Taking a Walk

Today, while visiting my sister in Colorado Springs, we stopped at Chick-fil-A for dinner.  Chicken, milkshake, waffle fries.  You can't go wrong.  It was indeed delicious, just as all my southern friends said.

On March 3, I finally completed this one.  I now live in MN...I should be able to make a snow angel.  It's been such a wacky winter though that it just didn't happen!

As you can see, it was a pretty pathetic snow angel.  There was snow, but it had been windy so it was super packed down.  I hardly made a dent!  However, I still tried.  Thanks to the Lindstrom girls for providing me with snow gear since I failed to bring any along!

#15 - Plan a Hintermeyer cousin outing

Saturday, December 24, 2011

 Last night the Hintermeyer cousins were invited over for an evening of homemade pizza and games.  11 out of 14 were able to come.  That’s pretty impressive when we live in five different states/countries with several spread out to various colleges.  

Everyone enjoyed creating their own pizza - with the toppings they had asked me to pick up.  It took a while to get all the pizza baked, but everyone was patient.  We even had a dessert pizza!  Overall, I’d say it was quite tasty and everyone enjoyed it.

Then the games started.  We played typical Hintermeyer games like “the candy bar game” which is really hilarious, and quite mean really!  We also enjoyed a round of telephone pictionary, another one I don’t know the name of because everyone has a different name for it (the one where you put names in a bowl and then you have to describe it, then with only 2 words, then act it out).  We also played 4 on a couch.  

The game no one was expecting though was the White Elephant game.  Sarah and I went around the house and found all kinds of random things to put in the game.  We found some junk (the Cat in the Hat hat turned into someone’s treasure...or it was just junk - like the CD case we tossed in), some nice things (like a scarf or pretty Christmas ornaments), and a couple random things we picked up at the store (a confetti gun or fat straws!?!), and the bonus prize of a Subway gift card.  It was great fun, and almost dangerous as people fought over the gifts!

As people prepared to leave it was decided to plan next years event...so on December 21, 2012 the Hintermeyer cousins will once again meet for food and games...without the parents!


#41 - Make 5 new main dish recipes

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

 Last night I finally met this goal.  Really, I could have counted it a couple months ago - but some of the recipes I counted as my “one month of crockpot cooking” goal.  I decided not to re-use recipes, so I needed a couple extras.  What all did I make?  Here’s the list...

1. Sweet ‘n Sour Meatballs (April 4) - I have no recollection of what recipe I used, but I remember them tasting good!  I’m pretty sure this was a crockpot meal though, so it doesn’t count.
   
2. Zucchini Garden Chowder (April 9) - Loved it.  I made this one because I had a friend who needed to eat blended foods after her surgery.  The recipe didn’t call for being blended, but I did for her portion!  It was good blended or chunky.  I’d make that one again...but I forgot about it when all of my zucchini was in season and I had an abundance! (Small picture above with cheddar garlic biscuits.)
   
3. Southwest Chicken (April 11) - This is a recipe my roommate and I created/adapted based off another one we liked.  This one actually didn’t count because it was made in the crockpot.
   
4. Beef Stroganoff Casserole (April 25) - I think this was my other crockpot creation on the list.  I seem to recall it being a little soggy.  
   
5. Asparagus Leek Chowder (May 5) - Another one I tried to help out my friend with her “blended” food diet.  I loved it.  I’d make it again.
   
6. Fennel and Tomato Pasta (August 21) - Can you tell I moved and transitioned in the middle?  Nothing for a couple months!  This one came from our CSA and it was great.  I was a little apprehensive because I wasn’t sure I would like fennel since it is slightly black licorice flavored and I dislike that taste.  However, it was great.  We’ve made it more than once.
   
7. Stuffed Squash with Quinoa Pilaf and Kale (September 24) - This one came out of my Mom’s “super foods” cookbook.  I loved it.  The squash really needed a few more minutes - because it was a little crunchy, but it still tasted good.  I’d do it again.
   
