Day Zero Project - Nashville

I had lunch with a friend yesterday and she commented on the fact that I haven't given her any updates, here we go.  So I didn't forget about my Day Zero Project, but I know that I haven't updated this blog in about 7 months.  The summer was super busy with work, and then I resigned from my job at the end of the summer and moved to Nashville as a student in a creative arts ministry program.  While there I was able to sing and for the first time write songs.  These are some of the things that I've crossed off (in order on the list). 

# 6& #7 - Write a song and perform a song. - So, here's the video that I've kept hidden from most of the world.  Here I am performing the first song I ever wrote just a week after I wrote it.  Thank you so much to the team of musicians who encouraged me every step of the way! 

#14 - Mentor 5 teenage/college age girls - unfortunately due to the sensitive nature of this one and in keeping the privacy of the young women, I can't share much, but all I can say is that you can always be a teacher and learner in every season of life.  

# 15 - Strike up a conversation with a stranger - So many of the people who I now call friends were just strangers a few months ago.  Here are 3 of them - Brandon, Joanne, & Jonathan.

#35 - Make Birthday Cake for Someone- Well this was super impromptu, but a very cute 1 year old got a "Toria original" for this camping themed birthday party!  Not bad for my very first cake, haha! 

# 38 - Go Vegan for a Month - I did this back in the month of June.  There's nothing really to tell other than, I felt great, I lost a few pounds, and I missed steak.

# 46 - Tell a Stranger that Jesus Loves Them - I was in Stop & Shop a few weeks ago around 11 o'clock at night buying some tea.  I met an Armenian woman who was a cashier.  She told me that he throat hurt and that maybe she should try the throat coat tea that I was buying.  I walked away, but felt like I had a pit in my stomach... It was so late, clearly a woman at her age didn't want to be working in the grocery store at that time of night, maybe she's lonely, and she told me her throat hurt... I ruminated over these things for a minute or two as I walked towards the exit, then I somewhat embarrassingly turned my cart around and walked back to the lady.  I told her that I'm a Christian and that I believe in the power of prayer.  I asked her if I could pray for her right then and there.  She said yes, we held hands over the register and I prayed for this sweet woman.  I prayed healing for her in the name of Jesus and that she would know how much she was loved.  When we were done praying, she told me that she felt something in her body and that her throat felt better, she then told me it was her birthday the day before and that she felt this this was a birthday gift from God.  I told her how special she is to Him and how much Jesus loves her.  I had a choice, I could just leave and keep thinking about it in my car, or I could take a chance and maybe look foolish.  I took a chance, and watching God touch this woman through my simple act of obedience, melted my heart.

# 51 - Be debt-free (minus the condo) - As of September 15th, I'm 100% debt free, INCLUDING the condo (because I sold it, lol)!!!  No school loans, no credit cards, no car payment, no mortgage.  Such freedom! 

# 66 - Pray with a friend from another state once a month for a year - When I made this Day Zero List last September, my friend Graci was one of the first people I shared it with.  She said that she wanted to be the one to pray with me.  She lives in Kentucky.  And so we did...we started on September 8th 2016, (her birthday) and on the 8th (or around the 8th) of every month we have called each other and laughed together, cried together, dreamed big dreams together, and prayed together.  Although I have known Graci for about 5 or 6 years, a year ago, I didn't know her family and now they have become like family to me.  We have see God transform our dreams, our families, our churches, and our friends over this year, and I am so grateful that she got to be the friend I prayed with!  

# 90 - Learn how to take a compliment - This one has been hard for me, especially when people have complimented me on singing.  I never felt adequate enough as a singer, so I never felt like I deserved the compliment.  Yesterday, while visiting at a friend's church the woman who was sitting in front of me came up to me after the service and told me that she enjoyed my singing behind her.  In the past I would've tried to deflect or become uncomfortable, but yesterday I simply said, "thank you".  My time in Nashville has healed some of the parts of insecurity and inadequacy, and for that I'm grateful.

# 93 - Meet and Truly Get to Know the Neighbors - This makes me a little sad, because after I became friends with our sweet and sassy neighbor Carolyn, she, her husband and 2 little girls had to move.  I don't regret it for a second though.  It was so nice have such wonderful neighbors.  I guess we need to get to know the new ones who moved into her house now.  This picture was a dinner party that we had at Carolyn's house before she moved.

So there you have it! 11 more things crossed off my Day Zero List!  It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are intentional and write it down!  Did you start yours yet?

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916

Day Zero Project - Thirty and Thailand

If you asked me in April what May would look like, I never would've guessed that it would look like this!  Definitely one of the best months of my life.  Thank you to my friends, family, and especially my sisters for making my 30th birthday so special!!  

