enjoy the first quarter of 2008 by having one new and fulfilling experience in January, February, and March

It’s hard to believe the first quarter is ending already. Since winter is not my favorite time of year, I have to say I’m glad to be saying goodbye to Jan, Feb, and March and looking forward to April, May, and June. So, what was new and fulfilling for March?

• Turning 31. It’s always exciting to start a new age.

• Taking a mini-vacation without leaving town. We stayed at a local hotel with a nice pool for Audrey. She was so happy to get the chance to swim again after these many months of winter.

• Giving 10,000 cheers here on 43T. I love cheering others in their goals, and it feels good to join the ranks of so many of my favorite members who have reached this milestone.

• Finding out my new job assignment, effective April 1st. I was able to spend the last couple of weeks of March mentally and physically saying goodbye to the job I’ve had for the past ten years. If it was up to me, I’d stay in my current job forever, but since it’s not, I’m looking forward to the new opportunities I’ll have in the new position.

• Taking Audrey to see Horton Hears a Who.

• Eating at Essence of India in Chicago.

• Seeing The Magnetic Fields in concert at The Old Town School of Folk. It was a fantastic show in a wonderful venue. It was also likely the last concert I’ll be able to see for quite some time so I’m glad I went out on a high note.

• Adopting and actually sticking to an early bedtime. Eric and I have been getting to bed by 10:30 every night for the last couple of weeks, and we both feel so much better because of it.

• Trying Medici’s bakery.

• Donating my hair! This was a long-time goal and it felt great to do this. I even like my shorter haircut.

• My first-ever pregnancy massage. Not quite as relaxing as a normal massage because you have to lie on your side, but very nice all the same.

• Participating in Earth Hour for the first time.

I’ve got to say I’m happy to see February coming to a close. It was a long, long month filled with horrible weather and a bit of the winter blues set in around our household. Still, I did manage to fill the month with more than a few new and fulfilling experiences. Let’s see:

• I witnessed sledding for the first time in my life during the best snow day ever. We took Audrey out to the official sledding hill in town, and it was so much fun to watch her.

• Visited our brand spanking new movie theater and enjoyed the true stadium seating and mega widescreen.

• Heard thundersnow for the first time.

• Voted in my fist Presidential Primary.

• Took Audrey to her first college basketball game.

• Visited a slew of new stores and restaurants in Champaign while visiting Lisa.

• Had a couple we’d never hung out with before over to play boardgames.

• Painted snow with Audrey.

• Saw the Avett’s play at the Canopy Club.

• Read many new books and watched many new movies.

• Ate Apple Cole Slaw, Dolmades, and a Bacon Chocolate Bar for the first time (not at the same time!).

• Received my 100th cheer on a goal.

There wasn’t one definitive new and fulfilling experience for January, but there were many little new things that made it a great start to the year.

• Watched lots of new movies and read a bunch of books.
• Two good friends having new babies this month.
• Audrey starting Ballet.
• Taking Audrey to see The Doodlebops.
• Audrey’s 3rd Birthday.
• Getting a Beta for Audrey.
• Trying a new local restaurant called Medici.
• Seeing Miss Spider at the Zoo.
• Eric’s 30th Birthday.
• Trying Duck.