Weekend and a Couple of Days!

7:47 PM by Essentially Fabulous

Well time for another update on the 101. It was a great weekend. Friday morning I went to work for a meeting then went off to the airport for a weekend in Chicago with many many friends. Once I got there and settled into the hotel some friends and I decided to go for some drinks, which lead to a champagne bar. I would like to say that Pops for Champagne in Chicago is officially one of my favorite places now. Loved it. It was great to see some of my work friends and some of my personal friends interact. After that we went home to change and then out to Oy Sy for some yummy sushi!!



Thanks to Eddie for making the reservation and setting everything up. After that we hopped a cab to Boystown for some late night antics. For the record... had my bottle of water so CHECK! The next day was time for some brunch with Shawn, whom I hadn't seen in years. Tarik and I had a great time catching up with him at this cute place called Milk & Honey. Then we hopped tot he festival and the rest of the day was a blur of fun with friends, drinking, bar hopping, and general partying.

Sunday was another great day before getting on the plane. I will say that we had the slowest brunch experience ever at this place called Rocks. I think they were a bit overwhelmed by the size of the party we had with us, but lesson learned for next year (reservations should be made ahead of time). Overall, I was sad to leave for the airport. Market Days was an amazing experience and I will definitely be making a return trip next year.


Oh that reminds me... Sunday photo!! Here is my room at the James Hotel (which was amazing thank you Mr. Kish and Ms. Major!! I had a great time!!

So of course I had to return to my normally scheduled life on Monday. I was really tired because my flight did not get in until late and then I had to be up early to be in the office. No complaints though because the weekend was totally worth it.

Monday morning I was in some serious need of coffee when I woke up. That reminds me of the fact that I am in love with my Keurig machine (pictured here with the post). My Mom introduced me to this when she got one and I fell instantaneously in love. I will say that it makes
the perfect cup of coffee for me in the morning when I just need something before I head out the door. Monday and Tuesday have been a bit of a blur, but I've made it through and I'm feeling totally recovered... well recovered enough that I am now writing this post.

Finally I get to sharing the meal that I cooked tonight which was something that I've never made before. I decided to try to cook some yellow curry from scratch with some seafood and fresh vegetables. I have to say that it actually turned out really well. I was so hungry that I ate it immediately (as did my brother, with whom I shared it). No complaints and the only photo I could snap was the aftermath. That is included below.

I leave you with the thought that I'm in love with my life right now and I'm loving this 101 list. In fact I've already got some plans in the works to get the next thing crossed off. It couldn't be a better way to try new things, undertakes some new experiences, and stretch myself. For those of you just starting you journey... I encourage you to make the list. You'll love the ride!!


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Day 2 - Another day, another packed bag

9:43 PM by Essentially Fabulous
Today started off wonderfully... and it continued that way. Of course there were plenty of meetings at work but there was also the sense of anticipation that goes along with any day before you leave for a trip you know is sure to be fun.

One might begin to wonder how much that I need to take to be gone for two days. Well you'll see the right just that answer. You see the thing is that I really need options. I can't just choose one outfit... I have to bring a series of combinations that may work depending on how I feel. This may sound weird to some, but I assure you if you try it you'll never go back. I'm also bringing the larger suitcase in case I do some shopping. I mean it is Chicago after all and I'm staying close to the Magnificent Mile. I can only resist so many temptations.

So my flight tomorrow is at 12:30 which puts me into Chicago around noon. I can't wait as the rest of the folks I'm meeting will be getting there either tonight or earlier tomorrow. With the exception of one special birthday boy who arrives later tomorrow night (Love you Kit!!).

I did keep my promise to drink my bottle of water (which I had during an afternoon meeting) and to take a picture (see above). Additionally, I brought my lunch to work today completing a weekly task. The one I'll handle this weekend for sure is to try something new while I'm traveling.

A few people have already started to give me suggestions for the wines to try so I'll be picking those up over the next few weeks. So far so good...

Have a great evening!
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Day 1 - A humble beginning

6:17 PM by Essentially Fabulous

So today I shared with some people that I was undertaking this challenge. It was met with interesting reviews. Some felt inspired, some were skeptical, some were just amazed that I could put together a list of 101 things that I wanted to accomplish.

I put together the list and organized what I needed to do on a daily, weekly, monthly, and one time basis. Of course, this amount of structure helps me. I did complete the two things I pledged to do daily today. That is... I drank a bottle of water this afternoon at work and I'm uploading my one picture to share.

Of course this is a picture of the Russian Sage that grows outside of my house. It creates a kind of "bee barrier" that prevents people from walking up my front walk without a bit of a cringe or a rush. I actually find it quite beautiful, but know that my brother doesn't like it. It does take a bit to maintain as it has a tendency to take over the walkway. I enjoy the fact that it blooms all year and gives me color in front of my house.

