50 Thing I want to accomplish

1. visit 100 countries
2. sail the Mediterranean
3. live in Indonesia
4. bike coast to coast
5. do a walk-about across Australia
6. plan a wedding
7. grow a garden with over 25 variety of plant
8. own a sailboat
9. play in the waves of the Indian ocean
10. teach for a year
11. do a triathlon
12. run through big bend
13. hear my own child laugh
14. be on a grass roots campaign in Washington DC
15. visit each US State capital
16. play the piano
17. make a quilt (or at least finish the one I’ve started)
18. change some aspect of the internet
19. be in a Broadway play
20. meet the most important leaders
21. meet Eminem's daughter
22. Learn to love salad
23. Eat the best chocolate and drink the best wine in the world
24. play tag with Michael Phelps
25. paint a painting to hang in my living room
26. run a 7-minute mile
27. work for Weiden + Kennedy
28. Work in a coffee shop
29. Watch the imploding of Texas Stadium
30. play softball every summer
31. feel the sand in my toes
32. help discover a cure for breast cancer
33. read the top 100 classic novels
34. create ads for top brands like Nike, Coke, etc
35. play rugby
36. buy a pair of TOMS
37. learn money management
38. pay off debts
39. have intellectual conversations with my parents
40. meet the man of my dreams
41. raise a puppy
42. impact someone each day
43. learn about religion
44. attend Christmas service in the Vatican
45. go skiing in Chile
46. learn to fly a plane and drive stick shift
47. buy a mac book pro
48. not be so OCD- let the small things go
49. know I am always loved
50. ALWAYS BE ME!

Last Lecture

I recently read the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I found it to be very touching and thought provoking. I had heard the background story on the book, so I went into to it expecting to cry and feel down for a few days after reading it, but it actually made me smile, made, me think, made me feel joy, and it did bring a few tears to my eyes. If I were in Randy's shoes I have no idea how I would handle myself- I feel as though it definitely would not have been with the grace he did. If I had to give my last lecture/ talk with one last person I do not know how I would feel, much less what I would say. I often think about things like this and stories such as Randy's do hold a special place in my life. When I was three, my mom was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and the doctors did not give her a good/ positive diagnosis. Stories like Randy's make me think what it would be like to have lived 19 years without my mother. Although, I can't dwell on the past or dramatize events so long later, it is a sort of wake-up call to remind me how different my life could have been.

The Flow Rider

Today my group and I worked on our third project together and it was actually a very rewarding experience. We choose to do "Flow" and demonstrate a swimmer going through a moment of "Flow". I did not know any of the three other group members in my group, but we all were able to work together so well, to produce what I think is a really great product. I usually hate group work this time of the year because schedules are crazy and it is so hard to coordinate times to meet, so going in the group meeting I did not have the most positive attitude. The outcome of the experience was really great though. I think for the first time in a while, a group I was in actually listened to one another and played off of each others ideas. We each took things we were good at and expanded on them. We worked for about four hours, but got the entire thing done. Not only does it feel good to have something out of the way and as if I accomplished something, I did not leave the experience wishing I had not wasted hours of my life. I am excited to see how we are evaluated and what the reaction to our machine is.

Summer Plans

What are your summer plans? Oh, where are you going this summer? Will you be in Dallas this summer? So, yes, it's time for the typical end of the spring semester questions and this time I am totally prepared to blow peoples socks off!

I am going to take two classes during Summer One, work a ton to make lots of money, work-out extra hard to loose some weight...and go to AUSTRALIA!! Yea, that's right, one continent not many Americans frequent. I am totally stoked about the trip and wish I could leave tomorrow (especially since I have a test tomorrow I have yet to study for! ha). I will be there for two weeks so I plan to do a lot of beach sitting while reading a few good novels and take some amazing pictures. I know that the experience will be awesome and I am thrilled to be going.

It's things like this that I enjoy most about life and living...getting out an exploring, seeing the world, and being somewhere different in a different routine for a while. Traveling truly does open the mind to new ideas and allows more knowledge to be stored for later on in life. Too bad there are very few professionally traveling jobs in the world today...

