#s 9 and 25 – Rock/Wall climb and Zipline

I found a Groupon for the Wyman Center.  It offered 3 hours of climbing a rock wall, ziplining, and a challenge course.  I bought 1 for my husband and me and talked my sister into buying one for her and her husband.  Unfortunately it didn’t work out to where she could join us (they live 3 hours away) but a friend bought the 2 deals from her and came with us.  It was a bit chilly the day we decided to go but at least the sun was shining.  The first thing we did was sign it, sign the waiver (if we die, it isn’t their fault), and get strapped in.  I understand that the harnesses had to be tight but I think I bruised my ribs!

The first thing we came to was the climbing wall.  There was an easier side and a more difficult side.  Obviously I climbed the “easier” side.  I am scared of heights. They make me very, very, very uneasy.  You had to climb a ladder before you got to the rocks to climb.  I made it to the top of the ladder and tried to convince everyone to let me be done.  I was already freaking out!  They encouraged me so I went a little further and made it to the top of the first ‘ledge’.  I was really sure I was done now.  Looking up, it seems like you’ll never make it to the top to ring the bell.  I was so intimidated and didn’t think there was a way I could finish it.  Luckily, the lady from the center holding my rope on the ground kept tugging on it and I could really feel her supporting me.  This gave me a lot of confidence so despite really wanting to give up, I kept going…and going…until I finally made it to the top and rang the bell!  The descent down was fine.  I just had to lean back and walk back down the wall.  I was nearly shaking when I made it back to the ground.  The combination of disbelief that I’d made it and adrenaline was a strange feeling!  I’m glad everyone encouraged me to keep going, even though I wanted to quit multiple times (at least 3).  It felt good to accomplish that and I’m pretty proud of myself.

(Ringing the bell at the top!)

Next up was ziplining.  The line was about 10 people long and it took quite a while to get to our turn.  Some people had trouble climbing up the tree onto the ledge but a lot of it was the time it took to harness and hook/unhook everyone.  I didn’t mind very much since it was a safety precaution and I would rather they take their time than rush through those steps.  After succeeding in the wall climb, the tree climb to the ledge was no big deal!  I got to the ledge and the guy up there got me hooked and ready to zip.  It was scary stepping off of the ledge.  What if the rope broke?!?  What if I didn’t zip?!?  Luckily, none of those things happened.  I closed my eyes and stepped off.  The line wasn’t very long so I was halfway done by the time I opened my eyes.  It was a lot of fun but I wish it had been longer.  This may be something I do again so I’ll look for a course with more ziplines to choose from.

We were going to do the challenge course next but the line was even longer than for the zipline and it was only manned by 2 employees.  3 people were on the course at a time and parts of the course didn’t look like they were being used because there weren’t enough people to staff them.  So we waited for a little while and then decided we didn’t really want to wait anymore.  It was starting to get chilly and we were getting hungry.  On our way back to the car the guys decided to do the rock wall one more time.  Dave mastered the harder side and Justin climbed the easier side because he chose the hard side the first time up.  I’m glad they were able to do this again so that I felt like it made up for not doing the challenge course.

We turned in our gear and headed for lunch.  It was a fun time and I did conquer some of my fears.  Like I said, I think if I go again I’ll find a place with more ziplines.  A friend said there’s a place with 10 different lines to choose from, all different lengths and views.  So maybe that’ll make it onto next year’s list.

(Zipping along)

# 16 – Find an organization I want to volunteer with on a long-term basis

(Me and Erin after being sworn in as VP of Membership and VP of Programming)

I realize that I’ve posted about Gamma Phi a lot in this blog, but here’s another one J  When I thought of this to add to my list, I wasn’t thinking of Gamma Phi.  I was thinking that I would find another organization to contribute my time to.  I care deeply about veterans issues so I thought I would find an organization along those lines to volunteer with.  And while I did participate in a service project this spring with The Mission Continues, I haven’t had the chance to do more than that. 

A friend pointed out that I contribute a lot of my time and efforts to the alumnae chapter.  It hadn’t even dawned on me!  Maybe because I consider it something that’s such a big part of my life, I didn’t look at it as “volunteering” but it’s very true that I do. 

I currently hold 2 positions within the chapter: VP of Membership and Assistant Treasurer.  I’ve been the Assistant Treasurer since I joined the chapter 5 years ago.  It was my way “in”.  After I met all of the women I asked if there was a position on the executive board that needed to be filled.  They’d never had an Assistant Treasurer before so they suggested it to the Treasurer and she was happy to have me.  Joanne is amazing at what she does and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to work with her all of these years. 

