Update #3

I realize that these posts are most likely getting rather old... but my 30th Birthday is just around the corner, and I'm getting close to crossing off 30 things - but still have a few to go. I'm not 100% sure that I'll be able to have 30 done BY my birthday, but by the end of the month, for sure... Here are some pic's of what I've gotten done in the past few weeks...

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (this is obviously a process, but it's coming along...)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it (could be better, but I'm DOING IT!)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (5 down)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal
34. Participate in a Water Station for a Race

35. See the "Golden Spike"... it's part of HISTORY!

# 28 - Go to Antelope Island - DONE

These are some awesome pics of the half day adventure that I had with my parents and my little brother as we went to Antelope Island earlier this month. It was really pretty cool to head out there and see this "Utah landmark". We stopped at the "round up area" and saw the rangers tagging, and checking the buffalo that live on the island - they bring them into this coral and one by one, run them in this "holding" place, while they check their heath, and tag 'em. It was pretty noisy, as they come barreling in and are stopped by a metal "fence". They keep the big guys in individual pens, because they can be kinda grumpy when you get in their space.

This guy behind me rammed right into the side of this fence when he saw one of the workers trying to shoo one of the younger guys down the "ramp"area. He hit it so hard, that he was shaking his head a bit after (like he was a little dizzy after hitting a metal fence with his head or something - go figure). I was mesmerized by the process...

We also saw this great "look out point" which is really the trail head to some hiking that we didn't have the time to do. I'd like to go back and actually do some hiking on the island when I have more time... looked like fun (as long as you don't get run over by the scouts...)

#19- Try a new type of food - DONE

I actually tried 2 new types of food, but only took one picture. I got together with a group of about 10 people and headed over to the "Bohemian" restaurant off of 72nd south and state street. I asked the waiter about what he thought, and ended up trying the "schnitzel" (which is basically, a very thin piece of chicken that's breaded and was served with this AMAZING sauce.) I actually LOVED IT! and ate the ENTIRE thing - I guess I was hungry? I'd just come from the gym, or something like that (I mean look at how awesome I appear in this photo - no make up, my hair was a mess... yeah, and I still went out anyway). The next night I actually went with some other friends and tried Moroccan food with was also pretty tasty!

(P.S. this is Josh, to my right... he just wanted to make an appearance on the blog)

#5 - Run 6 races - DONE (FINALLY!)

On Thanksgiving morning, I got up and headed down to "VF Factory Outlet" where the 5th annual Utah Human 5K Race was held. I dragged my entire "Happy" family there and conned a few friends to join with me too. It was 8 degrees outside, and for the first .75 miles I couldn't really feel my toes, but we did it, (and after I finally warmed up by mile 1 or so, I actually had a great time!) When I got to the finish line, I turned around and noticed that everyone was "steaming" as they were warmer than the air outside, and there were LOTS of people with frozen hair, where they had sweated. My left eyelash actually got frozen, as the sweat from head had caused it to get a little "wet" and freeze. What a great start to the day of "Thanks". Thanks to my family and friends who came in support of me, and in support of the awesome cause it was raising money for. (THe race is a fundraiser that gives money to the Utah Food Bank, and the Church of Jesus Christ's Humanitarian Aid Fund - this year they raised over $40,000 for the food bank, and I imagine near the same for the Humanitarian Aid Fund as well - way to go people!!!)

Kris, (Rick - hiding behind), Spencer, Paige, Me, Kerri, and back row Olivia & Brett - Adam, (my bro-in-law) and his Dad and brother Troy also ran, but had to leave in order to get the the morning basket ball game.

This coming week I hope to work on ... a Furniture Finish, a Book Finish, an art project hung up/displayed, a "curling" appointment, some organizing of the business finances, AND a little service and gratitude journaling! It's gonna be a busy two weeks!!! - OH, and Planning my trip to see Wicked!!! YEA!!!

One more down... well almost!

Just in case you didn't read my FB status... I'M GOING TO SEE WICKED THE WEEK BEFORE I TURN 30!!! Talk about Awesomeness!!!!!! One more off the list... at least planned. Have some awesome pics to be posting next week of more things to cross off this 30's list... I'm going to be super bummed when this is all over with! ... what's next, life?

:)

30 to 30 update... and other happenings...

