25 To Do Before I'm 25

I've made an executive decision, seeing how this list applies to me and only me, to simply bump whatever was not accomplished on the last list to the next year's list. It's good to be in charge!

If you want to come along for any of these, I'd love the company! Here's to a great time being 24.

1. See a Ballet West performance
2. Get a passport
3. Go snow tubing at Gorgoza Park
4. Run in a 5K race
5. Go to the Farmer's Market
6. Go up in the tower at Trolley Square
7. Go canoeing or kayaking
8. Visit the Salt Flats
9. 3rd South Foodies logo
10. Get a Costco card
11. Send a surprise package
12. Volunteer
13. Try a new food
14. Go sailing
15. Ride scooters around downtown
16. See two movies in one day
17. Take the LSAT
18. Follow 5 Barefoot Contessa recipes
19. Read 10 Books (follow along on Goodreads!)
20. Have a slumber party
21. Display my sticker collection
22. Play basketball
23. Use a photobooth (I just really like them)
24. Get a massage
25. Try a new workout

Happy Little Things Vol. 2

That childish wonder that comes when you see a shooting star
An extra long hug from a child
Snow on mountain tops that makes them look as if they were dusted with powdered sugar
The opening credits to a favorite movie
Walking out of the library with a new book in hand
Surprise hugs
The way time disappears while sitting around and staring into a fire
That moment the music takes your breath away
A sincere "thank you"
"There's my girl!"
Watching someone's face as they listen to loved ones sing them "happy birthday"

(See vol. 1 here)

What are the happy little things in your life?

Cheap Thrills

To all my fellow ballers on a budget, this one's for you! It can be really tough to cut back on spending, especially in the summer when there's always a weekend trip to join, a wedding gift to buy, or an ice cream cone to stop for after a hot day in the sun. I feel you. Sometimes it sucks! But here's a list of activities we can refer to when we want to have some fun, but in, like, a fiscally responsible way:

☀ Rent movies from the library
☀ Go for a drive (maybe with a picnic of lunchables!)
☀ Stroll the farmer's market
☀ Find free events in your city, like yoga or free admission days, on Facebook
☀ Tour the capitol building
☀ Walk around downtown, stopping at a gas station or McDonald's for $1 sodas
☀ $5 movie night (Tuesdays)
☀ Visit the church history museum
☀ Go to the park--play catch, read a book under a tree, play cornhole, soak up the sun, etc.
☀ Backyard camping (set up your tent and sleeping bags on the lawn)
☀ Go hiking

You got this and I'm proud of you. Fun doesn't have to be expensive--make it happen!

Happy Little Things

a fresh notebook

when a stranger smiles back at you

getting the free drink at the end of a punch card

that pair of jeans you've had forever

"this made me think of you"

people who give those hugs with a little extra, sweet squeeze

finding the perfect gift

a sleepy Saturday with no place to be

secret little grins exchanged across the room

finding someone to geek out with

naps in the sun

a clean kitchen

making someone laugh

hearing a song from your childhood playing in the grocery store

a twirly skirt 

those late night chats with people you love

a deep breath of fresh mountain air

seeing a friend in love

Mini Mail Vol. 2

Dear Stranger Things Season 2,

You were even better than I hoped and lived up to alllll that hype (which was pretty significant since everyone and their dog has seen you). You were so good, in fact, that I forgive you for making me jump so many freaking times. But I also now love Steve Harrington and want to go to a Snow Ball, so thanks for that, too. And the soundtrack?! ...Okay, I'll stop geeking out now. Good work, Duffer Brothers.


Dear Trader Joe's,

Thanks for having the prettiest & wittiest cards for all occasions that are only 99￠. You're enabling my snail mail addiction without emptying my wallet and I love you for it.


Dear Facetime,

You let me see and talk to my cute family all over the country and I'm SO grateful.


Dear flannel sheets,

Please take this as the compliment I intend it to be: you're the reason I don't want to get out of bed in the morning. You create the coziest bed and it's absolutely dreamy! Never change.

Love,
Meagan

24 To Do Before I'm 24

Here it is--my annual checklist of small, fun, and random goals to complete before my next birthday! This is my third year making this list and I'm loving the guidance it gives me (see previous lists here and here). It gives me somewhere to turn when an empty weekend appears and I want to make the most of it. Come along with me, won't you? It'll be a great year!

1. See a performance by Ballet West
2. Get a passport (hey, better late than never.)
3. Visit Red Butte Garden
4. Go snow tubing at Gorgoza Park
5. See a local theater production
6. Do something that scares me
7. Go camping at least once
8. Read 10 books
9. Run in a 5K race
10. Go to the Farmer's Market
11. Graduate from college (!)
12. Go up in the tower at Trolley Square
13. Go country dancing
14. Go to the beach
15. Go canoeing or kayaking
16. Wear my hair curly more often
17. Get new bedding
18. Visit the Salt Flats
19. Free Salt Lake Power Yoga class (I have a voucher I still haven't used.)
20. Organize the linen closet
21. Get 3rd South Foodies tee shirts made (yes, really!)
22. Have a slumber party
23. Play tennis
24. Get a Costco card

Follow along on Instagram with #RCG24ToDo

New-to-Me Musicals

Y'all know I love me some Broadway. Well recently, thanks to the suggestions of sweet (and cultured) friends, I have discovered these two incredible shows. I cannot stop listening to the original Broadway cast albums on Spotify and I'm just bursting to tell you about them!

This show has been on Broadway for a little less than a year and was written by Pasek and Paul, an incredibly talented duo. It's brand new, relevant, and deeply moving as it tells the story of a severely anxious and lonely teenager, Evan Hansen, who gets caught up in a lie. Even with a cast of just 8 people, their talent reaches out and hits you in the heart. Each of them is so powerful and talented, and when they come together (like in "You Will Be Found"), your heart will soar. Ben Platt, who you might recognize from Pitch Perfect, stuns in his leading role and leaves me in awe. This Tony-winning show is beautifully done, funny at times, and helps us understand the longing that accompanies loneliness--something we have all felt at some point. 

Yes, this was done in live theater, not just animation! I'm talking about the gorgeous show with music and lyrics by Alan Menken (Aladdin, Hercules) and Stephen Schwartz (The Prince of Egypt, Pocahontas). Yeah, so you already know it's going to be amazing because these dudes are legends. Michael Arden is perfect as Quasimodo and has one of the most powerful voices I've ever heard and Ciara Renee (who plays Esmeralda) sounds like an actual angel. The dramatic score takes you away to Paris and haunts you with its honest lyrics. It's heartbreaking, majestic, and will probably make you hold your breath and then cry a few times.

Seriously, just listen to these albums beginning to end, in order, and with your eyes closed. Take it all in. You will not be sorry. 

...then tell me so we can geek out together. K thanks, bye.