person. I was even born at 7:17 at night. In the morning, my stomach is never ready for food and I have skipped many a breakfast because thinking of eating food has made me nauseous. So, unless I stayed up all night long, I have never seen the sunrise. So, today I made my object to actually See the Sunrise and it was so darn early.

I set my alarm for 6 a.m. because I did my research and found out that the sun was going to rise at 6:25 p.m. Then I peeled TK out of bed because he said he wanted to come with me. I am used to dragging him places he doesn't want to go (i.e. botanical gardens, plays, movies, etc.) so this was no different. We drove to the marina and saw the sun trying to rise but there was a large cloud blocking its way. There have been a few days where I have come home and the sun was coming up, but I have never sat and watched it as it did. So, after about 15 minutes, the sun broke through the clouds and came out, and then it burnt my retinas and I saw bright spots for the next few minutes. Not ideal, but it was nice.

I have seen many sunsets, especially in Hawaii where we chased them every night to get the perfect picture but never did. Being there to see the sunset was more memorable anyway. It is a pretty amazing phenomenon to see the sun rise and set on a clear day. It reminds you of life's cycle and how dependable some things are. Even when you don't know what tomorrow will bring, at least you know that the sun will come up and the day will begin.

"The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, they'll be sun." That Annie was so perceptive.

30 B4 30 Day 28: Try 30 of the 31 Flavors at Baskin Robbins

Like I have said before, I am a foodie. I love to eat and it kind of shows. (No wise cracks please.) One of the foods I love to eat is ice cream and one of the most famous places for ice cream is Baskin Robbins. In NY, Baskin Robbins shares their location with Dunkin Donuts just in case you want to have some coffee or a donut with your ice cream cone. Tonight I decided to Try 30 of the 31 Flavors at Baskin Robbins because I felt there was a need to stretch out the summer just a little bit more.

Baskin Robbins is famous for having 31 flavors of ice cream at any one time. I called one location to see how many flavors they had on tap and the creepy guy said he would serve 30 of them to me personally. So, obviously, I decided to steer clear of that place and chose another of the five locations in a three mile radius. I took my friends Colleen and Nicole with me and it was a great idea because Nicole knew the guy behind the counter. She practically mainlines Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, so he knew what she drank and what car she drove. This guy was great. He piled up the 24 flavors from the showcase and then went searching in the back freezer to find the 6 remaining flavors to complete my 30. Some flavors were great and some were pretty disappointing. For instance, after trying Chocolate Chip, you should not immediately try Lemon Chiffon or Bubble Gum (which had mini Chiclets in it). I also suggest you pass on having Birthday Cake after Chocolate Explosion. However, my favorite flavors were Pistachio Almond, Rocky Road and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Those were especially delicious. I can really eat ice cream all year round and plan to.

The moral of the story is to choose one flavor at a time, but try them all. Like Whoopie Goldberg's advice from the movie, Corinna, Corinna, which I can't add verbatim because I don't know the exact wording, but she says you can't die until you have tried all of the flavors and I still have one left...even though I don't know what it is.

Also, it is good to know that you have good friends that will laugh at you first and then completely support your crazy ideas. This is key.