The Original Pierre Maspero's



Here we are... embarking on the very first new experience of 2017... and it's food related.  Are you surprised?  If you followed me in 2010 you aren't.  I'm from the south and food is one of our love languages.  The only difference between then and now is the WAY I eat.  I became a vegan five and a half years ago, so my food (and lifestyle) choices are slightly different these days.


The Original Pierre Maspero's was literally right across from our hotel (Omni Orleans) so New Year's Day we ventured over before check out to grab a late breakfast.  Yes!  New experience #1 down.  

This historically significant 1700's building played an important role in New Orleans' history and that was one of the most fascinating parts of our visit.  Who knew!?  I've walked by this cozy location a dozen times over the past few months and never really stopped to read the plaques or peak inside.  

Located at the corner of St. Louis and Chartres, this spot is definitely great for people watching.  The staff was warm and welcoming and the bartender event sported a fancy NYE headpiece from the night before. The food... was a bit of a different story.   I didn't expect much in way of vegan fare... but the only two options (side of hashbrowns and fruit) were definitely a let down.  The hash browns had the consistency of milled rice without much taste.  The fruit was obviously from a can and left a strange after taste in your mouth.  One friends standard plate of toast, eggs and bacon left much to be desired (her words not mine).. but alas... we did have one winner.  While not vegan, so I didn't try it, their Louisiana Lost Bread was a hit.  This sugary dish is made up of an Artisan bread soaked in sweet custard and grilled to perfection topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar and drizzled fruit compote.  Both friends loved this... although we lovingly referred to it as "diabetes on a plate".  

Food aside, the history of this place was super fascinating to me.  This is one of the oldest buildings in the french quarter, having been built in 1788, with tales of the Lafitte brothers, a slave exchange, Andrew Jackson and smuggled goods.  If in the quarter, stop by and check it out.  Maybe you'll have better luck with the menu... it was early on New Year's Day afterall... maybe the culinary team just hadn't fully woken up from the previous nights' festivities.  
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Behind the Curtain


Have you ever found yourself on the couch drinking a third glass of wine having a full blown conversation with your dog as your binge watch the Gilmore Girls on Netflix (for a second time)? 

Yeah... me neither. 



But if I had, it would definitely cause me to take a beat and reassess my life. Ok wait... that feels extreme. Maybe not after that one (fictional) situation. But after noticing the start of a pattern of said fictional night... I would definitely feel the need to shake things up. That's where this little adventure comes into play.


Twenty one years ago I gave up "New Year's Resolutions" and instead adopted a novel (at the time) idea of selecting one word to represent my year ahead. Over the decades I've had years focus on concepts such as "Healing", "Authentic", "Healthy", "Fearless" and "Creative". Each and every year ebbed and flowed towards and around that key word (or phrase). I loved it. Every single time I was a success! No broken resolutions or personal floggings necessary.  

But after my divorce, I found myself experiencing what I can only playfully refer to as an "early life crisis". I grew bored with my day to day. My circles of friends seem to have shifted overnight into categories such as "married" or "with kids" and the social interactions took on a whole new feel. Fitting in as a divorcee felt odd. I grew restless for more. More life. More noise. More adventure. More like-minded friends. More. Just more.

In 2010 I decided to mix things up. "Live out loud" was my mantra but that didn't feel like enough. So I decided to challenge myself to experience one new thing every day for an entire year. I would step out of my comfort zone and put myself into new situations, meet new people, try new foods, visit new places and experience new things. Yes! This felt good. This felt right.

Until I realized exactly how difficult it was to experience something new EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. In theory it's an excellent plan. But the reality for a VP of Operations overseeing an expanding attraction company on the east coast looked very different. Days would slide by and it was all I could do to ensure I had three well balanced meals, much less squeeze in a new adventure. So I quickly learned the meaning of extending myself a little grace and adjusted things just a bit. So the 365 Challenge was born.  365 new experiences within 365 days. That HAD to be manageable... right?! It wasn't always easy, but I did it. And boy was it FUN!  In that year I tried Thai food for the first time, jumped out of an airplane, went ziplining and repelling, got up close and (very) personal with alligators on a private airboat swamp tour, tried moonshine, took salsa lessons and said goodbye to the year on a sunrise hot air balloon ride.   Looking back, it's one of my favorites.  An entire year spent with new and old friends (and family) making so many amazing memories.

So here we are. Seven years later and I find myself feeling restless again. It's in my nature I suppose. But after traveling to countless new places (near and far), moving back to my home state, changing jobs, loosing loved ones, making new friends, saying goodbye to many old ones and adopting a rescue pup (favorite of all)... I've decided it's time for a reboot.

2017. 365 days. 365 new experiences.

If you're reading this... whether you know me or not... I implore you to join me. It's difficult to describe how fun and addicting this challenge is. Your brain begins to shift with every decision. Instead of ordering your "typical" Friday night Chinese take-out, you opt to try that new Thai place. Sunny Saturday afternoons may not be spent lazily watching Netflix, but instead checking out a new hiking trail a few miles from home. New foods never tried. Recipes never attempted. Plays you've only heard about. Parks you drive past but never visit. There are SO MANY opportunities to infuse adventure into our day-to-day.

The only rules are:

1.) 365 new experiences within 365 days
2.) a "new experience" is loosely defined as an encounter or experience that you have not    had before (or in a very long time).

 Exceptions I make:
1.) Experiences that I had as a small child that I don't really remember (example: if I went   somewhere in Elementary School but don't have a strong memory of it)
2.) Experiences that I may have done before, but the place is new (example: we've all eaten food, but trying new restaurants or types of food count)

Join me?!
Sky diving off the east coast of Florida
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