Yes, I am a thrill seeker!

There is no other way to put it: I love me some adventure.  For whatever reason, I have always enjoyed a good adrenaline rush.  From climbing rooftops as a kid in the city to skydiving as an adult, I have always loved the excitement of doing something daring.  And let me say this: whitewater rafting is a great way to satisfy that lust for adventure.

Each time I go whitewater rafting, I know I want to go back.  Unfortunately, sometimes life just gets in the way...or other things come up that I also want to do!  This year, however, I was able to go!

And it did not disappoint!!!

Our rafting guide, Scott, was awesome: great sense of humor, friendly, and fun...with great leadership skills.  The company was fabulous!  Catching up with a former student is always awesome...and meeting our raft buddies - a family of four - was fun.  We all had a good time, joking around and playing in the water! The rapids were great.

But the best part was being able to go with my daughter.  I'm so proud of her.  She has been showing so much more independence recently.  She is willing to try things she wouldn't have been open to earlier, even if it sounds challenging or difficult or scary.  Even when the rapids were looking "scary," she was giggling, overcome with excitement, and bouncing up and down on her seat (of course, while holding onto one of the straps!).  She was so comfortable that during the rapids, once she spotted the camera, she even raised her hand to give the peace sign and a cheesy smile!

I can't wait to go back again...with my daughter.  Maybe this will be an annual mother-daughter trip.  How fun would that be?!  I had a blast with everyone.  Thanks for the fun time!

We dared...and we conquered!

This past weekend, my daughter and I joined another mom-daughter duo in the Urban Dare competition in San Francisco.  Having competed in The Great Urban Race with a long-time friend of mine last month, I knew what to expect about a scavenger/adventure race overall.

However, this time, I have to admit this fact: prior to the race, I was worried whether or not we would complete the race on time. I wasn't sure a team that included two tween girls and only one city native (me, a person who hasn't lived in the city since the 80s, mind you) would be able to finish the race on time.  Okay, I take that back.  I knew it was possible, but I had my doubts as to whether we would go stir-crazy and/or give up before then.  Or whether *I* would go crazy before then. I am not known for my patience, you see - one of the many perks of being me. HAHAHA.

Seriously, even the most compatible pairs on the Amazing Race seem to have their issues.  And while my daughter and I get along, we definitely have our own communication issues.  Plus, my daughter's complaints of being starving (as if we don't feed her...haha) or getting cramps (while running) are the norm.  Throw in another mom-daughter combo and even more variables and personalities are added.  Fortunately, we all went in with the same positive attitude and outlook: the goal is to HAVE FUN and try to finish before time ends!

We did encounter a few bumps in the road (using cell phones are not as speedy as friends with internet connection on the phone lifelines, getting a wrong location, and not knowing what hotel had to do with Charles Dickens' novel), but fortunately, they weren't game-enders.  We got into the groove and not only finished but were the FIRST FAMILY TEAM to arrive.  We were exhausted at the end of the race, but the four of us worked as a team and our teamwork was acknowledged with a plaque!!! 

Go Team "Partners in Crime"!!!!!

Mad dash at the end of the summer

It's a recurring event, isn't it?  At the end of each vacation, season, timeframe, or even project, we all make a last ditch effort to complete everything we wanted to do. 

Or is that just me?  

Less than a month ago, I blogged about some (read: not all) the things I wanted to do before the summer was over.  That was deadly.  If you know me, I'm all about lists.  I am made to complete lists, to check them off, to work at getting them accomplished.  Without a list, I'm the queen of procrastination; without a plan, why even bother?  I don't.  Clearly, I should have made the list at the BEGINNING of summer.  Or maybe this is why I did NOT make the list at the beginning of the summer!  hahahaha

Sadly, I haven't quite completed my list, but I am damn close.  Please excuse the foul language...for those of you who do not enjoy reading swear words.  Of course, again, I must say, if you know me, then you must know the word "damn" is tame in comparison to the other lovely words that I often choose. :ahem:  moving on. haha

So, let's recap:  I had eight items on that list I wrote and I'm pretty close to getting it all done.  Four are COMPLETELY finished and a couple others are in the works.

