Emotions, Emotions

I am long overdue for a post about my Florida adventures, but this one is going to be more of a type-until-I-figure-out-my-emotional-problems post. So feel free to scroll on past this if you so desire. Headphones are in, All Time Low is playing in my ear, and I have a half hour until I leave for work. Let's do this.

The past few weeks have been amazing! I love experiencing new things, and I can definitely say that I have accomplished that. The Disney College Program is a very different environment than that of BYU, which has always made me seem like I was in a giant bubble, cut off from the "real world". I've had a good time, and I've constantly been surrounded by my friends down here. Honestly, sitting in my room here blogging is the most alone time I've gotten in a long time. And it barely counts as alone time because my roommate is sitting on her bed across the room. Honestly, I think I'm scared to have some real alone time. Being around people for two or three weeks straight, day and night, has allowed me to push aside and successfully ignore problems at home, missing all my friends, and increasingly frequent issues concerning my anxiety and depression. How am I going to feel when I don't have anyone or anything to distract me from all of this? I'm not even completely alone and I'm starting to feel it. I'm just glad that, for now, I have a great group of friends to distract me from all of this.

But I think that's enough emotional vomit for one sitting. You all have a lovely day, and I can promise you that my next post will be filled with smiles and adventures!

Travel Time

I have been working like crazy lately, but I only had a six hour shift today so I thought I'd clue you all in on some good news! But first, let's just lay down some obvious facts.

1. I am travel-deprived. Before Florida, I never had left the Northwest/Midwest.

2. I am impulsive. Skydiving, bridge jumping, the whole nine yards.

3. I am getting a steady flow of paychecks. Having a job tends to do that.

So put it all together, and what do you get?!

You get me randomly buying a plane ticket for November to go to NEW YORK!!!! You have absolutely no idea how excited I am. Of anywhere in the country, NYC is the place I've always wanted to visit the most! I love big cities, and I just feel like I'm going to love it there! My roommate here at the DCP is from New Jersey and lives only about an hour away from the city, so we're going to stay at her house for the five days that we are there. In addition to NYC, we're going to be exploring Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey. And you better bet I'll be lugging along my camera to document the whole thing!

That's what I love about experiences like college, study abroad, or internships. You meet so many people from all over the world, which gives you the chance to learn more about those places, or go experience them for yourself! In two months, New York. Next year? Who knows! Right now, I'm just going with the flow and taking advantage of every opportunity life throws my way!

Update:
Read about my experience in New York City HERE!

Thoughtful Thursday | Money

And by "shoes", I mean
scuba diving lessons!

Welcome back to Thoughtful Thursday here on All Roads Lead To Nowhere! Let's talk about money, shall we? For our entire lives, this is the reason we slave away for eight hours a day. But it doesn't start here, it starts way back when we were kids. Time and time again, it was drilled into our heads that we need to get a good education, so that we can get a good job, so that we could make good money, so that we can live a good life. But as we all know, that money goes to pay off college debts, credit card bills, rent, gas, and much more. It isn't until we are old and retired that we have the time and money to do anything. But are you really going to live out your dreams - travel the world, skydive, swim with dolphins - when you're 80 years old? Stay with me, there is a point to all of this.

This post is absolutely contrary to the mantra that has been instilled in my mind since birth - save every penny, save every penny! But you know what I think? You can spend a bit here and there if it makes you happy! No, this doesn't mean go spend all your money on clothes, alcohol, and video games. Spend it on something that will broaden your horizons - see the world, try new things! I had to remember that when I went skydiving, or when I moved across the country to Walt Disney World. It was worth it because of the experience I was gaining! So go out there, spend a little cash (please, don't get yourself into debt) and do something you've never done before!

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#13 - Record A Cover Song

I had actually begun planning this before I created my bucket list, and it wasn't until yesterday that I finally completed this task. I teamed up with my good friends Jordan and Mollie to produce a mash up of Fix You by Coldplay and Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. It took a couple weeks for me to complete an arrangement, then a couple more weeks as Jordan and I figured out instrumentation and harmonies. We began by recording the instruments first, then I had to edit all of it. When this was done, we were able to record vocals, then I headed to my computer to edit some more.

