27. Donate blood

I made an appointment for yesterday to make my first blood donation. This might not be a big deal for everyone else but for it is. Firstly because I hate needles and secondly because I have fainted a couple times before that makes people think this would not go well.

Well I passed all the tests and actually made it to the donation. I even made it past the needle and filled the little pack they use for testing. Then my blood stopped. Is that even possible? Yes it is. We never did find out what's wrong but some theories were that my vein collapsed or that my machine was faulty.

Also, I was felt a little light headed and was immediately swarmed by nurses, cold packs, and a fan. Very embarrassing in a room full of people.

Anyway, major fail on donation and now I have to wait another 56 days before I could donate. My friend who came with me is amazed that I want to try again. Truthfully, I don't know how much fun that would be but I should give it another go.

# 18. Take pole dancing class II

I started my 4 week into to pole dance class this week. It was awesome! It's weird to be dancing in front of the mirror and looking at myself so much. But that's the whole point I guess - outside of my comfort zone.

Apparently, I have to stop thinking too much and go with the flow. I tried the spin so many times I didn't think I have any muscles left. But I couldn't get it. But then she said let's try all the step together, which was so much I didn't have time to think. Guess what, I did a spin. Isn't that so true with everyone? Sometimes you can overthink. Looking forward to next week.

#14 Get Glamour Shots II

Remember I talked about winning a photo shoot at a silent auction. I thought my parents would like some shots but they weren't interested. So onto option B, a photo shoot with three of my girl friends.

We finally got our schedules worked out and went this Saturday. It was fun. Although we could have been more prepared. Here's a tip. If you are doing photo shoot make sure to bring lots of inspiration photos from magazine, books etc. so the photographer knows what you want. Also, practice your looks. I know it sounds vain but it makes sure you get best bang for your buck.

All in all it was lots of fun and got some great shots. Even some personal shots as well. The auction was only for one shot, but extra shots were $10 each so we picked some additional shots. I'm really glad we did this. After we finished, we went to dinner. Inevitably talk turned to weddings (not surprising since two of them are getting married this year), and starting families. I realized that we are all moving on to the next stage of our lives and I'm glad we got these photos.

#17. Try a hair cut I always wanted to try

I got my hair cut. Here are some of my inspiration photos. Turned out really well. I've been thinking and talking about getting bangs for months. It took a long time but I didn't want to rush a haircut change.


It's a lot more work than my previous cut. Now I have to blow dry my bangs, straighten my hair, and put on make-up (yes the cut looks a lot more put together with light make up). But I always like change, especially when it turn out great.

#18. Take a burlesque dance class

The idea of this item is for me to do a sexy and fun activity that is outside my comfort zone. I'm been looking at burlesque dance classes, strip tease classes, pole dancing classes etc. Then this groupon popped up for an 4 week introduction pole dancing classes for $40 ( a good deal since the classes I looked at are usually around $20-25 per class).

I bought groupon. I noticed that the first little while after the groupon it's always packed at whatever establishment it's for. Since this groupon doesn't have an expiry date, I'm going to wait a little before I start this class.

#13 Buy myself a significant piece of Jewelry

When I added this as part of my list I had thought 'significant' meant a substantially valuable piece of jewelry. Maybe Tiffany? Maybe diamond?

I was invited to a Stella & Dot Jewelry party tonight. I already looked over the website and thought I knew what I wanted. But once I was there and had a chance to look over everything I ended up with a charm necklace with 3 charms, similar to this photo.

I picked a long silver chain for wearing the charms everyday. I chose a silver leaf charm because leaf remind of nature, new beginnings, and growth. A gold round disc charm with initial 'E' stands for Esme but also for extraordinary. A pearl of wisdom charm because with age comes wisdom, and I hope for the wisdom to lead a worthwhile life.

I realized this was what I wanted when I said a 'significant' piece of jewelry. A piece of jewelry that has meaning to me.

#14 Get glamour shots

Does this sound narcissistic? Let me explain. When I was younger we lived next door to an older lady. She was close to 70 at the time. Always a sharp dresser with a love for color. One day she lost her cat Marmalade and I went next door to help her look. Turns out Marmalade was asleep under the couch.

While there, I saw this painting of a woman hanging in the living room. She was beautiful like one of those old movie stars. It was a painting of my neighbor in her 20s. Like most youth I never considered the older generation used to young too. Youth is fleeting. It's a fact of life. But that painting of her captures her youth, proof to the young that she wasn't always wrinkles and lines and elderly ailments.

I want to capture myself at this moment in my life. Maybe as proof to future youth that I was young once, but also as a reminder to myself.

Last Friday I was at a charity event where there was a silent auction. I put my bids on a few items. Today I got an email from the organizer that I won an one hour photo session with a professional photographer. It's far from the glamour shot in mind but close. But I was also thinking of getting either giving the session to my parents - I don't think they have gone to a photo studio since we were kids. Or if my parents aren't interested I was thinking of doing a photo session with a few of my best girlfriends. Two of my friends are getting married next year, and all of them have been talking about children. It might be nice to get a photo session as single gals one last time. First, I will ask my parents.

First yoga class

I started my first weekly yoga class today. The class I picked was a beginner class so it was a little slow at times, but I think it's a good pace to start. It felt great afterward as well.

#12 Weekly Yoga

As I said before, there is a reason behind each one of the items on my 30 before 30 list. The weekly yoga is actually an intermediate step towards the 30 day yoga challenge.

Currently I do yoga once a couple of months at best. However, I believe in the benefit to doing yoga regularly, and this is a little motivation to get my butt to yoga class. Instead of treating this like a sprint (jumping right to the 30 day yoga challenge), I'd rather approach it like a marathon (develop the habit of the weekly yoga and then attempt the big challenge). Currently there is approximately 64 weeks until my 30th birthday. Starting now, I'd like have done 64 session of yoga on or before my 30th Birthday. A progress bar on the side bar will track my progress.

They say it takes 3 weeks to break or form a habit. If I can do 64 weeks, it will be a lifestyle right :)

#16 Owning my own home

Eleven months ago, after over a year of searching, a few offers and lots of drama, I finally got my own place. It's a little 600 square feet condo just right for me.

It's a place I can fill with things I love, a place that is my sanctuary, and a place that represents my independence.

As Dad says, you have a mortgage and equity, now you are finally an adult.