# 26 - Get a Traditional Thai Massage - My sister Shara and I all dress for Thai massages in Thailand! 

# 27 - Get a Fish Pedicure - this is the most "tickly" pedicure we've ever received!  The faces say it all! 

# 85 - Host an awesome 30th Birthday Party for myself - so this happened!!!  It was all that I could've dreamed of and more! 

# 87 - Paint a picture on canvas - Thank you to one of my best friend's Holly for a sweet birthday present that helped me cross off #87.  It was so fun painting with you! 

# 88 - Technically the 10th stamp was my layover in China... but on my way to Thailand! 

# 97 - Eat at a fancy steakhouse - The birthday party helped make this possible!  It was pretty fancy to begin with but I love that we made it even fancier! 

The last month has been amazing and I never expected to cross this many goals off the list this month.  I'm excited to continue crossing goals off of this list, would you like to join me? 

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916

Day Zero Project - Spontaneous Trips, Pie, & Piano

Just when you think I've forgotten about my list!  

# 42 - Attend a Professional Baseball Game

• Wednesday, April 12th, Mets vs Phillies in Philadelphia!  I completely forgot this was on my list until just now.  Last week I was in Philadelphia for work and a coworker said, want to see a baseball game, and I said yes!  The NY team even won!  Yay!

# 53 - Take Piano Lessons

• I don't know how many I need to take to consider this one completed, but I've taken at least 5 or 6 lessons now and I'm loving it!  My roommate captured this one of me and my piano instructor, Michael.

# 60 - Make a pie on Pi Day

• I did this on 3.14 of course!  This is my buddy Javen.  He taught me to make the crust from scratch!  This was actually a crazy snow day in March which made it even more fun! 

# 65 - Visit all 3 grandparents in Florida

• A quick overnight trip, but definitely worth it.  Some people tell me that they can never just hop on a plane, or if they do that it needs to be for a longer period.  My philosophy is that if I don't do it now, then when?  Better is a quick trip than no trip at all.

My next post should include pictures from my 30th birthday (#85) and *spoiler alert* pictures from Thailand (#'s 26 & 27)!!!  I can't wait!  Thanks for following along! 

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916

Day Zero Project - A Concert and 10 Friends

I am loving crossing things off this list!! 

# 24 - See Eric Church in Concert - DONE! - Friday, January 27th @ Barclays in Brooklyn
# 56 - Make a new friend - DONE! - oh and this friend went to the concert with me! 

Here are some fun pictures of us to prove it! 

# 82 - Write "just because" letters and send them to 10 friends

• I almost don't want to cross this one off, because I want to keep doing it again!  I put them with cards and here's a picture.  Obviously these are the backs of the cards to keep names and address private, but you get the idea.  I'm so excited for these! 

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916

Day Zero Project - When I wasn't even trying...

I'm really good at starting things gun-ho and then dropping them.  I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions or anything, but one thing I do want to get better at is finishing what I started and I'm going to finish this list!

Shortly after I wrote my last blog, both of my sisters left the country to serve in Christian humanitarian efforts and missionary work in 11 countries for the next 11 months.  I cried... A LOT!  At the same time, there were several other unfortunate situations happening to friends around me and I cried... a lot MORE.  I struggled every morning to get out of bed, to be around people, and didn't really want to do much.  For anyone who knows me, knows that's this polar opposite of me, but nonetheless, I used depression as an excuse to not have to complete my Day Zero Project.  

On December 31st, I got to visit my sisters on a layover in Houston while they traveled from El Salvador to Uganda.  There were tears, but there was also fun and laughter and lots and lots of hugs.  My sisters were so full of life and soaking up every minute of every country they had been in already.  Seeing that, coupled with a ton of prayer, gave me the strength to open up this list again.

To my surprise, I was able to cross 5 things off the list that I had accomplished in the last  months without even realizing it.  God is so kind to us in when we can't pick ourselves up or we feel like we've lost time, He comes in with the perfect amount of encouragement and comfort.

So here we go, these are the numbers that I've crossed off in the last 3 months.

# 30 - Get another tattoo

• While in Kentucky, I decided to get a tattoo on my ribs.  The tattoo I chose was waves because it reminded me of the story in the Bible where Jesus tells Peter to walk on the water and while His eyes are fixed on Jesus he was able to, but as soon as he took his eyes off the Lord and concentrated on the waves, he started to drown.  Each of waves can have a name, job, relationships, finances, etc... but I don't have to drown in them, I can walk on those waves if I keep my eyes on Jesus! 
  

# 62 - Renew My Passport

• This was in progress before and now I have a brand new passport in hand!  Funny story though, I sent all the paper work in and forgot to sign in!  Naturally, they sent it back.  I signed it and mailed in back to Philadelphia and received it in less than 2 weeks!  Yay! 
  

