Bucket List

Life should not be taken for granted... I was lucky to learn this early on in life. I would prefer to have learned this lesson an easier way than I did, but I truly believe there is a reason for everything and I plan to make the most of it. Since my last eye opening experience regarding how fragile our existence is, I have been making a bucket list, and trying to accomplish them all early in life.

• Ride A Horse
• Go Bungee Jumping
• Sky Dive
• Go Fishing
• Go Cliff Jumping
• Four Wheeling
• Snow-Mobiling
• Go to an Opera
• Visit New York
• Visit relatives in Denmark
• Drive a boat
• Visit as many countries as possible
• Start my own business
• Become a mother (whether through adoption or naturally)
• Make a difference in someones life
• Publish a book
• Find my soul mate

This is really all that I can think of right a this moment. But I plan to add to this as I think of other things. You never know when your time will be over, so I plan to check things off of this list at my earliest possible convenience. And I hope that you all will appreciate the life that you have and begin listening to your heart as well as your head.

+1s and then some.

It's hard to be single around the holidays. I would much rather be single on Valentine's Day. On V-Day, it doesn't really matter if you have no one to share it with. It's an incredibly commercial-ized, ridiculous holiday that I think some needy woman came up with to try and make her man be romantic. Anyway, as I was saying. It's worse than usual this year, I have multiple weddings dinners and parties that I have been invited to. And they all ask if I have a +1... So, since I don't have a man that I have wrapped around my finger and thus they are required to go, I really have to think about the question. Who will be at the party? How many will be single? Are the couples who will be there the awkward type? Should I ask someone to be my +1? If I ask someone, do I ask just a friend? Or do I ask someone that I am interested in? If I just ask a guy friend, will he think that it means more?


I know that seems like a lot of questions, some unnecessary, but I sadly have unknowingly led men on in the past. I don't know what it is, but some men tend to misinterpret my friendliness as interest. And in one situation, I chose to ignore the signs of him falling for me, because I was being selfish and wanted attention. But that's a whole different blog post... maybe.

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I know that this photo has nothing to do with this blog post... But I was looking for the perfect picture to accompany my word vomit, and I stumbled upon this beauty. What better to catch word vomit that an eco-potty?







I don't think that anything could possibly top an eco-potty in this blog post, so I will bid you adieu.

Happy traaaaaiiiiilllllls to yoooooooouuuuuuuuuuu, until we meet again...

Six Things I Want To Smack With A Tree

I was in SLC with two of my FAVORITE gals ever, Alicia and Heather. And we decided to grab some pizza at The Pie. First of all, we are a strange bunch. We decided on a half and half pizza to suit all of our many tastes... what were the two halves you ask? Xtreme Veggie and Mountain of Meat. We quite enjoyed ordering that one. And it was DELICIOUS! Anywho... while waiting for our pizza to cook, I began to read one of the periodicals that was sitting in the waiting area. One of the articles has inspired me. It was regarding the author's top ten people and things she wants to punch in the face. My favorite on her list : West Virginia. No explanation necessary. So anyway, I frequently want to punch things in the face. Well... I usually say I want to smack them with a tree... but it's close enough right? So here is my list.

November - I know that I am supposed to be thankful during November because of the pilgrims and crap, but I HATE November. Too much togetherness and family stuff... Chontel + Busy + Family = FREAK OUT!

Juvenile Sex Offenders - Not only have they committed heinous crimes, they act like WE owe THEM something... "Woe is me, life is so hard, this place sucks, these rules are ridiculous..." STFU! The RIDICULOUS thing is that you were a sex offender before the age of 15.

Close Minded People - Living in a small-ish dominantly Mormon community exposes me to many different types of zealots. They all should be smacked with a tree. Why can't you just live and let live. There is a difference between sharing your beliefs with others, and stomping all over someone elses beliefs because you don't agree.

Tom Cruise - He is the definition of Napolean Complex. I have actually enjoyed some of the movies that I have seen of his, he's a pretty good actor... But OMG I can't stand the guy. I can count the number of his movies that I've watched on one hand. And I don't plan to increase that number.

Welfare Abusers - I am all for assistance for the needy, but I am SO against assistance for the lazy and manipulative. My mother told me the story of someone who worked on her car in an emergency... He actually told her that he was just waiting for his friends unemployment to run out, then it's his turn to work while this guy stays at home. Seriously??? Stop being a lazy ass, and earn your keep! Another thing that bugs me.... I really think that in order to get welfare you should have to pass a drug test. I have to be able to pass one in order to work, so YOU should have to pass one in order to get welfare. I think it's only fair. Why is this NOT a current practice?

Sickness - My body likes to screw with me. True, I have been getting more healthy as I get older... But I still get these ridiculous illnesses that last what seems like forever. Case in point: Early October I was stricken with an excruciatingly painful kidney infection complete with a cyst the size of a golf ball in my ovary. Ouch. And then just last week, I thought that I had Bronchitis... nope. It was Swine Flu. Which wasn't so bad as long as I didn't walk at all and didn't try to talk. My family wouldn't even really speak to me. They would make me food and then leave it on the floor in front of my bedroom door. So you see... these are merely the sicknesses that I have experienced in the last month. Sickness DEFINITELY deserves to be smacked with a tree.