On top of this, we decided to make a video to post on YouTube, which you can view HERE, or at the end of this post. In the beginning of this video, I explain our inspiration for doing this project, as well as our objectives. In a nutshell, Faith, Jordan's little sister, has a rare childhood autoinflammatory disease (CAID) called Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO), in addition to Juvenile Arthritis. She has had two collapsed vertebras and multiple lesions in her fibula, tibias, sacrum, and femurs. She has also gone through surgeries and radiation treatment. Yet despite all of this, she does not let her disease define her. She always displays a positive, optimistic countenance and is an inspiration to me.

Stop CAID Now is an organization founded by Lisa Moreno-Dickinson, a mother of two boys that suffer just like Faith. CAID is a general classification for 29 different, very rare childhood autoinflammatory diseases. To learn more about Stop CAID Now, visit the corresponding tab at the top of this page, or click HERE.

To help support this cause, purchase our cover song on Bandcamp.com HERE. All proceeds will benefit Stop CAID Now. Thank you!

#20 - Go to Walt Disney World

They say it's the happiest place on earth, but I used to only imagine fanny packs, sweaty parents, and spoiled children. Of course I watched my share of Disney movies as a child, but I was never "raised on Disney", I guess you could say. Plus, I knew all my money would be going toward college, so I never raised my hopes about going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

Then the Disney College Program came along - an opportunity where I can advance my education, work, and enjoy the parks here in Orlando! After a few days of check-in and training, I finally had my orientation yesterday, which was technically my first day of work. You know what that means?! We got our park passes, so today we hit up Magic Kingdom!

I didn't get to the park until a bit after noon, but I was able to ride the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Roller coasters are definitely my thing, so Space Mountain is currently my favorite attraction. I was also able to experience the infamous jumbo turkey leg and pineapple dole whip. I wasn't able to finish the turkey leg, but I'm sure the caloric intake was still ridiculous.

But my views of the Disney parks have definitely changed. The experience there truly is magical, and I couldn't help but smile the entire time! It is definitely something that takes time in order to have the full experience, which is why tomorrow night after work, we're hitting up Hollywood Studios!

This is where I'll be working for the next four months!

To read more about my Disney College Program, visit my secondary blog HERE.

Thoughtful Thursday | Once A Year

I have recently learned that travelling often is not just an indicator of a good job and plenty of money. It is a necessary activity in each of our lives, for if we do not explore the world in which we live, we will remain ignorant forever. When I was younger, I had only explored the tiny northwest corner of the United States. I had no desire to go elsewhere because I had seen all the pictures, heard all the stories, and googled all the necessary information. Somehow, I was conditioned to be content with my ignorance of other cultures. And not only that, but you don't notice this ignorance until you break free of it altogether.

Once I went off to college, I noticed this ignorance as I simultaneously discovered a world of possibility. I cant help this thirst for knowledge - I want to learn the languages, immerse myself in the cultures, and see all the sights with my own eyes! To start of this life-long adventure, I am exploring my own country. Orlando, the top tourist destination on this earth. Each day, I will have the opportunity to visit with people from around the world, people who have experienced what I yearn to experience. And hopefully, by the end of these four months, I will know what part of this beautiful planet I want to explore next.

So once a year, go someplace you've never been before, not because you have the money to do so, but because you are curious and have a never-ending desire to learn.

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#16 - Taste Of Edmonds

Last Friday, my friend Dezi and I went to the Taste of Edmonds. Ever since 1983, the city of Edmonds has been hosting this popular festival. There are tons of food booths, live music, activities, and vendors. I can remember going to this festival as a kid, so there were many deja vu moments. I indulged in a snow cone and a chocolate-sprinkle coated ice cream bar. Mmmm! We also hit up the Washington Lottery booth to try our luck on a few scratch tickets. There were no winners, but that's gambling for ya! Although Dez seemed to enjoy scratching the ticket until there was nothing left to scratch, so she was content! Because I'm going to be out of state for the next few years, I may not be able to go to the Taste of Edmonds anytime soon, so I'm glad I was able to make the most of this day!