Tattoos

Are they artwork? Are they pure insanity? Are they just "for fun." What constitutes a creative tattoo versus a just plain weird one? When I was 18 I got a tattoo and definitely do not regret it and I would not regret ever getting a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th like many people I know. I have recently seen a lot of signs across the metroplex for ink removal shops and the services they can offer...to this I wonder, "Really, is it that bad?" To me it seems as if one spent the time, money, and energy so many years earlier in getting "inked-up" that the tattoo would provide lasting memories. If the memories are bad, then why erase them? They made you stronger, they made you who you are today, and they can only prevent you from doing something irrational in the future, right?

Now I am not saying for everyone to go get all "tatted-up," but it is a fun experience as a whole, especially if your not one to often be found among the crowds that frequent tattoo parlors.

Sharpie Fun

On Thursday during class, Dr. Griffin said that the best thing to do for "Concepting" is to get a pack of Sharpie markers and go...since I really want to be part of the Method Creative, but am having somewhat of trouble coming up with am idea that i truly feel is profound, I went out Friday and did just that...I bought 2 24-packs of Sharpie markers- both fine and ultra fine point. With one of the packs of markers came a plain bag that you could "decorate" using your newly purchased markers. Because last week was so draining both emotionally and physically, I spent about two hour on Friday afternoon sitting in front of the television watching all my recorded shows that I have missed and just doodling on the bag...nothing fancy or artistic...just doodles that meant nothing. I don't even intend on using the bag other than maybe for groceries, but I would have to say that it didn't turn out too bad. It was very nice and relaxing to do nothing, but still use my hands to create something that didn't count for anythings. I really wish in my schedule I had more time to do stuff like this...just the mind numbing stuff that no one grades or judges, the little task that make you smile and are done for no reason at all other than "because"...

Tweet Tweet. Twitter

Twitter anyone? So, I gave in and got a Twitter...I know, I know just one more thing to clutter up my life and make me "waste" time...but I did it, and for once I actually am ahead of all my friends! None of them have a Twitter account yet....now you have to understand, I was the last to get myspace, the last to get facebook, the last to get skype, the last to close my myspace, the last to get a mac, etc. etc. when it comes to new technologies....The little bit that I have used Twitter I really like it. I think that although the best way to describe it is a "bunch of facebook statues," but I also think that it is more than that. I have connect to various news organizations and potential leads for internships and opportunities in my future. I find myself constantly looking at web-links that others put on their updates. Thus far, I have found Twitter to be a great source of new information varying from the old information that I am always feed. It is also interesting to look at the changing face of Twitter and see how it will shape the internet, social interactions, and media over the next few years. Although many say Twitter is just a trend, I definitely think that it is here to stay, or at least for a while...

beep, Beep, BEep, BEEp, BEEP...snooze...LOVE IT!!!

I am what most would deem a terrible, terrible person to spend the night with. Why you ask? Well, not only is there the occasional talking in my sleep and tossing and turning all night, but there is what happens in the morning as well...the snooze button. I am declaring myself the world's worst "snoozer". I absolutely love the snooze button and don't know if I could function with out it; so bravo to the inventor! I purposely set my alarm WAY in advance just so in the morning I can snooze for a while. So, the one or two time snooze button pusher is bad enough for most, but me...way worse! Take for instance this morning; I sat my first alarm at 6am, 2nd at 7am, and third at 8am (I had these high hope of getting up to work on homework, but wasn't quite sure how early to set me hopes, ha) and when did I finally force myself to role out of bed?...8:30am! All he while I was pushing snooze in between alarms and turning the others off. I have to just giggle at myself for this stupidity, but I love the snooze button. It allows me to drift in and out of dreams getting those last few precious moments of sleep. I guess at this point you can say I'm dependent on it and am too afraid I won't wake up if I set an alarm for one time at the very last minute. My roommate and other friends think I am a little ridiculous, but hey I LOVE THE SNOOZE BUTTON!! Everybody has a terrible habit and if this is my worst (which I am afraid to say its probably not) then I'm going to keep on pushing...pushing the snooze button that is!

