30 before 30

As you may have noticed, I'm on this "focus on me" kick right now. So what a better way than to think about those things I want to do in the near future.

Typical interview question: "where do you see yourself in the next five years?"

That one's always been tricky for me, because honestly, I don't have a clue what I want to do with the rest of my life. I know that I like my career and that I'm happy with where my life has taken me so far, but of course I'm always striving for the best - not to mention that I'm always craving change.

Of course, this doesn't stop me from creating some goals for myself. I've never been one for a 5-year plan, that's just a disaster waiting to happen - when one piece of that plan doesn't go as, well, as planned, the rest is out the window.

But when I came across my friend's 30 before 30 list, I couldn't resist the challenge to put one together. So, I'm gonna shut up now and give you my list of 30 things I want to accomplish (in no particular order) before I hit the big 3-0. Which, for those who are counting, is more of a 4 year plan given that I just surpassed 26...

1. Get out of debt.

2. Own a dog.

3. Earn my SCUBA certification.

4. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

5. See an outdoor play.

6. Travel to Amsterdam.

7. Get organized.

8. Move out of Cleveland.

9. Swim with dolphins.

10. Take a trip to Angel Falls.

11. Marry the love of my life.

12. Watch the sunrise and sunset on the same day.

13. Jump off the New River Gorge Bridge.

14. Spend a day at the spa.

15. Take my grandfather to dinner.

16. Wander NYC without a plan and see where it takes me.

17. Shoot a hand gun.

18. Travel with my father.

19. Sell some (more) of my photography.

20. Begin writing a book.

21. Be a muse for a photo or portrait.

22. Get a very personal, meaningful tattoo.

23. Write a living will.

24. Learn to dance and do it in public.

25. Get published in a national magazine.

26. Learn to ride a motorcycle (road bike, been there done that with dirt bikes).

27. Invest for my future.

28. Finish a crossword puzzle.

29. Take a wine appreciation course.

30. Learn to let go and stop caring so much what others think.

As you'll notice, some of these I'm well on my way toward accomplishing. This list is very do-able (aside from the crossword puzzle part, not so sure about that one)!

Though as I was generating this list, I came up with other, longer term goals that would be more a part of a bucket list. So I'm adding a #31 to this list:

31. Create a bucket list (see the start of it below):

-Skydive in New Zealand

-Establish and run a 501(c)3 (ideally before 30, but I'm not going to hold myself to that)

-Travel to Rio de Janeiro

-Go on vacation and leave my cell phone at home

-Buy a house

-Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef

-Enter a video contest

-Own a sports car

-Travel to as many destinations on the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die list.

So tell me dear readers, what's on your 30 before 30 list?

Cheers!

-A

Want: A list

this week is busy. so much so that i don't have time for capital letters.

so i'm stealing this quick and dirty little list from ang. of course, i'm changing it up a bit to be the things that i currently want. and, naturally, adding in a little explanation as is pretty standard with me. thanks, love! you're so inspiring :)

want.

• time and money to visit my family in california
• to order my custom freefly suit, but i'm having issues getting in touch with the designer
• a puppy - but i don't think i'm ready for that yet
• to live in the South again. most days, i miss it
• a big project at work, like really big. i'm ready for a new challenge
• to give up artificial sweetener again. that stuff is toxic
• a life that looks as organized as it is. like this
• to continue blogging and writing, and hopefully inspiring a few people along the way!

what are some of your wants?

cheers!

-a

Three questions

Okay, so this list thing seems to be rather popular with my readership, and we all know how much I enjoy making lists - so I'm going to stick with it.

One of my regular reads is over at a blog called Shades of Grey. He's currently in the middle of a question and answer deal, that I fear I'm not popular enough to actually be able to accomplish.

But that's okay, he presented three compelling questions that I'm going to answer!

I'll also pose the question - what else would y'all like to know? - and see if I do, in fact, get any response.

So, here goes. Thanks for the idea, OG!

Q: What is the personality trait you find most/least attractive in the opposite sex?

A: This is difficult, because there are a few things that are equal on both sides of this for me. As far as attractive qualities I'd have to say passion and sense of humor. Passion being someone who has a zest for life, has something that he lives for, and who isn't afraid to show how much he is passionate about me, too. Sense of humor is a must. I like to laugh. Every day. Even if it's only at myself. He has to be able to do the same.

Least attractive is lack of self esteem. I don't want to be with someone I have to scrape off the floor everyday after he beats himself into the ground for not being perfect. But too much confidence leads to arrogance, which is also unattractive. Somewhere in the middle is a nice balance :)

Q: If you could only listen to one musical artist for the rest of time who would it be?

A: This is actually easy. Angels & Airwaves. I have yet to be disappointed. Their music is so versatile too - it's for every mood and it always makes me feel good.

Q: If you had to choose between living in a mansion with everything you need including a personal staff, but with no natural light and you could only go outside for an hour a day or live on a tropical island but you have to catch and prepare your own food and there's no running water or electricity. Which would you choose?

A. I like to think that I'm tough enough to deal with the elements so that I could spend all my time on a tropical island, but let's be honest here - I'm probably not. So I'm going to take the mansion route. BUT, there's a catch here. The mansion MUST be located on a tropical island, walking distance to a runway with a full-time twin otter and pilot on staff, and the house has to be BASE jumpable. This way, I can spend my one hour/day outside with a BASE jump, a quick walk over to the airstrip for a skydive or two before going back inside. I think I could deal with that!