8. Stuffed Pumpkin (November 21) - A friend from church gave us some pumpkins and this recipe.  It was delicious.  I’m excited to eat the leftovers for supper tonight.  (This is the main picture above.) It had wild rice, craisins, sausage, and stuffing in the middle.  Great.
   

I love trying new recipes.  I’ll have to keep trying new things.  In fact, I’m testing out a new bread recipe tonight.  Can’t wait!

#76 - Exercise 3 days a week for a month

Monday, October 10, 2011

 Exercise.  Not my favorite word.  I’ve never been one to spend a lot of time exercising, but after 5 years in Lima I learned that I really loved going for a good walk and did it regularly.  I knew coming home to MN was going to make that a challenge as it wouldn’t be a primary mode of transportation any more.  Thus, the goal.  

I did it though.  For more than a month, probably closer to 2.5 months, I’ve been exercising pretty regularly.  This has mostly come in the form of running, but I’ve gone on some great walks and a bike ride as well.  
Running.  The first day I ran to the end of my block and back.  That’s even stretching it.  That was the entire distance, but I walked some of it, and I was beat.  My lungs could not handle it.  My legs weren’t tired, but my lungs were.  For many days that’s as much as I did.  Then I started going around my block which is a very large block, but I definitely walked a large majority of it.  

About 6 weeks ago I started listening to a podcast with the goal of helping you go from a non-runner to a runner.  There is a lady (actually named Laura) who tells you when to run and when to walk.  I believe week 1 started with a 60 second run and 90 second walk and you repeated that about 6 times.  Each week it got progressively harder: 90 second run & 2 minute walk, 2 minute run & 90 second walk.  Last week won though.  Week 5 instead of doing the same run three times it was three different workouts.  Challenging.  If I remember correctly, the easiest was a 5 minute run & 3 minute walk repeated 3 times. Next came 2 eight minute runs with a 5 minute walk in the middle.  Day three went to a 20 minute run...no walking.  Talk about stretching me!  I did it though.

The challenge is, I’m now in Nigeria and on Week 6, day 2.  I haven’t run for 4 days due to travel and I’m no longer in my neighborhood or anything remotely comfortable.  I don’t know where I am and am pretty sure it would be dumb to go run here in Lagos.  We’ll see if I can run more once I make it to Fiditi, but I might just be out of luck for a month.  (Besides...it’s in the 90‘s and humid...who wants to run in that?!?!)  The question is, what will I do then?  By November there could be snow until spring.  I’ll figure out a way to continue because I’ve actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  Praise the Lord.


#34 - Spend an entire week at the farm

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

 I might not be posting about this until now, but I really accomplished it back in July.  It just took me a while to realize that I really did.  I went out there a week after returning to the states and was fortunate enough to stay a whole week.  I went out because of our Johnson family reunion, but got to stay that long because I went early to help Grandma get ready, see some friends, and just relax in the comfort of the farm.  I love spending time there.  It is so relaxing.  It was a great family reunion and great to spend time with the family.  Our side of the family was in red.  I’d say we make a pretty fine looking group!

#58 - Try 5 new restaurants

Friday, August 19, 2011

Today was the day.  I got it!  Really, I might have already finished, but I don’t know if I would count a new coffee shop in an airport as a new dining experience!  I did just realize I really had six, but here goes!

El Fuego - This delicious restaurant was visited on April 22 when four of us decided to take a small adventure out of Lima.  We drove around an hour inland to a little town that had a waterfall you could walk to.  It was about an hour hike up to this pretty waterfall.  It wasn’t too hard, and it was part of our “Easter vacation” excitement.  Eden, Teresa, Cindy, and I enjoyed the day away.  On our way home we stopped to eat dinner.  We picked “El Fuego” (The fire) where Cindy and I shared a HUGE plate of lomo saltado.  I don’t think we finished it even though we shared!

