I have taken out my previous goal to take the stairs 7 days in a row for 3 weeks, not because I am just that lazy, but because I have NO stairs to take in my every day life. Even once school starts back up, my classes will all be on the same floor, likely in the same room! So I've found a more "doable" goal:
Thanks to my old friend Katie, I ran into a link to Marelisa's blog that had some inspiring journal prompts. I have a few entertaining stories so I'll answer just a few tonight while I'm procrastinating cleaning for my upcoming housewarming party!
1. What scares you?
Lizards. I am petrified of lizards. Anyone who knows me or has seen me jump (or go completely rigid) at the sight of a lizard knows that petrified is no exaggeration either. I'm not even sure when this fear began to grow, because when I was a kid, I was perfectly fine with them. My neighbor would catch them and hang them from her ears and I wouldn't have a second thought about it. Now if someone did that in front of me, you can be sure I would be at least 20 feet away. I think it's because they are so spastic and unpredictable. You don't know where a lizard's going! And neither do they...spiders, on the other hand, they have a game plan. And snakes probably do too, they won't jump on you. Lizards will.
Don't try to tell me they are more afraid of you than you are of it, because lizards HAVE run towards me. At my dad's company picnic, I made quite the scene when I sat down on a picnic bench across from dad's coworker, and a lizard ran full speed from the other end of the bench towards my legs. I jumped, screamed, and never has a party gone silent so fast.
Yes, I know they don't have teeth. But with their beady little eyes, prehistoric claws, and quick legs, it is enough to drive me into a panic attack when faced with one! That's why I never added "hold a lizard" to my 99 list. I really can not, will not do it.
2. What is your take on soul mates?
I used to believe there is one person "made" just for you. One soul mate in the ENTIRE WORLD who you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with. A counterpart so compatible with you that only God himself could have crafted such a creature. A person that you are BOUND to meet and fall in love with, after a random string of events that destiny planned, has you tripping in a bookstore to find a handsome man to help pick up your books. Who just so happens to be your best friend's boyfriend's cousin twice removed! And whatdaya know, he loves dogs too.
Now that I've grown up, I believe this only happens in movies.
I think you can fall in love anywhere in the world you go and not thank destiny and a random string of events for it, but fate. I think anyone can fly to Italy and find a person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. That doesn't mean this Italian is the only person who their soul is supposed to mate with! They can very well fly back to American and find another soul they can mate with. I just don't believe there is one and only one soul mate out there for everyone. And believing such a thing limits you to the people you can find yourself in love with.
3. What are 3 things you want in a relationship?
Trust, Challenge, and Passion
Trust is the foundation upon which every good relationship stands. Without it, the relationship crumbles and both people are left hurt. I think trust includes someone you can depend and rely on to be there for you through thick and thin, someone you can trust to keep your deepest secrets and respect enough to keep theirs, and above all, someone who will remain loyal and committed to you.
Challenge doesn't mean a relationship you constantly have to work for; challenge means inspiring and motivating your significant other each and every day to be the best person they can be. One who is going to push me to do the things I've always wanted to do, not "let go" of myself, and keep things exciting! We mustn't be bored now, what will we do 20 years from now??
Passion, love, sex! I want a relationship that keeps me completely captivated. An attraction so obvious that it knocks me off my feet and catches me off guard. I want to still be romantic like my parents...35+ years into a relationship and my father still brings home flowers for my mom, they still kiss each other every day when he comes home from work, they still cuddle on the couch when they watch movies, and they go out on dates like they're teenagers. THAT is what I want, a genuine love. I want to be reminded of the small things that made me fall in love in the first place and appreciate the fact that I'm lucky I get to share my life with this person. This may sound incredibly sappy, but I want to renew my wedding vows when i'm 65 years old because I'm still so in love with my wrinkled, gray haired man. And in the back of my head, know that he's probably wrinkled and gray because of me!
June 8, 2010
June 5, 2010
#53. Front flip off a dock
Ok so a diving board isn't exactly a dock, but I say it counts!
Shannon had a pool party yesterday so Erin and I drove down for the day. After a few beers and 3 shots, I was good and ready to conquer my fear of doing a front flip off the diving board. I have no idea why I have this irrational fear, because I can dive off it just fine, but I have this mental block in my head that prevents me from flipping over!
I stood at the edge for a good 15 or 20 minutes, counting to 3 numerous times and trying to handle my nerves digesting some liquid courage, so just when everyone watching gave up hope and turned around, I did it! I don't think I had a full rotation because the small of my back stung for a few minutes, but I still did it!