So, what are your answers?

Cheers!

-A

11 little secrets of my own

Okay - so I'm borrowing this idea from Justin Kownacki, mainly because I really, really like his list!

He borrowed the idea from Chris Penn, whose list is also thought provoking, but Justin's hits home for me.

So I've decided to create my own list of secrets to staying happy, healthy, productive and sane. This is a very personal, specific list, but I'll try my best to broaden these secrets to apply to a more general audience - so y'all can relate.

I'm shutting up now. Here's my list:

1. Drink plenty of water. This is first on the list because I can't express how important this really is. When you spend the majority of your time in an office like I do, coffee is often your best friend. But if you don't balance that out with enough H20 your body is going to suffer. Keep from getting sluggish by sipping water throughout the day. Another benefit, you won't be as hungry. Our minds often confuse thirst with hunger. So when you're mildly hungry, try 6-8 oz of water first - then see how you feel!

2. Be pro-life. When I first started my career I was all about spending long hours at the office, working weekends and sacrificing my life so I could get ahead. Sure, I earned promotions, but who wouldn't when all you do is work. My managers started bugging me about getting out, enjoying nice weather, and NOT burning out. After 3 years of nuttiness (yep, that's a word, I just decided) I decided to be pro life and spend a little more time with my hobbies and my boyfriend, and a little less time at the office.

3. Learn how to be a better person from everyone you meet. Yep, even the assholes.....especially the assholes! What a better opportunity to look at someone and say "I know I don't want to be like that." Lucky for me, I live with someone who inspires me every day! Take note of the things you like about the people you like, and learn to adopt some of those qualities. You can be the person you want to be!

4. Spend some time with yourself. This goes along with Justin's secret of being comfortable alone. Take time to learn about you, what you want, who you are. Be comfortable with yourself. You are your biggest critic, sure, but you can also be your biggest advocate, without being arrogant...which brings me to:

5. It's not always about you. You know those people who, in conversation, are just waiting for you to finish your story so they can tell you theirs. Or the people who ask questions like "how was your weekend?" just so they can tell you about what they did? Yeah, don't be that guy. Listening will get you farther in life than you might think. Be humble and pay attention, this will help you with #3.

6. Jump out of airplanes. This is pretty specific to my tastes, but in general, have something that challenges you, and lets you learn about yourself. Skydiving is very meditative for me, I have learned more about myself through this sport than most anything else I've done in life. It's a reminder that I'm stronger than I think!

7. Don't be too hard on yourself. No one is perfect, even though the media wants us to think otherwise. Figure out the type of person you want to be and work hard to be just that. Learn to embrace your quirks and don't put yourself down. It's important to understand that everyone makes mistakes, and we're all going to trip up now and again. Which leads me into number eight...

8. Forgive, but don't forget. Holding onto anger hurts no one but yourself. It takes a lot of energy and brain power to be angry with someone for long periods of time. Say your peace then, if for no one other than yourself, move beyond it. Though this doesn't mean you should forget. Sure, people make mistakes and deserve second chances, but there's a limit to how much you should take. No one should be a pushover.

9. Be active. Do something active every day. Whether it's going to the gym, walking your dog in the park, taking a stroll on the beach, practicing yoga, whatever suits you. But trust me, you'll feel better if you find time to use your body every day.

10. LOVE. Have passion. This really should be number one on the list, because in my life it's certainly the most important. I like that my life is consumed with things that I am passionate about - my job in social media (which I truly enjoy), practicing yoga, going to spinning classes, skydiving, and going home every night to the love of my life. Without these things I'd be lost.

11. Live in the moment. Too often we're looking ahead at what's to come, or dwelling on something from the past. But if you open your eyes and look around, you can learn to truly appreciate the present moment, too.

Now I'm going to tag all the bloggers out there who are reading this! Let's hear your list of secrets. :-)

Cheers!

-A

it's the little things

This is something I find myself saying a lot: "it's the little things," like when you can walk right up to the Red Box without waiting or a new register at the grocery store opens and you get to it first.

Can you tell I don't like to be kept waiting?

Between yesterday and today there have been a number of little things that have really added up to make my day just that much better. And since I'm in the list-making mood, I've decided to share these with you, just for kicks.

1. When you have consumed just the right amount of coffee: enough to keep you energized and focused without making you jittery.

2. Checking items off the to-do list. I love when big projects get tackled and the list starts to get smaller! At least, it makes room for new tasks, anyway. :-)

3. Making the right decision for dinner, and having your partner be excited about that. Enough said!

4. When you wake up in the morning and your hair already looks great. Washing and drying my hair before bed seemed to work in my favor today!

5. When writers block lifts and the words flow with ease.

6. Freshly painted finger nails!

7. Falling asleep on the BFs shoulder. This always makes me happy! (sorry for the sap, but sometimes it's just necessary)

8. When your inbox is cleaned and organized. It's rare, but it feels so wonderful!

9. Starting the day early and being productive! This ties nicely with #2.

Believe it or not, I'm going to end this list at 9. I can't think of a 10th and I'm certainly not going to force it.

So tell me dear readers, what are some of the little things that make your day?

Cheers!

-A

Want list

Right now I'm pretty broke. And let me tell you it sucks. It sucks major cajones.

Naturally, I have a want list the size of Brazil that I can't even afford to think about. But giving that blogging is free I thought I'd day dream about some of the purchases that are on my mind so I can focus on working and saving...