Punta Sal - This was the second adventure.  Punta Sal means “the salt point” I guess.  Not sure why the restaurant is called that though!  It is right on the coast, but not on a point!  This was one of those restaurants I didn’t want to visit.  In fact, I avoided it for four and a half years.  However, I couldn’t leave Peru without trying Ceviche.  It’s tradition and I had avoided it for so long.  I probably even lied and told a taxi driver I loved it despite not having tried it.  They would have been outraged and offended if they knew the truth...I always just tried to tell them all the other wonderful foods I love.  So, finally on April 23 (also part of Easter Break) I tried it.  Ceviche is fish cured in lime juice.  It’s not cooked.  I don’t like fish, and the idea of it not even cooked freaked me out.  However, it was salty and limey and not nearly as bad as I thought it might be!  I really liked the sweet potato on the side though.  See picture above for proof of the event.  And no, I did not spit it out.  I swallowed two pieces!

Rio Shilcayo - This restaurant was chosen out of necessity.  This was one of those weeks I could have named multiple new restaurants, but I chose one.  This was the week of the senior trip.  We ate out every meal for five days.  But, on June 4 we finally at at the Rio Shilcayo restaurant.  It was tasty.  I think we ate there 3 or 4 times and I enjoyed all of them.  I think overall the favorite choice was their lomo saltado.  Tasty!

La Lucha - This is one that Jessica introduced me to.  Over in Parque Kennedy restaurants come and go and this was one I had never tried.  It’s another sandwich place but with lots of unique juice options.  June 11 Jess and I just wanted to eat and chat, so we tried it out.  The “La Lucha” sandwich was great.  I can’t tell you what was on it, but it was good!  I also tried some new juice.  I think the combination was something like carrot, apple, granadilla (a form of passion fruit), and yacon (which kind of tastes like jicama for those of you who know that.)  Great little place.  If you get to Lima, check it out.

Steak & Shake - This one I wasn’t counting, but then thought maybe I should.  I went with the church youth group on a missions trip the first week of August and one of the meals there was a Steak & Shake.  Quintin was so excited he had to eat there, so I joined him on August 5 somewhere outside of Chicago.  I got some type of cheeseburger and a dark chocolate milkshake.  Yum!

Salut - Here was my last one that was finally not in Perú.  This one was special because we went today, August 19, for Sarah’s 29th birthday.  I haven’t celebrated with her for years, so I enjoyed having a lunch outing with the family (minus Amy who is already teaching in Colorado).  I got a crepe with chicken and artichoke, some type of goat cheese, and some spinach too.  Delicious.  Nice choice Sarah.

#42 - Make 5 new dessert recipes

Sunday, August 14, 2011

I finally completed this list.  I guess it didn’t take that long, but it feels like it!  I’ve had fun experimenting with several new recipes.  Here is the list.

1. Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake (4-25) - this one I found in a magazine cookbook I picked up at Target about a year ago.  It just looked like it had fun recipes, and it didn’t disappoint me!  I’ve tried lots.  This one called for a smaller cheesecake pan than I could find in Peru, so I modified the recipe to make it a bit bigger.  It was super rich, but super yummy too.  I don’t think we had any leftovers at the end of that staff get-together night.  
   
2. Dark Chocolate Cream Pie (5-6) - this one was in the same cookbook as above and I made it for the “Cindy came home after a week at the middle school outdoor education trip” reunion.  Rachel made homemade pizza while I made the pie.  It was pretty tasty!
3. Crockpot Tapioca Pudding (5-18) - this one came about because I was out shopping with Gretchen one day and we found tapioca, something I had never seen in Peru before.  When I saw it I knew I had to pick some up and try it.  My dad loves tapioca pudding, and since he was visiting about a week later, it only made sense to find a recipe to use it.  I think I would modify the recipe slightly in the future, but it was definitely still good.
4. Key Lime Cheesecake (6-24) - this was a “happy birthday Dad” item, even though he wasn’t there.  Amy was visiting and I had wanted to make a key lime something for quite a while.  The limes are easy to come by in Lima, so it was logical to do it while they were still cheap!  I think we all loved it!! Light and fluffy, if you can call cheesecake light!  (I guess I never took a photo of that one.  Oops!)
5. Peach and friends pie (8-14) - note the gap in time here...apparently I didn’t do much creative baking in July.  I had a whole lug of peaches and so decided to find a new recipe.  The “and friends” portion of it included apples and blueberries.  It tastes really good, but I fear the pie left over for tomorrow might be soggy...it’s a really juicy pie!  Perhaps one better suited to consuming in one sitting.