1. Yard Sale - Check.  Made $200.  Woot. Woot.
2. Paint the office - Woot. Woot.  Complete.  It's lovely.  Now I just need to organize it. HA.
3. See the baby dolphins - The plan is to go to Discovery Kingdom tomorrow!  Gotta make the season passes worth it, right?  Plus, I want to see the animals!
4. Use our Great America passes - Check!  We went today.  It was a blast.  I also tried Dippin' Dots ice cream for my very first time.  Weird.  Yummy but weird.
5. Go to the Planetarium portion of the museum - I'm hoping to get there next week.  Since I have to run to SF again for one of the appointments in #7, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!
6. Plan a family vacation - Trip to Disneyland planned!  Woot. Woot.  It's a small world after all...it's a small world after all!
7. Schedule appointments - Almost there.  Most are done.  Others are scheduled.  A couple more still need to be set, but I have to work out timing.
8. Whitewater Rafting - Working on getting this scheduled for September.  Call is out to the company...

On top of all that, we did our regular stuff: taekwondo classes, swim lessons, and playdates.  Even more, we made it to the San Francisco Zoo AND I competed in "The Great Urban Race" with my lifelong friend.

Unfortunately, I may have done a good job at my summer to-do list, but I haven't done much by the way of work.  I started it...but it wasn't really on a to-do list, so I "tabled" that for another day.  Yes, I have work that needs to be done....but technically work doesn't start until next week, right???!! hahaha.  I'll start a work list next week.  tee hee

For now, I'm still in summer-mode and need to get it all done.  It's a mad dash to the end...typical in a procrastinator's life, right?

Being "old" does NOT mean I can't do it!!!

After the kids' belt promotion ceremony, the studio was open to "play" for a few minutes.  My daughter was doing cartwheels and stuff, so I showed her my cartwheel.  A six-year-old girl looks at me and says, "You're too old to do a cartwheel!"  I said, "I may be turning 40, but I can still do a cartwheel."  Then, I proceeded to do another one.

What the heck?  Why does this kid think...that after a certain age, instead of growing up and getting bigger, we start decaying and dying?  hahaha.

The more I thought about it, I figured that she probably once asked an adult she knows to do one and the adult responded with, "I'm too old to do a cartwheel."  Since I have not really grown up (and don't plan to), there are a lot of "kid" things I still do: play games, make crafts, do cartwheels, play with waterguns (though I prefer the waterhose because then I win! hahaha), etc.

It's not really age, I don't think.  It's mindset.  It's the willingness to still be a kid and to play.  Of course, since I teach a class based on leisure theory and the value of play, I suppose my child-like persona is not surprising to anyone.

Anyhow, I have to say I was happy I didn't fall on my a**.  I don't remember the last time I did a cartwheel; I was just pretty confident I could do it.  I figured it was like riding a bike: just do it and I'll remember.  I was happy that one of the helpers (a teenage boy) even said, "Wow.  I think that's better than I can do."  Woot.  Woot.  Let's hear it for the "old woman" that showed those kids! hahahaha.

A Yard Sale Tale or Two

We did it!  We had our yard sale!  After not enough preparation but plenty of stuff, my daughter and I went ahead with our yard sale.

I awoke to the sound of my annoying alarm and looked out into the darkness.  ANNOYING.  Who wakes up on a Saturday before the sun comes out?  Crazy people!  Fortunately, I did get to bed early (for me) and managed to sleep for 6 hours - not too shabby for a night owl like myself.

After a shower and some tea, I woke up my daughter and we went to set up the stuff. We had a couple hours before it officially started, right?  No.  I think my first "customer" arrived at 6:45am.  WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?  Why do people willingly wake up so early?  Anyhow, they purchased $35 worth of stuff.  Mind you, while I probably could have asked for more, I was just happy to rid of it; and to be honest, aside from my daughter's scooter, a candle set, and a couple items of clothing, I have NO IDEA what the heck they put on the table. 

And we all know what that means, right?


I didn't need that crap in my garage or the shed, anyhow.  $35.00 for crap.  Go me!

Anyhow, our friends showed up shortly after our "first sale" and starting setting up their stuff, too.  It is always better to have yard sales with other people: aside from having more for potential buyers, it also makes the "downtime" go a lot faster.