Dear Mom (and anyone else that thinks my life is worth keeping up with...),

The following is an update of my "list". I started thinking, I only have 6-7 weeks before my birthday! I'd better get crackin'. I'm going to do a few of the following in the next few weeks, so if you'd like to join me, let me know and I'll get you details. :)

TO DO in the next 2-3 WEEKS!:

I'm going to go to Antelope Island, Golden Spike, Going Curling, and to try a "new kind of food". I plan to finish my 5th book this week, and work on my "furniture" Friday (cause I have it off...) I'm running my last race, on Thanksgiving morning, and will be watching for cheap tickets to see Wicked ANY TIME that I can! Found a round trip for $250, but didn't think it would work with my schedule... but I'm OPEN FOR IT BABY!

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (this is obviously a process, but it's coming along...)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it (could be better, but I'm DOING IT!)
5. Run in 6 races (5 down)
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (4 down, one 50 pages away...)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34. Participate in a Water Station for a Race

35. See the "Golden Spike"... it's part of HISTORY!

In OTHER NEWS...

I have the worlds greatest roommates! A few weeks ago I heard an add on the radio that the Utah Symphony was having a guest pianist come to play one of my favorite songs... what it's called is slipping my mind, but I like it anyway... I decided that I wanted to go, and my two roommates came along. We had a great time, and I even think I offended the single guy sitting next to me... (made a comment to my roommate about how I tell my students to dress up for the symphony, and that they should wear slacks or a dress and that if they didn't have slacks, then they should wear their nicest jeans... lo and behold, my roommate whispered to me at intermission that the guy sitting next to me looked at me kinda funny when I was telling her that, because he was wearing JEANS! AHHH! Whoops!) Here's a lovely picture... it was the best of the three we took...

Also, this is for my family... but I did dress up for Halloween and even attended a "church dance" - yeah, probably the last one I'll be attending until they ask me to chaperone one. These are a few pictures...

Oh, and did you know that October 30th is National Candy Corn day? Cause it is! In honor of this wonderful holiday, my roommate and I created this awesome sign and a very nice wreath to hand on our friends door (as a surprise!) next year you can celebrate too...

Question...

So, my "non-member" friend asked me the following question - Why do we have to be sealed? ... and more specifically, if we're going to be in the same kingdom as our family/friends, why does it matter if we are sealed?" What are YOUR thoughts, people?

Summer of 30 till 30

Okay people! This will be a long post, so read what ya want and don't complain - you were warned! First I'm going to list what I've gotten done with my "30 till 30 list" and will post pictures of my vacation to New York/Boston.

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races (3 down)
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (3 down)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34.Participate in a Water Station for a Race

So, that makes 10 things I'm "in the process" of doing/completing AND I've finished 8! For those of you who aren't good at math, that means I've got 18 out of 30 going, which is more than half! Yippeeee! I've still got some work to do and hope to get a few more things finished/started in the next few weeks. Seriously, people, this has been a great motivation to do some things that "I've always wanted to do" but haven't done! When you have a "REASON" to do it (ie. need to cross it off a list) it seems to make doing it more of a priority. So make your own "__ till __" list ASAP! You won't regret it!

Okay - to "report" on my summer life - which is so interesting - hey, it's interesting to me...

NEW YORK & BOSTON - June 2010...

So the day I got out of school, my roommate Olivia and I hoped on a Red Eye flight to New York. We arrived early in the morning and headed to the hotel, where we dropped off our luggage and headed to the Statue of Liberty. From there, we spent 3 days exploring the city and had a super great time!

This is from the Statue of Liberty museum... talk about toe jam!

This is from the Manhattan Temple, which is where we were when we were SUPPOSED to be seeing Wicked.. yah, I'm not to good when it comes to looking at details apparently, ie the DATE on the tickets that came in the mail 3 weeks before we left. Hence the need to have "SEE WICKED" on the 30 till 30 list. Can we say FLAKE! But the temple was BEAUTIFUL!

The Brooklyn Bridge... walked half way, then decided to come back.

This is in front of the "MET" which was pretty neat - someone could spend a week inside and still not see everything! It's HUGE!

The night life! We were out in time square workin' our magic till midnight... okay, we really just wanted to go to the M&M store - which had some pretty sweet things!

Central Park - Great place for a Sunday Afternoon Stroll

This is a special picture :) not the most flattering, but hey, what can ya do. This is from The Empire State Building... learned that the city has "grown" because throughout history they would dump trash out in the "bay", which would pile up, decompose and become "land" which they could build in. CRAZY!
This is from the "Top of the Rock" - we went one night after we'd gone to a play (which we had a cool picture from, but it got lost :( We'd taken a picture with the man who'd written the play! How cool is that!) Pretty cool views at night!

BOSTON: After a few days in New York, we took a train up to Boston! I think that I actually liked riding the train, because the seats were spacious (unlike a plane) and I was able to get some things done while I rode!

