Well it’s nearly been a week since turning 30 and although I don’t feel older, I think all my birthday surprises have aged me somewhat! I had a wonderful birthday with all my friends and family; I am a very lucky ‘young’ lady. Thank you to all of you that made it so special.
Being 30 does not make me feel different only except my age now begins with a 3 rather than a 2 and I have 30 wonderful things to look forward to. Plans for #30things are already getting underway. As a present for my birthday I was given 2 tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour (#No22), thank you my lovely family, and Tickets for a Tour of St James Park (#No26), thank you Jo @MrsPTeach. So I just need to book those in.
I have also signed up to being a contestant on a charity version of ‘Take me out’ called ‘Lighty for a Nighty’ (@lightyforanighty) so you never know I may meet Mr Right there (#No17).Can’t actually believe I am doing this however it does help knowing that Corinne (the brains behind the ‘lick a pig’ suggestion) will be doing it with me!
Tonight, I got back in to training with gusto and completed a 5k run in 32 minutes. I must admit it was tough going as I have not been on a long run since October 31st! However I am sure that once I run more regularly it will get easier again. I hope to also run a 10k on the 3rd of February.
I also purchased this book 'Do Not Pass Go' by Tim Moore, a recommended read to help with my Monopoly board challenge (#No24).
I have spent a great deal of time this week deciding on my countries for my Recipe Calendar (#No18). I decided to choose 6 countries I have already been to (highlighted in pink below) and 6 countries that I want to go to (highlighted in green); it was hard choosing just 6! I have also been looking through my photo albums choosing pictures for the calendar – it has been lovely reminiscing. Once it is made I will upload pictures! I then decided which country will go with which month and looked at popular festivals and dates so I can create my food as part of a cultural celebration. I am already planning my first meal as part of an Australian day themed evening for my friends. Here is the full list:
January – Australia: Australia day is the 26th.
February – China: Chinese New Year 10th.
I have always wanted to walk along part of the Great Wall.
March – Egypt: The festival of Sham al-Naseem - March 25.
Egypt has always fascinated me as a country ever since I learnt about it as a child and now I teach my Yr 4’s that topic, I have an increased desire to visit the ancient sites at the Valley of the Kings, Luxor and Giza.
April – Thailand – April 13 Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, generally celebrated as a water festival.
May – Greece
June – Finland I I would love to visit a colder climate and experience its wonders such as the Aurora Borealis, snow covered landscapes and of course Lapland!
July – America – 4th July Independence Day
Up until recently, America has not appeared on my top ten travel destinations however as I get older I have been drawn to the magic of New York city; the beauty and captivation of the Hawaiian volcanoes and the enormity of the Grand Canyon.
August – Turkey
September – Brazil
Again another country I want to visit thanks to my education. In primary school we held a school production about the Amazon rainforest called ‘Yamamamo’ and through-out my Geography A’level studies, Brazil was an often used case study.
October – Bahamas
November –Kenya: Mombasa carnival
Africa as a continent enchants me and I have always held the land in high regard for its beauty and diversity. Kenya is a country which celebrates this natural and cultural diversity and there are many places here I would love to visit, including the Masai Mara, Lake Turkana, Rift Valley and Mount Kenya.
December – Germany: German Christmas Markets
I am looking forward to making and trying some interesting foods!