By the way, I am officially living in Orlando, Florida as of this morning! If you'd like to read more about this, visit my Disney College Program blog HERE!

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#15 - Do A YouTube Challenge

A YouTube challenge is a simple game that vloggers do with friends - in this case, the baby food challenge! All you need is a blindfold and an assortment of baby food. It works best if half the flavors are good and the other half, not as pleasant. Add some challenge to the game by including a baby food that contains multiple foods! Dez and I referred to this type as "a meal". One person is blindfolded while the other feeds them a spoon full of baby food. They then proceed to guess what flavor(s) it is. See, simple! This is also a fun game to play with friends considering baby food is very inexpensive.

Dez and I had 12 different jars of baby food and chose from them at random as we progressed through the game. Lucky me, I got stuck with a few of meat flavors while Dez's gag reflex got a good workout. To watch us do the entire challenge, click HERE!

And an update on my travel adventures: I am currently at the SeaTac airport in Seattle. My flight to Miami, originally scheduled to depart at 9:30, has been delayed nearly two hours. Luckily, I am a pretty patient person, and it gave me time to do a quick blog update! I will be sure to post again once I am safely in my hotel in Orlando tomorrow afternoon.

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Thoughtful Thursday | Comparison

Through most of my teenage years, I found myself constantly wishing.

I wish I was pretty like her. I wish I had a nice car like him. I wish I could drop a few pounds to look more like her. I wish I was rich like that celebrity. I wish my hair could look like that model's in the magazine. I wish, I wish, I wish...

I was never happy because I was too often wishing to be someone that I'm not. It wasn't until fairly recently that I realized just how grateful I should be, because I am me. If we spend our lives comparing ourselves to others, there will be no time to appreciate what we do have, and we will never be happy. So stop comparing! I know, it's hard - I still have trouble with it. Try this:

Right now, name five things in your life that you are grateful for. C'mon, just do it!

Good. Now list five qualities that you like about yourself. I know, this one can be hard at first, but it get's easier as you learn to love who you are!

Whenever you find yourself wishing, just think about five things. It will help, I guarantee it!

#11 - Messy Twister

Last week, we all gathered at a local elementary school. The paint was packed, the twister board was brought, and our clothes were far too clean for comfort. Once the classic Seattle rain died down, we set up the game and poured the paint.

"Right hand yellow."

Slap. Dezi was clearly excited to get messy, and paint splattered up into all of our faces. Let the games begin.

Mollie and I after game #1

If you don't know what messy twister is, let me explain. All you need is a twister board, a spinner, and a few bottles of paint that match the colors of the circles on the board. Pour the paint onto the corresponding circles, and have at it! You can even change up the commands to make the game interesting. Here are a few that we had to follow:

• Left ear yellow
• Forehead green
• Left butt blue
• Right forearm green

By the end of the game, we were plenty messy and decided to turn the board into a painted slip 'n slide. But to all my readers, learn from our mistake and make sure you have somewhere nearby to clean off! We couldn't get back in the car and had to walk all the way home, then hosed off in the front yard. The looks we got from passing cars were priceless. I think it's safe to say I've played enough messy twister to last me a lifetime!

View the rest of my bucket list here!

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#6 - Backpacking Trip

I love hiking, and there are so many beautiful destinations in the Pacific Northwest! Two of my friends had never been overnight backpacking before, so I took them on an easy 3-mile round trip hike last summer. It took a bit of preparation and planning, but we had a blast. This year, we decided to continue the tradition!

Pratt lake is located in the central Cascades, slightly west of Eastern Washington. It has an elevation gain of 1530 feet and is a whopping 11 miles round trip. There are tons of streams and bridges to cross over on the way to the lake, and a few amazing views. Once we got about eight miles in, the trail started a steep decline into switchbacks. The entire time down the mountain, I was thinking, "Crap, I'm going to have to climb back up this tomorrow..." Luckily, it soon evened out as we started walking along a huge rocky mountainside. By this time, we could see the lake, but it was only a teaser seeing as we still had another couple miles to go.