At the end of the day, my daughter and I came away with about $200.  I don't know the exact amount because I don't know how much I grabbed from the house for change, so I can't recall the start amount.  Like I said, I wasn't all that organized this time. HA.  But that's okay, I will be more organized for the next one.

Yard sales are a little addicting, if you can get past the downside.  It's addicting because getting rid of unwanted or unneeded stuff while getting some money in the process is always a good thing - a cleansing AND financially beneficial undertaking.  I mean, who turns down extra cash?  However, the downside of yard/garage sales are the rude people who assume the sellers are morons and don't deserve the asking price. 

For example, I was selling a "like new" Step 2 Push Around Buggy, the one Amazon.com is selling for $55.00 right now.  I didn't think asking $25 was too much, primarily because most of these types of items sell for half price on craigslist.  She said, "That's too much.  How about $10?"  I replied that I was sorry, but it did cost over $60 when I purchased it after taxes/shipping and I wouldn't sell it for less than $20.  She snapped, "Well, it's USED NOW!" and walked off.  Um, okay.  Rude much?

And guess who had the last laugh?  Me.  That's right.  I sold it for $20.  So screw her.


I'm not exactly sure why yard sale buyers think they will be the only customer and that's it is the seller's loss if the bargained-down offer price isn't taken.  I mean, please.  I'd rather give it away than sell it to an a-hole.  And I have. I've actually told someone I wouldn't take her offer and then chose to give it away at the end of the day. HA.  But I'm stubborn like that.
 

The best yard sale tale is from a couple years ago.  I was selling a Little Tikes desk, originally priced at $50-$75.  It had a working light table, drawer, crayon holder, and chair.  It was fabulous and in great condition; we were only getting rid of it because our daughter had outgrown it and we were unsure about having a second child.  I had it out at a yard sale with a sign stating it was $25.  This lady said she'd give me $20; I said, "No, sorry.  The price is $25.  I feel that's a fair amount."  She left.  About an hour later, she came by again and said, "You still won't take $20?" and I said no again.  Shortly after that, another buyer came in, said it was a good price and paid the $25 asking price with no bargaining.  Toward the end of the day, the first lady came back (yes, for the THIRD time) and looked crushed when she noticed the desk was no longer there.  She asked, "How much did you sell it for?"  I said, "$25."  I've always wondered if she spent $5.00 in gas, driving to my house THREE TIMES.  Lame.

It's always like that, I suppose - there being positives and negatives of any experience - but if the upside results in over $100 in cash for getting rid of stuff, I'm all for enduring rude, annoying people asking to give me 50 cents for a porcelain doll my daughter was trying to sell for one measly dollar.  (!!!!!!)

At the end of our yard sale yesterday, we were exhausted but $200 richer and deserved a treat, so my daughter and I went to get pedicures.  The yard sale paid for pedicures...and will be paying for a movie day, too.  Not too shabby!  Plus, we'll probably still have a little leftover money.  How should we spend it?

Well, that's a tale for another day!

Lovely, Lovely Lists

My entire life has been filled with lists.  I love making lists and to be honest, it is the only way I'll get everything done.  With a million things on my plate (or at least it feels like it), I can never remember it all; this means that without a list not much gets done.

Sadly, the only list that has been maintained well has been the one I have on 43things: My Life To Do List - what others may call a "Bucket List"- a list of things I want to accomplish within my lifetime.  And that is simply because a life list can take a LIFETIME to complete, so I'm doing well when I complete one or two things a year!  haha.  I'm starting to think I should make a list just for the summer because time is running out and I still have so much I want to do and too much to take care of before it's over!

Actually, hold up!  What a great idea! (I'm soooo brilliant! haha. jk)  So, without further ado, here is my list of "The Things I Hope to Do During My Summer Vacation - part 1."

Have a yard sale.  To note, we are planning to do this tomorrow...which is why I shouldn't even be blogging; I should be prepping for that!

Paint the office.  This has been on my mind for over a year, ever since my son colored on my office wall with crayon and I was never able to get it all to disappear!

See the baby dolphins. I know we've already been here this summer, but as a season pass holder, I'd like to go more often.  Last time, my son didn't even make it to Thomas land - or whatever it is called.

