Um, is my new header a bit much?

Just checking - X-philes unite!

June 13 | I was born

Friday, the 13th. A superstitious day. A dangerous day. And periodically, my birthday. Though I wasn't born on a Friday, I have had the pleasure of celebrating my entrance into this world on Friday the 13th several times (one of you calendar fanatics can do the math on how many times). I cross the threshold of my 30s today. I can no longer say I am teetering on its brink - I have officially dove into its deep waters and am actually okay with it. But I'll save a long soliloquy on my thoughts about my age, how much better/worse it is than my 20s, my hopes and dreams for the future and other such nonsense, for another darker day.

Because today, I'm feeling good and I have one person to thank for that - my niece, Lola. Her nearly 5-year-old squeaky voice welcomed me with morning with a phone call:

"Happy Birthday Coco! This is Lola."

She proceeded to ask me what I asked my friends to give me for my birthday and suggested I have a Blues Clues party before quickly changing her mind and deciding I should have a Princess Birthday party instead so that I could have princess plates, princess balloons, and pink and purple cupcakes. I had to agree with her, that would be a great party. We chattered on about playing outside, her new puppy, and her upcoming birthday party which she is VERY excited about.

Conversations like that I guess make you feel okay about time passing and things changing. New people like Lola get to come into your life that way.

What will you do with your extra .3 years?

The National Center for Health Statistics came out with tremendous news - we are all living longer. On average, the life expectancy of Americans increased to 78.1 years, that's a little under four months of extra time on this earth. Are we living that extra few months because we are spending its equivalent in the gym? Are American's sleeping more (highly doubt it)? The study attributes the longer life expectancy to a drop in deaths due to pneumonia, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver and suicides, among several others. But one has to wonder if American's are using that extra time to live a more fulfilling life?

So, here's my challenge to myself (and anyone else who wants to follow along). Consider what you want to fill your extra 4 months of life on this earth with. Here's some things I will consider doing with my extra few weeks on the planet.

• Live in a foreign country for 3 months
  I'm thinking Scotland or Germany. I'll have to do some research


• Visit South America
  This is a "battle my fears" goal. Snakes are scary as are rainforests but I know parts of the country are beautiful and I should see it before I go if I have the means. I mean, who doesn't want to see Machu Picchu?


• Spend More Time With Family
  We all know we put this off. Our parents, our grandparents are who we are - I should take every opportunity to share moments with them.


• Get To Really Know Your Home Town
  I have a thing about making an impact in the community you are in, no matter how big or small. Unfortunately, I put doing it on the back burner. I should work this in.
  

Euro 2008 Alive In Portland

Just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that I consider myself a Czech Republic fan. I spent one past Euro series in Prague with my best friend Celeste and fell in love with the city, its people and its enthusiasm for football. Gosh I wish I could do that again! Watching past tournament matches in a Frankfurt skybar with Tom (and a magic drawer full of beer) and in the Old Town Square in Prague with thousands of crazy fans leaves a lasting impression.