Finally, we reached the lake, and it was beautiful! We set up camp, explored the area, and then started making dinner. Little did we know, our box of noodles needed milk and butter, but water made a decent substitute. And let's face it, I would've ate anything after six miles of hiking! After devouring some s'mores and hanging all our food up in a tree, my warm sleeping bag was like heaven on earth.

Although the hike back up those switchbacks was grueling, it's worth it for the sense of accomplishment you feel when you reach the trail head once more. Time to start planning for next year!

Video coming soon! It's all edited, but I'm just hashing out some technical difficulties in the exporting process. Stay tuned!

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#14 - Go Geocaching

This past Wednesday, Shannon and I decided to go geocaching, as it was on both of our summer bucket lists. Compared to skydiving, we assumed that this should be easy enough! To the contrary, it proved to be quite the feat considering neither of us had smart phones or a GPS. We were able to narrow down the area enough by looking at a map, but it still wasn't sufficient. We ended up on a nice paved hiking trail in town that contained two caches. Each time we went poking around in the bushes, the passerby's reactions were a bit concerned. Unfortunately, we weren't able to locate any hidden treasures, but we did stumble upon a nice little lake and a family of ducklings that we couldn't help but share our lunch with!

At this point, I wasn't sure if I was allowed to cross this item off my bucket list seeing as we didn't find anything. This confusion quickly resolved last night when Shannon and I were at a friends house in Seattle. She remembered stumbling upon a nearby cache by accident, so we quickly sought it out and snapped a picture with it. Inside the bottle was a plastic lizard, as well as a small notebook and a pen. We mimicked those before us and recorded our names and the date in the notebook, and returned the bottle to it's hiding spot. Finally, I felt accomplished enough to cross this one off my list!

 

To view the rest of my summer bucket list, click here!

 

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#12 - Get My License

I don't know how it works where you come from, but where I'm from, everyone takes drivers ed, gets their license at 16, and is driving themselves to school by their sophomore or junior year of high school. So it's pretty pathetic that I'm getting my license at 19, but that's how it works in my family. We don't have the money to put everyone through drivers ed, so you have to wait until you're at least 18 to get your license. And since I wouldn't have a car in college, I just didn't bother getting it last summer. But I was tired of asking people for rides, and being known as that one friend without her license, so I wanted to get it before I left for Florida.

I had my permit for four years before getting my license, so the driving test was not too difficult for me. Not to mention the fact that I totally aced parallel parking, and in a car that I had only driven twice before! But it is so handy to be able to drive myself places, as I have a lot to get done before I leave next week. Jeez, I can't believe it's August already. And to think, in a mere ten days, I'll be in Orlando getting ready to check into my hotel for the night. Wow!

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#3 - Skydive

My instructor, Corey, pulled the rope and the parachute shot out of his backpack, jerking us upward as it halted the free fall. I scanned the landscape below me. I could see the Seattle Space Needle, granted it looked the size of a bean, as well as all other cities in the surrounding area. Mount Rainer and Mount Baker stood out beautifully against the clear blue sky, and I looked down just in time to see a plane taking off below us.

"Welcome to my office," Corey said. "How does it feel?"

I couldn't stop smiling. "This is unreal!"

 

Ever since we became friends almost seven years ago, it was mutually decided that Shannon and I would go skydiving once we both turn 18. Because of our busy lives, we had to postpone this plan for a year, but it finally happened! I can't decide if my favorite part was floating over western Washington, or the minute-long free fall from 13,000 feet. Either way, this was the best experience of my life!

 

Honestly, the scariest part was when we had to sign all the paperwork. Basically, it read "You might be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life, sign here. An extremely painful death may await you, sign here. You could be killed, sign here." But once we finished that, the rest of the afternoon was fear-free!

 

 

We were put in a group of about ten people and watched a short video that walked us through how the dive would go, then practiced our arching and landing positions. Shannon and I were in the first mini group, so went to gear up and meet our instructors. Us four jumpers, as well as our four instructors, then boarded the small plane. There were no seats - you just sat on the crowded floor, strapped to your instructor. Shannon and I were positioned in the back of the plane. We then took a twenty-minute scenic flight until we reached the right altitude. I was carefree and excited this entire time, but the butterflies in my stomach arrived when I saw the first jumper and his instructor fall out the door. I turned my head to Shannon, and we were both wide-eyed, but excited smiles soon followed.

