So far so good

Update... so far so good...

1. Learn a dance
2. Make a $30 donation to a charity
3. Make a list of 30 accomplishments done before 30
4. Touch my toes
5. Write a book \ get an article published
6. Drive a Porsche
7. Do something meaningful for society
8. Volunteer (8 out of 30 done)
9. Get a tattoo
10. Swim with dolphins
11. Invent something
12. Learn sign language
13. Lear to cook 3 new meals
14. Earn a shirt with my name on it
15. Go on the field at a professional baseball game
16. Motorcycle to the shore
17. Visit a castle
18. Go to my ancesters town in Italy
19. Skateboard
20. Learn the drums
21. Go to a Union game- see every pro sport
22. Learn AutoCAD
23. See a rocket launch
24. Travel alone

If you have any ideas for me to add to the list or if you can help with one of the goals, let me know!

Right Place at the Right Time

Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time. This week I had one of those moments and I need to add it to my list because it was a once in a lifetime experience. I was not doing any activity one evening while on vacation, so I decided to go for a walk. While I was walking I saw what looked like a bright single firework that never popped. This bright flash of light went all the way into the sky and had a clear trail of smoke behind it. I passed a very nice Disney worker who had stopped what he was doing to watch too. I asked what it was and it turned out to be a space shuttle. I was so excited! (That's how you know Im a geek at heart because I was thrilled that I witnessed it). The worker said they see them sometimes because of how close they are to Cape Canaveral. In the future, maybe I can go see a launch from up close. Even if I never do though, I saw this one just because I was looking in the right direction at the right instant.

Here is a video of the Delta IV with information and pictures from up close.

I did not have a camera with me when I saw the rocket. By the time I ran to my room and got my camera and ran back, it looked like this. You see the wavy cloud looking thing to the right of the crane? That was the smoke trail after a few minutes. You are just going to have to take my word for it.

 

Goal accomplished: See a rocket launch--check! 8 down, 22 to go!

Swimming with Dolphins

During my vacation I spent a day at Discovery Cove. Discovery Cove is basically a really nice fake beach where you can go swimming with dolphins, fish, and sting rays (They also have exotic birds but who wants to waste their time on birds when you can be with water animals... not me). It was cold and rainy that day but I enjoyed it anyway. The dolphin I got to ride on was named Coral. I was surprised by how strong the dolphins felt. I guess I expected them to be more delicate. Swimming with dolphins has always been something I have wanted to try, but I actually really enjoyed swimming with the sting rays. Sting rays are my favorites when I go to the aquarium, so I have pet them before. It is totally different though when you are in the tank with them. I was snorkeling around looking at all the fish around me and all of a sudden there was a sting ray right there touching my legs. Its definitely something you only experience once, if ever.

Me and Coral

 

 

Goal accomplished: Swim with Dolphins--check! 7 down, 23 to go!

Flying Solo (Literally and Figuratively)

While traveling alone was never on my "to-do" list, it is something I am proud of myself for accomplishing. I am also happy that I was able to try it this year during my year of growth. And I have to say, it was a success! I booked the trip alone, traveled on all sorts of public transportation, made plans for recreation activities and ate alone. I was nervous because I don't do many of those things often. Really the trick to traveling alone is just read everything. If you read the emails, the pamphlets, and signs, a smart person can find their way around. In the end it turned out to be very relaxing and I am happy to be able to say I went on vacation and handled everything alone.

Here I am with Mickey!

 

Goal accomplished: Travel alone--check! 6 down, 24 to go!

Suzy Homemaker

Let me just start by saying I do not like cooking. I get grossed out by the look of a lot of raw food and I hate dishes. With that being said, its about time I learned to make a few things. Up until now, I could make the basics... any sort of macaroni, Mexican, and chicken. I can also grill and microwave. I am so sick of the same meals over and over again though. A few weeks ago, my mom helped me make spaghetti sauce from scratch. (Consider the torch passed). In that experience I realized that trying to do it exactly like my mom would drive me crazy, since she is a "just add a little bit" type of cooker. I resigned myself to the fact that I am a planner. I am never going to be able to just whip something up with that I have at home. But I can read a recipe, make a list, and follow directions. So that is exactly what I did today. I made pork chops with baked potatoes and risotto with shrimp all by myself. I read the recipe, deciphered what I thought my mom was trying to say in them, then followed the directions. Piece of cake! Mmm!

 

Goal accomplished: Learn to make 3 new meals--check! 5 down, 25 to go!

More Community Service

Today I did 3 more hours of volunteer work. It was way easier and more fun than my last community service adventure. First off, it was run by a friends church group. I had never met them before but they were all very welcoming and thankful for the help. The work itself was also easier. I helped carry bags, set up tents and tables, and paint kids faces at a Wellness Fair. I'd call it a success.

This is the shirt they had me wear so that people would know I was there to help.

 

8 hours of community service complete, 22 to go!