#48 - Pick my own berry of another variety

Monday, July 25, 2011

 When I thought about picking some other type of berry I figured I’d go pick raspberries (which I did actually, I just never took a picture....so that could count too), or maybe blackberries or blueberries.  Nope, my friend Kim and I went and picked Black Currants and Gooseberries.  

The currants were really easy to pick.  You just had to dig a bit because sometimes they hide a little bit under the leaves.  They are an interesting combination of sweet but tart flavor.  I like them.  I tried making a black currant bar with them...which turned out to be better served in a bowl with ice cream.  It didn’t “pick up” in bar form very well at all.  I also made some black currant scones.  Much better choice.  They were delicious!  

The gooseberries were a pain to pick.  Literally.  They have thorns at least 1/2 inch long and there were lots of other weeds in the patch, some of which were prickly.  We got a few scratches, but didn’t pick nearly as many of those.  I guess some recipes call for green, unripe, berries.  We chose to pick them more red as they are sweeter then.  I found a recipe I want to try, but I knew I wouldn’t get around to it this week.  Luckily the recipe said “fresh, frozen, or canned” so I tossed them in the freezer and we’ll attempt that recipe soon.

Both were good tossed in a smoothie as well.  I’d say this adventure was a success.

#61 - Grill a pizza

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Ever since I first heard that people grilled pizza, I’ve wanted to try.  I convinced my family it was a great idea, so Mom & Dad came over to taste test this new thing.  Let’s just say it wasn’t the success I hoped for.  

1. I made the crust a little too big and too thin (yet too thick in other places) so it kind of sunk into the grates.
   
2. Due to the sinking, we had burning because the crust was too close to the fire.
   
3. I probably needed more flour to help hold it all together.
   
   

When the first pizza was burnt and in pieces, we decided to try modifying our technique on the second one.  

1. Leave the pizza on the pan in the grill to keep it together.
   
2. Flip the crust from one pan to another so the other side could cook.
   
3. Rotate the pan so the hot spot didn’t burn one section of the pizza.
   
   

The second pizza came out looking much more like a pizza, instead of a pile of goop, but it was lacking a bit.

1. The pizza directly on the grill tasted like it was grilled, the one on the pan did not.
   
2. The pizza directly on the grill looked terrible, the one on the pan looked beautiful.
   
3. The pizza directly on the grill was burnt in some places and still doughy in others, the one on the pan was evenly cooked.
   
   

Decision for the future? I’d try it again with some modifications.  

1. Do some more research on the internet to figure out how to not burn and get this thing to lay evenly on the grill.
   
2. Putting it on a pan could be an option, but maybe just for the first side so it firms up a bit, but flip it directly onto the grill so you get the grilled flavor.
   
3. Definitely make the crust smaller.  Maybe personal size pizzas would work better.  They’d be a whole lot easier to flip!
   

Despite the challenges, we all still enjoyed eating our grilled pizza.

#47 - Pick my own strawberries

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

 Tuesday morning I met up with my college friend, Kim, to go pick strawberries.  She had suggested it the week before and I thought it was perfect.  I had only been home about three days, wasn’t unpacked or settled, but why not?  It was so much fun to just relax in the strawberry patch, catch up with Kim, and get some yummy berries too!  The only problem is, it looks like so many berries when you pick them yet I’ve already cleaned and washed them all and made dessert - twice.  I froze a few too, but I probably could have used more.  Oh well, next time I’ll know!  Thanks for a fun morning, Kim!