 

Finally, it was our turn. Shannon went first, scooting to the door of the plane. She and her instructor waited for about five seconds before leaning forward and falling out. Then it was my turn. We scooted to the door, and without even a five second notice, we were falling at over 100mph. All I could feel was pure euphoria, laughing uncontrollably as the wind hit my face. Then Corey pulled the chute, and all was calm.

 

This was an experience I will never forget, though it went by quicker than expected. Therefore, Shannon and I have already decided when we are going skydiving again. I can already feel the addiction forming! Here are some more shots from this amazing afternoon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view the rest of my summer bucket list, click here.

 

To visit my Disney College Program blog, click here.

 

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Thoughtful Thursday | Find Your Strength

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein

I discovered where I belonged around the eighth grade. School was going well, I played sports year-round, and I had finally found the perfect group of friends. There was just one problem - I was humanities, they were science. I love writing short stories, while they loved crunching numbers. We came from totally opposite sides of the brain, if you know what I mean. Seeing as the lot of us had identical schedules, I consistently compared myself to how they performed in school. For years, I considered myself the stupidest one in the group, even though we were the top of our class. I was the worst of the best.

It wasn't until around my sophomore or junior year that I made the most important realization: Just because grammar and poetry come more easily to me than calculus or physics, that doesn't make me any lesser of a student. With this new found wisdom came confidence, which helped me to finally figure out that, at this time, I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. And although there are a still a few sarcastic comments thrown around about engineering being a superior field, I have learned to shrug it off because I am doing what I love.

If you are evaluating someone else, or even yourself, based on weaknesses instead of strengths, I can tell you for a fact that you're doing it wrong. The amount of distinct types of talent in this world are limitless. Find your strength, work to develop it, and flourish.

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#17 - Go To A Concert

Who did I see, you may ask? None other than the extremely talented and handsome John Mayer, with an opening performance by Phillip Phillips. I've been to three concerts before (Daughtry, Alicia Keys, and The Classic Crime), but this one has got to be my favorite. He performed at The Gorge Amphitheatre, which is an outdoor venue that seats over 20,000 people, is a 9-time winner of Pollstar Magazine's award for "Best Outdoor Music Venue", and declared one of the "Best Outdoor Concert Venues in America" by ConcertBoom! For more info, click here. From your seats on a sloping grass hill, you have a great view of not only the stage, but the Columbia River running just past it, as well as the canyons of Eastern Washington and a beautiful sunset. You are also able to camp in their designated camping grounds the night before and/or the night of the concert, which only adds to the fun!

But the music! John Mayer was phenomenal, the music was amazing, he had the best stage presence, and is an all-around heartthrob. I'm not usually one for spending tons of money on concerts, but this is one I would love to see again. If you've never seen John Mayer Live, or have never visited The Gorge, I recommend doing both at least once in your lifetime!

And as I wait to complete my next bucket list item (this thursday!), I will continue to explore the blogging community. I absolutely love reading other blogs and learning from how they share and display their content. One that I've been looking into is the lovecats inc, which is a fashion/beauty blog that I found because Helen, the author, had commented on my previous blog post. So all you ladies out there, this site is filled with trusted reviews, fashion posts, and much more! She is also doing a giveaway at the moment, so click here for more information.

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A Journey East

Eastern WA, in a nutshell.

Boy, do I love impromptu getaways. So when Mollie called me last night asking if I wanted to take a weekend trip over to Eastern Washington, there was no way I could have refused! Just like that, my bags are packed, the mix CDs are made, and I'm blogging away in the little time I have before I leave. Adventure is calling my name, and it's just so convenient that a bucket list item will get crossed off along the way - stay tuned next week for what that will be!