-Travel to some place exotic. Puerto Rico has been recommended on more than one occasion. I also wouldn't mind going here in the near future.

(Rio De Janeiro for those who aren't familiar)

-Pro Track. It's a mildly expensive audible altimeter and electronic log book for skydiving.

-Yoga studio membership. I'm too cheap to take yoga at an actual studio, so my gym's free classes have to do for now.

-Full Face Helmet. Another piece for skydiving. Shocker.

-A puppy. More specifically, one of these. But they come at a price...

-A plane ticket out to see my family in Southern California. I did promise my uncle I'd come out sometime this spring...

-A trip back to Skydive City in Zephyrhills Florida. Skydiving and warm weather...hello!

-Tunnel time. There's no training like wind tunnel training...from what I hear. But time in these tunnel is expensive. I'd like nothing more than to buy an hour with my freefly partner and just spend time learning.

-Clothes. I'm in need of an update. A SERIOUS need. I'm surviving on one pair of jeans I actually like and my work wardrobe rotates a little too quickly. But, I can get by for the time, so I am. I'm just not very happy about it.

Most importantly, and this one, if it plays out properly, shouldn't cost me all that much, I want to put my ambition to use...there's a certification I'd like to earn, if I can find the right people to help me along the way. Here are a couple other inexpensive things I've been dying to get started on - but the resource that is lacking here is time, rather than $$:

-Open an Etsy shop. I've got so many great prints I'd love to sell, it's just a matter of printing, framing and photographing to get things started.

-Get some t-shirts designed on Cafe Press. Unfortunately, I'm relying on finding a designer who's willing to volunteer to help me design a logo for this. It'd be for my other blog, Skydive Chick.com, which to my surprise has taken off...anyone wanna volunteer? Anyone?

-Start flexibility training. This is something I said I'd do throughout the winter and have yet to get anywhere with it. It's like the diet you say you'll start next week. So...I'll start Monday ;-)

-Stay in better touch with my friends. As I've mentioned before, my closest friends are scattered around the country. And though my intentions are good, I do a terrible job of keeping up with them all. Facebook helps, but I just don't pick up the phone enough these days. Sorry y'all, I'll try to be better!

So tell me dear readers, what are some of the things on your current wish list?

Cheers!

-A

Starting 2010 off right

This is something I haven't been doing...

Most people start off a new year with resolutions to eat healthier - the BF and I baked a cake last night and had a piece (or two) at 10 o'clock; start a workout plan - I did just find a new yoga studio on my side of town that I'm already loving, so one point there; or get more sleep - we've been up past midnight the last few night playing Wii or watching old episodes of The Office on Netflix (I got him hooked on my favorite sitcom, oops).

Then there's me. The girl who resolved to clean up her sailor mouth. Which, is going pretty well actually; aside from the moment when I woke up today and realized I'd slept an hour longer than I wanted to.

My attempts at starting work by 7 a.m. have been foiled by the late night Wii playing I suspect. Needless to say, the day started with a giant F bomb.

This morning the BF mentioned in passing that I should have made it a resolution to break my dependence on the snooze button and he's right...there are some things I seriously overlooked when making my resolutions.

Who cares if it's already the 6th. The point is, I'm acknowledging these weaknesses and intend to work on them in the coming months.

So there. *raspberry*

-Clearly, the first on the list is to stop hitting snooze. I'll allow myself one snooze per day from here on out.

-Drink more water - I feel like I've been dehydrated ever since New Years. The soda drinking has come to an abrupt halt as well, so that should help.

-Get out of debt - this is huge and really should have been at the top of my resolution list from the beginning. It's very doable.

-Be in the moment - and appreciate the moment. Even the not-so-great moments. We so often fall into the trap of looking ahead, and sometimes, dwelling on the past, when there are amazing things happening right under our noses in the present time. This is a piece of advice I recently received and it's a damn good one, if you ask me. So, I'm going to try to live by it!

-Actually stick to my to-do lists - I love making lists (as you can tell) but I often set them aside when I get busy. So, let's try this again. It certainly won't be happening with this list ;-)

There are a lot of current projects in the works so I need to make sure that I take care of myself and stay on the ball with these resolutions. Baby steps to improvement...

And, just for shits and giggles, here's a picture from NYE. It started out as a decent photo - then our friend Tim took a flying leap onto the BF.

How are your resolutions going so far?

Cheers!

-A

p.s. - by popular request, I'm starting to add a little more of myself back into this blog. So keep coming back to catch up on the shenanigans of my life.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

...or some crap like that.

Yes, I realize just how much I've been sucking as a blogger lately. My days have been consumed with an ever increasing workload and my weekends have been spent traveling to dropzones and skydiving as much as possible before the winter sets in. If you're interested in any of that, you can visit SkydiveChick.com and read my latest post here.

Anyhow, enough of this self-promotional BS....

My personal life has been nuts lately too. There's been some much going on, preparing for my big brother's wedding, trying to get organized, keeping up on bills and chores, trying to stay in touch with friends, and now with football season beginning, I'm being pulled in a ton of different directions.

Which makes the whole getting organized thing quite difficult. I told myself once that it could wait until the winter, when I wasn't skydiving and had plenty of time on my hands. But I'm starting to see this as a desperate need.

Unfortunately there's not a free weekend in sight to conquer this feat. 

