Spontaneous 1 Week Road Trip - Iowa/Missouri

This didn't happen in my 30th year, but it's close enough. I was 29 and 3/4. :) Tony and I decided to take one week off and just get in the car and go. No plans. Started in Des Moines, IA -- then to Iowa City, IA -- then St. Louis. MO -- then Memphis, TN -- then New Orleans, LA, then to Minneapolis, MN and back home to Des Moines, IA.

In Iowa City, we ate at The Vine and had delicious maple hot wings. We watched the last game of the Hawkeye season and they won!

Then we headed to St. Louis. We walked along the Mississippi river. I remember standing right next to the river and was just in awe at how spectacular nature is, and how old the city of St. Louis was -- Many people throughout history stood in the exact same spot -- I now know why they call it the MIGHTY Mississippi.

Then we went to the Gateway Arch. It was amazing to be so high up and it was cool to ride up in a spaceship like vessel to the top. Cool fact: the arch is as wide as it is tall! We also visited the FREE zoo and saw amazing animals. When I see animals like tigers, huge turtles, monkey, birds, etc. I am reminded how unique all living creatures are and how AWESOME God is to create all of us.

We ate delicious BBQ at Pappy's -- visited by the Man vs. Food television show. We had pulled pork and beef brisket, along with baked beans, green beans and coleslaw. The line went out the door and around the corner, but thankfully we got there early enough that the wait was not very long. Everything was perfection.

A new beginning...

My first check mark off my list! I know it's not my birthday yet, but I've accomplished one of my goals and it's a HUGE one! I have just had THE best week of my career. This week provided the renewed passion in my career that I needed.

First, all the sweat and tears that I put into my work was validated with my year end review.

~ AND ~

I have been in the same department for 8.5 years and I have just been given the opportunity to start a new journey.

I went on an interview on Thursday and I did the best I could to promote myself. They told me it would be about two weeks before they reached a decision, so I thought I wouldn't hear from them anytime soon. However, the very next day, I received a phone call offering me the position!!!

The new position is with the same company and I will still be in the same profession, but it's more responsibility. I will be learning a new product, be in a new building, work with new people -- definitely, a new and refreshing challenge.

I am very excited. This is an awesome start to my list!!!!

But I am also NERVOUS and sad.

The department I am leaving was my first ever real job. I started when I was 21 years old. The people I work with have been there with me to experience my highest highs and my lowest lows of my messy but fun twenties.

They are not just my co-workers --- they are my extended family and some of them I even consider immediate family. :)

I will miss each and every single one of them: Thank you for your role in shaping me into the person I am today.

The Rules

Each month, beginning April 14th, 2010, I will have a list of goals to accomplish within that month. If I do not accomplish a goal within that given month, I can move it onto the next month, but all goals must be completed before April 14th, 2011.

I will have 5 goals that will run the course of a year:

1. Train hard to finish Dam to Dam Half Marathon in June.
2. Continue to train hard to finish IMT Des Moines Full Marathon in October.
3. Find a career that I am passionate about or be able to find renewed passion in my current career.
4. Read 1 book per month.
5. Learn how to cook delicious food. Real food. Made from scratch food.

I am open to suggestions on what should go on my list!

The Plan

Today: Saturday, Feb 13th, 2010

Just purchased 2 tickets for Celine Dion concert tickets in Las Vegas for April 13th, 2011. This concert will mark the end of my journey. On April 14th, 2010 I will turn THIRTY years old. THIRTY. The plan is to come up with a list of things to accomplish in one year, to make turning THIRTY less scary and more significant. As a young girl, I couldn't even imagine being THIRTY years old. And now, here it is, staring me in the face. Instead of moaning and groaning about it, I am going to embrace it and make it my best year ever. Follow along on my journey.

Why Celine Dion? I just watched an episode of Oprah and she had Celine Dion as a guest. Her voice is magic. Her heart is genuine. Her songs are epic. She is full of love. She is passionate.

I want to live a life that is full of magic, where my actions are genuine, live a life that is epic, love with all my heart and find my passion.