With exactly three weeks left in my summer, I'd say it's going almost perfectly! I say almost because it is Seattle and it does still rain in the summer. However, I think I will miss the cool, clean air. Every time I mention I'm going to Florida, people always bring up the humidity. I've never actually been anywhere that was humid before, so it'll definitely take some getting used to. But it's time to kick it into full gear seeing as I'm not even halfway done with my bucket list yet! Next week is going to be busy, but I can guarantee a couple bucket list posts will come of it, so I am stoked!

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Thoughtful Thursday | Never Give Up

Today's Thoughtful Thursday is brought to you by Earl Nightingale, who said "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it."

If you recall in my previous post, A Work In Progress, I am currently working on a project that entails recording a cover song and filming a video with the musically gifted Jordan and Mollie. As we were working a couple days ago, Jordan mentioned that he didn't realize this would all take so long. It was exactly a month ago that I announced this project, and sometimes it doesn't feel as though we've gotten much done. However, considering we've completed the arrangement, instrumentation, and even began recording this week, I'd say we're well on our way! We could have easily given up long ago, as we usually do with projects like this, especially when it requires so much time and effort. But we've stuck through it, and even though we're barely halfway there, I'm determined to see this through!

In a world so accustomed to instant gratification, we are too quick to give up on dreams that require a bit of time and effort. Once you accept the fact that anything worthwhile will take a little elbow grease and more than a five minute commercial break, there is nothing stopping you from achieving greatness!

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A World of Possibility

Well, we've hit the halfway point for July. This summer seems to be going by so quickly! It's crazy to think that in just four weeks, I'll be all moved into my new apartment in Orlando, training as an employee at Walt Disney World. Honestly, it doesn't feel real - any minute now, I'll wake up and start packing to go back to school next month. But it's not a dream, it's just something I've never experienced before.

Despite the fact that I have moved very frequently, I had grown up in the same general area all my life. I had the same group of friends for six years, the same teachers, the same coaches. In fact, the only places I had even vacationed at outside of Washington were Oregon, Montana, and North
Dakota (exciting, I know). So it's safe to say that I was in my own little bubble, deprived of all the inter-state and international travels that many of my friends had experienced at some time or another. Places like Hawaii, New York City, the Eiffel Tower, Australia, or even Disneyland - they could all be in another dimension as far as I knew. My family never really had the money to travel, so I accepted at an early age that I would be in Seattle for the rest of my life.

But all of a sudden, it was time for college. Hold on a second, I thought to myself, you mean I can go to school anywhere? Well, not anywhere, but somewhere outside of Seattle, and I was thrilled! Despite my scholarships, I still had to keep money in mind, so places like NYU or USC that were over $30k a year were definitely out of the question. I had to figure out my college criteria in order to pick the right place for me:

• Four-year university
• Out-of state
• Under $20k a year
• Rigorous academics
• Relatively low acceptance rate

And in the Fall of 2012, I found myself at Brigham Young University. Before my arrival, it all seemed like a dream, and I would wake up and find myself slumping through another year of high school. After a few pinches and a pile of exams, I knew this was the real deal. That's how I feel about Orlando. I've never experienced anything like it, but once I pinch myself and work my first 10-hour shift, I'm sure reality will set in.

This realization that I can have a life outside of Seattle has opened up a world of possibilities. I even hear a study abroad in Romania calling my name! So stop dreaming about your adventure, and get out there and make it happen! As Lemony Snicket put it, "If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives."

If you are interested in following my journey through the Disney College Program in Orlando, visit my secondary blog, All Roads Lead To Disney!

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#19 - Go Boating, Jet Skiing, and Inner Tubing

Shannon and I on the paddle boat

Here we go, another one crossed off the summer bucket list! This past weekend I went to Eastern Washington with a great group of friends. One of those friends has a house there that his family stays in each summer, and it is amazing! One day, we all headed out on the boat with his family to a small, secluded beach. We spent the majority of our time climbing up this huge sand and clay hill. It was at least at a 45 degree angle, about 150 yards high, and the sand was burning hot on our bare feet - quite the workout if I do say so myself! After that, jumping into the cool water felt like paradise. On our way back to the house, we brought out the inner tube and took turns being dragged behind the boat. It had been about three years since I had been on a boat or inner tubing, so I was already having a complete blast! And just like that, two of the three requirements for this bucket list item were completed.

