Monday, December 8, 2008

Polar Bear Plunge/Special Olympics Pledges

Support me as I Get My Plunge On for Special Olympics!
And join me Feb. 28 at
Tumbleweed on the River.
Click on the graphic below to make a donation!
2009 Louisville Plunge Widget

Polar Bear Plunge update

So, I have officially signed up to take the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics. I can't believe I am doing this! But now that I've signed up, there is no backing down. Originally, I planned for a $75 goal, since that is what is required to take the plunge. However, apparently when you sign up your minimum goal has to be $100. Ok, shouldn't be too bad. So there it is. The new goal is $100 by February 28, when I will jump into the freezing waters of the Ohio River.

Why am I doing this again???

I am going to try and post my goal "widget" thing on here, so everyone can keep track of my progress. I promised I would let you know when and how I prepare myself for the plunge. I will do that very soon. In the meantime, I have a lot of other things to take care of. So that is all for now. Check back soon for updates!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Take the Plunge

While waiting for an old friend to show up for our dinner date, I sat in the restaurant's waiting area and spotted one of those charity event pamphlets. You know, the ones where you raise money and do some physical activity with a group of other like-minded individuals. This particular pamphlet was regarding the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics. Remember the life list? Taking this plunge is on it.

Now, not that there is anything wrong with the Special Olympics, by any means. But it's just not one of those "causes" that's close to me. I don't know anyone with special needs. So why do I want to do the Polar Bear Plunge? Because the truth is, I DON'T want to do it. I HATE being cold. I am skinny, and don't exactly have any blubber to keep me warm in the icy cold Ohio River. My hands and feet are sooo sensitive to the lower temperatures. And I am pretty certain I would shiver to death. I am terrified of doing it. I am chicken shit. I don't think I can do it. Which is precisely why I want to.

You see, in setting out to achieve my goals and live my life to the fullest, I've found that I am scared of a lot of things. But if I let these fears get in my way, I will never accomplish anything. Lessons from the past have taught me this. So in times when I feel myself uncomfortable, I'm starting to go head on into the circumstance and take on the challenge. More and more I can prove to myself how much I CAN accomplish if I don't back down. I don't want to be a coward.

If I didn't want to do the Polar Bear Plunge because I didn't have time, didn't care about the cause, or whatever other excuses there may be, perhaps I would be okay with it. But I never wanted to do the Polar Bear Plunge before mostly because I was too scared. And now realizing that as the reason, I say F you, Michele. I can do this. I WILL do this. I'll show you!

I have no idea how I will prepare myself for the challenge. But I know I must be prepared. I need a game plan. And I also need to raise the $75 required for participation. But I have until February. I don't know how I will do this, but I will do it. Believe me. Because if I don't, I might as well throw away the Dream Book and forget all my other goals. And I sure as hell am not about to do that. Aside from God or the Universe or some act of nature, the only one who can stop me from doing the things I want to do is myself. And I don't like people telling me I can't do something - even if it is my own voice inside my head.

So get ready for February 28, 2009 because that is when I WILL be taking the Polar Bear Plunge. And if anyone wants to join me, fabulous! Or, if you would like to donate to help me reach the $75 goal, I will get registered online officially later on and you can do so then. I would appreciate any help I can get, even just words of encouragement! And I will also keep you posted on how I will prepare myself physically and mentally for the challenge. That's all for now!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Third Time's A Charm

In December of 2006, I purchased 2 tickets to see Brett Favre play in the legendary Lambeau Field. After growing up idolizing #4, I was finally getting the chance to see him play live. Or so I thought. I couldn't find anyone to go to the game with me. And as a young female, I didn't think it was safe to drive from Kentucky to Green Bay and spend the day there by myself. I chickened out. Didn't go to the game. And tried to sell the tickets to no avail. So not only was I not going to see Favre play, I was also out 300 bucks. Oh yeah, and then the guy goes and announces he may retire. Talk about regret.

I still have those tickets to remind myself to just follow your dreams and have no regrets.

Well I was pleasantly surprised the next year when Favre came back. This time I was going no matter what. I ended up getting 2 tickets for the NFC Championship game. The weather was crazy. Just how it's supposed to be at the Frozen Tundra. I was beyond excited. The plan was to drive from Louisville to Richmond, KY on Thursday night to return to school. Friday I would be heading up to Green Bay. The game was scheduled for Saturday. Well lo and behold, I pull up in front of my dorm and proceed to get sick in my car. Food poisoning or 24 hour stomach virus. One of the two. Every time I even sat up in bed, I got sick. I could barely move. I'm sure you can guess, I didn't make it to that game. I wouldn't be leaving my room let alone heading off to Wisconsin. Instead I watched in agony, both physical and emotional, as the Packers lost to the New York Giants. And again, Favre announced his retirement.

And this time, it didn't seem like he would be coming back...

But he did. And as crazy as the whole fiasco was, I was happy. Because somehow I was given one more chance at seeing THE Brett Favre play. Although I would be seeing him in a different shade of green this year, it didn't matter. I grew to love the Packers by association. But suddenly I became a New York Jets fan.

