33. See the Nutcracker ballet

I will typically cop a line from Curt and say that something has been my lifelong dream since November 2008 or since February 2006. I don't, however, remember a time when I didn't want to see a live version of the Nutcracker. It is my favorite Christmas music. I listen to it every morning from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. It's not something I recall my family particularly liking; I just picked it. I love nutcrackers, and I love the music to the ballet.

I had seen several different productions of the ballet on TV, but never live. I had never, in fact, seen a live ballet.

On December 11, 2009, I saw the Joffery ballet perform the Nutcracker.

It was perfect and beautiful, everything a little girl wants a ballet to be. It was full of snowflakes and flower petals falling from the sky and lush costumes.

Afterwards, I got treated to a salted caramel ice cream on a chocolate tart and a mint chocolate pot de creme, some of the best things I have ever eaten. I slept in a magnificiently comfortable, huge bed with feather pillows. I fell asleep just in pure bliss.

It was truly one of the most wonderful nights of my life.

3. Try yoga

Thanks to Groupon, I tried some yoga at Spring Wellness Studio. The very first yoga I did was hot yoga, which is not as hot as bikram, apparently. I am going to misspell all over the place on this one.

I got five yoga classes at Spring Wellness, and I believe I have one more to use, but I loved hot yoga. It feels cleansing. After an hour and a half in a ninety degree room balancing on one leg, I felt as though I truly deserved any brunch I may eat immediately afterwards because I am a young urban professional.

I also did several yoga classes when I had a free month at David Barton gym. I took two different classes, a regular class and Yoga for Jocks. Yoga was recommended to me again when I worked with a trainer -- she told me I wasn't very flexible or coordinated and yoga would help. Unfortunately, when I went to the regular class, the instructor reiterated that I am not very flexible or coordinated. Later, she chastised me when I was hesitant to flip over into a shoulder stand. Call me crazy. Oh, I can use the wall to help? Still not going to happen. I guess we forgot ten minutes ago earlier in the class when I was not flexible or coordinated.

I haven't done yoga since, although I am at Bally's now, and they offer several classes throughout the week to members. I like yoga, and would like to keep doing it, especially because I am so tight with the running. However, I just don't go, and there is a specific reason why: I have to bring my own mat to Bally's. And I don't feel like buying one. Yes, Amy has one, but I don't want to use hers. I would also probably need a cute yoga mat carrier. I can't invest in all that stuff. I have food stuffs to buy.

1. Run the marathon

I have signed up to run the marathon with PAWS Chicago.  It's not until October, but I haven't updated my blog since almost October, so I don't care that I'm being a little pre-emptive here.  This is about the journey to the journey.

The problem with running a marathon is that everyone wants to do it, and often people travel from other states to run a distance that is beyond reasonable to take a car.  Naturally, the marathon sold out before I gathered up the strength to actually sign up.  Naturally, seeing it was full sent me into a panic, and I immediately signed up to raise $1000 for PAWS Chicago and run the marathon with Team PAWS.

There are perks to this, outside of running 26.2 miles and helping puppies and kitties.  For example, on Sunday, I get to go on a run WITH PUPPIES.  I also get a bunch of fan t-shirts for my friends and loved ones.  

There are, however, downsides.  As soon as I signed up, I was struck by the thought that people die running marathons all the time.  Death is pretty terrifying.  I have also decided to start going into what my friend Derrick has casually diagnosed as hypoglycemic shock during runs over 12 miles.  This makes me feel like death is imminent.  I am going to die running a marathon, and before I get to get married or have children or go to Europe or throw my underwear at John Mayer.   The logical thing to do would be to get down with Goo and Power Bars.  I am, however, afraid of cramping.  I guess I should be more afraid of death.

If you feel like donating money to back my run for PAWS, you can do that by clicking on this link.