Whoof, Whoof

I have never really been an animal person. They are smelly, can't talk, and get in the way. For the most part animals make me sneeze, get me dirty, and are not cute. There is an exception to this- small dogs- and only small dogs, nothing over about 20 pounds at the most. I have always loved cute, cuddly small dogs. Not only are can they be very well-behaved if trained properly, they make for a good partner to watch a movie on Friday night with, a reason to take a long walk, or a personal heater on cold nights.
There are two dogs in my life right now that I absolutely adore- Oliver and Nacho. Oliver is the eleven year old dog that I have grown-up with. He is an Lhasa Apso that my family got as a few week old puppy. Although he is getting old he is still playful and a ton of fun. He loves to go on walks and sit with me while watching television. The funniest thing he does is bark and run at the television when he sees another dog on it. In the summer we keep him super short and in the winter we let his coat grow long an beautiful. My younger brother and I were charged with training him as a puppy, so he may not be the smartest dog and he really can't do any trick, but he's my little Oliver- lovable, adorable, and loyal.
The second dog's name is Nacho and he is FREAKIN AWESOME!! He is a nine-year old poodle. His dad doesn't keep him cut like a poodle because he looks more "handsome" completely shaved. Nacho is by far the smartest, most well behaved dog I know. I have only known Nacho for a little over a year, but he listens to me and obeys what I tell him. I can take him on long walks, babysit him without any problems, and I can even put food down in front of him, tell him to wait and he will just sit there, then go get it when I instruct him to. Nacho is great!
Through being around Nacho and Oliver I feel a love that I think you can't really get anywhere else. There is that unconditional love and comfort that a small dog provides. Playing with both dogs help me to forget my other problems and feel like a kid again. So, I have officially decided that as soon is my last final is over...I am going to get a puppy!

RIP my little tulip baby

Well, she's all grown up! Big, tall, and beautiful. I feel like a proud mother on the first day of kindergarten or on graduation day, but she is mine. I brought her as a small bulb all the way back from a tulip garden/market in Amsterdam- she was one of the few that US customs didn't trash because apparently plants have to have a special seal of approval. But anyways...I planted her, watched her grow into a beautiful spring tulip! Me and my roommate even named her...Tuilee. But unfortunately due to the smoke storm on Thursday, she is gone. Today she withered up, the wind blew her leaves off, and she died. I guess she lives a long, strong three weeks, but its a little disappointing! Oh well, what can you do...travel back to the tulip market, buy some more bulbs, and plant them next spring......

Dear Future...

Have you went around the world? Have you sailed the Pacific Ocean? Have you skydived in Australia? Have you swam in the Great Barrier Reef? Have you went to Rwanda? Have you seen 500 movies? Have you read a good novel lately? Have you seen the flicker in the man of your dreams eye? Have you skied in Chile? Have you eaten any new foods recently? Do you still struggle with your weight? Do you run for fun yet? Have you rode your bike through the Rockies? Have you visited ever state? Have you seen happiness? Have you heard a child laugh? Have you pleased your parents? Have your made amends with your brother? Have you played in the sand? Have you sat in fresh cut grass? Did you remember to say I love you? Have you played an instrument? Do you sing in the shower still? Do you make the bed ever morning? Are you too busy to smell the flowers? Have you planted your garden yet? Have you changed the world? Have you made a lot of money? Have you taken 500,000 pictures? Have you listened to music today? Have you seen a sunset? Have you danced in India again? Do you believe in yourself? Have you made a difference? Have you donated your time? Do you still love yoga? Have you sat through a big thunderstorm and wished you were hiding with your little brother in your parents closet like when you were 7? Have you decorated a Christmas tree? Have you sang a carol? Have you eaten naan? Have you drank wine from New Zealand, while in New Zealand? Have you felt the ocean splash against your ankles? Have you held your dad's hand? Do you look back and regret? Do you remember me? DO you like yourself? Are you successful? Are you vibrant? Are you joyful? Are you in love? Are you happy...