And after all the fuss, I can honestly say I won't be doing that again for a very long time! It's probably one of the "harder" goals on my list believe it or not...that is, right after going 30 days without consuming any alcohol ;)
May 23, 2010
3 crossed off- what a week!
2 more crossed off my list:
#25. Attend 5 friends' weddings (1/5)
#34. Hike to a waterfall
Jessica and Perry's wedding was yesterday and it was a beautiful day downtown Charleston! Jackie's wedding was an hour before Jessica's and I knew I wouldn't be able to pull a "27 dresses" and go to both :( It was great having another mini high-school reunion though and I'm glad Stephen got to meet all my friends from back home.
As promised to Erin, I present the epic story of "The Hike to Horsethief Falls- Hilarity does not ensue."
The morning was already getting off to a rocky start when my youngest cousin, Mackenzie, ran back into the house in tears minutes before our departure. I assumed one of her sisters said something rude to her to make her cry, because that's kind of expected from them. Not from your own father.
Already ticked with dad, mom gave him a hard time during our hour drive to the falls. Once we got to the base of the mountain/trail, the view was INCREDIBLE! We started our mile incline hike at 9,200 ft above sea level and mom was already winded in the first 5 minutes. I was trying to keep up with my cousins to not be permanently labeled "the out of shape one" so I stayed in the leading half of our 7 person group. We got to a point in our hike where the trail split. According to the shitty map their website provided, we were supposed to cross a creek to get to the falls. Well, we saw a creek off to the left and decided to jump across and continue on.
An hour and a half later, we accepted the fact that we were lost, and far away from any sound of rushing water. At this point, Christian and Morgan just wanted to walk back to the car but my father insisted we go back to the creek and continue going straight to find the waterfall! Thus created the great schism in our 7 person group as hatred and resentment took over....it's not a family vacation until everyone wants to kill each other!
We made our way back to the creek and proceeded up the mountain. Not only were we back to our treacherous incline, but we were now doing it through about a foot of ice/snow that fell the week before. Improperly dressed in sneakers, shorts and t-shirts at that. At one point when my foot sunk knee deep in snow, I was so close to walking back to the creek where there was no snow, and waiting for my family's descent. But as this 99 list has proved as a motivational tool, I kept going knowing I would be able to cross one more goal off my list. We FINALLY made it to the waterfall, I snapped one picture, and I made it back down the mountain in record time. Only to find the car had been left unlocked for the past 3 hours!
Just as I thought peace was approaching our 7 person group, we all decided to make a scene in Taco Bell. We ordered about 20 tacos, there was some confusion on dad's part whether or not he got the right thing (he did...i told him that, and so did christian) but he insisted on arguing with the cashier. We counted and recounted the tacos for him before he finally believed he was not being jipped by this poor 17 year old kid behind the counter. Christian was mad. I got mad. Morgan was mad. Mom yelled at dad. Dad was mad and called us all assholes.
All in all, it was a fun trip up the mountain! Christian and I both agreed we'd like to hike some more waterfalls in the near future....but next time it's best we leave the family at home!
#25. Attend 5 friends' weddings (1/5)
#34. Hike to a waterfall
Jessica and Perry's wedding was yesterday and it was a beautiful day downtown Charleston! Jackie's wedding was an hour before Jessica's and I knew I wouldn't be able to pull a "27 dresses" and go to both :( It was great having another mini high-school reunion though and I'm glad Stephen got to meet all my friends from back home.
As promised to Erin, I present the epic story of "The Hike to Horsethief Falls- Hilarity does not ensue."
The morning was already getting off to a rocky start when my youngest cousin, Mackenzie, ran back into the house in tears minutes before our departure. I assumed one of her sisters said something rude to her to make her cry, because that's kind of expected from them. Not from your own father.
Already ticked with dad, mom gave him a hard time during our hour drive to the falls. Once we got to the base of the mountain/trail, the view was INCREDIBLE! We started our mile incline hike at 9,200 ft above sea level and mom was already winded in the first 5 minutes. I was trying to keep up with my cousins to not be permanently labeled "the out of shape one" so I stayed in the leading half of our 7 person group. We got to a point in our hike where the trail split. According to the shitty map their website provided, we were supposed to cross a creek to get to the falls. Well, we saw a creek off to the left and decided to jump across and continue on.
An hour and a half later, we accepted the fact that we were lost, and far away from any sound of rushing water. At this point, Christian and Morgan just wanted to walk back to the car but my father insisted we go back to the creek and continue going straight to find the waterfall! Thus created the great schism in our 7 person group as hatred and resentment took over....it's not a family vacation until everyone wants to kill each other!
