The List

In honor of my big 30 coming up and freaking out a bit a lot about not knowing what I want or am supposed to do with my life at this ripe old age, I decided it was time to brush off the old "bucket list".

Some of these were written as far back as elementary school (#46), and some are recent additions (#27, #45). Some are of high importance (#25, #30), and one is the result of an hour of shame after running across Jersey Shore while I was housesitting (#47, and I should never be given access to cable). Some things have been removed as I realized I no longer had a desire to be on Fear Factor or live life as a train jumper, and according to my rules that is completely okay. I am sure I will continue to add things as well.

So, my friends, here it is. If anyone cares, you can see my progress through clicking on "The List" tab on top of my home page (I'll be adding in some pictures there as well). If you have posted a life list, feel free to share your link in the comments. I am always intrigued to see what is on other's lists as well (and sometimes steal good ideas).

1. See Aurora Borealis in real life

2. Hug a stranger

3. Live in a third-world country

4. Walk the Via Dolorosa

5. See the pyramids

6. Go skydiving

7. Get lost in Italy

8. Run or walk a half-marathon

9. Donate hair to locks of love

10. Ride a camel

11. Eat dolma in Turkey

12. Run an after-school program

13. Become a mentor

14. Go bungee jumping

15. Preach in a prison

16. Ride on a train and do lots of other amazing stuff in India

17. Meet Dilsly in India

18. Work with street children in Bangladesh

19. Meet Elahi in Bangladesh

20. Love on orphans in Haiti

21. Meet Lorkems in Haiti

22. Meet Ruth in Uganda

23. Be a better friend (ongoing)

24. Learn how to bellydance

25. Adopt

26. Learn how to cook traditional Middle-Eastern food (kubbeh, dolma, hummus, tabouli, lentil soup; YUM)

27. Learn how to fly fish

28. Master cooking a complete Indian meal

29. Learn about my Cherokee ancestors and see where my grandparents and great-grandparents were born

30. See Bethany and Erin find their forever family

31. Write down memoirs as told by my grandparents

32. Hang out with elephants in Africa (elephants are the best)

33. Dance in the rain

34. Dine with the homeless

35. Love my neighbors (ongoing)

36. Grow my own vegetable garden and share with my neighbors

37. Grow my own flower garden and take friends fresh flowers just because

38. Learn how to swing dance

39. Go sailing in South Africa

40. Meet Nelson Mandela

41. Forgive (God knows the specifics)

42. Learn how to change a tire

43. Fall in love in Mexico

44. Get a tattoo

45. Help deliver a baby

46. Win a hoola-hooping contest 

47. Taste fried pickles

48. Discover the best albondigas in the world and then learn how to make them

49. Meet Cat, Melissa, and Mark in real life (preferably in conjunction with loving on some orphans)

Confessions part 5

*Today one of my students told me to stop being so weird. Excuse me, but let's use the word quirky from now on, kay?

*The Neverending Story scares the crap out of me (thanks for reminding me, Cat).

*I sneak Target popcorn into the movies (let me clarify: $3 movies), usually as well as a vanilla coke from Sonic, assuming it's happy hour. I'm a rebel at heart. And cheap.

*Turning 30 in a few months is messing with my mind.

*I eat my hamburgers from the outside in (in a circular pattern).

*I like canned sardines with ritz crackers, and I eat avocados with salt and a spoon.

*One time as I was flirting I tried to smoothly glide on top of a picnic table and I fell between the bench and table. And I was wearing a dress.

*In 8th grade I wore black lipstick. In 9th grade I grew up and wore silver (but only on special occasions).

*I left my heart in the 90's. With long haired men, flannel, holey jeans, and anything grunge. It's a happier place.

*Last week on American Idol they followed a contestant who lives in a tent in the middle of the woods...and part of me was jealous.

Okay, now I'm going go look for something I've lost, and shortly after try to remember what I am looking for. And that's my life.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

My roomate is in the kitchen making cookies, and just realized we are out of baking soda. I promptly turned to ask.com to find if there is, in fact, a substitution for baking soda. I found a possible answer, but being as helpful as ask.com is, they didn't stop there. They oh so kindly offered me a "similar" search to help me out...

How to make crack.

After much deliberation we decided to stick to the snickerdoodles. But thanks anyways, ask.com.

What a wonderful age of technology we live in with the world at our fingertips.

On another note...

Today I went hiking with a friend and my dog. And yes, I remembered my "Bear Attack Deterrent". When I came home and checked out the pictures I discovered that I had walked around all day with Punky Brewster hair. Oh, and yes, I went to church like this too:

This would actually be a really cute picture if I was six...and it was 1988.

Anyhoo...hope your Sunday was as lovely as mine.

Slumber No More

Awaken.

Yep, 2012, that's my word.

My favorite part is that I know God gave me this word, because honestly, I'm not really sure what it even means- atleast not in relation to my life and the next year. Plus, I know it was God because I am always on time- usually early- and, well, God was a little late on this one. On January 1st I was tempted to just choose my own word, but then I figured that if the word comes from me and not Him, it's not really worth all the to-do.  Plus, God controls all this time stuff anyways...and I hear that His timing is always perfect.

Perfect it was, indeed. The very day God put this word on my heart, I cashed in a giftcard for the new Needtobreathe album.

I downloaded the c.d. as I rushed out the door to the airport. A few hours later, on the plane to Colorado, fully absorbed in the wonderful that is Needtobreathe, these words rang through my ears and made me want to jump out of my seat and dance:

Days they force you
Back under those covers
Lazy mornings they multiply
But glory's waiting
Outside your window
So wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes
....
Tongues are violent
Personal and focused
Tough to beat with
Your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after broken
So wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes
...
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Come on open up your eyes
(Slumber- Needtobreathe- The Reckoning)

Coincidence or confirmation, only God knows, but I have to say that I am so excited to see how God opens up my eyes this year.

P.S. click here for some ear candy :)