27 before 27: Have a piece of art in a gallery

27 before 27: Go to a ballet

On Sunday I got to cross another item off my 27 things before I turn 27 list.

I saw the State Ballet Theatre of Russia's presentation of Nutcracker.

It was beautiful! The insane amount of power and strength these dancers have while appearing effortless and graceful was really something to behold.

 Really there were only 2 minor things I disliked about my experience.

1. Unlike in the video above, there was only one follow spot and the operator wasn't very on top of capturing the action as it was happening.
2. Near the beginning of the second act a large pearl -like bead fell off of a dancer's costume and stayed on the stage for the remainder of the show. Anytime anyone danced near it, it was all I could focus on - worrying that someone would step on it or slip or something. So tense! So many heart palpitations!

I loved seeing all the little girls in tutus that came to see the show. There were even some little boys who seemed to really enjoy themselves too.

It was a great afternoon seeing the show, and I'll definitely be checking out another ballet in the future.

27 before 27: Munchkin

On October 20, 2012 I participated in my third year of Extra Life. Extra Life is a 24 hour gaming marathon that raises money for Children's Miracle Network hospitals. This year I decided to incorporate board games into my usually 100% video game schedule to give my old eyes a break from the glare of computer and tv screens. Let me tell you it was the BEST IDEA EVER. I got to try out a bunch of new games that I've been wanting to play like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and most excitingly MUNCHKIN.

Playing Munchkin just happens to be one of my 27 things I want to do before I turn 27.

I first heard about Munchkin YEARS ago. Five to be exact. I was watching an episode of the Totally Rad Show where they were playing the game and I thought it looked amazing. I immediately bought Super Munchkin but quickly discovered that none of my friends were "into that sort of thing".

Flash forward 5 years and my current group of friends is all about board games! FINALLY!

I've become addicted to a web show called Tabletop. It's basically just Wil Wheaton with various celebrity friends playing a different board game every week. Queue the Munchkin episode.

My interest is piqued all over again. I order Munchkin Deluxe, which they played in the episode.

Admittedly, it does sit in its package for about 2 months but finally on that fine Saturday afternoon (and again at 7am the next morning) MUNCHKIN WAS PLAYED.

AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!

27 before 27: Tattoo

I'm on a journey to complete 27 things before my 27th birthday.

This first goal I actually completed over 2 months ago!

On my 26th birthday my sisters and I got the tattoos we had been planning for over 2 years.

The Kys sisters finally got their Keys tattoos.

 This is Christine's...

and Courtney's...

Me during...

and here's mine!

Entering the 27th.

Today is my 26th birthday. Twenty Six. 2-6. It feels so much bigger than 25 somehow.

Today I start off on my 27th trip around the sun.

I have an amazing magical feeling about it already.

Taking inspiration from one of my favourite blogs, Yes and Yes, I've compiled a list of 27 things I want to complete before I turn 27!

1. Get a matching tattoo with my sisters (ok, kind of a cheat - I'm doing this later today!)
2. Go seed bombing
3. Swim (or probably in my case, flail around) in an ocean
4. See a van Gogh painting or drawing in person
5. Play paintball
6. Attend a murder mystery
7. Write a business plan
8. Make a terrarium
9. Join the YMCA
10. Make cheese
11. Eat in the dark
12. Cook through an entire cookbook
13. Play Munchkin
14. Write a fan letter
15. Go to a ballet
16. Watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy
17. Go to a drive in movie
18. See a Shakespearian play on stage
19. Complete couch to 5k
20. Listen to every song by Queen
21. Go geocaching
22. Make a stop-motion film
23. Be able to recite a Poe poem by heart
24. Audition for a play (not musical!)
25. Get a professional bra fitting
26. Play Dungeons and Dragons
27. Have a piece of art in a gallery

Completed: 6/27