Another one bites the dust

I got my tattoo. For Erin. The last thing that I'll probably get done that was on my list this year.

This is a picture of it RIGHT after I got it done on Friday, December 26th. I had a friend come with me, and it was fine otherwise. I am falling in love with it more and more every time I look at it.

My aunt also gave all of us girls a home blown glass bead that has some of Erin's ashes in it, along with a necklace to put it on if we want to. They are beautiful and it was probably my BEST gift this year.

I'm disappointed that I didn't get more done on my list this year, but I have decided to roll it over to next year and continue with this blog to document the rest of the items on the list that I didn't get done.

I will write another post reflecting on this year in the next few days...

-A

Salsa!

So, I haven't updated in a while, but that's only because I've been busy with work and school. I WAS able to make my own salsa, although the salsa was really hot, but it was good regardless!!

I have a few items from my list that are in queue for the next few weeks, I will be going up to Lutsen, Minnesota next Saturday and I'm hoping to be able to see the Northern Lights while I'm up there.

I'm also planning on trying to do some hiking, and working on my origami!! I may even get around to doing some crafting projects while I'm up there too!!

I'm super excited.

-A

Absent

Sorry I haven't posted much recently. I have been busy with school and work and everything.

I will be trying to update in the next week or so, with a picture of my homemade SALSA!

Also, I'm going to see if I can get some other things on my list done in the next month. I will be going on a mini vacation up north the beginning of November, so I will hopefully be able to do some of the things while up there.

I hope everyone has a great Halloween!

-A

Stand-up Paddling!

Before the class!

Yesterday I completed another item on my bucket list: Stand-up Paddling, or SUP. It was really fun, and was a perfect day for being outside!!

The only bad thing was that I STARTED with my sunglasses on and ended without them.

I brought my mom with me to take pictures of me in the water, and she got some really good ones. I really want to do it more next year, and possibly even buy a board and do it during the summer. However, today I am paying for it with very sore muscles!

Here are some more pictures of me on the board:

Listening to the instructor telling us about the boards and stuff

Just getting into the water. Notice the sunglasses!

I had just fallen in for the second time and laughing at myself

Focusing on trying not to fall in!

At the end, resting. Notice the lack of sunglasses!

-A

The Birthday Party That No One *NEW* Came To

So, I decided to celebrate my birthday at The Monday Night Comedy Show with friends and no one really showed up. It kinda sucked.

The only few things that were good things were the sign that got put on the tables announcing my birthday (I have Andy to thank for that), and the 2 presents I got.  I also got to take a very unflattering (on my part because I was drunk) selfie with Andy. Also, a selfie with my new friend that I met at the bar and Mae.

I'm really hoping that my next birthday will be better. I really hope that my 30th birthday is even better.

It also really sucked because pretty much none of my family came, and I really missed Erin. She would've at least called me and wished me a happy birthday.

Now it's time for sleep.

-A

State Fair and crossing things off my list!

Me and my niece on the carousal

Last Saturday, August 23rd, I went to the fair and met up with my sister and my 7 year old niece. It was the most fun and exhausting experience that I had that weekend. I got the privilege of going on 3 rides with my niece since my sister didn't want to go on them.

I was going to try and get another bucket list item crossed off and go on the "Sling Shot" ride that is almost like bungee jumping, but even though I went to the fair TWICE, I didn't do it. I wished I had someone to go with me!!

Anyways, I'm pretty sure I finished my 25 new beers, since I know I've been trying any new beer that I could over the summer! I have found a few that I like and a lot that I don't really care for.

After my sister and niece left, I met up with a friend and her husband and walked around for a while longer. Right before I left, we saw the Clydesdale's waiting to go into the Colosseum, and they were SO BIG.

On the 24th, my niece came over for a sleepover, for the first time at our new place. It was really good once we got into bed. We watched The Little Mermaid and then started reading The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, the junior version. She fell asleep by the third chapter. She was so cute.

Now it's bedtime for me!

-A

Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival

So, this is a little late, but I was able to go to the Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival on August 17th with Lindsay. It was an amazing day, although it rained for almost the whole time we were there.

