The Time Has Come

First of all Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope today is a blessing for all of you reading. Today is the day of Jesus's birth and I know I am blessed for his presence in my life.

Last year I made a list. A bucket list of things I wanted to do in my life and I told myself I would try to accomplish as many as I could this year. With the year coming to a close a week from tonight. I thought it would be the perfect moment to chronicle the progress I made throughout the year.

Read the Classics: My first goal was an ambitious one. I assumed that it would also be the easiest, but alas it was one of those things I didn't get to accomplish. I did start reading Anna Karenina at the beginning of the summer, but never finished it. Maybe next year I will read a classic?

Dance/Kiss in the Rain: I wish that I had found someone to kiss me in the rain, but you know what I will settle for falling in love in the rain. This summer I met a boy. One night during a storm soaking wet I realized I loved him. Sadly the love was never reciprocated and one raining day in September as I drove home shortly after my twenty-third birthday I saw that the boy would never love me back and I moved on. The rain had so much to do and I consider this an accomplishment. I hope this isn't a one time thing, I hope that I can find joy in all rainy days whether they are literal or metaphorical.

Start a Bible Study: Although I never did get around to that other blog, my devotion to the bible was not something that fell to the wayside. In fact I spent an entire summer studying it with children of all ages. In recent weeks I have even started getting a verse of the day. It is has been a wonderful guidance to even the most sad of moments. It has really helped with my trust in God's plan for me.

Start a Book Club: Maybe I'm too young for this, maybe I just never found the time, but I hope one day I will get to fulfill this goal.

Sing Karaoke: I wasn't brave enough... someday.

Go to a Random Concert: On September 25^th I got to go see a bunch of local bands including a band called My Lady Four. I had been at Cheepo and kind of in a hurry, but decided to listen to some of the local sounds and heard My Lady Four's new album; In this Life or the Next. I loved it so much that I bought it that day. That September I went to the random concert and it was a blast.

Take a Small Trip: In April I braved my fears of driving long distances and took my first small trip to River Falls to see my best friend Amanda. In May I left for the two hour trip to Willmar to start my journey at Camp Green Lake. Last I finally took the trip to see my Grandmother in Poplar, WI for the first time. Gas station food, load music playing on the radio or through my ipod connecter, and my GPS navigated by Daria. It was fun to be able to drive myself places and remember that I don't need a boy to drive me around in order to survive.

Be a Camp Counselor: I wrote this goal before applying to Camp this summer and it was the best decision I could have made. I was able to meet wonderful people and touch a lot of kids lives. It was amazing!

Go Out and Meet New People: Along with the camp experience I met a lot of new people and made lifelong friends. Another experience was a concert on October 25^th. I went to go see Parachute and Kate Voegele. I met three wonderful fellow fans. I also got to meet Kate Voegele which was wonderful after seeing her on One Tree Hill.

Go our to a Nice Dinner By Myself: I have not done this yet. I was going to go this summer on July 22^nd, 2011. However I was busy that day and didn't get the chance since. One day I will.

Eat at Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives: One day with my friend Shawn we went to Sonic after Pawn America. I love getting hot dogs and the car side Drive In type places. Then I went to a Diner called Fat Nat's Eggs with Kenan in May.

Dye My Hair: This summer when I had a day off I went to Fantastic Sams and I got fuchsia highlights in my hair. It was the first time I've ever dyed my hair and I like the way it grew out and blended into my natural hair color since.

Get a Tattoo: I've been trying to get a tattoo for quite awhile now. First I was going to get one for my 22^nd birthday. Then I needed to wait because I could have tattoos at Camp. I was going to get one on my 23^rd birthday, but it was too chaotic and I needed to save money because I didn't have a job.

Breakfast at Tiffanys: One Day (I need to get to Tiffany's first)

See a Sunrise with Someone Special: When I made this goal I wished for someone special to be a boy that would be by my side. It never happened, the boy never came. However I am blessed because I didn't just get to see it with one special person, but a whole group. The last night of camp the Green Lake Staff all stayed up and talked. Not wanting to go to sleep because then it would be over. The whole summer and the whole nine weeks we had been a family. We saw that last sunrise together. It was better than I imagined it way back last January.

Sew More: I made all sorts of things and I bought materials for many projects. I hope one day I can finish them.

So there it is. I'm glad I made this list as a bucket list, because it gives me the opportunity to live my life embracing it. I have more to add to the list and I hope that I can continue to accomplish them.

Have a Merry Christmas. Talk to you Next Year! (I have always enjoyed that cheesy joke.) Good Night and God Bless.