Bucket List 2014

I wish I could say that this summer will be more eventful than last. However, now that I have transferred to a much more expensive school, I may have to get a little creative in order to save as much money as possible. Student loans are in my future, yet I don't want that to stop me from making this summer an adventure. I mean, you're only 20 once, right? I better make it worthwhile.

Skydiving last summer

I find that I accomplish more when I have goals written on paper. Thus, I will be making another bucket list this summer! If you would like to view all the bucket list items I completed last year, click HERE, or click the "Bucket List 2013" tab above. This list includes everything from skydiving to bridge jumping, to hiking to Walt Disney World! As a college student, I completely understand how it feels to have to survive on one meal a day in order to make ends meet, and I have learned to cherish leftovers. So follow me on this journey into the unknown, and hopefully on a manageable budget! Where will we end up? Who knows, because all roads lead to nowhere. There is no certainty. There is only adventure.

#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.

#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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#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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#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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#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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Work In Progress

Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR

Wow, it's been an entire week since I've posted! I wish I could blame that on the fact that I've been super busy lately, but alas, I am simply lazy. And because of this, I still have a ton of unedited bucket list footage. Hopefully that will be completed within the next couple days!

If you recall in my recent post, Change, I want to eventually begin filming short videos and writing corresponding blog posts/articles in an effort to raise awareness for a specific subject, foundation, etc. I am pleased to announce that my very first project is under way! I've teamed up with a very talented musician and vocalist, and we are working on arranging and producing the music that will be in the video! I am very excited, but nervous at the same time. Obviously I've never done anything like this before, and since it is raising awareness for something near and dear to me, I want it to be the best quality possible. I anticipate this project lasting at least a month, if not more, but the finished product will be worth it!

Entering the field of videography/photography is extremely expensive, I must say. I haven't even bought the DSLR camera I want yet, and my wallet is already aching from purchasing some other necessary equipment. Admittedly, I have had to dip into my college savings (it's a good thing I have a job secured for the Fall semester). However, once I have the basic equipment, I will be able to produce endless pieces that will benefit many people. Never have I been so motivated by anything in my life, and that is why I know I'm on the correct track - this is what I'm supposed to be doing right now.

 

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Wednesday

I wish there were a fast and easy way to make money. But the world doesn't work that way - you have to earn it. Perhaps it is time for me to do a little job hunting.

I have had the hardest time figuring out what bucket list item to cross off this week. People are bailing left and right and the weather doesn't look like it's going to be too pretty either. However, I am determined - I will cross something off that list if it's the last thing I do!

On the bright side, my Etsy purchases have finally come in the mail, all the way from China! And I must say, I am impressed. Time to start coordinating outfits to match them! If you would like to view the shop that I bought these items from, click here.

Do you have any fun bucket list ideas? I want to hear them! Comment below or email me at establishedinseattle@gmail.com

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Gâteau au Chocolat Délicieux

Warning: May cause extreme sugar high if taken in large dosages.

The past few days I had set aside to do absolutely nothing. It's been awhile since I've had no plans, no commitments. And it was great! I got to sleep in until the afternoon, lounge around the house, and eat whatever we had in the cupboards...which may or may not have included multiple chocolate cupcakes left over from my sister's birthday yesterday... Besides feeling pretty well rested, I just feel kind of crappy. I definitely do not recommend excessive junk food and minimal exercise to any of you. 

But on a brighter note, my camera case and bobber hand grip (doubles as a floatation device) finally came in the mail today! I am ready for the water, and so is my action cam! Now I just have to wait around for the rest of my friends to get home from college. Oh, speaking of which! I had the greatest time on Monday - my best friend came home for mother's day weekend and we were able to get together for breakfast before she headed back to Oregon State. We were also able to look into the whole skydiving thing some more, and I'm getting extremely excited!

Well, I don't have a super action-packed weekend planned, just some hang out time with my older sisters and all their children, whom I haven't seen since winter break! However, I do plan on crossing off another bucket list item next week, so stay tuned!

P.S. No, I am not talented enough to speak French. The title of this post is courtesy of Google. Merci.



#9 - Go To A Mariners Game

Today I took my mom and little sister to the Seattle Mariners game - it has been years since we've all been to a ball game together, so it was great! And we won, so that was just icing on the cake! Besides spending quality time with my family, my absolute favorite part was the Dip 'n Dots, which are the most delicious ice cream treat in the entire world! I purchase these at every sporting event I attend, and would probably eat them all day if they weren't so expensive.

A couple weeks ago, I constructed a summer bucket list. I'm new to the whole bucket list thing, so I tried not to make it too far fetched, because I actually want to try and do everything on it! But I decided that instead of just posting the entire list on my blog, I will tell you specific items on the list as I accomplish those tasks (there are twenty items in all). And it just so happens that I have already crossed off three items (two of the items will be linked to their related blog posts).

#5 - Visit the University of Washington
#9 - Go to a Mariners game
#18 - Buy a nice camera

Although they may seem cliche and I am totally a go-with-the-flow type of person, I believe that bucket lists are a good way to expand your horizons and push yourself to do things that you have always wanted to do. They can appear very structured, but there is a certain amount of spontaneity and out-of-the-box thinking required in order to accomplish all the tasks. And the great thing about lists is that you can always add to them!

To see how much of my summer bucket list I've completed so far, click HERE!