But, I have accomplished a lot in the last month. Remember my post about summer goals where I mentioned the things I still wanted to cross off that list things that would make the end of the year a success? Well, let's revisit that, shall we?

1. Be a better vegetarian. CHECK. This has worked out better than I imagined. I splurged once since I made this vow, and had one boneless wing at Buffalo Wild Wings during a weekend away. Otherwise, I've been a highly committed vegi!

2. Get some tunnel time. 1/2 CHECK. It's on the list of upcoming weekend festivities. Just haven't cashed in on that one quite yet. 

3. Get back into yoga. FAIL. I had good intentions, really I did. Though in my defense, I have been doing some practice on my own, a few sun salutations every day to stretch out and relax. But haven't been back to a class in quite some time. This will be a winter commitment.

4. Attend two tailgates. 1/4 CHECK. Good intentions exist here too. Though I'm not sure it'll happen. I'm going to Bridge Day on MSU's homecoming this year, and my brother's wedding is on U of M weekend... maybe some of the later games? :-/

5. Visit the cider mill. 1/2 CHECK. I have plans with a friend to make the trip sometime this fall. But with the amount of time I'll be at my parent's place in the next couple weeks, there's no reason why this won't happen.

6. Take a trip to Wisconsin. Um, well. That could still happen, right?

Oh, and I did mention that I want to get my B license by the end of the season, and yes sir, I DID IT!

So see, I've gotten some of these things taken care of....

What do you want to accomplish before the end of fall?

Cheers!

-A

It'll take you back

Guess what? I'm back in the Big Apple again!

GASP!!!

Huge surprise there, right? Given that Manhattan has become my home away from home these past 6 months.

Anywhosits. As I sit here, catching up on my Google Reader, I came across a post from my blogger buddy Susan over at Transient Travels. (She writes an amazing travel blog...a must read.)

Her most recent post entitled, "When Music Takes you Places" really hit home with me. 

As a lover of music and someone who finds memories attach easily to sound  - only beaten by smell in my book - I found there to be an endless number of songs that correlate to specific events or past times in my life.

So rather than record them all in Susan's comments, I thought I'd steal her post idea and make a list of my own.

What do ya think about that?!

Ha. Right, like I care what you think. I'm making the list anyway!

When I hear AC/DC's Thunderstruck I'm instantly back in Spartan Stadium, pre-game in the student section, back before they started using clips from the movie 300. This was a huge crowd booster as Sparty beat down the mascot from the opposing team.

As I mentioned to Susan, Untouched by The Veronicas takes me back to the Cessna-185 that I jump from at Cleveland Parachute. Somehow it's become the song I sing to myself as I climb to my knees and mentally prepare before each jump.

No Sunlight by Death Cab for Cutie takes me back to last year's trip to San Francisco. Actually, the entire Narrow Stairs album reminds me of my time in the city and the trip up to wine country. 

If I want to travel back to my high school band camp days (shut up) all I have to do is turn on Hysteria by Def Leppard and I'm back on the top bunk, curled up with Marilyn Manson's autobiography and relaxing from a day of field marching (shut up!).

Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls takes me back to a summer pool party I had in high school. It definitely reminds me of a more innocent time. Though I still have a little crush on Johnny!

Fall Out Boy's Thanks for the Memories has strong ties to when I first moved to Cleveland and some decisions I made along the way. Enough said.

Rihanna's Disturbia is by far one of her best, and will always remind me of the 10 days I spent in New York City, gallivanting around Manhattan and hosting a week long even in Chelsea. 

So tell me dear readers, what songs bring back vivid memories from your past?

Cheers!

-A

It's already a quarter over!

My life, that is.

This week I turn 25. Ugh, just looking at that statement makes me throw up in my mouth a little. What the hell happened to "the best years of my life" or whatever?

Rather than dwell on the fact that I'm now an adult - with the ability to rent a car at standard pricing - I've decided to make some changes and set some goals for myself along the way.

Sort of like New Year's Resolutions for the 25th year of life, if you will. I'll be damned if the quarter-life crisis is going to overtake this girl. *insert double thumb point in my direction*

It's time now to take a look at the direction I'm heading and make the necessary alterations. After all, I really only have 5 more good years in me before things stop functioning properly.

Hello adult diapers!

I kid, I kid.

But by the time 30 hits I'd like to have accomplished a lot and be well on my way to having the life I've always dreamed.

Like, for instance, focusing my attention on the people in my life. I've spent the majority of the last three years focusing solely on my career - and the four years before that on getting a career, and the four years before that getting into school so I can get a career...you get the point.

Now, with the addition of the SO and his wonderful family, planned trips with the old college crew, my brother getting married to the love of his life, and my beyond supportive friends and family who have seen me through moves across the country and back - and are still in my life, mind you - it's about time I threw a little of my positive energy in their direction.

The older I get the more I realize just how important the people who support you are to your success. It's true that I'm not going to be lying on my death bed wishing I spent more time working. Thank heaven for my employers encouragement of a work/life balance.

Here are a few other goals I intend to accomplish in my 25th year of life:

1) Run a 1/2 marathon. I've been saying it for the last few years and have been hindered by injuries every time. I think I've got the training figured out - now it's time to follow through. Chicago, here I come!

2) Get my skydiving license. I'm going for my A by the end of the summer. Then I can jump anywhere I travel. Maybe my B license by 26?