The sights were amazing, and I wished they had done the flying ones as well, but they couldn't because it had been raining. I will post some more pictures below of the whole experience. We even got to see a professional Taiko Drumming group perform. They were really good.

Another one bites the dust!

-A

Me and Lindsay getting front row seats!

Before it was dark enough to see the light from the lanterns...

The Conservatory at night

FRINGE!!!!

I was able to cross another few things off of my list this past week! I was able to see 3 Fringe shows at the Minneapolis Fringe Festival.

First fringe festival and I saw some pretty awesome shows: Sole Mates: An Almost Romantic Comedy, Hermann the German: The Show That Rocked New Ulm, and The Sex(ed) Show. All of them were funny and really good. Next year, I'm going to try and go to more and maybe even volunteer!

Also, today I was able to have (I think) my first joint birthday party with my friend Lindsay. It was a lot of fun and we had a My Little Pony cake!

Anyways, who wants to help me with another thing on my list?

Looking for something

I am looking for a necklace with a small turquoise piece. Preferably with just a small design. Something that I can wear on a daily basis.
Please keep your eyes open for any and all pieces of jewelry with turquoise in it.

Thank you

-A

New task completed!!

I bet I've probably already done this, but I had put this on my bucket list for this year because I didn't think I had. I completed the "Take a 2+ hour road trip alone" today by driving up to Duluth and back today for a cousin's bridal shower.

It was an interesting trip, listening to my iPod the entire time, along with the ride last night from a belated wedding reception for one of my good friends in Cokato, MN to Saint Paul to stay with another friend so I didn't have to get up so early today.

It has come to my attention that I should no longer be outside in the countryside because I just get eaten up by mosquitoes! I have at least 50 mosquito bites from last weekend (girls weekend) and this weekend (wedding reception). It's no good.

Here's a pic though!

Anyways, I'm off to get some much needed sleep!

-A

Update

So, I haven't posted for over a month. I have been busy with work, and trying to figure out what I'm doing with my summer!!

I just got back from Girls Weekend in Cokato, Minnesota. It was at one of my friends' cabin and all we did was sit by the fire pit and eat!!

We saw the movie "Jersey Boys" which is a really good movie! All I wanted to do after the movie was listen to The Four Seasons songs all night. I couldn't, so we just were able to listen to each other talk about stuff.


I will be trying to do more things on my list in the next few weeks, especially with the fact that I've joined an online website called meetup.com and I've found out some cool things that are happening in the cities!

Anywho, I'm off to go and try to get some real sleep!

-A

Fox Tattoo?

So, I've been thinking about this for quite some time, and I already have two of my tattoos that I want to get planned out.

However, in honor of Erin, I have been thinking of getting a tattoo of a fox. The thing is, I'm not sure if I should get it realistic, tribal(like an outline), or cute. Also, I've been thinking that I would like to get it on my wrist, so it would have to be able to be quite small. Otherwise, where else would be a good place that I could see easily?

Pictures I'm thinking about:

Just one of these

Like this or a colored

-A

The Tale of Mexico and The Land of The Heartbroken

So, I went to Mexico. It was amazing. It only rained 2 times while we were down there, and one of the days was the last day that we were there. I met a lot of new people and I believe that they will be great friends!

Marial and I didn't get to go snorkeling or anything while we were down there, but I did drink out of a real coconut!! It was amazing!! The stars were amazing as well!!

Anyways, I have taken a little bit of time off of my list since I got sick last month, but now I'm going to try and get back into the groove of folding more origami cranes and lining up more of my bucket list events. I'm hoping to get some more stuff done now that I'm out of school for the summer.

Again, if anyone would like to do any of the things with me, or help fund me for the things, I would be most appreciative!! I have been trying to get money together to buy a new bed, but that's slow-going. Any help would be great!!

Anyways, I'm off to go and do stuff on a very rare day off!!

