Week 12 - Go on a Haunted History Tour...

This activity was not on the original list, but was just too fun not to include as a part of this project and it truly was an adventure.

If you're ever in New Orleans, and you enjoy history and a good ghost story, this is something you should do.

This tour has inspired a special on A&E. This is what Len (our awesome tour guide) told us anyway and the guy in the info booth who sold me our tickets. "Best tour in N'Awlins, wouldn't recommend any of the others, even inspired a special on A&E, $5.00 deposit miss, 'ya meet in front of Reverend Zombies." Well done sir, sold.

The tour was history + tales from the various stopping points on the tour. Len also pointed out other interesting places on the tour, including the school Richard Simmons attended, the house Tennessee William's lived in when he wrote A Street Car Named Desire and places where scenes from the movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button were filmed. Part of what made Len such a great tour guide was he was a local and passionate about history, he was delightfully funny and he wore a fedora. In fact, Len's fedora blew off at the beginning of the tour. Some would attribute this to paranormal activity, but I will attribute it to a large wind gust that occurred. Mike stated it would have been more humerous had his fedora blown off accompanied by a toupee. But I set the record straight saying, "Any man classy enough to wear a fedora would never wear a toupee."

It also happened to be freezing on the night we went...in Louisiana, what are the chances? Bundled up and ready for adventure, our crew of four, Kristina, Brett, Mike and I, took on two hours of walking, laughing and photographing. Below is the LaLaurie House, one of the stops on the tour.

Week 11 - Visit New Orleans...

Thursday - Monday of fun and Cajun flare!

I spent a few days in New Orleans visiting one of my best friends. Here I did many things that I had never done before. I have rolled them all in to one experience for 52 Weeks, except a super awesome one which will have its own special week because I skipped a week in February! My project, my rules!

1. Eat beignets and drink hot chocolate

2. Ride a trolly

3. Visit the French Quarter/hear jazz music everywhere

4. See Jackson Square

5. Work with Hands On New Orleans

6. Shop at the Funky Monkey

7. Walk down Bourbon St.

8. Watch this dude with a short sleeved fleece pull over dance to Fergie at Pat O'Briens

9. Hold an alligator head

10. Seek Week 12!

Week 10 - Celebrate St. Patricks Day...

Irish Blessing

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

I wore a green shirt. I wished everyone I saw a Happy St. Patrick's Day. I drank a green beer. I posed with a shamrock. I called Rachel a Lassie. Lassie is an Irish saying isn't it?

Week 9 - Roll Sushi...

I have decided that I will give Sushi Superlatives for this adventure.

Roll 1 - Eibanator - Most Likely the Biggest Sushi Roll You've Ever Seen.

Roll 2 - G-Love - Daintiest Roll

Roll 3 - Gina (that's me) - Prettiest Presentation Roll

Roll 4 - Kev - Most Likely to Have NO CUCUMBERS Roll

Sarah gave me a sushi making kit a few years ago and I had yet to use it until now. The kit comes with a DVD, Sushi Book and Bamboo Rolling mat. We didn't use the DVD, though I imagine it would have helped a bit. All in all I think the group did a pretty good job for our first attempt at the Japanese art of Sushi. Matt even played some ethnic music for us. I think the music was Celtic so it didn't exactly go with the theme of the evening, but no judging here.

Week 8 - Write a Letter to the President...

Did you know that President Obama reads ten letters from the public every day?

Click here to watch a short video titled, Inside the White House: Letters to the President.