Use our Great America passes.  I knew I probably shouldn't have bought the passes, but I did.  And as of today - mid-summer- we have yet to go there once.  How sad!  Plus, I loved Snoopy as a kid and would love to check out Planet Snoopy.

Go to the planetarium portion of the museum.  My aunt got our family a membership and we have gone twice...and still haven't made it into the planetarium.  I have now heard that is the first thing to do...because the lines get long.  Our membership ends next month, so we have to do this soon!  Plus, I could definitely go to see the jellyfish again.  Those things are soooo cool.

Plan a family vacation.  I have been putting this off simply because these can be expensive, and as with most of the planet, money is tight. And since our jobs are unstable and money is already stretched, I feel like this may be an unwise venture, but since we have never actually gone on a family vacation for more than a night - last year we went to Hearst Castle for a day - I keep thinking "Carpe Diem" and that we should do something.  So, I'm thinking I should just plan one...not necessarily book it.   At least we'll be ready with the info (the whats, wheres, and costs) when the time is right.

Take care of all the necessary appointments before going back to work.  I need to bring the car in for service, go to my eye doctor, go to another sleep test, take my son in for a well-check, etc. etc.

Whitewater rafting.  I bought tickets to go whitewater rafting and need to go THIS season.  I haven't been in a few years and I definitely can't wait to go!






There are so many other things I want to do and/or need to do, but right now what I need to do is start gathering stuff for my garage sale tomorrow!  Hopefully, with this partial list I'll be more accountable!  Only time will tell.

Summer is half over.  Or...we still have half our summer left.  (Not sure if you are a glass half-full or half-empty sort of person! haha)

So, what do you want to do before summer is over???

Summer, I love you.

Summers are great because I get to spend a lot of time with my family - without all the distractions of grading papers, helping my daughter with her schoolwork, or dealing with the chauffeur side of getting two kids to and from school.  Instead, more focus is put on just enjoying the company of others, relaxing, and doing fun activities.

For the 4th of July weekend, we met my parents at my uncle's house and spent days lounging by the pool, taking a ride on a small choo choo nearby, feeding koi fish, playing with the dogs, and relaxing.

Of course, because my uncle lives in a county where fireworks are allowed, we also were able to light our own fireworks and play with sparklers.  Unaccustomed to the whole thing, my kids and I were all a bit apprehensive.  Aside from the sparklers, I let everyone else do the honors of lighting them.  I figured my husband should be the most comfortable being that he did all these kinds of fireworks as a kid growing up in Japan!  Plus, I think having all 10 fingers, thank you! ;)

We had a great time, even in the heat (the pool helped), and we can't wait to go back next year!  In fact, my son keeps asking when he can go see his uncle again. 

This past weekend, my husband and I took our kids to the Obon Festival.  I couldn't wait to see the taiko drummers.

Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved listening to the beat of the drums.  There is something so calming and exciting at the same time.  I remember - many years ago - seeing a taiko performance with my grandfather at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco.  I was mesmerized.  Sadly, I don't get the chance to see many performances, so I am always happy when I get the chance!  I was not disappointed!

My husband and daughter also enjoyed watching the drummers.  However, I think my son's highlight of the day was the "train" ride to and from the festival - that and the ice cream he ate while there.  He just doesn't have the attention span quite yet.  After sitting quietly for two songs, he befriended the lady sitting next to us and starting playing with her - my son, ever the charming flirt, always on the prowl for new friends - starting to show his new friend all his martial arts moves. haha.  Regardless of what made it fun for him, he had a good time at the festival, too!

Other than the past two weekends' activities, I pretty much did....NOTHING...which is also a fabulous summer benefit!  Aside from a couple appointments, taekwondo, and making headway on cleaning the garage, the kids and I stayed home: we caught up on some TV shows; we took naps (or my son and I did); we played games.

Balancing scheduled activities with downtime = bliss.  Did I also mention that my new favorite luxury is taking a nice, relaxing bath each evening - one with my new foaming oil, scented with eucalyptus, chamomile, and rosehips?  Seriously, it's fabulous.

Summer is fabulous.  Life is fabulous.  Oh, summer, how I love you.  Please don't go away too soon!