bucket list: part three

I was going to introduce my new blog series that will begin 16th today but by the time I finished up my homework, spent some quality time with my parents and the dogs and checked my e-mail I got extremely tired.  So instead, I'm giving you another installment to my bucket list, a couple of these might be a bit weird and/or surprising I think...

• explore Pompeii Ever since I watched the episode of Destination Truth when they went to Pompeii and investigated I've really wanted to go there.  This is mainly because of the nerdiness I have with history and with the simple fact that I find the history of Pompeii exciting and interesting. I do admit, I forgot about my fascination with Pompeii until today when we started talking about volcanoes in my Earth Space Science class.
• see a Broadway show I remember back in middle school when my friend and I bet each other who would end up performing on Broadway first. And then five years later we're both going in completely different routes.  Moral of story, I've always been interested in shows on Broadway, mainly from my love of theatre and catchy show tunes.
• visit every American Legion Post My parents have told me several times over the course of my life time that within 24 hours of my birth I was at the Mulvane Post. I have literally spent most of my life in that building and devoting everything I have to it.  We have a collection of license plate tags from other posts in the nation, and it's always got me asking questions about other posts since the only one I've ever really been around is the Mulvane one.  This is a large feat, considering there are hundreds in the nation and a few over seas as well.  I want to do it though, and bring something back from each one; just to say that I've done it.  Plus, it'd give me an opportunity to meet new veterans and learn their stories.

Link of the Day: American Legion I'm sure that their site can answer more questions on what we do than I can. Or at least to a greater degree.

Also, this is just a side note, but next month I could get inducted into the American Legion Auxiliary officially. I won't be a Junior Auxiliary member anymore. I can't believe I'm growing up.

thoughts from places: beyond kansas

This morning before my dad and I went to the shooting range we got in his truck and headed down to Wellington to the court house where I registered to vote I can't believe I'm old enough to stuff like this now.  We didn't take the Kansas Turnpike, mostly because my dad hates the new roundabouts they put in on the Mulvane exit for the casino, instead we took Broadway all the way down and back again.

I've ridden many car rides and even driven several times the stretch on Broadway from K-53/Patriot Guard Highway down to Wellington.  The scenery hasn't changed much over the years with the exception of the big ass casino that's been put in on the corner where Broadway and K-53 intersect, the houses haven't changed, the small airport hasn't changed, it all looks the same.

As I sat there in the passenger seat and looked out to the west I kept imagining what it'd be like to travel outside of Kansas on my own.  I've already been planning my dream summer where I'm going to go to all the special places in Kansas I've been meaning to go to, like Abeliene to the Eisenhower museum, or back to Hutchinson to the Salt Mines and the Space Museum.  All I've ever known traveling wise is the lower half of the midwest and a little portion of the west coast; all of this traveling has been done with my parents.  It's just weird for me to think about traveling now, seeing as I turn eighteen in a short few days time and graduation a few months away, there's no one holding me back after that.

I had a dream a few nights ago, I was at our family reunion sitting around with all my cousins and uncles and aunts.  I think I was a couple years out of college at the time.  They were asking me where I was living and what I was doing, if I was dating anyone; the typical questions that are brought up at family reunions.  I continued to tell them that I was just a nomad. That I wasn't settling down in one place, I was traveling the country and seeing everything it had.

It's almost scary thinking that in less than a year's time I could just set out and travel and never really settle down or anything.  It's extremely tempting to get a job this summer and work for a few months, saving up money and take a year off before going to SC.  Though I don't think I would ever actually do it, mostly because my mom would kill me before I take a year off after high school before going to college; plus, I think I might enjoy it too much to the point where I wouldn't want to come back and go to college.

The things that I do know are this: I'm going to keep dreaming of traveling America, I'm going to work my ass off and live life to the fullest.  Maybe one day I'll get to explore every nook and corner of America and then some, maybe I'll settle down some where that I least expected it. Who knows? Wherever God takes me this year and in the future I'm willing to follow.

