Costa Rica/30 by 30/9 of 30/Take a trip with good friends

Last week, my roommate and I went to Costa Rica for 5 days of rest and relaxation.  My year has been stressful, raw, emotional, and generally hard and I really wanted a few days to sit on the beach and do nothing… at all…  I needed it so badly and enjoyed it immensely.  Sarah was the perfect travel companion as she was equally happy to sit on the beach and read all day long. 

She was also willing to keep an eye on my when I went snorkeling and agreed to kayak with me.

We also enjoyed the nightly entertainment.  It was… special interesting.

Sarah, thanks for being who you are and loving me well, both in Dallas and abroad.  Thankful for you friend!  And thankful for beaches, the ocean, a great book, and a beautiful sunset! 

Color Me Rad 5K

Last weekend, I met my cousins Jacki, Sierra, and Meagan in Fort Worth to walk the Color Me Rad 5k.  Jacki decided to run and left the rest of us in her dust.  We had a great stroll through all of the colors and it was fun to catch up with my cousins in an active setting. 

My mother, Uncle Lynn, cousin Scott, niece Blakeley and second cousin Cameron were there to cheer us on.  I can’t wait to do it again next year.  I will plan ahead better and wear a tutu the next time (yep… I am serious). 

 

30 by 30/8 of 30/Attain a positive net worth

Well this is a little bit awkward… Though attaining a positive net worth was one of my biggest goals before I reach the ripe old age of 30, I didn’t think much about the fact that I was blogging each of my tasks when I cross it off my list.  I am private about money and I don’t really like telling blogville about my finances, but I will say that as of today, if I sold everything I own (and I assume that my IRA would not be penalized for early withdrawal), I would have more money than debt!  Yea!

Paying off my student loans has been an uphill battle since I graduated from law school.  I have strived diligently to be a good steward of my assets and it feels good to be getting closer to the finish line.  I am still a few years away from being debt free (longer if I ever buy a house) but as of today, when I look at my net worth, I am in the black.  It is a REALLY small number, but it is a POSITIVE number. 

Woohoo!  

The boy who stole my heart…

Happy birthday William! I cannot believe you are already two years old.  I realize that I am extremely bias but you are pretty awesome!  You are such a fun boy to be around.  You are so stinking smart. You melt my heart every single time you say my name.  It shocks me every time you remember me, but you do.  You always remember who I am.  You are already funny and I cannot wait to see your wit grow as you do. Most importantly, you have two parents that love you well but love Christ above all. You are so blessed and I am eager and excited to see the man you are going to grow into (Not too quickly, okay?).  I pray for you often little man and I love you so deeply. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

30 by 30/7 of 30/Visit the Dallas Farmers Market

Last Saturday my mom and I went downtown to explore the farmers market and partake of Pecan Lodge.  We got downtown around 10 and immediately got in line for Pecan Lodge.  The restaurant does not open until 11 and we made it to the front of the line around 11:30.  I was a little skeptical because almost two hours is a long time to wait for BBQ, but the Hot Mess was amazing.  I don’t know that I would be willing to wait 2 hours every week for BBQ, but it was really good. 

After gorging ourselves, we walked around and partook of all of the produce.  Peaches were in season and I was in heaven.  Fresh fruit is so amazing. I really should go to the farmers market more often.  I work right down the street.

Washington DC with my Mom…

This summer my mother and I decided to take a trip to Washington DC in late June.  I do not recommend DC in the summer.  It was unbelievably hot (high of 110) the week we were there.  We are talking so hot that I was afraid my mom was going to get heat stroke; so hot that we went into museums for AC in addition to the educational value.  Also, my brother called me while we were in DC and told me that he would be moving to DC in August.  Well shoot.  Bad timing for our trip in more ways than one! 

Despite the less-than-optimal time and heat, we managed to enjoy ourselves in DC. Highlights: Founding Farmers with Tess, the Holocaust Museum, Capital Tour lead by Pete Session’s interns (much better than the general public tour), and the night monument tour.

Other honorable mentions: International Spy Museum, Natural History Museum, American History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Zoo, Air and Space Museum, Zaytinya (get the crispy Brussels, you will not be disappointed), White House, and the Eastern Market. 

 

I cannot wait to go back to visit my brother (in the Spring or Fall) when the weather is nicer.  I am hoping to see the cherry blossoms next time.