-A

Reflection

As I was walking out of the car towards my mexican hotel room for the last time, it struck me: the biggest thing that I will miss is the stars. You can see so many of those stars in Akumal, Mexico, and the more you stare up into the abyss that is space, you see more and more little tiny stars that are so far away.
I just had to stand there for a second and look up at the stars and put my life into perspective. We are such a small speck that is in this galaxy and there are people out there that are probably thinking the same exact thing, and wanting to reach out to the other planets. It's so amazing to think that all those mini specks in the sky above us could be another world that we don't even know. Or by the time we are actually seeing the light from it, that star could be dead.
I know this sounds kinda "heavy", but I've always loved staring off into the sky and just being able to see the stars and be able to find your bearings from that. That was amazing to be able to do that while down here.

Unfortunately, I was unable to go snorkeling and see the sea turtles because it was raining on the afternoon of our last day here, but I have made many memories and I will share them when I get home tomorrow.

-A

Mexico!!!

Today is the second day in Mexico!! We are having so much fun and enjoying every little but of the fun in the sun!!!

I will hopefully learn to snorkel and possibly swim with turtles by this weekend. I will be posting photos when/if it happens!!!

Now to go and enjoy this to its fullest by sitting outside getting a tan!!

-A

T-Minus 7 Days!

I leave for Mexico next Tuesday morning, and I'm super excited to go there.

I am staying with a friend, and I'm hoping to be feeling a lot better to be able to do some things on my bucket list, like swim with a dolphin and possibly scuba dive or even go snorkeling. I have looked into it and I'm hoping to get some input on her part to see which, if any, she would like to go and do while we're there.

I've been sick in the last few weeks with pneumonia and I'm JUST not starting to feel like myself again, which is awesome.

Mother Nature has finally figured out that it is spring now and so it's been getting nicer outside and we're able to have the windows open all day. It's amazing!

Lastly, if anyone has any suggestions on what we should do while in Akumal, that would be great to know of stuff to do! Thanks in advance!

-A

Help me!

Abby Needs A New Bed!

Fund me!

Hey everyone,
I started a fundraising website and if you can, please donate to my campaign and help me reach my goal!
Go here!

If you have any questions, let me know!

-A

Fund me?

I'm just curious if anyone would be willing to donate to me so that I can buy a new bed?
I have been having horrible lower back pains. It's mainly because I've been at home this whole weekend sick with the flu, and I've been confined to my bed.

Honestly, I've been needing a new bed for a long time, but I can never get enough money together to buy one. I'm going to be in need of about $400, and if I do a "Crowdfunding" type of a thing, I would probably put the goal higher and donate all of the extra money that I don't use on a bed to the American Lung Association or the American Asthma Foundation in memory of Erin.

Please, let me know if any of you reading this would donate at all, or would spread the word.
I know this sounds super selfish to ask for this money for something like this, but it's something that if I don't get, I'm probably going to have to go to a Chiropractor and have to spend MORE money on trying to correct the problem.


-A

Officiating my first wedding!

Last Thursday I was honored to officiate my first wedding, and for that wedding to be between my sister and the father of her daughter. It was a short and sweet wedding ceremony, at The Tavern on France in Edina.

They are such a loving couple and they are really meant to be together. I blessed to be a part of it, while also surrounded by a bunch of her friends and our family, new and old.

Congratulations, Sister.

-A

More figurines

I got more Doctor Who figurines last night. I only opened one so far, and I'm trying to pace myself to open the others.
Also, I've gotten more cranes done, and almost another box full!!
I will have another post going up about another thing that I can cross off my list!!
-A

Making progress!

So, just thought I would update on how far I'm getting on the origami cranes. I've been doing at least 5-10 everyday, and I really hope I'm making SOME progress.

As you can see, I've reused a box from my MLP figures. I'm going to reuse more! I have some more origami paper coming in the mail in the next few days that are 6x6. I bought some that are 3x3, but they are WAY too small, so I'm going to return them and get more big ones.
Thanks for reading everyone!!

-A

MEXICO!!!!

Today, I have booked my flight to Cancun, Mexico. I am leaving on April 29th and coming back on May 5th. I am going to the Akumal Comedy Festival which is one hour south of Cancun in Akumal.
I have never been to Mexico before, and I think that this will allow me to check off some of my items on my list!
The numbers I am hoping to be able to check off are: 3, 4, 10, 20, 21, 41, 67, and possibly 95. Some of the items will be easier than others, but I need to start planning and seeing if the person I'm staying with is up for doing some of these things!