# 63 - Try Bourbon in Kentucky

• I went to Kentucky in November to visit 2 wonderful friends, Gerri & Graci.  They took me all over Louisville and even part of Indiana!  Yes, we did go to a distillery and I did get to taste Kentucky bourbon in Kentucky!  Thank you Gerri & Graci for being the most gracious and loving hostesses.

# 64 - Visit Racheal in Texas

• Since I was traveling to Houston, Racheal suggested that I stay a few more days with her in Austin, so she so selflessly drove 2 1/2 hours to pick me up.  I'm thankful that we've been friends since the 4th grade and that God worked it all out that I could visit my sisters and visit her too!
  

# 79 - Tour a Vineyard

• In October, I had to go out to California for a work trip.  I decided this time to call up my favorite California travel buddy, Amy, and stay a could days longer.  We traveled all over Napa and spent time enjoying each other's company and some good wine!
  

There you have it, God loves you so much that He can make your dreams come true even when you've forgotten about them yourself.  I'm excited to see what 2017 brings as I as God to "dream for me"!  Will you let Him dream for you too? 

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916


Thanks for reading!  Love, Toria

Day Zero Project - Yoga, Canvas, & Shoes

This week was more productive than expected!  It's fun crossing things off my Day Zero List.  Here's what I accomplished... 

# 83 - Take a yoga class

• Now, I've taken yoga in the past, but it's been a couple of years.  I added it to my list, because I wanted to intentionally add it back into my exercise routine.  About a month ago I pulled my hamstring attempting to waterski (hence, #8 on my list).  Since then I've been hesitant to go to the gym, a beginning yoga class on Wednesday seemed like the best way to ease myself in, so I did!  It was perfect, because it led me to continue exercising with Piyo on Thursday, Zumba on Friday, and Barre this morning!  Hope I stay on this roll!

# 81 - Give away a print of my photography on canvas

• I thought it would be a long time before I accomplished this, but last night my sisters hosted a fundraiser for their World Race Missions Trip.  The night included a tricky tray.  It took some courage, but I offered one of my canvased photos.  I'm so glad I wrote this on my Day Zero list because it's one thing I never thought I would do.  What's really cool is that one of my friends that I invited won the canvas!

# 77 - Give away 20 pairs of shoes

• So, this happened.  I was giving away one of my show racks, so I figured what a perfect time to start purging and work on my 20 pairs.  I really only had 16 pairs to give away, but since I wrote that my goal was 20, I picked 4 more pairs of shoes that were harder to part with, but good for my soul.  Next week, I'm going to take them over to Star of Hope in Paterson, NJ to donate them.  I'm praying God can use them to clothe those in need.  In case you're worried, I'm not shoe-less, there are still about 35 more pairs in my closet. 

Here are 2 pictures from the auction and 1 picture of my box of shoes!

           

Here's what numbers are in progress... 

• # 62 - Renew passport - Filled out the paper work, and went to AAA and got my pictures printed.
• # 66 - Pray with a friend in another state once a month for a year - I prayed with my sweet friend Graci in Kentucky this past Thursday for her birthday.  I am committing to pray with her on the 8th (or around the 8th) of every month from now until her next birthday.

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916


Thanks for reading!  Love, Toria

Day Zero Project - #47 & 54

On Monday, September 5th (Labor Day), I completed my first and second goals on my Day Zero Project.  It felt amazing!  

#47 - Pray for a Stranger

• For those who don't know, I work for a Christian Radio Station, one of the perks of that job is that we have the freedom to pray at work.  I used to take that for granted, but in the last few months, God has shown me more and more how special that is.  Although we live in a country that was founded on a constitution that states that it's values are freedom of speech and freedom of religion, it's amazing how "on edge" some people can get about praying in public.  While working a the station booth at a local Labor Day Street Fair a woman walked up to me and started sharing how the music on the station has encouraged her.  She continued to share with me the struggles of rehab and waywardness of her children.  Right there in the middle of the street, for the first time in my life, I asked this woman (who 3 minutes ago was a stranger) if I could pray for her and her family, and then I did.

#54 - Leave a 100% tip

• After the street fair, one of my best friends and I went to a local diner for dinner.  We were recalling all of the blessings God has so graciously given to us.  We were laughing and sharing and in that moment I felt so overwhelmed with how much He has blessed me with that I don't deserve.  It was easy to leave a 100% tip when you realize that it's just money and that more than likely my diner server has a family that she'd rather be spending time with than serving me a gyro on Labor Day.  So, for the first time in my life, I left a 100% tip.  I didn't stay and see her reaction, but I secretly wish I was a fly on the wall.  I'm probably going to repeat goal #54 again and again in the future! 

Here are a couple pictures from the Labor Day Street Fair. (This wasn't the stranger I prayed with, but she's a dear friend and I had the privilege of praying for her later in the day as well).

 

To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html

If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916


Thanks for reading!  Love, Toria