(I dream of one day being on a team like this)

3) Take on a new challenge at work. I need something to get me out of my comfort zone, that's where I grow the most. I will find this project.

4) Get my finances in order. Lately, I've been a whole lot of talk and not a lot of action on this front. And with my rather expensive hobbies saving hasn't been easy. To be out of debt and living comfortably by 26 is the goal.

5) Read a book every month. This might be a long shot, but I really want to get back into my reading habit. 

6) Focus on my health. This is the time to get and stay healthy. It won't always be this easy.

 

I'm sure there are more, but that's a good start, and I've got a couple more days to lay out all these goals.

So tell me dear readers, what are some of your goals for the next year?

Cheers!

-A

Little bit of everything

Today feels pretty random, so here's a random mess of stuff about today.

I'm currently in love with:

-Anberlin. I can't get enough of their music. Especially from the Cities album.

-The West Side Market. This has become a regular Saturday morning venue.

-Skydiving. But I'm sure y'all know that by now. Solo jump on Saturday!

-The Tweetie iPhone application. I often update from my phone even when TweetDeck is right in front of my face.

-The SouperMarket. Not only some of the best soup on the planet, but they have fabulous salads, too. My favorite is the Tomato Ginger with a Market Greens salad. There's one in Ohio City and Lakewood. Score!

Confessions:

-I often read my horoscope. Today's is spot on as it addresses my desire for change. It suggested wearing lavender eye shadow today. So I did. That's slightly embarrassing.

-When SmartWater is on sale I buy it because I think it tastes better than any other water - even though deep down I know it's from a tap somewhere.

-I cheated on my vegetarianism this weekend with lots of meat and cheese. And honestly, it wasn't that satisfying.

-Most everyone I know thinks I have no brain to mouth filter. In reality, there's a lot I consciously don't say.

-Ice cream makes my stomach hurt, but I eat it anyway because I love it so much.

-Mornings are extremely productive for me, but if I were you, I'd never, ever talk to me before I have two cups of coffee.

-I've had to start wearing my glasses at work. I think my computer is ruining my vision.

I wish...

-...I had the money to visit Dallas every couple months. I miss my friends.

-...there were more hours in the day so I could have more time to be lazy. (That should probably be in the confessions section, eh?)

-...I could see my dad every day.

-...there wasn't so much clutter. It feels like I'm always cleaning.

-...I wasn't turning 25 this week.

-...someone was watching over my finances, making sure I could stick to my budget.

I'm excited for:

-Dinner at Mesa Grill on Wednesday.

-Finishing ground school so I can solo jump this weekend.

-Visiting my family at home this summer.

-NHL playoffs. My 'Wings have a good shot at the cup again this year!

What are some of your random tidbits this morning?

Cheers!

-A

And of course - we can't forget the random comic of the day. In honor of Monday - Dilbert!

Quiz or obsession?

I have a confession to make.



You know those little quizzes that seem to be popping up by the minute in your Facebook news feed?



Secretly, I love them. And no, it's not because I give a crap about your answers...kidding, you know I love you... But I complete them every time I see a new one that catches my eye.



Though I never, ever have them published - just so no one knows my little secret. Until now that is.



I'm not sure what it is about these things, but they are just so much fun. In high school I was always the girl who would get those really long e-mail surveys, fill them out with gusto and forward on to all my friends. It was an obsession, to say the least.



And now, Facebook isn't helping my need to find out stupid personality quirks based on questions like: what's your favorite Jelly Belly flavor? It's tutti-frutti in case you were wondering.



Anywhooo...



Given that I've never made these public, I thought this might be the perfect venue for sharing. So without further adieu, here is my personality according to Facebook.



Q: What breed of dog are you?

A: Golden Retriever

You are fun, loving and kind to others. You are very outgoing and love to meet new people. You are a faithful friend and sympathetic and understanding of others and their needs. You can be full of energy, but know how to relax and take it easy as well. You thrive when you are around the people that you love. You are golden in both personality and heart. You are something special, so don't stop being who you are!

And this is totally one of my favorite breeds ever.



Q: What color is your heart? (who comes up with this crap?)

A:Violet

The Violet Heart is resourceful, thorough, dependable, responsible, loyal, patient, placid, stable, sensual, affectionate, comfortable, solid, earthy, strong, money-oriented, practical, productive, cautious, musical, and artistic. They can also sometimes be stubborn, indulgent, insecure, acquisitive, possessive, rigid, stodgy and slow.

I dunno about the slow part, but I'm definitely stubborn and indulgent!



Q: How Texan are you?

A: A little bit Texas



The whole not owning a gun thing definitely set me back on this scale. But there's so much more to being a Texan at heart.







Q: What Periodic Element are you?

A: Iron

You are strong in character, emotions, ethics and physically. People who know you believe you are reliable and steady. You say what you mean and you will follow through with it because you weighed the positives and negatives of the commitment before you even said yes. Life may though difficulties your way but you are able to cope with them because of your strength.

Iron seemed scary at first, but I like what it's got to say.



Q: What Hills character are you?

A: Whitney Port



I'm not a regular watcher, is this good?



What Facebook quizzes have you taken lately? Oh c'mon, fess up. You know you have!



Cheers!



-A

But...it won't fit in that bucket.

In reflecting on my amazing weekend with the lovely Christina, a conversation about our bucket lists comes to mind.



This was a branch off from a previous discussion about passions - and living for what you're passionate about, and most importantly, finding someone to share your life with that's equally passionate about something....anything.



