A Year Ago Today
A year ago today, I rode a horse through the Argentinean Andes, rappelled down a small cliff, and barbequed with new friends at their hostel. By the end of the day, I was sore, tipsy from wine and extremely full; it was one of the best days of 2010. The day was part of my 30 Days of 30. My goal was to do something that I really enjoyed every day during the month of September to celebrate my 30th birthday. Instead of commiserating about the years gone by, I wanted to enjoy the moment.
Horseback Riding in the Argentinean Andes, September 2010
Parts of 30 Days of 30 could easily be done every week, while other parts were perhaps once in a lifetime moments. My goal wasn’t to just do things I enjoy, but to learn to appreciate them. Every day doesn’t have to include a trip to a far off land or a party to celebrate a momentous occasion. It’s more important, and often times more difficult, to appreciate the simple daily tasks.
30 Days of 30: September 2010
Day 1. Flew to Washington DC. Spent the afternoon at the National Museum of American History and had coffee with LA, a grad school friend.
Day 2. Arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Met amazing people at my hostel and wandered through Recoleta Cemetery.
Day 3. Visited historical sites in Buenos Aires and consumed a lot of wine with new friends in the hostels’ bar.
Day 4. More wandering around Buenos Aires. Almost mugged, but an old woman scared the men away. Overnight bus to Iguazu Falls.
Day 5. Hiking in Iguazu National Park. Took some amazing photos.
Day 6. Morning walk through the town of Puerto Iguazu. Saw Brazil and Paraguay across the Rio Parana. Overnight bus to Cordoba
Day 7. Amazing sunrise from the bus. Wandered through the historical district of Cordoba and browsed a book fair in the square. Sleepy kittens in a church courtyard. Overnight bus to Mendoza.
Day 8. Horseback riding in the Andes, rappelling down a small cliff, barbeque and wine with new friends.
Day 9. Wine and bike tour! Drank a lot of wine and met great people. Learned I can bike tipsy on Argentinean roads.
Day 10. Discovered Mendoza’s parks. Browsed for and bought gifts for family. Overnight bus to Buenos Aires.
Day 11. Wandered through Buenos Aires with friend I met in the first few days in Buenos Aires. Gelato! Bar at night.
Day 12. Shopped at a large market with hostel friends. Overnight flight to Chicago.
Day 13. Picked up by my sister at the airport!
Day 14. Finished a painting for a friend.
Day 15. Haircut and dye job from Twisted Scissors.
Day 16. Quiet night at home bonding with my cats.
Day 17. Birthday party / barbeque / potluck at bar with family and friends, including Mom’s delicious chocolate cake.
Day 18. Shopped at the Green City Market, Chicago.
Day 19. Ate breakfast at a favorite place in Chicago, M Henry. Tennis with family.
Day 20. Hosted dinner for friends, M&M.
Day 21. Watched Glee at Kit Kat Club with co-worker.
Day 22. Went to a Chicago Cubs game with BM for free!
Day 23. Walked through downtown Chicago during lunch. Dinner with CH at a new-to-me restaurant, Bistro Campagne.
Day 24. Played tennis with HF, a friend from grad school.
Day 25. Swam at Edgewater Athletic Club and walked through the Edgewater neighborhood.
Day 26. Ate breakfast at a new-to-me café, A Delicious Cafe, with JH, a grad school friend. Southside visit to a co-worker’s place.
Day 27. M&M hosted a delicious dinner. Biked home through Chicago at night.
Day 28. Ate a dip dish pizza lunch at Lou Malnati’s with CA, a friend from undergrad.
Day 29. Gorged myself at Café Ba Ba Reeba with fabulous friends, MBK, JS and RG!
Day 30. Bottle and Bodega painting class.
Now a year later, I realize that not only did I spend a whole month really enjoying life, but I also learned to appreciate the little things that make me happy. I can definitely say that since September 2010 I have looked at my life with new eyes and have decided to concentrate on things that are important to me. Tonight, in my 31st birthday, I’ll eat my favorite pizza at my favorite pizza place, grab gelato from my favorite gelateria and then talk with friends and family. What more could I ask for?