#99 - Get all my instruments home from Peru

Friday, July 1, 2011

 I like instruments.  I like music.  I’ve collected just a few instruments over the years I’ve been here and I realized a couple months ago I didn’t know how I would possibly get them all home.  Well, I did it.  I didn’t even have to carry half of them home.  My Dad carried my guitar, Mom got the cajon, Amy carried the violin, I carried the viola at Christmas, the charango made its way in a suitcase, and the quena, zampoña, and conc shell all got home too.  Oh, and don’t forget the D’anofrio man’s whistle.  That made it too.  

Now if only I had actually purchased that cow horn...

#11 - Go an entire month without Facebook

Thursday, June 30, 2011

 I decided I just spend too much time on Facebook, so I decided to stay away for a while.  The end of the school year was crazy.  Senior trip, banquet (both student and staff), despedida’s, graduation, awards, field day, report cards, and all the end of year cleaning.  There just wasn’t time.  A few days before the senior trip I decided it was time to be done for a while.  My last post was on May 29 and I didn’t return until June 30.  

I did keep my rules a little loose.  I replied to a few emails I got from FB about a message, but never actually opened facebook.  That’s the time consuming part of it.  In a few cases it was important I replied to a parent or student about a concern, but I always did it from my email as if it was an email communication.  

So there we have it, I can go an entire month without touching facebook.  I think I’m going to try to enjoy it from now on, but not let it take up too much of my time.  There are more constructive things I could be doing instead.

#59 - Eat at La Rosa Nautica

Monday, June 20, 2011

 For the past five years I have regularly walked along the coast of Peru and always see La Rosa Nautica sitting out in the water.  Every time I think it would be fun to eat there and never have.  So finally, today, after dreaming about it for nearly five years, we went.  Amy,  Cindy and I had lunch there this afternoon. Since it’s out in the ocean it is logical that they specialize in fish and seafood, but that didn’t deter us.  Amy found some sea bass to eat, Cindy got steak, and I got chicken.  I know...creative.  But, it was all really good.  I even tried a bite of Amy’s and probably could have handled at least eating part of her food.  

The ocean has been crazy the past two days.  We tried to go out surfing yesterday and decided that was a bad idea.  The waves don’t look so rough in this picture, but they were cresting at nearly 13 feet at times, and the water was so choppy you would think there was a storm coming in.  Doesn’t it also look like it could rain?  It’s been like that for two days too.  It doesn’t rain in Lima, but I think we’ve hit the record amount for the year in two days.  It’s been so wet!  All that choppy water shook the restaurant a few times, so that was a little adventurous!

#24 - See a movie at the theater...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

 There is a new theater near my house here in Lima that’s been open for 8 or 9 months.  We’ve talked about going to see a movie for months and just haven’t done it.  Cindy and I have stopped by a time or two in an attempt to find a movie we want to watch and just haven’t seen anything that intrigued us enough to spend the money.  The other day we pulled up the listing and there was one that caught our attention so we planned to go tonight, only it was off the list by today.  

We really wanted to see one though, so we went with the second choice.  Cindy, Elizabeth, my sister Amy, and I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 - doblada version.  Yup, we saw it dubbed in Spanish.  We had a couple firsts.  First time at the theater.  First time watching a movie completely in Spanish.  First time at a theater with leather, reclining seats that will deliver food to your chair (although we didn’t partake in this feature).  

I really think I understood most of the movie.  Now I kind of want to go rent it from a Red Box when I’m home and see if I understood as much as I think I did.  It was a fun ending to a day of working at school, followed by taco night at home. 

