30 things under 30......

*************spoilers from Julie and Julia*********

I had to put spoilers at the top because I talk about some of the plot. There is nothing I hate more than knowing the end of a movie or book before I get the chance to experience it myself. Even the minutest detail. It is that pet peeve which brought this pointless little paragraph. To continue.

Upon graduating college I was feeling rather unaccomplished. I have so many things I want to do in life. It's odd. I was watching Julie & Julia the other night and this was maybe the fourth time I had seen it. Mind you I have rented it each and every time I have watched it, it would be much more economical to just buy it. I digress.

Julie says she feels so lost and lately I have felt much the same. I am at this point in my life where I have no real direction. I'm kind of floating in the water and trying to decide which way to swim. There is this part where Julie is completely crushed because she realizes despite her efforts she has gotten her hopes up for a book contract. I had been thinking about this simple plot twist for several days now. Why? We all have a grandiose dream. That perfect dream we are pretty much positive will never ever happen. Whether that dream is being an author, famous artist, singer, inventor or professional athlete. There are some who go after those dreams and fail and others who go after them and succeed. I've just always assumed I would be the failure. This attitude has kept me from really giving it my best shot.

Believe me, I used to be the classic overachiever. I was salutatorian in high school. I busted my butt studying all the time. I excelled. Yet, I was never the best. When I was younger I wanted to be the next Lisa Leslie. She is one of the best WNBA players if you didn't know but I let asthma get in the way of playing basketball. I let that dream go. Then I wanted to be a great artist. However, I soon discovered this was not the most natural thing. I gave that up. Then I just wanted to be the best in school to get into a good college. I accomplished that. However, the stress left me having the worse episodes because I have Crohn's. College I just wanted a degree and a social life. The thing I had missed in high school because of the grades I strived for. I accomplished that. Now I'm at a Crossroads.

It was with this contemplation I'd remembered a list I made upon graduation of UCF. A list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. I have some catching up to do. I thought however in the moment I'd share.

1. Skydiving
2. White water rafting
3. Bungy jumping
4. Live in another country
5. Visit several coutries
6. Have defined abs
7. Own a big dog
8. Run a marathon
9. Start a new magazine
10. Live in a State other than Florida
11. Learn to surf
12. Own/ride a motorcycle
13. More tattoo's
14. Get belly button pierced
15. Write a book
16. Read all books on the list "100 books by college"
17. Find a job I really enjoy
18. Bowl an average of 150/160
19. Take a seminary class
20. Become closer to God
21. Go on a missions trip
22. Teach someone to really know Christ
23. Help change the world in a tiny way
24. Learn to box
25. Actually hurt my brother once when I punch him
26. Teach a spinning class
27. Motivate/help others with Crohn's
28. Make a pie completely from scratch
29. Horse back riding
30. Swim with dolphins

So of those I've accomplished...12-I've riden on the back of one. Still want to own a motorcycle some day. 14. Loved it even though it closed up after surgery. 20. I think I'm on the way with that...that will always be a work in process. 29. Did this summer with my family in Live Oak. Four down....26 to go. And that puts me on track. I'm also training for that marathon. I'll update this list in another year and let you know how I'm doing.

P.S. I've actually been quite creative this past month and that has been part of the reason I have not been updating. Sorry readers if anyone actually reads this little blog. There will be more coming soon.