Sorry guys

So, I haven't been doing much lately since I've been sick and not able to breath well. Here's why:

There are a couple of people that live in my building that smoke right outside of the door, under the covered entrance into the building. Such as this:

I have started to take pictures of the people who have been doing it, and I haven't been sneaky about it in any way. However, they continue to smoke where their second-hand smoke comes right into our windows and patio door. The smoke has been irritating my lungs and is impeding my ability to breath!

While I appreciate that they abide to the no smoking law and not smoke in their apartments, smoking right outside of the building impacts the tenants that live right by the front door immediately.

I have contacted my management twice so far, indicating that it is disruptive and it causes my asthma symptoms to act up. They have pretty much done nothing in regards to this and have only offered to send out an email to remind people to try and move away from the building when they smoke. 

So, I haven't been running or doing any exercises recently because I haven't been able to breath well. I kind of like breathing. So, my next step is to see what kind of organizations are in Minnesota that can help me and see what other steps I can take.

I promise I will do better, guys.

To lighten the mood, here's a picture of me from the NKOTB concert last week!

-A

She keeps on running....

I ran my first 5k with my sister on this past Sunday at the Susan G. Komen's Race for The Cure. I finished with the time of 41 minutes and a couple seconds. My sister finished much sooner than me, but she's been running for longer.

A few minutes after finishing

That is really not that bad considering I had barely trained the last month. Also, I had set my bar very low with the goal to finish within an hour, and I did. So I'm going to call that a win. I will be trying to beat that time from now on.

Charlie being cute during the walk

Afterwards, my sister and I walked around the area that you can get free stuff, and got a bunch of free food, water and COFFEE. It was amazing. We didn't have much time to soak it all in, because we were also doing the 5k walk with our other sister and niece. It was so packed for the walk, that we weren't able to walk very fast, but it was nice to stretch out after the run.

The crowd behind up

The crowd in front of us

After we finished the walk, it was actually one of my other nieces' birthday and we were having a party later that day at my sister's place. It was fun. I took a small nap on the couch while everyone else was talking. The nap was glorious. The beer that I had with our dinner was even more glorious. My niece got her own "smash cupcake" to eat. She loved it.

Clara eating her cupcake!

We didn't stay too late, and I went to bed super early to go back to reality.

-A

P.S. I was SO sore on Monday.

Update

So, I have been a little busy with the end of the semester and all, but I have been working on some of the items on my list. Such as:

I have bought a sky-diving Groupon to go sky-diving with my cousin.
I have registered for my last class, which I will be completing this Summer and then I will be done with my bachelors. (super excited)
I have my first 5k tomorrow (May 10th), that I will be trying to run the whole thing.
I put 5 inspirational messages inside books at my local Barnes and Nobles, in hopes that people will buy the books, find the pieces of paper and feel good.

I'm still looking for people to help me with some of the things on my list, even if it's recommendations on where I should start looking or where I should go to do the activity.

I'm looking forward to having some more of this "free time" everyone keeps talking about, and exploring some new "hobbies" (whatever those are).

Now, I'm going to bed before a big day tomorrow!

-A

Book signing

On February 15th, there was a special screening of The Princess Bride movie and a book signing by Cary Elwes (aka Wesley). It was my FIRST book signing, which was on my list. I went with some of my friends and my sister.

The showing of the movie was scheduled to start at noon, and the passing out of the wristbands that allowed you into the theater started at 11am. We got to the Mall of America (where it was showing) around 9am, and there was already almost 200 people in line. We sat down and got as comfortable as possible on a hard, marble floor. My sister and I went to get coffee and some food, which took way longer than expected. When we got back, our other friend, who was supposed to meet us there, still hadn't shown up and it was after 10am.

The wristband!

By around 11, everyone started to stand up and get ready to start moving and our friend still hadn't shown up. When we were almost to the front of the line, our friend FINALLY showed up. We got our wristbands and made our way to the theater and got seats.

