6. Watch the Winter Olympics

I love the Olympics! I've watched them for so many years and this year again I'm involved. Every night I've been glued to my television watching some incredible races and crazy snowboarding tricks. I hope one day to travel to the Olympics and see first hand the excitement, until then I'm here getting choked up at the National Anthem or sitting on the edge of my seat hoping the American (or in 1 case the Canadian) win.

Let's also not forget that it's the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. The birth of the "U S A" chant. When the games were not just games. For so many people it was much more but for the guys on the ice it was simply a hockey game. We love to beat the countries we rival, anyone remember the Men's swimming relay where we defeated the French by a fingertip? Yeah, that felt good. So for the next 11 days I will be rooting for USA, especially in speed skating where it will feel good to win gold over the Koreans who team skate and play dirty.

USA!

Searching…

While I'm in limbo here in Milwaukee I've been obsessed with list making. And so far for every season I've created lists of things to do (which reminds me to get going on my winter list). I have a few more lists ready. The first is borrowed from mightygirl.com. I read about it first on ApartmentTherapy and just had to post it as a personal goal. I'm going to try really hard to master all 100 things on this list, maybe not this year but in my life time.

1. how to set goals

✓ 2. keep a plant alive

3. care for a baby

4. give cpr

5. feel confident naked

6. interview for a job

✓ 7. bake a birthday cake

✓ 8. use a fire extinguisher

✓ 9. use a compass

10. express condolences

✓ 11. tell a joke

12. remember names

13. sharpen a knife

✓ 14. dump a poisonous friend

15. check your oil and tires

16. relax/meditate

17. how to apologize

18. how to be polite

19. get a good night's sleep

✓ 20. dress appropriately for the situation

✓ 21. type

22. fight fair

✓ 23. read

24. ask for exactly what you want

25. trap a rat or mouse

✓ 26. basic stretches and/or yoga poses

27. heimlich

28. please a partner sexually

29. tell your partner what you want in bed

30. shine your shoes

31. make your case in writing

32. tie a scarf or tie

33. jump a car

34. mix a signature drink

✓ 35. delegate

✓ 36. make a simple meal for company

37. give a neck rub

38. drive a stick

✓ 39. ride a bike

✓ 40. swim

✓ 41. use chopsticks

✓ 42. make a new friend

43. build something simple

44. change a tire

45. give a toast

46. make a perfect egg

✓ 47. speak in public

48. improve your mood

49. simple mending

50. travel light

51. steam vegetables

52. negotiate

✓ 53. be a good listener

✓ 54. be alone comfortably

✓ 55. select good produce

56. maintain your weight

57. build savings

✓ 58. say no

✓ 59. use a drill

60. flexibility in the face of the unexpected

✓ 61. make small talk

62. skip a rock

63. set personal boundaries

64. organize your home

65. deliver a eulogy

✓ 66. shuffle a deck of cards

67. dance socially

68. know a second language

✓ 69. win the affection of a dog or cat

70. write a quality love letter

✓ 71. play one card game well

72. eat healthfully

73. create a budget

74. take a decent photo

75. order the wine

76. know what makes you happy

77. flirt

78. make a good first impression

79. write a thank you note

✓ 80. find a perfect gift

81. assertiveness

✓ 82. arriving on time

83. make a little kid laugh

✓ 84. kiss well

✓ 85. make a good mix tape

86. tie basic knots

✓ 87. dress to flatter your shape

88. build a campfire

✓ 89. change the subject

90. acquire or shed a habit

✓ 91. treat a hangover

92. be a good judge of character

93. season a cast-iron skillet

94. give a compliment

95. accept a compliment

96. contribute in group situations

97. judge yourself by your own yardstick

✓ 98. calculate the tip

99. ask for a raise

100. build a shelter

10 things

If you were to just pick up and go anywhere in the world what would be 10 things that you pack? And I mean completely start over, abandon your house/apartment and just leave. Here's my 10 things:

1. My cats. I can't abandon my rescued babies

2. My laptop. With music, photos, and access how can anyone leave it behind.

3. My cell phone.

4. My cameras. To document my new adventures.

5. My father's guitar. Because I haven't learned everything I can from it yet.

6. My grandfather's violin. It's priceless.

7. A suitcase filled with old adventures. Keeping those things that make you smile is important.

8. My journals of lists and ideas. Because I forget the things that were important a year ago.

9. A few special books.

10. A few stuffed animals. Because being a kid is never immature.

so cute!

something new from anthropologie... too bad they are $328 each.

body+soul

"10 thoughts on whole living", from the december 2009 issue of body + soul

1. Allow yourself the chance to really savor each moment.

2. Optimism isn't just a shift in perspective. It's an act of bravery.

3. Only you can decide the path worth taking.

4. Don't wait for your mood to change; take action despite it.

5. Approach gift shopping as an opportunity to honor the people you really love.

6. Rather than search for a single miracle food, strive for a varied and delicious diet.

7. You can't grow without pushing your limits.

8. Stop worrying about getting sick; focus on your health instead.

9. Don't believe what you hear. Life is good.

10. No one knows what the future will bring. Put your energy into now.

Oh boy...

I have to say that 1 post in 1 month is slightly disappointing. I wish I could say that I was super busy that I didn't have time to write but that's not exactly true. The past month I've been applying to grad schools, diving into docent classes and tours at the museum, and trying to avoid cabin fever. The last I have had no success with. It's official I am sick of winter! (hence the picture below)

(anthropologie)

I couldn't be more excited that that will probably be me toward the end of this month when I go down to Florida with my mom so she can close on a house! It's a little bittersweet because this means big changes in the future and with change comes uncertainty. I'm excited about what the future holds but am also nervous about a new start to something. We'll see how this all goes.

And on to some other news... number 12 is being taken off the list. I've discovered that I can't complete that due to complications beyond my control. I will substitute number 12 with something new... I will attempt to post something (no matter what it is) to this blog everyday. Something will inspire me, intrigue me or fascinate me that I will post it here.

Stay tuned and I hope it turns into a very colorful series.