# 4. Start and finish 3 books (1/3 complete :)

So I read a new book from start to finish: THE HUNGER GAMES! It was an amazing story. I was first intrigued because my acting teacher (Dwayne Boyd) was cast in the film adaptation of it, and then my dear friend raved about it and how she read it in two days! Definitely a good read. TWO THUMBS UP!!! 1 down, 2 to go :) Already feeling accomplished!

# 21. Oder a Martini: shaken, not stirred.

So last Friday night I met a friend at a restaurant and saw the opportunity to check off something else from my LIST! Well, it wasn't as exciting as I pictured in my head. The waiter was THE most unenthusiastic host I've ever encountered!!! When my famous lines were executed with the utmost excitement, courage, and discarded fears of sounding "lame", he appeared as if he didn't even hear me. Just grabbed my menu and gloomily strolled to the bar. I was still excited. My friend and I giggled a bit, then resumed our girl talk. At that moment I realized and accepted that certain things in life will not happen the way you plan in your head, and THAT'S O.K.!!! I'm glad to be learning this so early in the journey of my list so I can abandon all my preconceived ideas about my checklist. Lesson 1.

This night was also precious to me because my friend disclosed some very sensitive health information to me. I was saddened, worried, and angry when she told me. One choice can make your life take a turn for the better or worse. And it's so important to love people, cherish the time spent, forgive quickly, and not give your body to careless things or people.

 I then became so aware of how many things I take for granted, including health, especially health. I made a decision to take better care of myself because the time on earth is such a gift. Why pollute it with unhealthy choices- and I'm not just talking about food and exercise. I'm so grateful to God to be alive and I want to better show him. :-)
 

#20. Tickle my dad :)

Ok, so I know it's within the same day that I started the blog, but I just couldn't resist! It goes like this: Dad comes home with burgers, he lets me have a bite of his, and after I'm done chewing the ooey goodness of a DQ cheeseburger with crunchy bacon, I tell him of my list and proceed to tickle him!!! LOL... he didn't quite laugh, just buzzed as if he was electrocuted!! I wanted to go on, but it looked as if it was more painful and annoying than funny...isn't that how we all feel when we're being tickled? Anyway, it was cool to him lose his cool and succumb to the daunting fingers of "The Tickle Queen"!! LOL! Love that guy!!! :)

The beginning.

Last week I turned 25! I wanted to celebrate in a memorable, and significant way, so I planned a MIAMI trip and made it a girls weekend to remember! And it was. Two of my dearest friends accompanied me to my birth city, and it was sheer bliss. Days on the beach, late nights dancing, and late mornings from the late dancing :) hehehe, not to mention well time spent with family. Upon arriving home, however, a thought came to mind that I didn't want the celebration to end. A different type of celebration. A celebration of life. OK, I know that sounds Pepper Jack Cheesy, but in my honest thoughts, I genuinely want to squeeze every living desired experience out of this year. That if I could complete a list of concrete things this year, perhaps, I'd feel like this quarter-of-a-century mark would mean so much more than a weekend on the beach. I don't want this "list" to sound like a bucket list, but more like a living list. A list I can refer to in my old age and smile (or cringe), a list I can tell my kids and grand kids of. Frankly, just a list of things I haven't done yet, and would like to accomplish this 25'th year of mine :)

Even beginning this list was refreshing for me! It caused me to recall memories and accomplishments I've already achieved. Like starring in a play ( Joseph & Mary, Traveling Thomas, It's a Destiny Filled Life, The Missing Part of Me), Visiting the car show at the High Museum, taking my first plane ride to NY and riding in a Taxi alone, laughing so hard I cried...peed. :/ Making my first pan of Mac-n-cheese (it was delicious:). I can go on: songwriting, roller coaster riding, Trips to Disney Land, Universal Studios, Savannah, Myrtle Beach, Bogota Colombia, gambling in Bahamas, cruising, tasting all kinds of food, taking a Martial Arts class, filming home made videos, jet skiing, baking, preached a sermon, went on a Christian Tribulation Trail on Halloween, attempted violin, piano, and french LOL ( all three of which I need to complete)!! Having a small Christmas dinner with just immediate family and intimate conversation (one of my faves!) The point of this recall is not to brag, but to remember things that made me smile! And even still to continue the journey of completing things I once pondered: "I'd like to..."

SOOOOO here it is! This list is subject to change, and may not seem like a lot to someone else, but to me, I'd be more than proud and happy to fulfill :-D

(will do my best to post a matching picture with each "check" :)

25 Things to do while I’m 25! (In random order (:

1.     Go to a gun range

2.    Write a short story

3.    Go horseback riding

4.    Start and finish 3 books

5.    Volunteer at a children’s hospital

6.    Climb Stone Mountain

7.    Take a nap with my mother

8.     Go to a concert

9.     Learn to ride a bike

10.Go streaking

11. Go to a drive in movie

12.      Hand wash my car

13.      Mentor a young girl

14.     See an angel

15.      Learn to yodel

16.     Learn to play chess

17.     Initiate a conversation with a complete stranger

18.SECRETLY give $100 to someone who needs it

19.Buy and give groceries to a random house

20.     Tickle my dad

21.      Order an apple martini: “shaken, not stirred”

22.     Sing “Singing in the rain” in the rain

23.     Take a vow of silence for a day

24.    Apply and audition for Juilliard

25.     Fall in utter, un-retractable love with God everyday. Diving deep into a relationship with Him; so much so, that I cannot see the shore.