Crappy picture of all of us

We watched the movie with a whole theater full of Princess Bride fans. It was pretty awesome. We thought that the book signing was going to be at another location, so we started to leave, when they told us to go back and sit down. Cary Elwes was going to answer questions.

He gave pretty much everyone a hug that asked a question, and I have a video of him whispering "as you wish" into a woman's ear (that I can post if you would like me to). I really wanted to ask him a question, JUST to get a hug from him, but I didn't really have a question to ask him.

After the questions, they let people file out to get their books signed. They weren't allowing pictures when we were waiting in line, but my sister actually got a good picture just by holding up her phone by her pocket. She was in front of my and got her book signed first. Then it was me.

That's when I LOST MY SHIT.

I was freaking out when he started to sign my book, so much so that he said "calm down, it's okay" and GAVE ME A HUG! I almost couldn't believe it and I couldn't even believe that any of this was happening! Afterwards, my sister shared that she was trying to get a nice close-up picture of him and got the whole interaction ON CAMERA.

When we got down to the exit, I was still freaking out, and I was crying. No idea where that came from. I had basically just met the first real-life Prince Charming that I had ever seen in a movie, so no reason to freak out at all!

Needless to say, that was probably the best day that I have had in a very long time, and it was a really good start to my week. Thank you for all that came out that day with me, and thank you to my sister who took those pictures and then sent them to me. I'm hoping that this will be an indication of how this year will be!

-A

THE HUG!

Right afterwards

He finished signing my book

Me freaking out

This year in review... (with possible controversial content)

So, I have decided to kind of sum up 2014 on here. I'm going to warn you, 2014 kinda* sucked, and I'm going to just talk about EVERYTHING, even the drama. So, don't get offended, since no names are going to be listed.

My year started out with losing my cousin. She was 24 years old.

January and February continued with lots of drama, both personal and professional. I got bitched out over stupid stuff on social media by others who were grieving, and the issue was never resolved. My job got a new Pharmacy Manager, a new Team Lead, and multiple turn-overs in our department within the first few months.

In March, I thought I was getting better, by allowing myself to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (my cousin's birthday), and also allowing myself to open up and get a little comfortable with a guy that I was dating. Big mistake. The guy dumped me via Facebook Messenger early April.

Late April, early May brought an semi-impromptu trip to Mexico for a comedy festival. It was probably the best thing I decided to do. I feel like I was channeling my cousin when I booked the trip.

Late May, my oldest sister welcomed her third daughter. Also, my cousin got married, and it was a beautiful ceremony and beautiful event that was the first happy event for that side of my family since my cousin's death. The night ended with me puking my stomach out outside of the hotel, so I guess I would call it a good night!

June and July kind of blended together, with a reception for one of my good friends' wedding that they had when they went and eloped in Las Vegas on January 1st. Also, there was girls weekend.

August, I celebrated my birthday. It was a bit bittersweet with not being able to have my cousin with me, and not very many people came out to celebrate it with me. Other than that, I had a good night.

September through November kind of flew by, with school, work and trying to work on myself. There was some family drama that happened at Thanksgiving, but that's to be expected with almost all families.

December, was the second worst month this year. I lost 2 friends. One, to complications after falling off of a pyramid in Mexico**, and another to an accidental overdose which none of us knew about, not even his best friends. The Twin Cities comedy scene is a lot less funny now that they are gone.

I didn't get as much done as I would've wanted this year, but I am going to be rolling over my bucket list to 2015, and continue to do those items on the list.

****************************

If I had to put my year into the context of food, I would have to say that my year was kind of like baking cookies: It sucks when you have to mix all the ingredients together and wait for them to be ready, is wonderful when you get to eat them and enjoy the deliciousness of them, then sucks again when they are all gone.

I started the year with hopes that it would be amazing. Some parts were. Some parts weren't. I'm grateful for what I have, and I'm thankful that I have accumulated many great friends that have helped me through a rough year. Thank you.

-A


Links to the Obituaries of my friends/cousin that passed this year: #1 #2 #3

* Kinda = REALLY.
** Yes, you read that correctly.

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

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

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

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

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