#86 - Buy a painting before leaving Peru

Thursday, June 16, 2011

When my parents were here I saw a painting that I loved.  It was huge.  Last week I went back and still loved it.  It was still huge.  I didn’t know where I would put a painting that large, nor how I would effectively get it home.  The man kept trying to sell it to me but I told him I just didn’t have a place to hang it in my house.  As I was ready to leave he asked how big I wanted it.  I pointed to a picture in a more appropriate size.  He told me he would paint one for me, just like the big one, in the size I wanted.  I paid him part of the money and prayed it would be as great as the big one.  It was pretty close to amazing and very similar.  I’m so happy to have my new painting of a jungle scene in Peru.  The only problem? Now I want to go find a mountain scene, and a lake scene, and so many more!

#102 - Play Paintball

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Yes, #102.  More things that “should” have been on my 101 list have been brought to my attention, so here we go.  

Birthday celebrations for friends require you to step out of your comfort zone and participate.  Here you have Jared, Jessica, Me, and Megan ready to defend our turf.  Two of us had never played before, so it was a learning experience.  We played three rounds.  In round one, I was one of the last two people in!  Then I got hit in the leg.  I have a bruise to prove it!

It was a lot of fun, although I really don’t need to put myself into the line of fire any time soon!  However, I did get someone out, so I either have a decent shot or I got lucky.  Don’t I look tough?

#72 - Go surfing

Saturday, April 30, 2011

 Well, this one wasn’t quite as normal of a thought for me.  Surfing?  Who ever dreamed I’d go surfing?  I grew up in MN...we may have 10,000 lakes but waves are not big enough for such things! Yet, I’ve now lived on the Pacific Ocean for nearly 5 years where the waves are good.  I’ve even learned that the waves of Peru are especially good and famous, so why wouldn’t I try it here?  I went and watched a surf competition last semester for the world championships just an hour from home.

So, on this particular Saturday they were planning a birthday party for some of the married boys on staff and surfing was in the plans.  They hadn’t gone before either, so it was a learning experience for most of us.  I think about 9 of us went out, and out of those only a couple had tried before.  I happen to have the best teacher for such things as my roommate, so I wasn’t too worried about it.  We got out without too much problem.  The blessing this day? The waves were terrible...that meant I could get out without exhausting myself just paddling out.  The bad thing? The waves were terrible...you couldn’t really surf!  I saw a couple guys get up once or twice but that was it.  The real surfers stayed home that day.  Yet, Cindy helped me know when to try to catch a wave so that was good.

I may not have ever successfully stood up, but I did successfully ride a wave a couple times.  One time I caught a good ride on my tummy and then started to turn around only to have the wave catch me a second time and send me even further in to shore.  One time I tried to catch a wave but was fairly unsuccessful.  The only success that time was completely running over one of the birthday boys.  Luckily he saw me coming and got off his board...my board got stuck on his!  

Overall it was good experience.  I’ll have to try again someday.  Cindy said she’d take me when I go visit her in Florida some time.  The beaches are sandy there...note the rocks I walked on to get in the ocean here.  I think I prefer the sand...those rocks caused foot pain for a week! 

Photos: Big one - me entering the water with a little help from my friend who carried that board so I wouldn’t kill myself on those rocks.  Small on top - the girl surfing contingent.  Small on bottom - Cindy and I after we got out of the water successfully (that might have been the hardest part...those waves knock you right over!).

#55 - Use my crockpot...

Monday, April 25, 2011

 One of my goals was to go an entire month using my crockpot once a week.  That meant I needed to do it for 4 weeks in a row.  Well, tonight was number 4.  What was on the menu?

April 4 - Sweet ‘n sour meatballs - This one was a new crockpot recipe I found online.  We really enjoyed it!  I’d make slightly smaller meatballs next time - two was too much, but one wasn’t quite enough.

April 11 - Southwest chicken - not the prettiest picture ever, but it tasted really good!  Chicken, Salsa, corn, cream cheese.  You can’t go wrong with that combo served over rice!  This one was also a new treat for us.  I’d make it again and the neighbors enjoyed it too.

April 18 - Italian Chicken (with additions) sandwich - This is a recipe I’ve made lots of times, but today we added a twist.  Chicken, water, italian seasoning pack is the norm.  Today we decided to see what happened if we added some tomato sauce and cream cheese.  It was pretty tasty.  A little cheese shredded on top for good measure - delicious.