Most definitely an important quality - but that's a topic for another day.



Given that we've been skydiving, multiple times now, that's a scratch off the ole bucket list for both of us. But a question that came to mind is this: can you alter your list? Because now, my ambition has changed - instead of "go skydiving" can I change my list to reflect my desire to earn my USPA license?



It also got me to thinking more about the other things that I hope to experience in this life.



Up until now, I really haven't developed such a list.



Shocker right? The queen of obsessive list making doesn't have a list of things she wants to accomplish in this lifetime? WHAT?!?



I guess the closest I've come to doing so is through my New Year's Resolution making each year.



Well it's about damn time that changed. So I'm starting one. Right here. In public.



Because who better to share this with than y'all?



While my list doesn't nearly compare - what can I say, I just don't have the guts to try out for a show like Survivor -here’s a snippet of what I’ve got so far:



1) Skydive Earn my B skydiving license from the USPA.



2) Teach a creative writing course.



3) Eat sushi in Japan.



4) Attend SXSW and Austin City Limits.



5) Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.





6) Ride in a hot air balloon.



7) Visit the Taj Mahal.



8) Ski the Rockies.



9) Own a dog.



10) Volunteer at a soup kitchen.



11) Learn the last dance from Dirty Dancing.



12) Visit Rio de Jenero.







13) Hold a koala bear in Australia.



14) Run a marathon.



15) Swim with dolphins.



16) Complete a HALO skydive.



17) Throw fish in Seattle.

18) Recycle and become more Green.



19) Visit the zen and lotus gardens in Kyoto, Japan.



20) Win the lottery.



This is just a small glimpse at my list. What can I say, as I started putting it together my ambitions started rolling in.



And of course, some of these I've completed, like skiing in the Rockies, and many of them require world travel - some are even dreams that may never come true (ahem, the lottery. But I'm trying, and you gotta play to win, and someones gotta win so you never know...).



This is a list that will definitely continue to grow and maybe even change over time.



So tell me dear readers, what's on your bucket list, and what have you already been able to cross off?



Cheers!



-A

Confined to a padded room

That's where I should be right about now.

Typically, I'm not much of a clumsy person - sure, I have my blonde moments as expected, but they usually don't put myself or others in danger.

Well I'm not entirely sure what's going on today, but there has been a string of events this morning that has me concerned for what's to come.

-When I opened the refrigerator to get water to take to work, a very juicy melon rolled out and splattered it's stickiness all over the floor and my feet. Then I hit myself in the shin with the door. And I never did get any water.

-In an effort to give my pasty white legs a little boost of color before the cruise, I sprayed on some self-tanner last night. Not only did I manage to produce unnatural orange streaks that spiral down my legs, but the bottoms of my feet are now officially Longhorns fans. Who knew walking barefoot in the bathroom post-spray was a bad idea?

-While getting out of my car I caught the heel of my shoe on my seat belt - don't ask how - and twisted my knee. Pretty sure the popping sound that ensued wasn't healthy.

-Upon opening my yogurt cup, I was welcomed by three large splatters projectliling onto my face.

-Since I never did get water at home, I stopped at a store in my building to get a bottle. After paying I managed to knock over the bottle on the counter, subsequently spilling the entire community penny tray onto the counter and the floor.

-With all the commotion this morning I forgot to put on makeup. Luckily I carry a few staples with me in case of emergency. Let's just say I still can't remove all the particles of mascara that made it into my right eye and leave it at that, shall we?

And now I have to do my best to concentrate at the office while remaining relatively injury free. Oy, it's going to be a long day.

Cheers!

-A

My very own confessional

In sticking with my recent list theme, it seemed like a good idea to get a few things out in the open.

Believe it or not, I have flaws.

*GASP* - I know, you couldn't believe it either.

But believe it people, and there's more than you might think. Some of which I seriously need to work on.

And what a better way to kick my ass into gear than to share these issues on the interwebs for all to see, and subsequently mock me for.

No, ending sentences with prepositions is not on the list...apparently it should be.

Oh Lord -- on that note:

1) I am a social media over-sharer - as you're about to find out first hand.

2) Sometimes I like really bad music - currently, I'm listening to Nickelback's "Gotta be somebody." Yes, as someone who preaches her hatred for this group, I'm extremely embarrassed!

3) I procrastinate constantly - not just at work, but generally in life as well. Last year my boss told me I was an adrenaline junkie during my review. I'm pretty sure he wasn't complimenting me.

4) After the SO sleeps over, I use his pillow - it still smells like him, and for some reason that makes falling asleep a little easier. Sorry for the mush...but it's true.

5) My spending is OUT OF CONTROL - how is it possible that the economy is doing so bad when I'm out there feeding it daily?! This needs to be nipped in the bud immediately! Saving tips appreciated...

6) Keeping in touch with friends is hard - unfortunately, after college my friends and I scattered across the country for job offers, because even back then jobs in Michigan were scarce. And now we're all so busy with our careers and separate lives that phone calls are few and far between. Luckily this summer some of us are having a little reunion in LA, but that's not enough to tide me over. I dream everyday about living in the same city with them again....sigh.

7) It's rare that I disconnect - from phone, Internet, I even have Facebook on my Blackberry - probably for the reason above. I fear losing touch altogether. Though I never, ever take my phone into the gym or on a run with me. Gotta have some Ashley time every now and again.

