My Awesome Niece

#80- Write a letter

I have a rad niece we call Tula. She's my oldest brother's only child and she is pretty great. She's five years old, loves superheroes, thinks scary movies are funny, talks like an adult, and is quite sassy. I love her. Unfortunately, I don't get to see her very often so I decided I would write to her! It was a lot of fun and we've exchanged a few letters over the last couple months. I love it.

The Haunted Corn Maze

#104- Do something I am afraid of

I could claim to accomplish this in a lot of different ways. There have been numerous times over the last few months that I've done something I'm afraid of, but I'm deciding to take the more obvious route and use my haunted house/corn maze experience.

This experience was...interesting...on many levels. First, I scare easily. Second, I scream when things jump at or chase me. Third, it was a haunted house so obviously there was a lot of jumping at and chasing me. Fourth, I tend to get a wee bit bossy when I'm nervous. Fifth, this was on a date.

Yep, this poor gentlemen definitely got to see me at my best that night. I'm surprised he still talks to me after all the yelling at him to stop talking or moving too loudly because then they'll know where we are and come get us (yeah, I take my haunted houses pretty seriously- it's like a survival of the fittest type of thing), all the tugging on his jacket to walk in front of me so he can take the brunt of the onslaught, and the unintelligible cursing and nervous screaming I did. This was definitely one of the best/scariest haunted houses I've been through and it showed.

So sir, and you know who you are, I apologize for that night. But I'm going to be honest- it's never going to get better. I will always be that scared when someone chases me with a chainsaw.

Then again, he probably wouldn't have found us if you had talked quieter...

You know you're in for a treat when someone at the haunted house has obviously asked for a refund for "being too scared"

Be Prepared

#69- Make a 72-hour kit

BUILD A KIT

A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.

Source: http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

Many, many sources have instructed us to make some sore of disaster kit to keep on hand. And like any responsible adult, I promptly ignore them and rely on the notion that nothing bad could happen to me. Yes, I am slightly ashamed to admit that. I decided it was time to actually be prepared because I would much, much rather be safe than sorry. Putting together the 72-hr kit took some time and supply-gathering, but it is definitely worth it. If you don't have one, I strongly suggest finding time to do it NOW- don't put it off and foolishly think you're exempt from all bad things in the world. You never know when you'll need it. Below is a link to a good checklist.

72-Hour Kit Checklist

The Time I Was Sad I Didn't Get Shot

#43- Go paintballing

Part of the reason I wanted to go paintballing was to experience getting shot by a paintball. I've heard it hurts so that should probably deter me from doing it, but I still want to know what it feels like.

I was finally ready- I had prepared myself psychologically for the experience. I entered the playing field filled with adrenaline- I was ready. Then I realized that people don't just casually go play paintball. Turns out its kind of a big deal and something to be taken very seriously. Let's just say the first couple rounds were a blur of me trying to figure out what the heck was going on and how to not get in someone's way.

The last few rounds were a lot better and I actually shot some people! Success! Apparently I'm pretty good at taking cover because no one returned the favor to me...

Back in the Saddle Again

Life has hit me pretty hard these last few months. With a bulldozer. Repeatedly. 

Unfortunately, that meant completing the list was moved from priority #1 to #2,374. But thanks to the persistence of my mother, I've started working on this again and realized that it's exactly the stress relief I've needed. I'm almost done, ladies and gentlemen, and it feels so good.

Honesty is the Best Policy

#110- Tell someone how I truly feel about them

I have the nice-guy syndrome. I don't want to cause contention or make people upset, but it often means I sacrifice a little self-respect. Most of the time I justify it by saying that I need to be kind and choose the better part, but lately I've realized that I also need to be kind to myself and not let people walk all over me. So I've taken to speaking my mind more and not feeling guilty about wanting to be treated better. That being said, it's been a little tough for me to complete this one but I've gotten a lot better at it. I've had to say some things and walk away from some people who I didn't have the healthiest of friendships with, which is difficult for me, but I feel like it will be for the best in the end. I'm hoping this one will stick and I'll find a good balance between honesty and kindness.

November 26, 2014

#31- Go to the zoo

Free day at the zoo = best day ever. Luckily, I have fantastic friends like Stu who put up with me and these random adventures.

I love otters. So, so much.

#112- Go skateboarding

Church parking lots make great skateboard parks.