Our 1st night in Boston - we'd had some New England Clam Chowder! Man, was it tasty! YUM!

For 1 of the days we were in Boston we walked the "Freedom Trail" - which takes you to see the U.S. History sites in the city. You get a map and walk to each spot on your own. This is a cemetery where Paul Revere (and many other famous patriots) was/were buried.

Somewhere around this bay is where the Boston Tea Party took place...

A Memorial of the location of the Battle of Bunker Hill (I teach all this history, which is why it was super cool to me!)

Okay, this is inside the Old North Church - which is where the lanterns were hung from the "Paul Revere Ride" poem that we all know and love! This was a cool church because it has some stolen clocks in it or something like that... can't remember the details, but I remember something about pirates? Olivia might have to help with the details on this one.

This is us enjoying our treat from "Mike's Pastries" - which the 12 year old desk clerk (okay he wasn't 12, but he LOOKED like he was 12) told us to try out. It was a really cool place/experience - I felt like I was at the Bakery from "CAKE BOSS" on TV. :) We had to enjoy a treat along our ALL DAY walk!

This is on a replica of the U.S.S. Constitution - which I think was a ship from way back in the day that was "unsinkable" - they called her "IRON CLAD" or something similar to that. I was tired at this point, since it was the last stop on the Freedom Trail for us, and don't remember too many details.

On day 2 in Boston, we took the Bus to Lexington & Concord - the sites of the 1st Battles of the Revolutionary War - we took a "tour" and saw many sites, and I took TONS of notes on what Really took place there... funny that these two towns still fight over where the "shot heard around the world" took place. I really enjoyed this! This is the bridge that takes you to the farm where there was a small battle with the British.

Along this tour, you could also get off the bus and tour the home of the author of "Little Women". We did so, in order to meet up with our new friend Sally, who offered to drive us back to the beginning of the tour - we didn't really need a ride, but went with her anyway and made a new friend and heard about her interesting trip with her husband.

Me, our new friend Sally, and Olivia at one of the tourist stops - this was the "Minute Men Headquarters" or something like that.

Us with the funny tour guide who said all history books were full of mixed up stories, and false information, but wouldn't write his own book! Hello! Help us out, write the TRUTH so we can all get it right!

Mike's Pastry part 2! Had to go back for more...

While trying to find a place to eat we saw a few "Cheers" Bars

This is us getting back at 11:00 at night, very exhausted from the trip, but VERY glad to have gone! What a week of AMAZING EXPERIENCES!

Help, Please!

Dear Friends,

I need some help, please. I have finally downloaded some pictures of my summer adventures, AND, my 30 till 30 adventures... (which I'll try to post this week.) Along with these pictures, I'd like to post an updated list with the things I've accomplished in a different color then the rest of the text. HOWEVER, I'm not smart enough (or patient enough) to figure out how to do this. Who can tell me how to do multiple colors in ONE post? :) Thanks!

Love,
Tricia

Up to 30...

Okay, I know you're just waiting at the edge of your seat... Here's an "updated" list... I've got 30 things to do... hoping to add to the list, so PLEASE keep the ideas coming! And, anyone that wants to join in on the fun, please let me know! I'd much rather do these 30 things other people... :)

Italics mean that it's in progress...
Bold means DONE, and DONE!


1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (1 down!)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp - (thanks Jared)
12. See Wicked - (this one's for you Olivia... I'm going to make up for my dumb mistake if it kills me or costs me $500!) :)
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34...

Updates...

Well, I realized today that I have some work ahead of me. Have a trip to "document" and a list to update! Photo's and pictures to come... thanks to all those who've been posting ideas for me to add to the list! More to come this week - cause I don't have a million things to do or a million places to be in! So EXCITED!

30 till/past 30 LIST! OH YEAH!

Okay - well since Jared is the only one who's "commenting" (except my mom who called me with a suggestion that is now #3), ... this may just be a list for my own personal reference - which is fine - cause I needed to write it down somewhere! More ideas of things to do/accomplish/learn to come...

Current List... (It's not going to be 30 things - but a list of things and I'll do at least 30 before I turn 30 - and then 30 MORE things after I turn 30 :) - just to ya know how it's gonna work)

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (anyone want to go to the driving range?)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends every month (June = Sally from Springfield, MA + ?)
8. Read 6 books
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp - (thanks Jared)
12. See Wicked - (this one's for you Olivia... I'm going to make up for my dumb mistake if it kills me or costs me $500!) :)
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :) - this is for AFTER I turn 30 :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio ;)

etc...