On Sunday, November 23, I drove by myself to Nashville and watched Brett Favre and the Jets un-undefeat the Tennessee Titans. It was INCREDIBLE. I had endzone seats, 6th row. And as I made my way down to my seat, I saw that my seatmate would also be a hardcore Favre fan. Hm, in a stadium of 60,000+ Titans fans...I could not have asked for a better experience. I finally got to see the great Favre play, and made a new friend in the process. Just to see him play was an experience in itself, but the win made it so much sweeter. So this year I finally saw Beckham and Favre play. Life is so good!

So that's another item checked off the life to-do list! I pray to God I never get Alzheimers or some other ailment degrading my memory. Because the memories I made last Sunday...and continue to make in life...are remarkable. Dreams are coming true.

It took me a long time to finally see Favre play, and it didn't happen at all in the way I expected it. But it was definitely worth the wait. And we all know...third time's a charm.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Louisville Zoo & Glacier Run

Wow. It has been way too long since I've posted. I will be sure to fix that, don't worry. Here's what has been happening in the meantime:

In the heart of the Louisville Zoo, construction has begun on the $25 million Glacier Run exhibit. Upon its completion, Glacier Run will house polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and Steller's sea eagles. Currently, our polar bear is staying at the zoo in Cleveland (makes me somewhat happy to know my polar bear is at my former home zoo). There will be more room for the animals at Glacier Run, and visitors will have a better viewing and educational experience. More information can be found at http://www.louisvillezoo.org/glacierrun

Now some people hate zoos. They say zoos are bad for wildlife. And as a wildlife lover myself, I understand their concerns. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) can be wonderful. Not every zoo is accredited. If done correctly, these zoos are not about entertainment. They are about education. These zoos give a name and face to wildlife (many endangered) that people wouldn't pay attention to otherwise. I hear all the time about children and adults alike learning new things about these animals and becoming inspired to help conserve habitat and fight to protect these creatures. Without zoos, these people might never pat attention to what's happening in the wild. I know this for a fact because my grandparents visited the Louisville Zoo just last week, and when I went home my grandma and I talked about the "green" movement. That's not something my grandma would normally pay attention to.

And why do you think the Christian Children's Fund shows dirty, adorable children or the ASPCA shows way too cute dogs and cats in cages looking so sad in their commercials? To pull at our hearstrings and educate us. To give us a face. People wouldn't pay attention unless they could see these animals and these issues right in frton of them. Then they become attached and want to do something to help.

Zoos accredited by the AZA, inluding the Louisville Zoo, work hard everyday to educate and conserve. The Species Survival Plan (SSP) program works to ensure species survival and genetic diversity (http://www.louisvillezoo.org/conservation/SSP.htm). Being able to work with the animals close by lets us learn things we might not learn by observing in the wild, so we know how to better protect them.

So I encourage everyone to visit your zoo and make sure it is accredited. Specifically, visit the Louisville Zoo! The exhibits have won numerous awards. We have lots of new animals as well as old favorites. Come see what's new. And please donate to the Glacier Run capital campaign. The Louisville Zoo is a non-profit, so your donations mean better space and care for the animals. We received 4 stars from Charity Navigator (the highest rating). And we are always working toward "Bettering the Bond Between People and the Planet."

And most important of all, educate yourself about the world around you. Humans are animals. We share some DNA with many species. If bad things are happening in the environment and are negatively affecting other animals, it could spell bad news for humans as well. Ever heard of the canary in a coal mine? Speak out. Educate yourself. Choose a cause and fight for it. And conserve the planet.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

"Impossible is Nothing"

On October 4, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing, arguably, the greatest soccer player in the world. Excuse me, futbol player. Inarguably, he is the sexiest man on the planet.

Anyway, on that autumn Saturday, I watched as David Beckham and the LA Galaxy took on the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio. I arrived in the city before lunchtime and the gates wouldn't open until 5:30pm, but I couldn't wait. My seat was ten rows behind the Crew bench. Sporting a white Galaxy shirty featuring Beckham's name and #23 on the back, I made my way into hostile territory. I would have stood out like a sore thumb on "Blackout the Galaxy" night if it weren't for the many others who showed up to see the best product from across the pond since...ever.

It was great to see the turnout. A sold out game. But hardcore Crew supporters were happy to see Becks in town for a different reason. They wanted to embarrass the Galaxy captain and his mates. Unfortunately, their wish would come true. After going up one goal, the Crew dominated, took control, and took 3 points to boost theur best-in-the-MLS standing. David received a yellow card, and with it accumulated a red card equivalent, causing him to miss a future game. The Galaxy went home with a loss and bigger hurdles to overcome in their fight for a playoff spot.

