23 Things: Parallel parking

So I parallel parked in one try for the first time the other night! Parallel parking is the bane of my existence. I didn't think I could do it. Times before when I had tried, it had often taken upwards of 3 tries and usually ended with me close to or in tears, or me speeding off to look for a different space embarrassed that I couldn't park my little car in the previous opening. Now the only place I've really had to parallel park before is in San Francisco, mainly because that is the only type of parking there. I hate driving in San Francisco and I hate parking in San Francisco even more. But I accomplished my parallel parking feat in Santa Monica. My sister and I were circling around looking for a parking space in this little shopping area when I look and see an open spot between two cars up on the street. So I remember what my dad taught me... I approached the spot, pulled up alongside the car before in front of the opening, then put my car in reverse and turned the wheel as soon as I passed the trunk of my guide car and it was like magic. I just fit perfectly in the space. One try, and I nailed it. I didn't have to adjust a thing. I was the perfect distance from the curb and the cars on either side. I was really proud of myself! So I added to the list because I needed some more stuff to fill it out and because it is something new that I accomplished. The more stuff I complete, the better.

Also on Easter Sunday, we went out to eat with my Grandparents around 3pm, because that is when old people eat. It was the one day of the week that it was raining. It was also had to be the one time our car battery died and anyone who could come and help us was dependent on that particular ride. It sucked. I called all three roadside assistance services that my Grandma had and we had to wait for 45 minutes for someone to show up and give us a jump. It made me realize that I would have no idea what to do or how to jump my car if it were to die for some reason, so that is why I added "Learn how to jump start a car" to my list so I know what to do in case of an emergency.

23 Things: Comedy show

I am crossing things off of my list left and right! I guess that's a good thing. So this past Monday my friend Tristen and myself went to a comedy show, my first! The comedian we went to see is actually a political commenter and radio host named, Karel. I've been listening to him on the radio for about a month or two and was interested to see his live show. So at the last minute I purchased two tickets and we hopped on the BART train and it dropped us off about two blocks from the hotel where the show was.

I was expecting a sort of indie, underground type of club sitting in a small hotel. That wasn't at all what The Rrazz Room in Hotel Nikko was. It was plush, rich, had a Starbucks inside, and was filled with business people over the age of 40. We were most definitely the youngest people there by an average of 15 years. We first checked in and then were seated on the left side of the room in an booth seat in the upper corner with a tiny round table in front of us. It was kind of nice because no one could block our view of the stage. The waitress then came around and told us there was a two drink minimum. I went sober route and just got Diet Coke, because nothing else really sounded good and it was cheaper at $4 a glass than a $12 martini that has a much higher chance of tasting watered down and poorly mixed. Plus Diet Coke = 0 calories!

The show started around 8pm and was hilarious! He covered a range of topics from Bravo! TV programing, health care, pot legalization, Republicans, gays and technology. There were a few times I almost couldn't come up for air I was laughing so hard. Tristen seemed to enjoy herself too. I'm glad she did because she doesn't listen to Karel on the radio the way I do so I am glad she enjoyed the show. We were the youngest there, although 15 minutes into Karel's act, a boy came and sat down next to me. He had to be in his early to mid twenties and was cute, alone and at a liberal comedy show. Right up my alley. I wish I had a bit more confidence because I should have said something to him.

The show was only supposed to be 90 minutes but it lasted until a bit after 10pm and ended with Karel leading a group sing-a-long with legalize pot song he wrote to the theme of The Beatles' Come Together. After the show we went back to BART and went home. It was a great first comedy show experience and I would love to start going to more. It's really fun to go some place knowing you are going there to just to laugh and smile the whole time.

23 Things: Clubbing

Sorry for the super crappy iPhone picture. I meant to take pictures earlier in the evening but time just got away from us. So last Friday me and Tristen went up to Sacramento to join some friends to go clubbing. This was my first time ever going to a club and the picture I had painted in my head about clubs and how they operate, was that of a stereotypical Hollywood movie where there are long lines and the bouncer only lets the pretty skinny girls in. Well there was a long line and I learned you can buy your way up in line, but other than the appearance, it felt like a completely different place.

The club was called UltraLounge and it was right next to the capitol building in Sacramento. One of the first things I noticed was how gorgeous the club was. It was swank and fancy. The outside patio had a huge fire pit and these covered lounge areas. The dance floor was crowded and the DJ was really good. It was this little blonde girl who, if you were to pass on the street, you would never guess she could spin. Another thing I noticed was the average age of everyone there had to be in the late twenties. There were some old people there.

We mostly just danced together as a group off to the side of the floor, then everyone with the exception of myself would want to retreat to the patio for drinks and a cigarette. I would just sip off of their drinks and talk with them until we were already to go and dance some more. I think it was the fact that we were in a group and we all stuck together, that made the time really fun!

I think that was the thing I was afraid of most, too. That I would be ditched or feel left out because I didn't fit in. I would have never gone to a club or a bar a year or two ago but I just keep thinking how I can't put my life on hold until all the circumstances are perfect, because they'll never be perfect! That is why I am really glad I have this 23 new things under 23 list. I hope that it nudge me out of my comfort zone and force me to do somethings I normally wouldn't.

23 new things before 23

Photo by Carolina Worrell

Happy Valentine's Day!

Normally I hate Valentine's Day, but I have decided to turn it into a good day full of love and motivation. So I have been reading the blog Yes and Yes for a few months now, and I find all of Sarah's posts so inspiring and positive. In fact she inspired me to follow in her footsteps and create a list of 23 new things I want to accomplish before I turn 23. She had originally implemented this challenge for herself last year before she turned 30 and is also doing it this year before she turns 31. She has done things such as attend a zombie pub crawl, get a brazilian,  and make sweet corn ice cream. I've slowly been developing my list since early February and isn't quite complete yet but I plan on adding to it as more ideas pop in my head. Meanwhile this is what I have so far:

1. Go to a bar/club
2. Find The Crème Brûlée Cart
3. Get a bikini wax
4. Visit another state
5. Donate blood
6. Go go-kart racing
7. Go to a comedy show
8. Go to a movie alone
9. Visit Yoesmite