.: A 25 List Update 2008:.

I accomplished quite a bit since my most recent 25 List post. All in such a short period of time..


Watch a Sing-a Long Movie: Totally. Me and my sister went and saw The Little Mermaid at the Music Box. They had a treat bag. It was filled with toys and noise makers to use during the movie. Kinda like the audience participation with a viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show but G-Rated and no transvestites!It was a wonderful bit of my birthday week...

Own A Convertible: Kinda did that this summer. I was part of a promo gig where I got to drive a convertible all over the City and Suburbs. In all actuality, I'm bumping it off the list. I realized it was going to be very very impractical in the winter months ;)

Write a Love Letter: This actually should have been ticked off a long time ago. Apparently, I have written more than one... and they were all very well done :D

Run a 5K: Woot! And so on... I am so very proud of myself. I did so much better than I ever anticipated. And you can read more about it here.

Now the Updated List

25 Things to Do Before I Die - in no particular order

1. Japan
2. Learn Guitar
3. Master Escrima
4. Go Canoeing with Rusty
5. Do a one-woman show
6. Be a mother
7. Direct a play in the Virginia
8. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean
9. France
10. Pay off debt
11. Do an art show or art fair
12. Be a wife
13. Live in California
14. Visit New York City (for real)
15. Graduate with my bachelors
16. Own a puppy.
17. Live in an apartment by a river
21. Publish poems
18. Visit London (For Real)
19. Take a train cross-country
20. Learn to juggle
22. Watch a Prince concert (from the good seats)
23. Volunteer in an After School program
24. Keep an herb garden
25. Meet Tina Fey

My 5K Playlist

Originally posted on my FB Notes and I couldn't get my pics off of there...Finally decided that I'll post this here...

Ok. My first 5K. Normally, I would post my results, etc on my personal blog. But there were so many words of encouragement these last few days so I wanted to share.

First thing you should know. Music is the biggest motivator in my life. My personal blog is basically lyrics and youtube videos as the relate to my situation at the time. So while training, I didn't measure out distance or time. It was my series of playlists that were roughly 40 min. long each

Next, I had three other motivators for this race. 1) My first real serious, training, workout physical challenge I'd ever done, 2) On my Things To Do Before I Die List so wanted to knock it off the list, 3) It was a big middle finger to anyone that's put me down or made me sad esp. Who's-His-Butt (WHB).

Finally, I was really really happy to find out that we can run with mp3 players. I chose my "Move It II" playlist. Ready? Here we go...

"Do You Hear The People Sing" - Les Mis: Original London Cast

So perfect coming out of the gate... And then to see that line of runners ahead of me along the lake. So perfect. And inspirational..

"Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects

Honestly, love the song more for its video. Look it up. The revving guitars and solid beat starts me into my run for my training. But I was paced fast at the beginning of this race. My sister was right. I was so jazzed up. And this song kinda helped... oh and the first middle finger...

"SexyBack" - Justin Timerlake

Dude. I loves me my Timberlake and then with Timbaland pipping in? Gets me going all the time. The Museum Campus was in sight. But by this time I'd figured out that I got to slow the hell down. So Timbaland set my pace..yeah!!!

"Let's Get Retarded" - Black Eyed Peas

This on everybody's workout playlist right? The bass drum starts me up again and the "runnin' runnin" part the pushes me along. However, its got this beat beat beat good way for me to get onto the slower pace I needed...

"I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" - My Chemical Romance

In training, the spite and hatred towards WHB would power me up with this song. Today, it was the point that I realized..... I'm NOT Ok.....I might have to start walking.... but my sister told me never to stop moving AT ALL. It'll be hard to start up again.. heh then the song has this very entertaining break - "I'm okay.. I'm okay now ..And you really need to listen to me..'cause I'm telling you the truth..I'm okay (trust me)" I couldn't stop. It makes me laugh...

"Message of Love" - The Pretenders (Live)

Two things, 1) Chrissy refers to Chicago b/c that's where it was taped. There I was running along the lake and the skyline..pushing along..2) Its got one of my favorite O. Wilde quotes : "We all of us are in the gutters; Some of us are looking at the stars!" I loves me some Wilde too.

"Smile" - Lily Allen (Live)

Lily Allen in this plucky girl from England. Another good video. Look it up. This version is very bouncy. And I needed it. So I start hopping more than running... it was fun!.. oh and this is another up yours towards WHB.

"The Last Song" - Foo Fighters

Oh this one got me fired up.. and I thought what a fitting way to finish up the race as I saw the event tents coming up in sight...But there is this loop that takes us WAAY past the starting point.. But a good steady beat.. I stick to it...

"Its Tearing Up My Heart" - The Backstreet Boys

I don't know. It found its way onto the playlist. I kept it. But it was a sign that my playlist was near the end. I just passed the last part of the loop and still couldn't see the finish line...

"Freedom 90" - George Michael

Dude. Dear Lord, I was soooo hurting. I was getting into the meat of the song where George Michael is bitching about his blessed life.. Completely forgetting that there is great part where he breaks into this whole, gospel, crazy-inspiring chorus. Then I hear Jim off to the side cheering me on.. I can see the finish line.. so what does Tessa do? Not cause she needs the time or anything.. Tessa SPRINTS it in... If I bother finishing anything, I finish HUGE.

35min something. Whatever I was happy I was under 40.. I just wanted to finish the race, I just wanted to tick it off my list, ...and then there's the big up yours to all those people I'd LET me feel bad. So, now I'm kinda a little more awesome than I already was..

.: In 21 Days :.

In about 3 weeks, I'll knocked out 2 of the 25 list. In three week's time, I'll be very very close to knocking out another two. In three weeks, I'll have a new DJ at Fizz. In about 3 weeks, I might end up the most physically fit I've ever been. Less than 21 days, I'll be a better person for me and no one else. And I'll deserve it.

.: New, New, New 25 List :.

Grabbed out a copy of this of my little files to show the Londoner. I've some I had knocked off:

-Do a soup kitchen - I did more that just a soup kitchen! It had table service. And I was a waitress taking orders, chatting up guest, even babysitting. I can't wait to do this again! Anyone interested joining me, just contact me.

-Learn to Surf - Did that in 2006

I have a couple of things I think I can get off the list soon:

-Run a 5K. Going to do one with my sister in August. Just needed the motivation...I would love to do this one..

-Master Escrima. Lucked out. I have a class just down the street. The guro is a teacher that Kuya Noah suggested. And its coming back to me. I can rock it soon enough.

-Learn guitar - Dude. At this point I just want to learn that Juno song, Don't Speak, and something else I forget. Volcano Girls. Sagar says he's going to teach me some stuff all the way from California. Yay technology!

So that's what I see myself accomplishing....

Now the Updated List

25 Things to Do Before I Die - in no particular order

1. Japan
2. Learn Guitar
3. Master Escrima
4. Go Canoeing with Rusty
5. Do a one-woman show
6. Be a mother
7. Direct a play in the Virginia
8. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean
9. France
10. Watch a Sing-a-long movie
11. Own a Convertible
12. Be debt-free
13. Do an art show or art fair
14. Be a wife
15. Write a love letter
16. Live in California
17. Visit New York City (for real)
18. Graduate with my bachelors
19. Own a puppy.
20. Live in an apartment by a river
21. Run a 5K
22. Publish poems
23. Visit London (For Real)
24. Take a train cross-country
25.

ugh. At a loss for this last one. any suggestions?