Awesome Life Experiences

When I saw the blog prompt, "The 8 most...", I instantly thought about where I could go with that. The reality tv junkie in me instantly thought about listing the 8 most awesome moments I've witnessed on reality tv this year. The pizza lover in me wanted to offer you the 8 best pizzas I've ever had in my life. Since I did a blog post about how I think life experiences are worth more than material things, I opted to go with the 8 most awesome life experiences that I have had (so far).  Here they are, in no particular order, the 8 most awesome life experiences that I've had: 

1. Becoming a mother. Nobody can truly prepare you for what it's like to be pregnant, and ultimately give birth. I got pregnant unexpectedly, so I was definitely not prepared for what was about to happen. When my water broke, I had no idea. It wasn't this gush of water like you see in the movies. It was a small trickle that made me feel like I was constantly peeing. Since my back was killing, I had my parents drive me to the hospital, fully prepared to be told to go home. Once they confirmed that I was in labor, I immediately told my parents to call work and tell the guy who told me it was too early for me to be in labor that he was wrong. Proof that going through this pregnancy by myself did not steal my sense of humor. 

2. Spending a semester abroad. During college I spent a semester in London. This opportunity was worth the loans that I've had to pay back for it. I learned that I am very much a pub person. Give me a Strongbow, throw in a few new friends, and I'm set! When the group of us first arrived, they sent us in groups on a "treasure hunt" or sorts throughout London to teach us how to use the Tube. The next day, my friend Josh and I decided that we would take a random line as far as we could go, see what was there, and then head back in time to see Mama Mia! that night. We got off at our stop and went to a pub to grab a drink. After seeing someone's purse get stolen, and a sign that said "No hard drugs allowed", we decided we should probably head back. (We ended up in a not so great area, by the way.) We couldn't find our way back to the Tube station, so we decided to get on a bus. The bus took us right to the station, so that did us no good. We then saw the London Eye, and decided to just walk in that general direction. After all, we knew how to get back from there. (Or so we thought.) Many hours later, we were sprinting to join our class on their way out the door to the theatre. (Our teacher was NOT amused at our tale.) 

3. Singing the National Anthem at 2 MLB games. Back in the day, I was part of a youth choir that had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at not one, but two MLB games. The first game that we got to sing the National Anthem for was an Orioles game when Cal Ripken, Jr. was on his streak. The next time was a Giants game. JT Snow and I had a moment, and it was awesome. I'm sure he felt the connection too, but he just couldn't say anything because of that age difference business. 

4. Attending the Kentucky Derby. I'm a horse racing fan. As a horse racing fan, I've always wanted to attend the Kentucky Derby. I didn't want to watch from the infield where the party is. I wanted to actually watch the races. I entered for years in a drawing to be chosen to purchase reserved seating, and was finally selected. I saved up enough money to purchase two tickets. I had hoped to only buy tickets to the Derby since I wouldn't be able to go to the Oaks, but it was a packaged deal, so I sucked it up. I asked my mom to go with me (my mom is NOT a sports fan), and she agreed. It was pouring down rain that day, and my mom wasn't thrilled that I wanted to get there RIGHT when gates opened, but we had an amazing time. The sun came out for the actual Derby race (of course it did!), and I went home a winner. There are no words to describe the emotion and the chills that come over you when "My Old Kentucky Home" is played. The best part about the day was getting to share something so special with my mom. 

5. Attending MLB Opening Day. I had bought tickets for my dad and I to attend Opening Day, but he had to work. My mom opted to go in his place, and we had a blast. My mom isn't a sports fan, so this story will show where her head was at. Being from Louisiana, we believe good food is a priority. As we were sitting in our seats, my mom saw someone come by with an awesome looking baked potato. We then spent over 3 innings attempting to hunt down these potatoes. We walked that lower concourse at Minute Maid Park like it was our job. We never found the baked potatoes. We settled for nachos, but they couldn't fill the baked potato sized hole in our hearts. 

6. Getting my Master's Degree. I was one of the older people who decided to go back to get my master's degree. I had been working in the legal field for 5-6 years, and always knew I wanted to work in sports. I wasn't having any luck breaking into sports through paralegal positions, so I packed up my life and moved to Nashville to get a Master's in Sports Administration. It was scary to leave everything I knew behind, but my 2 years in Nashville taught me so much about myself. You could say the pregnancy did that, but having to work full time (in college athletics), while attending classes at night, will prove to you just how much you can handle, pregnant or not. I also made some of the best friends that a girl could ask for, who helped me stay sane during my pregnancy. 

7. Attempting a food challenge. Ok, so this may not seem like an awesome experience to come people, but it is to me. I've always wanted to attempt a food challenge, so I found one where I conference tournament was set, and failed. I failed not near as miserably as I should have. I attempted the Cabilnasian, which is a calzone with over 1lb of sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, marinara, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. I'm proud, (a small part of me is appalled) to say that I ate over half of this. It was amazing. It was worth the failure and $16 to say that I at least attempted to kill myself via carby goodness. 

8. Attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans. (Note - by "Mardi Gras", I mean Mardi Gras day, not any time during Mardi Gras season.) It's something that I've only experienced once, and once was enough. I wouldn't say no to doing it again, but next time I'll be ready for it. I've been to many parades during the season, but only once have I attended parades on the actual day. It's an experience that is beyond words. The parades, the people, the music, the food, it's all just ... perfectly New Orleans. I even have a Zulu coconut (the most prized Mardi Gras throw there is!) to commemorate the experience. I've never experienced a Lundi Gras, so that's definitely on the list of things left to do! 

There are plenty of experiences that are on the edge of the 8 most awesome life experiences (so far). Ask me on a different day, and one of them may have easily made their way onto this list. I'm pretty sold on this list though. Especially #7. I may attempt to do that again this year, if I can find that bar again.