Link of the day: The Bullet Stop I'm sorry, this probably appeals to less than one percent of you, but I just had to share it anyways.  I love this place, the guys are so friendly and easy to talk to.  The only bad thing is that their gun smith is usually out on the days we go in to shoot.

days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 1
days until I become an adult: 4
days until graduation: 136

things in 2012

I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but 2012 has a lot of things that will be happening throughout the year.

18th birthday: January 7th is the day. It's extremely close, which is kind of scary; I get to vote and I also have the potential to be summoned for jury duty. What's not to love? I have a twisted sense of humor I know.


One year anniversary: Febuary 14th will mark my one year anniversary of my hip replacement.  I'm still kind of shocked that it's been so long. I can't wait to see my surgeon that afternoon and share my adventures of the year.

Mystery Dinner Theatre: More details later...maybe. Just know that I'm freaking excited.

Prom: Yeah it's senior year, but I'm still not ready to think about prom yet.

Spring Play: The Three Muskateers, including stage combat, yes I'm auditioning; even if I don't get cast I'm still working on that show some way or another. I'm not passing this up.

Graduation: May 19th, 137 days to go. I just don't even know...

Family Reunion: Can't wait to see the entire family in June, I just pray that it's not as hot as last year and that we have no more water slide incidents.

New Orleans Gathering with church: A massive gathering of high school students from all across the nation in one place doing awesome and embracing God in July...in New Orleans... First time for a lot of things on this trip, and I can't wait to spend an entire week with the girls I've had the awesome opportunity to meet and bond with over the last five years.

Kansas Veterans Family Reunion: Also in July, but if I'm thinking right this is the weekend after I get back from New Orleans.  Get to hopefully be camping out at the lake and get to meet veterans from all over the state and the mid-west who have served for our country.

College: I have nothing much to say about this yet, not until we hit May 19th at least.

NaNoWriMo: Haven't completely decided if I'm going to do it this year or not since I'm working on The Secret Book project and everything...we'll have to see.

I definitely have a lot to look forward to in 2012.  After a slow year as I went through a lot of changes in my life and learned that I had more strength in me than I gave myself credit for, I'm sure that this year will just fly by.

Link of the day: Internet Age I've listened to it only once because our internet connection is slow and YouTube loads painfully slow, but it's so incredibly catchy and I just love the music and the video.  I really wish I could make it to the Dial Up Tour.

days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 2
days until I become an adult: 5
days until graduation: 137

resolutions and things

Happy New Year! I had been wondering what to do for New Year's Eve since I had been invited by two friends to their parties, each on seperate ends of town.  I ended up going out to dinner with my parents at this fancy restaruant at 8:45, which was a bit after when both parties had started. I decided that I was going to have a nice quiet evening with my parents since it's probably the last one that I know I'll be home for 100%.  Dinner was great, I'm still stuffed from it; we watched Sister Act when we got home and drank a glass of sparking grape juice a bit after eleven so my parents could retire to bed early. Not too late later I too headed to bed.

A new year usually comes with the list of things we promise ourselves to do or not to do for the year.  I have to admit that I normally don't stick to mine, but this year, I think that all of mine are attainable if I can get started off right and push myself to keep with it.  Most of these go hand in hand, most of which I should still be practicing since recovery from surgery...

• Exercise more: need to strengthen my hip muscles and it's good for arthritic joints.
• Take my medicine when it's supposed to be taken.
• Cut back on carbonated beverages.
• Recycle and conserve energy and other environmentally friendly things.
• Drink more water.
• Cut back on salt intake.
• Commit to committing: don't pull out at the last minute.
• Fish more than 2011.
• Read 50 books.
• Start a collab blog.
• Write more often.
• Connect with old friends.
• Go on more walks.

Link of the day: EcoGeek I just generally enjoy this place. Makes me happy to see a place where people love earth.

days until Senior Year Part 2 begins: 3

days until I become an adult: 6

days until graduation: 138