30 Things to do for 30 days before turing 30!

This week, I was thinking of making a bucket list but I thought to myself I am not going to die soon but I thought this might be interesting to find things I haven’t done in my almost 30 years of my life ( I am turning 30 on Sept. 28th). In my 29 years of my life, I have done the following things: I have jumped out of plane, rode on a back of a motorcycle, rode a horse like a jockey, ski on water & tried to wake-boarding ( I haven’t ski on snow), play guitar & violin, sang in public & spoke in public, worked on actually car, went to D.C. , CA., New York & N.J. ( Seen all the sites), met some famous people, Brett Michaels, Nolan Ryan, and Chris Botti (Wink at me) but I can’t remember all of them…. Napa Valley , I went on a mission trip several times in Mexico. Visit Israel ( Seen all the famous sites in Israel), there is more on my list but I cannot think all of them at this time.

1. Go to Las Vegas and met Elvis (Pretend Elvis) (I’m a fan of Elvis) to take picture. (Going to Vegas on Sept.1) Did already!!

2. Go to Eifel Tower (In Las Vegas) I have not been to the Eifel Tower in Paris (I almost went to the Eifel Tower when I was 21 Years old). Did already!!!

3. Buy Ice Cream cone for stranger @ Mc D’s

4 .Volunteer to help some kiddos ( I accomplished this on 08.14.10)

5. Buy grocery for a family in need (I did bought a few items to my sis family to eat dinner every Monday.) I love my family!

6. Take a picture with bunch of balloons in my hands (I’m artist, I can’t help it)

7. Drive a motorcycle (I managed to drive motorcycle just a tiny bit but it did not count)

8. Take pictures of me driving classic cars or look like I driven classic cars

9. Have make up done like a super model off the run ways of New York
(I can arrange this) Not yet, Maybe, One day! My cousin did a make over April 2011

10. Grow a garden (It is in the works, I am growing plants on my deck) Did already!

11. Take pictures with a mascot or hang with a mascot of some school. I have taken a pic with mascot from UNT on 04.30.11

12. Help an old person walk across the street (I helped Clifford's mom with car battery across the parking lot to get inside store on 08.14.10

13. Run for a whole mile before I turn 30 (I ran more than mile but I have not done it recently)

14. Dress like a cowgirl (As a Texan, it is mandatory for a gal to dress up like a real cowgirl once in her life time if you live in Texas) Maybe go to store and try on some outfits

15. Buy a cup of coffee for stranger (Starbucks) (I bought a 12 cups of coffee for co-worker for the rest of the year.)

17. Stomping the grapes like the episode in I love Lucy show, I did this @ Grapefest!

18. Play laser tag or paint ball

19. Played glow in dark golf

20. Go to Egypt (go to museum, rent DVDs of the history of Egypt) I met a guy from Egypt on 08.14.10

21. Played golf on a real golf course like Tiger Woods. ( No, Putt Golf for me)

22. Go to China (Since, I can’t go to China but eat at nice restaurant ) I must dress like a gal from China. I am going to China for Month July, 2011

23. Make chocolate candies for my friends or family (I like candy but I would like to see how the candies are made)

24. Shoot a gun (I don’t like guns but I can try to shoot a gun at shooting range)

25. Go to Europe (Since, I can’t go to Europe I can eat at French restaurant, Italian, German restaurant) Did already during my vacation!

26. Go to Australia (I cannot go to Australia but I would like to Skype my Australia friend, Zelda) I have not seen her in years or talked to her in person in years.

27. Go to Africa (Eat actually food good from Africa) Dress like from Africa, I had connected with a lady who shared her dream as child that had came into reality as adult. Amazing Lady!

28. Learn karate (Like the karate kid) Learned karate from a teacher on 08.12.10

29. Take scuba dive lesson

30. Get married or get in engaged! Did Not get engaged but the Good Lord is amazing and I don't need a ring to say someone loves me.

My sis bought me this really cool ring for my 30th B-day! It topped my day!










Shem Yisrael (or Sh’m Yisroel or just Shema) ( Hear, (O) Irael”) are the first two words of the a section of the Torah ( Hebrew Bible) that is used as centerpiece of all morning and evening Jewish Prayer services are closely echoes the monotheistic message of Judaism. It is considered the most important prayer in Judaism and it twice-day recitation is a mitzvah ( Religious Commandment).

Maria

Maria was a women who was born to a mother who was Mexican Indian. Her mother labored in a home as maid in the deep part of Mexico. Maria's father was the man that her mother worked in the home. Maria married at a young age at 14 years old to my grandfather and they started life together. Maria and my grandfather had 5 children and decided to come to the states for a better life for their future family.

Maria was an intelligent woman who had raised 14 children and in the states. Maria worked and raised a family all her life. In the 70's, Maria's children were growing up and getting married one by one. My mom, Emily was her daughter. Maria came to the Christian faith during the Jesus movement during the 70's. Maria did not read or write. Maria could barely write her own name. My grandfather would read the Bible in Spanish to her. I remembered as a child, Maria would point at verse and my grandfather would read to her in Psalms or any other portion from the Bible. Maria was a prayer warrior for her family. On September 26th 1980, my mother was in the hospital with a baby in her womb and had severe complications. My mom had me in her womb for 2 days. Maria took a stand to pray for my mom & I. Maria called everyone she knew from the pastor, church members, her family to pray for the birth of me & the life of my mom. On September 28th, 1980 on Sunday night around 7pm. I was born. I will always thank my grandmother, Maria for praying for my mother and me.

Maria would sacrifice to wake up 5 or 6 o clock in the morning to cook for her family. Maria was a chef in the kitchen. She would cook a grand meal for her family less than 30 minutes. Maria was artist. Maria would craft and make many things in her older age. She kept herself busy by making dresses, milk carton bunny rabbits, blankets, dolls, clothes, and table clothes. Interesting part, Maria did not read or write. I don't know how she managed to make all these things without reading or writing. Maria was a traveler. Maria's children lived all over the country from Washington, California, Texas, and Virginia. Maria would get on the plane and not have fear to fly in the air. Remember Maria did read or write or even speak English. Maria manage and was successful to visit each of her family member. Maria was a servant. When Maria came to your house she would cook and clean without asking you. My dad told me once that she iron every work shirt in his closet. My dad was thankful for Maria to Iron his shirt without asking. Maria had a big heart for those who she loved. Maria became a American citizen in her later years of her life. Maria did not know English very well but she knew one sentence that she would say when she went to the stores, “ Jesus loves you.” Store clerks would shed a tear when she said those words to them. I remembered one summer sitting down with Maria and reading a 1st grade book with her. I remembered hearing the words, “ See cat run.” It was a moment that I will never forget of my grandmother reading in English. Maria wanted to learn how to read. Mom told me that my grandmother had dyslexia but still wanted to read. Maria was a listener and counselor. If you had a problem you would talk to Maria about anything in your life. Maria was so much more but than just a grandmother but a woman that did not have the education or even read or write but had a dream. Maria's words last words to me before she passed away was to finish college before I married. My inspiration was my grandmother Maria who is still in my heart even today. Maria is story like other women in our society who cannot read or wrote but willing to raise their children. I want to mentor, encourage and teach other women not to be what society wants them to be like or what they can accomplish in their lives. Education is not about money or the high paying job but it is to be challenge in our lives and to teach others.

Isleen Rodriguez