There was originally going to be a list of ten things that I want to smack with a tree. But it was taking too long. I don't like thinking about things I dislike. I was going to format the text more too, but I didn't feel like it. Haha.. Blog'd. 

All The World's A Stage Part 2

It's been almost a year since I began this blog, and I've decided to do an update of the cast each year in recognition of the yearly milestones. People may change, or they may stay the same. But either way, I'm sure that I can think of more wonderful things to say about the people who make my life worth while.

Hallie Jo

Of course, topping the list would be my Hallie. She's my sunshine on a cloudy day. I recently moved back into my parents basement and have had a lot of fun bonding with her, and watching her grow. Most of the time I don't even mind waking up and seeing Hallie's jumble of hair peeking out from the sheets next to me.

Heather

One of the best friends that I could ever ask for. She understands my work stressors because she once worked the exact same position that I do. She understands my personal trials because we've experienced similar things. She recently moved to Salt Lake and I am so happy that she finally made the move! I see her more now than I did when she lived only ten minutes away. And we recently booked a cruise to the Bahamas! I can't wait!

The BCC

A few months ago, half of the BCC got married. It was a beautiful ceremony and I was thrilled to be able to share that special day with them. If not for the BCC, they likely would not have discovered their love for each other. And I am glad that I was able to take part in finding one couples Happily Ever After. Jenna and I continue to grow closer together as friends. We are both making some changes in our lives and it's great to be able to support each other in our journey.

Norte & Catherine

There have been a lot of marriages in my friend pool over the last year. I'm happy to say that I played a small part in the getting together of this couple. Thank you big mouth of mine. They are absolutely perfect for each other and such an adorable couple. Sometimes disgustingly adorable. I am grateful that he was able to find such a great woman to love. And I'm grateful that she has accepted me into her friend group.

Sarah

Oh Sarah. How much you mean to me. She has been an inspiration to me this last year, and has played a large part in the changes I have made. She is incredibly compassionate and underestimates the impression that she makes on other people. She is my hetero-soul-mate, and I will love her forever and always.

Jay-Cup

There aren't even words to describe our relationship. Probably because it's kind of strange. You make me laugh, and are willing to put up with my psychosis. It's amazing how much you have changed since the McDonald's days. And no, Jay-Cup, I will NOT marry you. Thanks for not asking.

Mi Familia

Through thick and thin my family remains an important part of my life. No matter what happens, somehow we have been able to get through it together and come out on top. I am truly blessed to have such a supportive family. And it's comforting to know that no matter what happens, they will be there.

A New Adventure

For those of you who don't know much about me, I was a dancer for over 12 years. I have always kept myself busy, and until about 5 years ago a big part of my life was exercise. And then came what I like to call "the dark ages" of my life. It was a difficult time for me both physically and mentally. I injured myself multiple times starting with a car accident in which I broke a windshield with the back of my head. Long story short, I hurt myself a lot over the span of about four years and now I am left with a body that can predict the weather. Due to these injuries I was no longer able to exercise as much (or even at all for a while) and when you change your level of activity but not your diet, then your body doesn't react well. I am finally starting to feel healthy again and I really miss being able to work out, so I'm going to start!

First of all, for motivation I booked a cruise to the Bahamas next May with one of my best friends EVER. And I made a goal to lose at least 60 pounds by that time. Next, I got my parents involved. My mom is on a restricted diet anyway due to a surgery she had, and my dad agreed to go on the no flour no sugar diet with me. We take turns preparing healthy lunches to take to work and my mom has supported us by preparing dinner at least 3 times per week so that we aren't tempted to just grab whatever is easy. I always feel so much better when I'm this diet anyway, it's easy and straight forward. And I can adapt all of my favorite meals to fit this diet, so I'm not really missing out on anything. For example, tonight I am making grilled chicken Malibu, Caesar salad, grilled corn on the cob, and red mashed potatoes. No flour, no sugar, and a treat for my taste buds! I really want to succeed on this diet, so I have given myself a few little cheats. Each week I allow myself one candy bar and if I am REALLY craving bread then I can eat whole wheat. So far I have already lost a pant size. It's pretty exciting. I eat a lot of fruit, salads, and corn chips with salsa. Those are my staples. I am trying to make sure that my diet is balanced, and I get plenty of fiber. So far so good!

The main reason that I am blogging about this is for added motivation. If I announce to the world what I'm doing, then there's that added pressure. I know that people aren't totally preoccupied with me, but in my psychotic brain, you kind of are.

Oh, and one of my friends is also doing this diet. Woohoo! I have an eating out buddy who will understand my choices.

As for the exercise, I am starting Pilates this week. I hear it's killer, and I'm pretty sure that I am going to die the first couple of weeks. But the instructor at A Lotta Pilates was on the high school drill team with me, and she said that she will adjust the workouts for me so that I don't aggravate my arthritis. Pilates is supposed to be really good at rehabilitating injuries. Let's hope so! My brother's girlfriend is going to go with me. She was also on the high school drill team with me.

I am so grateful that I have such wonderful family and friends that support whatever I decide to do, and do all they can to help. I honestly don't think that I would be the person that I am today without them, and I hope that they know how much I love and appreciate them!

Wish me luck!