But even though Beckham and the boys lost, it was the best night of my life. I was there, in person, seeing the man I grew up following since his start at Old Trafford on the Manchester United squad. I remember watching the 2006 World Cup. I always cheer for Croatia or Polan, since those are my ethnicities, as well as Germany since I have relatives there and they were, afterall, the host country. (Now before you go all anti-American on me, I did watch the U.S. team. I root for them, but I am proud of my family and my heritage. It's a big part of me. Plus, it's kind of nice to see someone other than the U.S. dominate something in the world. Shows us we are not invincible in every way. And I will not apologize for my world-view).

But then there was that England team. You catch David playing and immediately you're hooked. In the days of his ever-changing hairstyles, Beckham showed up at these games wutg a simple cut, slightly spiky, boyishly good-looking. I taped each England match in case I had to leave the TV and missed a famous free kick or corner kick from the England captain. He scores, smiles, cheers wildly, melts my heart, and causes massive flooding from the poorly constructed levees I call my tear ducts. The kind of crying that occurs when you are so damn proud and genuinely happy for someone, and you are so glad to have been a part of the moment, even just as a spectactor.

The heat during the World Cup matches was intense. At one point, Beckham got sick on the field. I must say, vomiting never looked so good...

The boys in red would end up being eliminated from contention, and Beckham would later resign as England's captain. Again causing more tears. Hey, when he cries, you seriously can't help but follow suit. But man, every time you see this guy play, you know there is someone out there with the skills and passion to make things happen.

There was a time when Beckham was not well liked, after receiving a red card in a past game. He and his family received death threats. Reporters and sportswriters everywhere, as well as the general public, criticized him continuously. He finally bounced back with a goal against Greece to lift the England team. Suddenly everyone liked him again. But I never stopped liking him.

With so many sports figures out there holding out playing until they get the amount of money they want or talking about how awesome they are before they've even made some spectacular play, it's refreshing to see a guy genuinely excited to get on the pitch every day just to play the game. I mean yes, he gets paid a ton. But you can tell he would play regardless. He is always working hard to perfect a corner kick or free kick. And in the meantime, he developed that David Beckham Academy for youth. This guys is passionate about what he does, and he overcame critics and obstacles. I can't help but love the guy.

So it was truly an honor to see him play. A legend in the world's most popular sport. Right there, a few feet in front of me. Taking in the same sights. Breathing that same cold, bitter air. Occupying space in the same stadium, on the same night. I now understand why the world loves the sport so much. I hope the U.S. takes notice.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with U.S. sports like baseball, basketball, and american football. But I really think we are missing out by not watching more soccer. The pitch was smaller than it looks on TV. But the feelings I got from being there are undescribable. The pictures I have are great, but they don't do justice. If I wasn't shaking so much from the cold and turned the camera dial to sport mode, the pictures would be even better. But even moreso, the memories I take away are something I will always cherish.

I'll never forget when I was walking back to my seat following half-time (and my failed attempt at purchasing a hot chocolate). Beckham was lining up to start the second half closest to my side, and I just stopped on the stairs. He looked in my direction. I'll never know if he was looking directly at me, or just around me. (But since I had on a white LA Galaxy #23 shirt in a sea of black, plus a Victoria Beckham haircut, I like to think it was me he was looking at). Once again, my camera failed me and snapped the pictures as he turned his head away...three times. But once again, I'll always have the memories.

Sandy, the older lady sitting next to me, surprised me with a Columbus Crew monkey and scarf. Wrong team, but she was the nicest, most supportive person and I thank her muchly for it. When I first saw Sandy coming up the stairs to her seat I thought "great. here comes this lady with too much makeup, doused in perfume, and she's sitting next to me." Yeah, let me say...first impressions are so overrated. Sandy is freaking awesome.

I was a 22 year old female, alone and 200 miles from home, in the house of the enemy. But I fulfilled a dream. No one can take that from me. Beckham continues to inspire me the way he has for over a decade. I never thought I would be able to see this legend in person. But to quote an Adidas tagline, of which Beckham was a commercial feature..."Impossible is Nothing"

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Accomplishments...so far.

I have completed 14 of the 150 goals. So far I have: graduated college, learned to play golf, learned to dance, seen a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, met a celebrity, rode a mechanical bull, saw David Beckham play, shot a gun, tried sushi, watched a sunset, gone to Washington, D.C., donated blood, danced on the bar at Coyote Ugly, gone parasailing, and tried a fried Twinkie.

Good times. Will have to post more about those activities later on. I'm about spent now and feeling icky. So I think it's time for a work out and then a shower.

But here's what I'm currently working on:
- getting in shape (hey, that's why I'm about to work out!)
-reading the Bible (this is seriously the longest book ever. I grew up Catholic, and though I don't practice religion much, I figure I should know what the book says. See what all the hype is about).
- AFI top 100 list

You may be surprised by some of the goals not yet accomplished. For instance, being 22 and never fallen in love? Yeah, story of my life. Of all the boyfriends...never would say I ever "loved" any of them. Sad. But hey all you hot studs out there! I'm single! And yes, I have also never been camping. Recently I've been told that is most ridiculous. But it's true. All in good time...

What I'm listening to today: T.I. "No Matter What"