Any other suggestions people?

30 'till 30 / 30 past 30

My roommate and I were talking and decided that instead of stressing about turing the big 3-0 we'd do a little "celebrating" - I've decided to call my "count down" 30 'till 30 - 30 past 30... I know you're dying to know what that means :)

Well, let me explain! I'm going to come up with a long list of things I'd like to do/learn and will be trying to do at least 30 before I turn 30 and then to celebrate I'm going to kick off the first "6 months" of being 30 by continuing to check off 30 more things off the list :)

Check back soon to see what's gonna be on this list! (Oh, and if you would contribute your ideas, I'd love to hear them!)

RAGNAR Wasatch Back

A week ago my friend got a hold of me and asked me to run the Wasatch Back Relay Race with her and some of her friends this coming month. She told me that the gal they had lined up had suffered an injury and seeing that the race is in mid June, they needed to find a replacement, FAST! Hesitating at first, I told her I'd think about it and get back to her the next day... Needless to say, I thought about it, debated back and forth, wondering if I could really make it through 16.4 miles with only a month to train, and said YES!

I'm really excited, petrified, and wondering what I was thinking, but look forward to the adventure! Our team of 12 will be running from Logan to Park City (188 miles) in 24 hours riding in 2 vans, sleeping in the van or wherever there's an empty lawn, and should have quite the experience! I'm hoping to make it through the race without passing out from heat stroke or lack of sleep! But I'm excited...

Our team name is "Hips, Lips, and Asphalt" - the team blog is http://lipshipsandasphalt.blogspot.com/... I'm running leg 8! Wish me luck!

Summer Vacation

Purchased tickets to go to New York/Boston the day school gets out... can I say I'm ready for a vacation!

SPRING BREAK...well, sort of...

A month ago... yes, I know I'm not good at posting in a timely manner... I had Spring Break. Because I'm a bad planner, I didn't have any fantastic trip planned to the beaches of Hawaii, or a sunny cruise to the Bahamas... So, I stayed home in the awesome Utah Snow. Love snow in April, and in May... lovely!

So, not to be discouraged, I decided to enjoy my time off by going to bed early (yes, I don't GET to do this while working because I'm always up late grading, or making lunch for the next day, or I don't know, but I'm always up!). I'm really bad at this, but I actually like to go to bed early so I can get up early and enjoy the day - but I tend to go to bed late, get up early and drag through the day - it's stupid, I know... anyway, back to my break -

Thursday I was able to go the Salt Lake Temple and enjoyed a very nice live session! It was so nice to be able to be there and I was grateful to be able to relax while enjoying the spirit of the temple. After my session I joined in a "mini" sealing session, which was fantastic... we single gals don't get to do those too often, since it's hard to act as proxy when ya don't have a man in tote to do so... That night I went to institute and again, enjoyed the lesson... it was a "churchy" day.

Friday consisted of WORK and SHOPPING - my two favorite things! So, maybe I don't "enjoy" the actually cleaning, but I LOVE the feeling when something is organized and cleaned up! I chose to attack the project called "garage"... I finally organized my Flower Business - yes, I feel like I have a mini "shop" in the garage now! LOVE IT (I'm the only one who really cares about it, but I don't care! It's going to be so nice!) (P.S. my Mom did help me a ton with the garage... must give credit!). Then, in true Ellison fashion, we did a little "therapy" session... We went shopping to help fill some of the "gaps" in the decor of my house - a corner here, a table there... We went to two "decor" stores (Tia Pan & Osmands in Lehi - Osmands ROCKS!), IKEA for some of the garage "accessories" and then a stop at Home Depot, to get the "tool rack" for the garage :) When we got home, we put everything up, and it feels like a new place - again :) Good times (Thanks Mom!)

Saturday - Gym, 8:30 babysitting and then conference, store, conference, soccer game... "busy" but fun day. My game was SUPRER intense, and though the "show off" team we played was WAY too good to be in our "LOWEST LEVEL IN THE LEAGUE" - we beat them! Yes, it was AWESOME. Paige came and it was a lot of fun to play with her again - I LOVE SOCCER!

Sunday was just regular... nothing too exciting...

Monday was back to the grind, get ready for WORK again on Tuesday... Did finish up some of the things that I wasn't able to do on Friday and Saturday. Of course I didn't really prepare well for Tuesday because I was too busy being bummed that I had to go back - but oh well!

Sometimes I think it's nice to just be able to get caught up on life! Grateful for my mom's help in being able to do so... She is awesome! (And very good at decorating and organizing... you may be able to hire her to come help with your projects! :)