If you are wondering what list I'm referring to, check this out.

If anyone has anything to suggest, please comment and let me know!

-A

In progress

I have been starting to make origami cranes. I want to make 1000 of them.
I have made 4 so far and I think I will make then continuously throughout the year. I've gotten the instructions down!!
Wish me luck!!
-A

Leather working

Last Saturday, me and my crafting friends went to a Basic Tooling class at Tandy Leather in Roseville.
It was kind of added onto my bucket list, and we made this:

The markings on the outside of the flower were for practice!

It was super fun and I want to do something like this every single week. I really need to do more artistic things. I'm going to try and get on this bucket list for this year, and start purchasing some classes and stuff! I have even purchased a Groupon for 3 aerial fitness classes. I'm super excited to start using that!

Anyways... been busy with school and work and hopefully I will be able to do more in the near future!

-A

Pentatonix

This past Wednesday, I was able to see an acapella group sing live, with my sisters. The group was Pentatonix. They were the winners of the third season of The Sing-Off. If you don't know who they are, look them up on YouTube.

It was a lot of fun and I feel like I was the only one having fun. Oh well, but it was fun nonetheless!!

Here's a picture of them performing (even though you weren't supposed to be taking them)!

Hudson hot air affair

The other weekend, I was able to go to a hot air balloon festival in Hudson, Wisconsin with my crafting friends (Katie, Lindsay and Janessa). It was amazingly awesome, although it was a bit cold.
I also was able to play the card game Cards Against Humanity with my friends in Culvers. It was a delightful time!!
One more thing checked off!!!
-A

Drama llama

There seems to be some drama that has occurred since starting this blog. I must say that I am in no way trying to cause any more heartache or drama in anybodys life by doing this blog.
This blog was made because I was sick of making one new years resolution and not sticking to it, then feeling guilty that I didn't stick with it past the first few weeks of the year.
In light of some events that happened within the fist week of the new year, I decided to try to really work on this blog and make it into something that my cousin would be proud of, and show her I was living my life to its fullest and not leaving this world with any regrets. That's what she would do. No regrets.
If you at all question why I'm doing this, or what I'm doing this for, look at my post called "in memoriam" and then you will understand.
Thank you for reading.
-A

Saint Paul winter carnival

Went with my friend today, and went to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Had a lot of fun! Froze my butt off, and didn't realize that I didn't have my debit card with me until we got there. However, I crossed off 1 thing off of my list!!
In the next few weeks, I will be crossing more stuff off!!
-A

100+ Things I Want To Do In 2014 (the official list)

Here is the OFFICIAL list of the 100+ things I want to do in 2014:
(in no particular order,
in memory of Erin)