And with #7 we loop back into being an online over-sharer. Though y'all seem to enjoy it so maybe I'm doing something right, eh?

So tell me dear readers, as I walk away slightly red in the face, what confessions do you have to share with us? C'mon, don't leave me blushing alone.

Cheers!

-A

More of the good stuff

It's Monday again, can you believe it? Where did the weekend go?

Oh, that's right. I spent mine in a car.

Given that Christmas was the last time I visited my parents in Michigan, I forgot how draining these quick trips can be. And this time was even quicker than usual.

Leaving on Saturday morning really puts a dent in the amount of quality time with the fam. But what can I say, yoga was calling my name and knowing that I've gotta be ready for beach wear in less than a week, I really couldn't deny this need.

After arriving home I had just enough time to chat with the 'rents before heading out again to get my hair did. Oh and in case you care I'm a blonde again...whew! I definitely feel more like myself.

And after my appointment I decided to do a little more cruise shopping - I was already in the mall, after all.

Speaking of spending, I really need to get my budget in order after this vacation. Know of any good financial advisers?

Anyhow, lucky for me by the time I got back, a vegetarian pizza from my favorite joint back home - Deluca's - was waiting for me on the table.

Well, there goes the yoga class....but it was definitely well worth it. Yumm...

But the heavy dough put me to bed early. And in an effort not to miss my Spartans beat down on USC yesterday evening, I left Michigan earlier than anticipated. Sorry Mom and Dad. I promise to come back soon!

But in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to make some additions to my list of The Good Stuff that I started earlier this month. Because, let's be honest here, there's lost of good stuff out there.

• Shirts straight out of the dryer. No matter how warm it is outside, donning a freshly dried hoodie always feels amazing. And it smells great too!
• Trips on the company dime. This stems from my recent week spent in NYC. I love visiting that city. But it's expensive. So traveling there for work is always welcome as I get to stay for free. Sure, I spend the majority of the time working, but those little moments of downtime make it all worth it.
• When a Barista learns your order. I love the Starbucks in my building. More than that, I love the fact that two of the Baristas know what I'm going to order. It definitely makes you feel like a valued customer.
• An unexpected March Madness upset. Even when I didn't call it in my bracket, this is great to see. Like Cleveland State beating out Wake on Friday. Or Siena almost beating Louisville. And we all remember George Mason's run to the Final Four 3 years ago. Gotta love a great underdog victory!
• Being a regular. Whether it's a bar, restaurant or even a store, being a regular somewhere has it's perks. You know there's always something you're going to like, you can bring friends and family to share in the experience and it never gets old, and sometimes even discounts are involved...just because they know you.
• Perfect hugs. Let's be honest here, I'm a hugger. Friends, family, even people I've just met. And nothing beats a good hug. You know what I'm talking about. You're with a significant other and you find that spot that's just so comfortable you never want to let go. Yeah...that's what I'm talking about.
• Natural blue. You know the color I mean - when you look up and say to yourself, "wow, the sky is really blue today." Or when you go on vacation and the water is this bright blue - almost turquoise - and yet when you walk in it's crystal clear. There's no color in the world like it.

Can you tell my brain has already checked out on vacation. Sorry y'all. I'm sure it's getting a little old. But there will be plenty of encounter stories when I get back. And of course, a Photography Friday with lots to share.

What'd y'all do this weekend? What are your additions to The Good Stuff?

Cheers!

-A

We'll see about that

Life has been rather random lately. Not that I'm complaining - it keeps me on my toes, which I like.

You know what else I like, lists. This should come as no surprise to most of you. Just check out the number of posts labeled "lists" on this blog, that should tell you something. Or don't. I certainly wouldn't if I were you. It's much easier to take my word for it.


But this is not about my laziness.

I highly recommend, if you're also a lover of listing, that you check out this list of ways to acquire peace and happiness. It made me happy just reading it. This also happens to be from one of my favorite photography blogs, Shutter Sisters. You should definitely check back often for some great photography.

Oh wait, maybe it is about my laziness after all - I'm not even writing my own list.

Okay, okay - I'm sure I can come up with some random stuff.

What I really should be doing is making a list of all the crap that needs to be taken care of before my trip like buying sunscreen and getting cash from the ATM - because, really, who carries cash these days...certainly not me. Though this is hardly the venue for that type of list...y'all don't need to waste your time reading that boring drivel.

But I'm sure there are some things I can complain about in the meantime - to help balance out the peace and happiness stuff, anyhow.

Hmm...let's see.....................

Okay, so we're in the process of moving our office to another building right now and the office is so cluttered, and my personal office is half packed and the disorganization of it all is driving me bonkers.

Not to mention the fact that at home I'm only half unpacked from last week's New York trip and I've already started piling up items to take on the cruise - so my apartment is pretty messy too.

Today started with an early deadline which I took care of from home. It felt like a good start to the day - you know those days when you wake up and you're all like, "yeah, I own today. I'm going to kick today's ass." That thought was derailed the moment this intense, nagging headache set in. I'm not a girl who gets headaches, so this is rough.

Shut up, Thursday. I can hear you laughing. Don't be a bitch. Sure, you're whooping my ass now, but the day's not over. I have Advil and Enya on my side...you haven't won yet, Thursday.

Though it would help if the atmosphere was a little more serene around here. With all the disassembling of office furniture there's a lot more banging, stomping and power tool noise than usual.