We made our way back to the creek and proceeded up the mountain. Not only were we back to our treacherous incline, but we were now doing it through about a foot of ice/snow that fell the week before. Improperly dressed in sneakers, shorts and t-shirts at that. At one point when my foot sunk knee deep in snow, I was so close to walking back to the creek where there was no snow, and waiting for my family's descent. But as this 99 list has proved as a motivational tool, I kept going knowing I would be able to cross one more goal off my list. We FINALLY made it to the waterfall, I snapped one picture, and I made it back down the mountain in record time. Only to find the car had been left unlocked for the past 3 hours!
Just as I thought peace was approaching our 7 person group, we all decided to make a scene in Taco Bell. We ordered about 20 tacos, there was some confusion on dad's part whether or not he got the right thing (he did...i told him that, and so did christian) but he insisted on arguing with the cashier. We counted and recounted the tacos for him before he finally believed he was not being jipped by this poor 17 year old kid behind the counter. Christian was mad. I got mad. Morgan was mad. Mom yelled at dad. Dad was mad and called us all assholes.
All in all, it was a fun trip up the mountain! Christian and I both agreed we'd like to hike some more waterfalls in the near future....but next time it's best we leave the family at home!
May 18, 2010
#37. Learn how to drive a stick shift
My family and I arrived in Colorado yesterday afternoon after a layover in Texas. Visit a new state is on my list, but according to Stephen, a layover in a new state does not count haha. We were only there for about 45 minutes, so to clarify that goal- i need to actually EXPERIENCE the state, step outdoors at the least!
I was successful in crossing off another goal this morning though! Morgan's jeep is a stick shift and I got a quick lesson from her and drove around the neighborhood. I only stalled 4 times HAH! Driving a stick takes alot of focus, i had to think about clutch, break, if the knob was in 1 or "the middle" (as I call it, I'm sure there's another name), blinkers, clutch + gas, clutch + break. I almost did not have enough mental energy left to look out for other cars at 4 way stops! I never did go into reverse, nor did I go up a steep hill, scary thought.
I'll be possibly crossing another goal off my list on Thursday- stay tuned!
I was successful in crossing off another goal this morning though! Morgan's jeep is a stick shift and I got a quick lesson from her and drove around the neighborhood. I only stalled 4 times HAH! Driving a stick takes alot of focus, i had to think about clutch, break, if the knob was in 1 or "the middle" (as I call it, I'm sure there's another name), blinkers, clutch + gas, clutch + break. I almost did not have enough mental energy left to look out for other cars at 4 way stops! I never did go into reverse, nor did I go up a steep hill, scary thought.
I'll be possibly crossing another goal off my list on Thursday- stay tuned!
May 13, 2010
#48 and #51
I've started 2 more of goals yesterday:
#48. Complete 5 works of art(1/5)
#51. Make the dean's list every semester (1/5)
I finished my housewarming gift to myself this morning, a recreation of the painting I did for a friend during football season. It's a silhouette of the gamecock with a realistic gamecock in the foreground on a 24x36 canvas. It's my largest undertaking to date, and I actually think it turned out better than the cooler I painted last year! I promise one of these days I'll create a page where my pictures of these goals will go, but until then, you'll just have to see it on my facebook! I think it looks pretty good and I can't WAIT to hang it in my new house. This is only the second time I've really tried painting anything worth displaying, and I am highly considering selling them...I know they'd be a big hit especially here in Columbia :)
I also saw that my grades were finally posted yesterday. I did better than dean's list, I had a 4.0 semester!!! My first one since the 6th grade....my parents are so proud!
#48. Complete 5 works of art(1/5)
#51. Make the dean's list every semester (1/5)
I finished my housewarming gift to myself this morning, a recreation of the painting I did for a friend during football season. It's a silhouette of the gamecock with a realistic gamecock in the foreground on a 24x36 canvas. It's my largest undertaking to date, and I actually think it turned out better than the cooler I painted last year! I promise one of these days I'll create a page where my pictures of these goals will go, but until then, you'll just have to see it on my facebook! I think it looks pretty good and I can't WAIT to hang it in my new house. This is only the second time I've really tried painting anything worth displaying, and I am highly considering selling them...I know they'd be a big hit especially here in Columbia :)I also saw that my grades were finally posted yesterday. I did better than dean's list, I had a 4.0 semester!!! My first one since the 6th grade....my parents are so proud!
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