1. Celebrate Chinese New Year [1] [2] [3] (failed)
2. Try to trapeze
3. Drink water from an actual coconut (completed in Mexico)
4. Kayak in the sea/large river
5. Ride a Catamaran 
6. Hang out in a tree house
7. Skinny dip (in the sea or lake)
8. Kiss upside-down like Spiderman
9. Make my own paper [1]
10. Canoe a river
11. Try to slackline [1]
12. Hike in a cloud
13. Catch a butterfly (then let it go)
14. Whiten my teeth
15. Yawn bomb [1]
16. Stalk a stranger
17. Send a message in a bottle
18. Hand milk a cow 
19. Hang out in a graveyard
20. Learn to scuba dive
21. Learn to snorkel
22. Dance naked in the rain
23. Try a paleo diet for a week [1]
24. Watch a meteor shower
25. Learn to shoot a gun
26. Fly a box kite
27. Camp on Lake Superior
28. Write a "Letter to the editor"
29. Make a secret hideaway book [1]
30. Bungee jump
31. Learn to dance the Tango
32. Learn to dance the Salsa
33. Send a package to a stranger
34. Go dog sledding
35. Vow a day of silence
36. Roll naked in the snow 
37. Get fortune told
38. Learn to yodel
39. Run a 5K
40. Learn to stand-up paddle board (Completed September 6, 2014)
41. Try actual sushi (or more fish)
42. Go to the St. Paul Winter Carnival [1] (Completed February 1, 2014)
43. Learn to golf
44. Spend a day at the MIA [1]
45. Watch Star Wars: A New Hope (Completed August 7, 2014)
46. Watch Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Completed August 12, 2014)
47. Watch Star Wars: Return of The Jedi (Completed August 20, 2014)
48. Watch Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
49. Watch Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
50. Watch Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
51. Watch LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring
52. Watch LOTR: The Two Towers
53. Watch LOTR: The Return of The King
54. Try 25 different (or new) kinds of beer (Completed August, 2014)
55. Go rock climbing
56. Go see an a Capella group live [1] (Completed February 12, 2014)
57. High-five 5 complete strangers
58. Go tailgating 
59. Go on a road trip alone 2+ hours away (Completed June 29, 2014)
60. Go to at least 3 shows at the Minnesota Fringe Festival [1] (Completed August 8, 2014)
61. Learn to make my own salsa [1] (Completed October)
62. Learn to juggle
63. Go to the Como Zoo Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival [1] (Completed August 17, 2014)
64. Ride on a hot air balloon
65. See the Northern Lights
66. Go on a blind date (Completed October 25, 2014
67. Swim with Dolphins
68. Do a color run
69. Go skydiving
70. Spend 1 day at a spa
71. Ride a motorcycle
72. Register with the state for my ordainment (Completed March 19,2014)
73. Officiate my first wedding (Completed March 27,2014)
74. Get an adjustment from a chiropractor
75. Get a tattoo (in progress!)
76. Leave 5 inspirational messages anonymously in public spaces
77. Take a kickboxing class
78. Send a postcard into Post Secret [1]
79. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage
80. Go paint balling
81. Watch all of Pierce Brosnan's "James Bond" movies
82. Get a cream pie thrown in my face
83. Throw a cream pie in someone's face
84. Donate blood (unable to, since I went out of the country)
85. Start a blog and document the whole experience (in progress!)
86. Finish classes to graduate with my Bachelors degree (almost done!)
87. Take a self-defense class
88. Submit a photo to Jones Soda [1]
89. Cherish each moment I get to spend with my nieces (ongoing)
90. Put myself out there more/Take more chances in my personal life (ongoing)
91. Watch all of Firefly
92. Live life the way Erin would- with reckless abandonment (ongoing)
93. Go to a symphony blindfolded
94. Ride a mechanical bull
95. Go water skiing
96. Make 1000 Origami paper cranes [1] (in progress: 500+ done)
97. Make a gingerbread house
98. Watch a sunrise and sunset in the same day (Completed May 5, 2014)
99. Get hypnotized
100. Get a book signed by the author
101. Make a blessings jar and add to it all year [1] (in progress)
102. Take a pole-dancing class
103. Write a letter to myself to open up in 5-10 years
104. Take a Leather Working class (completed March, 1, 2014)
105. Take an aerial fitness class (completed July 15, 2014)

So, that is my list. Some, I'm already in progress. I will update this post whenever I either finish or begin a new part on my list. 

If anyone wants to help, donate or join in any of these events or projects, please let me know!!

-A

New notebook

I got a new notebook today, to start seriously documenting all of the finds I get while looking for all of my activities.
I thought this would be nice to have it all in one place, rather than have it in many different places or just seeing it on groupon or something.
Wish me luck!!
-A

Absent part 2

In addition to my last post, I would like to share a few words.

This came from my Guncle Larry:

"However you feel and however you react is perfectly normal and acceptable given the circumstances. This is what we do these things like today when we are family and friends we hold each other up. Your aunt will need to be held up because now she doesn't even know how she's going to make it to the next minute the next hour the next day next week next month and the next year. In these situations there is never too much support or love that you can offer the heartbroken."

