The List...

2010 was an eventful year, with ups and downs. I have learned a great deal and have become a stronger person. One thing 2011 is sure to bring...another decade to my life. I am not where I thought I would be, but the time has come to close that book and start a new one. That being said, the list was born...30 Things to do before 30! My mission: List 30 things I would like to do, experience, and change before my 30th birthday. The Rules: The list began on December 25th and was completed by midnight on the first day of the year. All the tasks of the list must be marked off by midnight on May 1st, my 30th Birthday. The list is not about how many places I can visit or how much I can spend. It is a "soul building" challenge to myself. Each item on the list means something to me and may be completed in a broad manner, but never the less, will be completed. So here is the list...

1. Be-friend a stranger
2. Re-connect with old friends
3. Make new friends
   
4. Go out on my own
5. Read to Brylee
6. Leave the past behind
7. Go back to church
8. Visit Nana more
9. Get rid of what I don't need
10. Take a road trip
11. See something beautiful
12. Learn something new
13. Take pictures
14. Make a new playlist
15. Do something kind for someone I don't know
16. Eat sushi
17. Plan a date with myself
18. Drive a really cool car
    
19. Send something I have written for publication
    
20. Do something I am afraid of
    
21. Visit a state I have never been to
    
22. Go to a casino
    
23. Apologize to someone from my past
    
24. Trim the fat
    
25. Do something I would rarely do
    
26. Stand in the grass
    
27. Complete this list
    
28. Save mementos of this journey
29. Hit the re-start button
    
30. Fall in love (remember this is broad and could mean a lot of things, so don't everyone start freaking out!)

Let the games begin!

God's Plan

When it is happening, we rarely see God's plan. It's after the plan comes together that we see what He wanted for us. One hour before school released for Christmas break, I signed a full-time teacher contract. God's plan has been for me to be at this school, with these students, and these teachers. He had a place for me and was waiting for that door to open.

Roller Coasters

As I was flipping through movies on Netflix I came across Parenthood and laughed to myself. I got to thinking about the movie and how it's so easy for just about anyone to relate in some way. One of my favorite aspects of the movie is the story the elderly grandmother tells about a roller coaster ride..."I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it." That's life for you. Strapped to a metal seat being jerked in all directions. At some points during the ride we are frightened, scared, and sick. Other times we are excited, thrilled and ready to throw our arms in the air in joy, only to grab hold again at the next turn.

The past year has taken me on one hell of a roller coaster ride with downward falls and anticipation for the ride back up. The past few weeks have possibly been some of the hardest with the start of school just around the corner. I walked into work on Saturday, thinking to myself that I was too old and educated to be working a closing shift at the mall on tax-free weekend. I know that next exciting turn is just around the corner and possibly even right infront of me. I am a strong believer in "the master plan" and I know I'm on one even if I can't see the big picture just yet. I have had some high hopes that didn't play out in my favor, but maybe my plan wasn't the right one. Maybe, just maybe, God is answering my prayers as we speak and the picture isn't clear yet. My hopes are high and my spirit is strong, so I'm tightening my seatbelt and white-knuckling it for that next ride back up the roller coaster!