The next day, we headed out to the same beach, but this time, we took the jet ski with us! If I had to guess, I'd say the last time I was on one of these things was about seven or eight years ago. After having a boys versus girls sandcastle building contest - yes, that is the type of thing we like to do for fun, and yes, the girls won (see both castles pictured below) - I took the jet ski out for a spin! This was the first time I had ever rode one by myself, and it was the most exhilarating feeling! At one point, I was going nearly 70 mph - pure euphoria.

Boys Castle

Girls Castle

A trip out on the paddle boat, star gazing, a dozen games of Super Smash Bros., and some quality time with friends was all it took to top off the weekend. I am so grateful to have been part of this impromptu adventure, it has definitely been the highlight of my summer!

Erik giving me a run through of how to drive the jet ski

And a few words, since it is Thoughtful Thursday: Do not be afraid to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to you. Much of the time, it may not happen when or how you expect it, but they will happen. If you won't take my advice, at least hear what Mark Twain has to say about it:

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Lake Serene

Here we go, hike number two! This one was around 8.5 miles round trip and had a 2500 ft elevation gain. I really enjoyed this hike because about three miles in you arrive at Bridal Veil Falls, pictured to the right. Then you continue the rest of the way until you reach Lake Serene. To be honest, the hike from the falls to the lake was absolutely grueling. There were dozens of sets of stairs to climb, and my legs did not appreciate the quick elevation gain. However, the view was worth it, as always. I think the best part about hiking is when you can just sit down at your destination and eat your lunch - one of the most rewarding feelings. That sounds totally lame, but if you are a hiker, you understand what I mean.

I'm very excited to finally have plans for the Fourth of July! Me and a group of friends are trekking over to Eastern Washington for the weekend. I'm stoked, this should be quite the adventure! Especially considering I haven't vacationed in Eastern Washington for many, many years.

In the meantime, go ahead and check out my secondary blog, All Roads Lead To Disney! I will be moving to Florida next month (whoa!), and will be posting updates every once and awhile on this blog, as it relates to the Disney College Program. And here are some more shots from the Lake Serene hike:

 

 

 

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An Impulsive Individual

Some days I wonder if my impulsivity will get the best of me. I don't know what it is, but there are times that I simply act without considering the consequences. Or I do think about the consequences, and determine that the corresponding action is worth the risk. Today is one of those days.

I've always been a dreamer. But then again, who isn't? I never like to let reality get in the way of what I want to achieve. Of course, my aspirations have changed over the years. I no longer want a huge house by the water - that's too stationary. The world is calling my name, and adventure is the number one word in my vocabulary.

I'm tired of sitting around, hoping for what may happen. It's time to make things happen, and sometimes that involves taking risks, and spending a fraction of your college savings. Go read my posts Change and Work In Progress to see what dreams I'm making happen. I don't know how this will all turn out, or how my friends and family are going to react. But I do know one thing.

If I affect merely one life for the better, this adventure will be well worth the risk.

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Lake 22

If you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, be sure to take advantage of the numberless hikes in the area. I can't believe that I've lived here for ninteen years and can probably count on both of my hands the number of hikes I've been on. There are hundreds of hikes in Washington and Oregon, and I was able to go on one of them yesterday!

I met up with my best friend, who recently got home from Oregon State University, and her younger sister, and headed off to Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade mountains. Lake 22, according to the Washington Trails Association, is 5.4 miles roundtrip and has a 1350 ft elevation gain. It was the perfect difficulty for not being in the best shape physically. Once we got to the lake, we hiked around it, which added another mile onto the trip. We also hiked up one of the rocky slopes to get a better view of the lake. Although this was not the smartest or safest idea, it was definitely challenging, and the view was worth it!

As soon as I got home, I began looking up other hikes in the Cascades that are slighly more difficult than Lake 22. It's all about challenging yourself! Who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to scale Mount Raineer - all 14,409 feet of it! But I'll have to work up to that seeing as I am still sore from the 5.4 mile trek to Lake 22... And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few more shots from the hike!

 

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