This came from my Auntie Joyce, posting on Erin's wall:

"Erin Elizabeth Hennes..March 17, 1989- January 5, 2014Erin's family would like to thank her friends for all the love we have felt this week. It is because of YOU that we have been able to stay strong. And, isn't that one of the best things in life; to support another when they need your help? We all can find comfort knowing Erin continues to live in others through organ donation. I will keepyou updated as we learn more about those whose lives have been made better because of Erin's generous gifts. Up to 60 people will be directly impacted because of her donations.
"Slow down, you move too fast. You've got to make the morning last, just kicking down the cobblestones..looking for fun and feeling groovy. Hello lampost, whacha knowing? I've come to watch your flowers growing. Ain't cha got no rhymes for me? Feeling groovy."
Erin made her first passage when she was born in Oregon on St. Patricks day in 1989. She 1/2 Polish with just a smidgen of Irish, but she was named Erin because of the day she was born. Erin made many more passages while on this earth. Her travels on earth took her to South America, New York City, Florida, Mexico, Colorado and all places in between. Erin passed into and touched countless peoples lives in her 24 years. Through her organ donation, she continues to make others lives better. "No greater gift...".
Erin's final passage officially occurred at 2:50pm on January 5, 2014 when she was declared dead and flew to heaven. But just because she is no longer here for us to talk and see, doesn't mean she is gone from our lives. Erin made her final passage but in no way is she gone.

I hear her singing from heaven...
"I've got no deeds to do no promises to keep, I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep. Let the morning time drop all it's petals on me. Life I love you, all is groovy."

And then, I hear Erin saying...
"mmmmm...chips!!!"

And, I hear the young Erin saying..
"Not a good place to put a booger..."
Rest in Peace, little daughter. "

That is all.

-A

Absent

Well, lately I have been absent and out of it and the only reason is that I have been dealing with the family issue that I posted about in my last post.

I promise I will be better about posting. I have been preoccupied.

I'm sorry, and I love you all!!

-A

In Memoriam

So, the world lost the most beautiful soul yesterday. My cousin Erin died yesterday after suffering a severe asthma attack and being deprived on oxygen for too long. Although this wasn't on my list, I guess this is a new thing that has happened in 2014. I'm not going to go into too much detail, since I'm already crying writing this little bit. However, I just would like to share a little bit about her and about who she was.

Erin was born on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. She was bubbly, up-beat and a wonderful person. She was up for anything and everything, at any time of the day, no matter what it was. She and her sister were my best friends growing up, and the greatest best friends a child could ask for. You could always see her smiling at any point in the day, even if it was from embarrassment. She was an old soul, that didn't spend nearly enough time on this Earth, but the little time she did spend, she touched so many people. While I was at the hospital yesterday, there were at least 30 people who came to visit her, ranging from high school friends to old bosses. She had an infectious attitude that you couldn't help but smile when you saw her.

There will be so many people who are missing her and wanting her back. There is no rhyme or reason to why these things happened, and we must trust that these things happen for a reason. Especially this.

I love you, and I miss you

RIP Erin Hennes 

3/17/89-1/5/14

Update...

So, I've been working a lot lately, and tomorrow is going to be day 4 of 8...  after which I will be curling up into the fetal position on my bed and cry for a few hours.

Probably on Monday or Tuesday, I will be posting the majority of my list, and then I will be then talking about my options that I will be using for my activities for this year!

For some of the bigger things, I will be using Groupon or LivingSocial to purchase the things. I am really excited to start purchasing and starting on this journey!

I hope that you will continue to follow me on this crazy journey!

-A

First Post

So, this is my first post on this blog, and I might just want to introduce myself to people who may not know who I am.

My name is Abby. I work and go to school full-time in Edina and St Paul, Minnesota, respectively. I currently live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in an apartment with my parents and two cats, Beatrice and Dot.
I have never been one to stick to my new years resolutions, so I have decided to do something different this year and make a list of things I'd like to do but never got around to doing so. My original goal was to do 365 things in 365 days, but with my schedule of work and school, I would never be able to get those things done! So, I have decided to settle for 100 new things in 2014.

I have already started researching companies to do the activities that I am wanting to do, and will be posting the whole list within a few days.


Stay classy Minnesota,

Abby