So one day down... I feel good and I've kept to what I started out to do. Cheers!

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The Beginning

10:58 PM by Essentially Fabulous
So I was inspired by a friend to look at the this site called Day Zero today. The concept is simple. Pick a list of 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days. While this seems like a long time it really isn't when you consider some of the items that can appear on this list.

I have to admit that as soon as I started reading about it I couldn't stop thinking of things that I would like to put on my list. With all of that running through my head I had to get on the wagon and actually make this happen. I thought the best way to capture my adventure would be to keep track of it in this blog. I am going to make a go of this for a couple of reasons.

1) I have a hard time committing to anything for sustained period of time. Part of this could be from my personality type (I'm a raging ENTP for those who are Myers-Briggs fans). Another part could be that I just am never satisfied, whatever the reason I think it is time to hold my feet the fire.

2) It could be fun... and anyone who knows me knows I like to have fun.

Here is the breakdown:

The Mission:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.


The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).


Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


Some common goal setting tips:

1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.


2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.


3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.


4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.


So here we go... here is the list of 101 things. I think tomorrow will be my Day Zero. We shall see how it goes.

1. Take a picture every day
2. Try one new recipe out each week, if traveling try eating something new
3. Read 101 books
4. Discover a new artist/band every week
5. Sell my house in Cleveland
6. Lose 40 pounds
7. Take a cooking class
8. Buy a French Press and make coffee in it
9. Travel to 10 new cities
10. Eat dinner at a restaurant alone
11. Visit my father's grave
12. Get a massage
13. Drink a bottle of water every day
14. Make a new cookie recipe every month
15. Run a 5k
16. Visit 6 museums
17. Take the stairs every day for a 30 days
18. Find 20 wines under $15 that I love
19. Complete a jigsaw puzzle
20. Take a tennis lesson
21. Buy coffee for a stranger
22. Write a "Thank You" card at least once a month
23. Go on a trip alone
24. Go on 10 dates
25. Attend an opera
26. Visit an aquarium
27. Take a nap outside in a hammock
28. Dance in the rain
29. Watch the sun rise after being up all night
30. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast
31. Build a snowman
32. Host a cocktail party
33. Throw a coin in a fountain and make a wish
34. Make jelly and/or jam
35. Pay off a credit card or two
36. Have a picnic on the beach
37. Fast for a day
38. Go five consecutive days without spending any money
39. Visit the Alamo
40. Get a hot stone massage
41. Make a cheese fondue
42. Write a letter to a Senator or Representative
43. Have lunch with a friend I haven't seen in over a year
44. Send someone flowers
45. Bake a cake from scratch
46. Go to a new local festival or fair
47. Eat a lobster in Maine
48. Run through a sprinkler
49. Go to a Butterfly Garden
50. Go to the zoo at least twice
51. Read the Harry Potter series of books
52. Watch the entire Sex and the City series in one sitting
53. Go apple picking
54. Buy an Apple laptop
55. Go an entire day without texting
56. Call one person a month I haven't talked to in over 3 months
57. Buy a piece of art
58. Go to at least five live music perfomances
59. Go to a movie alone
60. Go swimming
61. Go on a bike ride
62. Bake my own bread (not in a bread machine)
63. Kiss someone and mean it
64. Color an entire coloring book
65. Go on a dinner cruise
66. Have a tea party
67. Watch the sunset in the mountains
68. Buy something on Etsy
69. Visit a covered bridge
70. Infuse a bottle of vodka
71. Complete a craft project from Martha Stewart
72. Refinish a piece of furniture
73. Frame a picture that I've taken
74. Go to the circus
75. Paint pottery and give it to a friend
76. Attend the taping of a TV show
77. Give an outrageous tip a waiter/waitress
78. Subscribe to a magazine
79. Go to a horse race
80. Take pictures in a photo booth
81. Go hiking
82. Try 20 different flavored teas
83. Travel by train
84. Bring lunch to work at least once a week
85. Walk 15 miles in a day
86. Meditate outside in a park
87. Get a fish
88. Tell someone a secret
89. Memorize a poem
90. See 4 Shakespeare plays
91. Build a sand castle
92. Slow dance with someone without any music
93. Buy a pair of cowboy boots
94. Make Limoncello
95. Write letters to 5 people I admire
96. Dip toes in both oceans
97. Visit a natural wonder of the world
98. Stargaze with a friend
99. Carve a jack-o-lantern
100. Play 25 games of Scrabble with Mom
101. Go see the ballet
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