We danced all night...with the best band ever!

One goal on my list that I was really unsure I could make happen - Meeting the Backstreet Boys (a backstreet boy?) - it finally happened! They came to town in December, so family and friends joined in to get after party and meet and greet passes  as a birthday present.

The entire night was absolutely amazing!  They performed so incredibly well - as expected.  Then, we went to a club for the after party, where Nick was the DJ.  He did a pretty good job.  The meet and greet was very brief, but we were able to be around them more during the party itself.  AJ walked up - while on stage, and asked me how I was doing.  I told him we were celebrating my birthday, so he wished me a happy birthday and took a photo with me.  It was so neat!  Then, after nearly being trampled by a crazy drunk girl, Howie pulled Jess and I up on the stage to dance with them - along with several others.  He also offered me a shot, but I respectfully declined, as I don't drink.  Crazy drunk girl was aaallllll for it  thought!  HA!  We ended up staying on stage the entire night and danced with all of the boys - except Nick, because he was the DJ, and Brian because he was not at the party.  What a sweet family man. :]  

Of all the boys, I felt AJ and Howie were the most approachable, although they were all incredibly nice guys.

The after party was better than I could have ever expected.  I had a blast!  I wish the night could have lasted a bit longer.

Such a great time!  I feel blessed to have been able to attend.  Thank you to Uncle B, Mom, and Jessica for pitching in for this awesome gift!

Next blog - we will discuss a certain goal in tights.  

In other news:  I'm going to New York for the New Year!  Only a few more sleeps until takeoff!

81 goals complete.  20 more to go.

-jennilea

"The #1 reason why people give up..."

"Why am I even doing this?  I've seen no progress recently - though I haven't exactly been on diet 100% or making even close to all of my workouts.  Maybe I should just take a break after this week and come back in a few months...I just want to be there already!  I have so much further to go..."

These are my thoughts as I lay down - trying to force myself to be motivated through my ab circuit in gym.  Normally, I am pumped, happy to be there, and excited for all challenges - tonight was different though. Tonight, I was ready to really give up.

Just then, I was moved into ball slams.  On my way over, I noticed the message for the week on the white board:

"The #1 reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go.  Instead of how far they have gotten!" - Wise words from Josh, one of the trainers here. 

I've never needed to read this more.  I have been focusing on the fact that my body isn't where I want it to be yet - but that's just it - maybe it is not there yet, but it will be.  I have made so much progress from when I started in March, I just have to keep pushing - knowing that it won't happen over night - and also that it won't happen if I don't stick to what I am supposed to be doing to get there.  This message gave me that extra push of motivation to knock out my 100 ball slams much faster than usual, and to push through the rest of my workout.

I know I'll get there - I just have to keep pushing.

In other news:  I finally went swing dancing.  Yay for checking that off the list. I went with my friends Nic and Justin.  It definitely was a good time!  I learned some sweet moves and danced all night!

Total number of things completed:  81.  

20 more with 285 days to go!

-jennilea

Catching up: Swimming With Sharks

Hey folks!  Another blogging hiatus, as life gets busy.  You would be happy to know that I have been busy working away on my day zero project!  I now have 80 goals completed of my 101!  

In November, Jessica, Katie, Nic, and I began on a journey to Washington to visit Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, where we swam with 17 sharks!  This includes many big guys, and a few little ones:

• Lemon shark

• Nurse shark

• Sand tiger shark

• Blacktip reef shark

• Wobbegong shark

• Sandbar shark

We were dressed in dry suits, which kept our clothing dry underneath. It was pretty cool.  We were trained on how to breathe with neat little masks, learned a few signs, and began our journey.

When I initially stepped into the cage, I was a bit overwhelmed, trying to remember to breathe, and seeing all of these sharks.  I was also the first one in the cage, so it felt weird.  Eventually, everyone made it down, and they opened up the cage doors.  It was such an amazing experience, and made me love sharks even more.

The only part I really became nervous, was when one of the blacktip reef sharks was swimming directly towards me, while the cage doors were open.  EEK!  He just kept on swimming by though.  The sharks did not even seem to care that we were there.  

I really felt like I accomplished something great, and it was awesome to do it with my closest friends. :]

Watch for my next post, featuring Midtown Stomp!

-jennilea