I’ve been the VP of Membership since the spring this year.  Before that I was chairperson of the Moms and Kids group.  VP of Membership has been especially rewarding for me.  I get to reach out to and welcome new members to the group!  I get to tell women about how great of a chapter we are and follow up with them after they’ve attended their first event.  It’s been a lot of fun.  And while I do plan to continue volunteering with other organizations, I know that I’ll be with Gamma Phi and the alumnae chapter for the rest of my life.  That’s pretty long-term to me J

# 30 – Participate in a flash mob

This was one of my favorite accomplishments this year!  I love organized dancing, probably stemming from my years as a cheerleader.  Seeing people unexpectedly break into dance as a choreographed group?  Love!  I knew I wanted to be a part of it.  Thanks to the lovely power of the internet, I simply Googled “St. Louis flashmob” and found that there was a very active group here in the city.  I joined their Facebook group and saw that they were starting rehearsals for a flashmob sponsored by Charter Communications at the Taste of St. Louis (a big gathering of food and drink vendors, concerts, and other fun things). 

I went to my first rehearsal and learned we would be performing an “evolution of line dances”.  This included the hokey pokey, hustle, electric slide, Macarena, cupid’s shuffle, the cha-cha slide, and the wobble.  I knew most of these dances already so practice wasn’t too tough. 

One of my favorite parts of this experience is making a new friend!  At the first rehearsal I started chatting with Mary, who was new to the area and joining the mob for some fun too.  I gave her my name and number after practice and we met up for dinner the following week.  She’s a great person and I’m so glad that we’ve become friends!

The Taste of St. Louis was held the last weekend of September.  We found out we would be performing before The All American Rejects concert.  I quickly noticed that we would be featured on the big screens in front of the main stage!  I was pretty nervous but once the music started I was too excited to be nervous.  We all did great and had so much fun.  People were surprised and started dancing along and taking pictures.  It was a really fun experience and I know that this will not be my last flashmob!



# 1 – Read 30 books - The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman (book 21)

Read this book.  But I am warning you – it will break your heart, multiple times.  I’m a mom and by the grace of God I didn’t suffer painful miscarriages or heart-wrenching stillbirths.  But as a mom I understand the love and want for a child and how that can suspend all logical thinking.  Tom and Izzy’s love story is beautiful and their life together on a deserted island, taking care of the lighthouse only strengthens their love.  The meticulous care Tom takes of the lighthouse is fascinating.  I loved the parts of the story that had to do with Tom and the lighthouse, partly the technical aspects of it and partly the emotional attachment he has to it and his responsibility of it.  The choices Tom and Izzy later make and the ramifications of them are unimaginable.  I don’t know what I would do if I were in their shoes, in any of the complicated situations they find themselves in.  It’s heartbreak after heartbreak for them and I found myself truly sorry for what they had to endure.  But surprisingly, I also hated them for the choices they made and the pain they caused to others, even if it was unintentional.  My emotions ran the spectrum during this book.  I felt so entangled in the story and bound to Tom and Izzy even if I didn’t always agree with their actions.  I don’t have the words to explain all that this book was to me!  I highly recommend reading it, even if it keeps you up until 3 am like it did me.

Find out more here.

# 1 – Read 30 books - The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones (book 20)

I have never read a book like this one ever!  They describe it as an “Edwardian comedy” which didn’t really mean anything to me but sounded intriguing.  I love stories set in the early 1900s so this was right up my alley, but this book was so much more.  A family is dealing with the death of their father and re-marriage of their mother.  They live in a sprawling home with land and animals, which is being threatened by foreclosure.  The events that transpire throughout the book are so unexpected and surreal I could not put it down.  It’s fantasy and ghost story and comedy all in one.  Such a good and original book!

Find out more here.

# 27 – Visit Cahokia Mounds

(Getting ready to make the hike up one of the mounds)

Living Social offered a deal on an iPod guided walking tour of Cahokia Mounds so I quickly grabbed it.  We took advantage of a beautiful day in April (yes April, I’m very late) and the whole family headed out to Illinois.  It’s just a short trip across the river and was really easy to find.  Justin loves artifacts, especially arrowheads so this was right up his alley. 

The history of Cahokia Mounds is amazing.  We have it so easy nowadays, everything is at the touch of our fingertips.  If we need something, we drive to the store and pick it up, or order it right from the comfort of our living rooms!  These are luxuries that couldn’t have been dreamed of hundreds of years ago.