April 25 - Beef Stroganoff Casserole - this was one I found on line as well.  Tasty, but I’d modify one thing.  It says to put the noodles in at the beginning of the day.  8 hours later they were mush.  I’d make the noodles separate and dump them in at the end.  The neighbor kids enjoyed this one though!

There you have it.  A month of crockpot cooking. 

#64 - Eat Ceviche

Saturday, April 23, 2011

 Well, today was the day.  I’ve lived in Peru for nearly 5 years and never tried it before.  My excuse has been that I don’t like fish - which is true.  However, I’ve tried other random foods without fear.  One of the first questions a taxi driver, or most Peruvians, asks is if you like Ceviche.  I’ve lied for years and said yes...and then changed the food topic to all the other foods I truly do love - lomo saltado, tacu tacu, aji de gallina.  (I just couldn’t admit to all those Peruvians that I’ve lived here that long and not tried their prized dish!)

For those of you who don’t know, ceviche is fish that is cooked in a lime juice marinade.  It’s not really cooked at all, but the lime juice cures it.  They serve it with onions soaked in the same juice and then there is camote (sweet potato) and choclo (Peruvian corn) on the side.  

Will I eat it again?  Probably not.  However, it really wasn’t as bad as I expected. It was super limey and salty.  It really didn’t taste much like fish at all.  If I needed to eat it again, I would, but I probably will not willingly order it.  (P.S. Cindy wasn’t going to try, but she hates me now because I made her eat some too.)

Oh, and I also willingly tried calamari.  Not terrible.  It was a nice sunny day for trying new things. :)


#12 - Go in a Water Ball

Friday, April 8, 2011

 I completed my first item on my list.  Eden, our art teacher, arranged for an outing to the beach.  Who knew you could hire someone to come to the ocean, put you inside a giant ball, blow it up with a leaf blower, and then send you out to sea?  Crazy!  You could run, summersault, or roll around.  At least you were supposed to be able to.  The waves kept catching me which throws you off balance, but it was fun!

Five of us participated: Eden, the art teacher; Cindy, my roommate and 5th grade teacher; Amy, our librarian; Jeremy, our business keeper and my next door neighbor; and me.  So much fun.  Jeremy’s family came out to watch, along with Amanda - our English teacher.  I guess once they zipped me in and I started walking out to the ocean Josiah, who is 1.5 years old, was very concerned and kept calling me name!  Poor guy thought I was in trouble!

If you ever have the opportunity to climb inside a giant ball and pretend like you are in a gerbil ball, you should do it.  Stay tuned for the next item I accomplish on my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.

My original post from April 2, 2011:


Today is the day my list starts.  I created this at a time when I know I am transitioning to a new chapter in my life, so the list reflects some of those changes.  Hopefully it has some easily accomplished goals as well as some that will take a bit more creativity to accomplish.  I look forward to the journey.

Things to do:

1. Visit 3 art museums
2. Visit 3 non-art museums - (2/3)
3. Ride a segue
4. Play in the leaves
5. Go snow tubing
6. Make a snow angel - 3/3/2012
7. Buy a meal for the family behind me
8. Host 3 game nights
9. Finish grad school - (10/12 classes)
10. Read 3 classic books
11. Go an entire month without Facebook - May 29-June 30, 2011
12. Go in a water ball - 4/8/2011
13. Buy a new computer
14. Go on a date with each of my cousins - (6 complete)
15. Plan a Hintermeyer cousin outing - 12/23/2011
16. Send my own Christmas letter
17. Go see a circus
18. Learn to drive a stick shift
19. Finish Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving
20. Vote, in person, for the first time
21. Find out my blood type
22. Watch 5 classic movies I've never seen before - (1/5)
23. Go to a drive in movie
24. See a movie at the new theater by my house in Lima - 6/18/2011
25. Get a free pass from the library to use somewhere
26. Buy a couch - 9/23/2011
27. Only purchase items for which I have coupons, 3 times

