Birthday Challenge: Days 1-5

In case you are wondering what the heck the Birthday Challenge is... well you can find all the details right here: 30 in 30 by 30.

1.  Say "Yes" to everything for one full day (Friday 3/28)

This was so anti-climactic! I was expecting to get hit with some really hard questions from friends and family. Ultimately though, the only yes/no question that I was asked was "Do you have your I.D.?" for my Red Rock Rendezvous registration. And, of course, I said Yes.  Challenge #1, check!

My boyfriend suggested that I extend my Yes Day, or perhaps revisit it later in the month.  But my thought is, you snooze you lose! I recommend to everyone out there that it's not worth harping on all the missed opportunities.  :P

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2.  Climb something new outside (Saturday 3/29)

On Saturday I participated in a clinic through Red Rock Rendezvous called "Warrior's Way", which was based off a book called The Rock Warrior's Way by Arno Ilgner.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the author was the clinic instructor. Win!

The book, and the clinic, focus on mental training for climbers. In the clinic, we spent most of our time practicing falling, which is an essential part of the climbing process. Being attentive in our falling practice, and spending time falling safely, will help to ultimately reduce our fear and expand our comfort zone. 

Getting back to the birthday challenge... luckily the clinic took place in an area of Red Rock that I had never been to in the past. I was able to get on a route that I had never climbed before.  Challenge #2, check!

My clinic group: I am on the left in green and Arno Ilgner is in the middle with the clipboard.

3.  Eat an entire raw jalapeno (Sunday 3/30)

Ugh, this was absolutely awful.  Also, as I am writing these words, which is about 13 hours after consumption, my stomach still feels weird. Never again!!!!!  I will let the video below do the talking.

Challenge #3, check.... blehhh....

4.  Watch a movie off AFI 100 Greatest Films list (Monday 3/31)

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." --- MAN, WHAT A GREAT LINE. I have heard it before, but it definitely has better punch when you watch it in the film.

Today's challenge was to pick a movie off the AFI top 100 greatest films list that I had never seen before and watch it all the way through. I scanned the list and the choice was actually pretty easy.  Following Citizen Kane, which I saw in a film class in college, is the #2 movie on the list: Casablanca. I can't believe I have never seen this movie!  That being said, there are many classic movies on that list that I have not watched yet.  One of the goals on my lifelong bucket list is to have seen every single movie on the list. At least I am one step closer now!

I was expecting it to be really cheesy, annnnnnd it was. But that doesn't mean I hated it.  I enjoyed it a lot and it was actually a lot more clever and witty than I was anticipating. The story was sweet and lovely, but there was corruption and guns. Best of both worlds!

Challenge #4, check!

5.  Grateful List (Tuesday 4/1)

Today I spent the day thinking of things that I'm grateful for in my life. I don't do this enough. My boyfriend actually makes a list of 5 things at the end of every single day.  

Here is a snapshot of my list - although I'm sure it will get MUCH longer as the day goes on. There is so much to appreciate!

Challenge #5, gratefully checking off my list!