Don't even get me started on the abundance of moving men walking past my office. Guess I won't be able to get in my usual 2 p.m. nap, eh? Just kidding, just kidding. Though I did used to work for someone who did this daily. Seriously. But that's a story for another day.

If there wasn't so much work to be done I wouldn't have to concentrate so hard. Not that I should be complaining.These days, lots of work is a good thing. But I am doing everything in my power not to mentally check out before next Friday. It's tough. I'm in desperate need of a vacation. Haven't had a real vacation since college...over three years ago.

Wow, I'm old.

On that note, it's time to excuse myself and show Thursday what I'm made of.

What's on your random list this week?

Cheers!

-A

*Editors Note: see I told you I could use my brain and make a list...random as it may be, it's highly appropriate to my current state.

Things about spring

As I look out my window at the rising sun, the corners of my mouth are turning up slightly - yes, just slightly, I haven't had my coffee yet, alright - because it's starting to feel like spring is here.

Living in the North, a frozen tundra from November until March, April, or even May, sometimes it can feel like the warmth will never come. Of course, once the 80+ degrees and 99 percent humidity of mid-summer hits it's easy to forget the cool breeze that accompanies a crisp winter morning.

When it comes down to it, I tend to be a fan of the North. I know, I know. After this brutal winter I must sound f-ing crazy. But truth of the matter is, it's only socially acceptable to take off so many clothes before you just have to suffer the heat and sweat it out, but you can always put on more clothing...

Yeah...now you see my point, eh?

If not, come back in the heat of the summer and then tell me how you feel about it.

Anyhow, so not the point.

Spring has a way of getting me excited - in more ways than one.

Now would be a good time to remove your head from the gutter, because I'm talking about a few other little gifts of spring that I enjoy:

Daylight savings. Now, I know I bitched about this last week, because it definitely threw me off - way more than it ever has before - but I do love the longer daylight hours at night, and honestly, it's great to get out of bed and head to work when it's still dark in the morning.

Leaving the windows open. At the house, in the car. Oh how I love the feel of spring breeze.

Warm rain. Though most of the year I bitch incessantly when it rains, a good spring rain has this way of making everything green, and it smells so refreshing. It's also pretty great to run in - and speaking of running...

Running outside. Sure, I do this on occasion in the winter, when the roads aren't icy and I know I won't kill myself. But it's so much more pleasant in the warmer months and your lungs aren't screaming from sucking in the below zero wind chills.

NCAA basketball. Can you say March Madness?



Seasonal fruits and veggies. Seeing ripe avocado in the grocery store makes me want to make a big batch of guacamole, pick up a case of Corona and throw a party for my friends out on my porch. Oh wait, I just might do that...



Baseball season. Though I've never been much of a follower, because 100+ games a season is just too much to handle, baseball screams American fun. Watching the sport on TV is out of the question for me - there's just not enough going on and the men aren't pretty enough to watch chewing and spitting and scratching in the dugout - but going to games with a group of friends is always a great time. What's even better, I'm an Indian's fan! So for once I can actually watch a sport with my friends in this town and be cheering on the same team. W00t!

(Front row, upper deck at Game 3 of the ALCS in 2007. Last play before the win!)

Peaceful walks to the park, sitting by the lake. The park is just a short walk from my apartment, and the first summer I moved here I found this great little spot to perch on a rock by the lake. It's secluded and really helps me clear my head.

(A shot from perched atop my favorite rock.)

Patios. Come springtime everyone is out and about. In the North, 40 degrees means shorts weather for some. And you gotta love when all the bars open up their patios for the summer. There's nothing like a refreshing beer on the patio with good friends.

Flip Flops. Enough said.



Of course, these are all in addition to the obvious benefit of being able to walk outside without snot freezing to your face.

So tell me dear readers, what is your favorite spring past time?

Cheers!

-A

To-do list

Well, I'm half way through my stint in New York and I've barely put a dent in my to-do list.

It wasn't long, but aside from actual work, there were a few things I needed to accomplished while I was here:

1) Grand Central Photo Shoot - this has partially happened. But one of the best parts of Grand Central Station is the lighting, and honestly, that wasn't quite right yesterday. I'll be heading back tomorrow or Friday I hope.



2) Chelsea Market Visit - the intent was to go this morning after a run, neither of which happened. Maybe I can sneak out for lunch? I'm desperately in need of some Ninth Street Espresso and a tall glass of chocolate milk - the best of which is only found at CM.


3) Local Shopping - this isn't completely necessary, but being in the Big Apple it's just one of those things to do. Plus, I could really use a few things before the upcoming vacation. It's penciled in for after work today, we'll see how well that works in my favor.



4) Hotel Runs and Workouts - this is my being obsessive over not gaining weight before the aforementioned cruise and an attempt to stay somewhat on a normal schedule. And given that I'm staying at a pretty fabulous hotel right next door to Grand Central, they've got a well-stocked gym. Monday was a bust, but last night I made it. Fingers crossed for three more before the week's over.



5) A night out with colleagues - has been scheduled! I'm lucky to have some kick-ass co-workers in our office here that have decided on a night on the town the day before I head home. Looking forward to a great dinner and plenty of wine tomorrow night.



So maybe I'm not doing so bad after all. Though it doesn't seem like I've accomplished much yet, I have a good feeling that I'll walk away satisfied with the trip and content with my NYC fix for the time being.

Cheers!

-A