The Elixir of Love

Last night's experience was truly magical.  Whenever you are able to lose yourself in music there is a feeling of some kind of magic within you.  I went to my first Opera last night!

Donizetti's The Elixir of Love was Austin Lyric Opera's season finale this weekend.  I feel is was the perfect Opera for me to be introduced to; it was none other than a romantic comedy love triangle!  It featured a fun cast of characters, gorgeous music, and many memorable moments.  The orchestra was sparkling and the golden tones of the performers were breath taking, especially those of Rene Barbera (Nemorino).  I can now say I have a guilty pleasure for Opera! I can't wait until next season!

 

 

Pay It Forward

You don't need to change someone's life to make their day a little brighter! This weekend I decided to "Pay it Forward" and leave a deserving server a $100 tip. 

The act of paying it forward is fun to do every once and while.  Sure it cost me $100 this time, but the thrill of doing something nice and unexpected for an unsuspecting stranger is a great way to show others that there is still kindness in this world and that people are still generous out there.  I think we could all use a little unexpected kindness every once in a awhile. 

Here are some other simple ways to show acts of kindness to pay it forward today...

 - Put a quarter in a meter that's about to expire
 - Buy a meal for a homeless person (or give him/her your leftovers from a restaurant)
 - Offer to do pro bono work
 - Mentor someone
 - Make a donation
 - When leaving a foreign country give your left over currency to a local
 - Tip street musicians
 - Let someone cut in front of you in line
 - Hold a door open
 - Smile at strangers
 - Spend time with the elderly
 - Spend time with children
 - Give up your seat for someone in need
 - Give blood
 - Volunteer
 - Show respect equally to all

They see me rollin'

You know you want to do it too.  Every time you see the mall cop riding around on one, you secretly want to ride it too.  When you see one unattended, you know you have a crazy "devil on your shoulder" moment that makes you want to steal it.  The question is though when you want to ride one where do you do it?  Every major city has the Segway Tours, but that just seems embarrassing.  Well I sucked it up, I went on a Segway Tour in my own city.  Luckily the tour was just Trevor and myself, so we told our guide we really didn't need the tour notes, so we just cruised.

We obviously had to stop for good photo ops though.  Like the one above in front of the Capital and the city skyline below. Side note, I love me city!

So the next time you feel like doing something fun and random on a Sunday afternoon, go on a Segway Tour of your own city!  On to our next helmeted adventure!

Lions and Tigers and BEARS, oh my!

I feel guilty about what I have done...I cheated!  I realized that with only two months to go before the big 3-0 there was one thing on my list that seemed a little unrealistic at this point.  Where exactly am I going to see a bear in the wild, I live in Texas.  I was unlucky in Arkansas about seeing a black bear and the next trip I am going on is Vermont in May, so I have my fingers crossed.  Just in case though I went to go see Disney Nature's Bears last night.  It was a great way to celebrate Earth Day.

 



About the film, Bears follows a mother bear named Sky and her two cubs, Scout and Amber, through their adventures and struggles of the cubs' first year in the Alaskan wilderness.  The film is narrated by John C. Reilly, who brings humor and "aww" to his narration.

 

The film shows the struggles of life in the wilderness along with all the threats that bears cope with on a daily basis.  The harsh realities of the life of a bear are very well counter acted with the humor, "aww," and antics of bears.

 

 

I appreciate that this film was educational and honest about the struggles bears face to survive, but not traumatizing.  Disney did a great job at managing to portray the realities and brutality along with the beauty of nature.

 

Alongside the bears captivating my heart, the cinematography of this film was breath taking.  The nature and landscaping plays an additional character of the film.  It makes me want to plan my next trip to Alaska so I can bask in the beauty of the great outdoors, and go see a bear obviously.

 

 

So even if I didn't get to see a bear in the wild, this film satisfied my need, at least temporarily!  Also, a portion of the ticket sales from this film will go to the National Park Foundation.  I highly recommend going to see this film. 

 

 

He asked for nothing, he got nothing!

Trevor told me he wanted nothing for Valentines Day, so I bought him NOTHING!  Well kind of...

N - Nerf Guns, because every 30 year old need some 

O - Oreos of the Mint flavor, yum!

T - Torchy's Tacos Gift Card

H - Hat of the baseball genre

I - iPhone charger and iTunes Gift Card, necessity and something extra

N - Nike socks, more practicality

G - Gun Part, well an IOU

Now he thinks he can continue on this trend with saying he doesn't want ANYTHING or ZILCH, this could go on forever, what have I gotten myself into!

Linked to: House of Rose: Inspire Me



I changed the oil in my car...and it still runs!

This was the first time I ever changed the oil in a car, and it still runs! It's not just this car that I have never changed the oil in, but this is the FIRST car I have ever changed the oil.  I can recall being a little girl and looking under the hoods of cars with my father as he would fixed them.  My dad is a mechanic and he would always explain to me what he was doing, how he was doing it, and the mechanics of what was going on.  He still does this to this day.  Because of my dad, I have a really good understanding of the mechanics of a car, but I could not fix one to save my life.

This past weekend I suited up in proper attire, got under the hood, and got dirty while changing the oil in my car...with my hubs assistance!



Now you know who to call when you need an oil change!

 

 

5 Things for 2014

I am usually hesitant to make new years resolutions and promise things to myself; I tend to not uphold the deal I made with myself.  Something about this year felt different, so I thought why not?  I started to make a list and told myself I would have twenty goals on it, at about sixteen I realized it was too unrealistic.  So I have limited myself to 5 realistic goals for 2014.

1. BE HEALTHY. I had a much longer resolution that involved things like drink more tea, wake up earlier, portion control, stretch daily and exercise more. Let's face it, this was too daunting, I don't do daunting.  Let's just say "be healthy."

2. TRY NEW THINGS. In six months I will be 30 and my reason for trying to new things will have concluded. After I finish my 30 Before 30 list I want to continue on the trend of trying new things.  What's life without a little adventure?

3. GO OUTSIDE.  Walk, swim, or run, whatever it is do it outside.

4. DON'T PUT THINGS OFF. Those numerous projects waiting to be started, start them!  I am notorious for having an idea and never following through.  I'd really like to start and finish projects that I have on my mind this year.

5. LOVE. Simple enough, right? I want to spend more time with the ones I love and I want to show the people I love just how much they mean to me.  Life is too short.