Places to visit:

28. Visit 5 new states - (1/5)
29. Visit 2 new countries
30. Visit 3 countries I've visited before - (2/3)
31. Go on a trip with Mom, Dad, Sarah, and Amy - together or separate - (2/4)
32. Take a road trip to visit 3 different friends - (2/3)
33. Visit the headwaters of the Mississippi River
34. Spend an entire week at the farm - July 12-18, 2011
35. Visit Wendy and Andre in France
36. Visit Sarah in Egypt
37. Take the Amtrak (or other train) somewhere
38. Visit Niagara Falls
39. Visit Yellowstone & Old Faithful
40. Spend a day at the lake

Food & Cooking:

41. Make 5 new main dish recipes -  11/21/2011
42. Make 5 new dessert recipes - 8/14/2011
43. Freeze corn with Mom & Grandma - there was none in 2011!
44. Learn to make cinnamon ring pickles - 9/2011
45. Learn to make relish
46. Plant a garden and eat my own veggies
47. Pick my own strawberries - 7/5/2011
48. Pick my own berry of another variety - 7/25/2011
49. Go to an apple orchard and get apples - 9/27/2011
50. Learn how to can, and do it
51. Learn how to make Grandma's scalloped potatoes - 7/15/2011 (now I need to do it!)
52. Help host a progressive dinner
53. Use Sarah's dehydrator to make snacks - 11/18/2011
54. Take a cooking class
55. Make a crock-pot meal once a week for a month - 4/25/2011
56. Make dinner for a family in need
57. Make corn-on-the-cob cupcakes
58. Try 5 new restaurants - 8/19/2011
59. Eat at La Rosa Nautica - 6/20/2011
60. Eat at Chick-fil-A - 3/27/2012
61. Grill a pizza - 7/6/2011
62. Take a cake decorating class
63. Go out to eat and everyone order someone else's food
64. Eat Ceviche - 4/23/2011
65. Shop at the Farmer's Market 6 times during the summer - 9/24/2011
66. Try 2 new cuisines I've never had before - (1/2)

Health & Fitness:

67. Run a 5k
68. Climb a 14er
69. Attempt to ski again
70. Hike 5 new trails - Finished 3/27/2012
71. Go for a morning walk with los padres at least once a week por un mes
72. Go surfing - 4/30/2011
73. Go ice-skating
74. Go on a long bike ride
75. Rollerblade around Lake Calhoun (or other MN lake)
76. Exercise 3 times a week for a month - August/September 2011
77. Try Zumba
78. Go sailing
79. Actually go swimming during the summer at least 4 times - (2/4)
80. Attempt to kayak

Arts & Crafts:

81. Host a craft day 3 times - (1/3)
82. Finish my cross-stitch
83. Knit something other than a scarf
84. Make a t-shirt quilt of Peru
85. Make a coffee table book of Peru
86. Buy a painting before I leave Peru - 6/16/2011
87. Sew something - maybe a dress?
88. Learn how to make candles
89. Frame lighthouse painting

Spiritual:

90. Memorize 15 Bible verses/passages - (2/15)
91. Study a book of the Bible in-depth - twice
92. Join a Bible study in Minnesota - 9/13/2011

Fine Arts:

93. See a Broadway musical (on or off Broadway production)
94. See 3 local theater productions - (1/3)
95. Attend 3 orchestra concerts
96. Watch 3 Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals I've never seen before
97. Watch 3 Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals I've never seen before
98. Go caroling
99. Get all my instruments home from Peru - 7/1/2011
100. Learn to sing Happy Birthday in another language (not English, Spanish or Korean)
101. Learn to plan a new song on the piano and then memorize it

Extras:

102. Play paintball - 6/11/2011
103. Fly in a hot air balloon
104. Buy running shoes - 7/26/2011
105. Frame Peru mountain scene - 9/21/2011