# 21 – Participate in a grape stomp

This is another one that I dropped the ball on.  I started researching grape stomps and found a local winery that hosted one in August.  I put it on my calendar and put a reminder in my phone to keep checking back to see when registration opened.  I don’t know where the summer went because before I knew it, August was over and I had missed my grape stomp.  I am determined to do this though.  There’s an I Love Lucy episode where Lucy stomps grapes, which is what made me think of it.  There are so many wineries in this area so I’m glad that there’s at least one who offers participation. 

# 13 – Take the girls to the Balloon Glow in Forest Park

I usually hear about the Balloon Glow/Great Forest Park Balloon Race weeks in advance of the event.  But for some reason I didn’t hear about it this year until the day of the glow.  So needless to say, I did not make it to this one.  Justin and Lauren were out of town and I didn’t have Natalie that weekend.  So it looks like this is going to be something I put on next year’s list and hopefully plan for it better.

Here's a view of the balloons from up above, so you get an idea...

# 11 – Attend a Gamma Phi Beta convention

(This is me, our International President Linda, Erin Risk, and Pam Getman)

Conventions for my sorority are held every 2 years.  This year’s convention was held in Denver, CO which also happens to be home to our headquarters.  I decided that this would be a good convention to attend because I could also get in a tour of our International Headquarters.  Because of vacation time and hotel costs, I chose to attend convention from Friday-Sunday (it starts on Wednesday night but you can choose what days you attend if you’re going as an alum).  Luckily I was in great company because quite a few women from the alumnae chapter attended this year as well.  I was able to share a room with 3 other sisters to help cut down on costs.

Our flight was bright and early out to Denver but not too bad since we had a straight flight.  The cab ride was a little strange thanks to our cab driver and his R. Kelley soundtrack circa 2000 but we made it to our hotel in one piece.  I’d never been to Denver and it was as beautiful as I could have imagined.  We stayed at the Denver Sheraton, which is where Convention was also held.  It was so cool to stay on the 16^th street mall.  That is a great strip!  The weather was gorgeous so we had a lot of fun walking around downtown.  We even made it to the Capitol building.

A lot takes place at Convention – business sessions, approving bylaws, and presentations.  I felt like those were geared more towards the collegians and Presidents of alumnae chapters so I didn’t make it to any of them.  I did attend all of the meals, Confirmed Conventioneers Dinner, and the Pink Carnation Banquet though.  I also made time to volunteer in the Foundation Room, where there was a silent auction and sisters could donate to our Foundation (to fund scholarships, collegiate programs, etc.).  That was a very worthwhile experience because I truly believe that Gamma Phi Beta has the power to positively impact many women’s lives and we couldn’t do it without the generous giving from our sisters.

It was a great trip and I loved being a part of ritual with 700+ sisters.  It was amazing to see that the love and spirit of Gamma Phi just keeps going and growing!  I’m so proud of my sorority and attending Convention further affirmed that love and pride.  I was thinking that I wouldn’t attend the next Convention because it can be kind of pricey, but they announced that the 2014 Convention would be in my hometown of Seattle so I will definitely need to make it to that one.  I’m hoping to make a weeklong vacation of it so that I can spend time with my friends still there.

(After the Pink Carnation banquet)

# 1 – Read 30 books - Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close (book 19)

This book was on a list of books you should read in your 20s so I thought it would be relevant.  It totally was not.  This book may have been intended for women in their early 20s but even then I don’t think it’ll teach you anything.  Yes, it’s about graduating from college and not having a plan but surviving anyway.  And yes, it’s about friendship and growing up and finding yourself.  So you would think that it’d be a decent book but I just did not care for it.  I had a hard time following the stories of the main characters and I didn’t develop any sort of attachment to them.  I wasn’t in the story so I had a hard time caring about what happened to them.  Maybe someone will get something, anything, out of this book.  I was not one of them.

Find out more here.

# 1 – Read 30 books - I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella (book 18)

I love Sophie Kinsella’s books.  They’re fun and easy to read, helping me to escape reality for a little while.  The main characters are women whose lives aren’t all together and usually involve a mishap or embarrassing misunderstanding.  This book was no exception.  The main character is engaged to someone and because of a series of bad luck (?), meets another man.  There are a lot of shenanigans that go on and some unrealistic propositions but it was fun to see it unfold.  If you’re looking for funny and easy books, I always recommend Sophie Kinsella.

Find out more here.