#18: Attend a Midnight Movie Premiere

I should disclose right up front that somehow I let Jodi talk me into using the Twilight: Breaking Dawn movie for this goal.  Possibly the worst idea ever.  I'll explain.

First, it sounded good in theory.  I wanted to see the movie, Jodi and I thought it would be enjoyable together, and we thought maybe Melissa could join us and we'd make it a girls' night.  We knew it would be busy but we worked out a plan and decided to go for it.

Jodi was going to go really early...like 8 p.m. early and I would show up a little later with some Caramel Apple Spices from Starbucks to help keep us warm.

We were waiting outside but not too far from the entrance so I knew Jodi picked a great time to get there.  We were surrounded by teenagers (as expected) but I was a little surprised to see so many teenage boys there.  They were probably with their girlfriends...whipped fools.  They probably let us in the building between 10:30 - 11 and because of how early Jodi got there, we ended up in the front row behind the walkway and bar.  Prime seating.  (Props to you Jodi!)

The wait didn't seem that bad and just after midnight they started previews.  I should have known better than to show up at a teen movie premiere and expect a quiet, enjoyable time.  The theater cheered like crazy when the movie started and within a few minutes of starting, Jacob had already taken off his shirt and girls were screaming.  These are NOT features of a movie I enjoy.  Luckily, since shirtless scene came pretty early, they quieted down quite a bit afterward and the rest of the movie was reasonable.  The movie itself was interesting...I don't think I loved it but it wasn't horrible.

I think what I realized the most is that I enjoy seeing movies in relatively empty theaters.  You know, like 4 p.m. showings on a Wednesday after the movie has been out for 2 weeks. Lol.  Guess I just like to enjoy my $1 Harkins refills in peace and not have squeals or talking throughout it.  But I appreciate Jodi inviting me and I definitely had fun with her.  I said I wouldn't probably do a premiere by choice again....but the Hunger Games does come out next month and I may have to break that vow. 

#17: Take an Internship at Work

This won't be the most exciting post so I'll keep it short.

The department I currently work in has several different opportunities to take 6 month internships in different specialized groups and I knew that I wanted to complete at least one of these before I left the department.

I was hoping to try our State Relations internship (which works more closely with the states that offer our college savings plans) but it hadn't come available and when the Compliance internship did, I jumped at the opportunity.

For the last four months I've been working with our very small (3 people) compliance group focusing on projects that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do if I didn't attempt to gain the internship role.  I'm having a good time but it is hectic.

What has probably been most beneficial has been learning that I miss contact with people (sometimes clients even!) because I'm tied to my desk all day and don't get a lot of social time with my former teammates and that I really enjoy owning projects.  It makes me feel good to know I owned a project that made a difference.

It's supposed to end April 30 but there is a discussion of a possible extension, which I would certainly consider.  If not, at least I gave it a shot and it helped me figure out some things I'm good at and enjoy at work.  Only time will tell if it helps me make career choices toward a Compliance path.

Oh yeah, and this is how I get people excited about compliance!  Just kidding.  The picture just made me chuckle because this isn't ANYTHING like my job.  Haha.

#16: Buy a Stranger's Coffee

Thanks to Gauri's dedication of conducting a scavenger hunt with a list of items and actions that a friend helped put together, this was my perfect opportunity to complete #8 since it was on that list.

Team Awesome (which I have just named us) was comprised of Danny, Dustin, Gauri, and myself.  We decided to head to Paradise Valley Mall for the hunt because we figured we could find just about everything in a mall.

While Danny and Dustin ran around trying to get a few more actions done, Gauri and I staked out the Starbucks waiting for a single person to come in.  I mean, come on, I wasn't trying to go for broke buying venti lattes for a whole family!  In comes this pretty, spunky girl and Gauri nudges me and says, "Go!"

As she was at the counter, I told her it was really important to me to buy her coffee.  Whatever she wanted.  She was very shocked and seemed to feel guilty but I explained that it was both for my "bucket list" (which is much easier than trying to describe the Day Zero project to strangers) and for our scavenger hunt.  Her name was Heather and she worked across from the Starbucks in a salon.  She was utterly grateful and I could tell Gauri and I made her day.  This may have been one of my most gratifying challenges since starting Day Zero.
I love making people happy.