A New Year, A New List

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them." - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

This year's list of things to do has been finalized. It is not a list of 28 things; I focused on finding things that I felt were most important and meaningful to me at this time. I felt like this year that the quality and not the quantity of the goals that I set was most important.

So here is the list, in no particular order...

1. Relearn how to play the piano
2. Run a 1/2 marathon
3. Finish the photo album from last year's trip to Greece
4. Take a trip to Utah
5. Join the DAR
6. Repaint my dresser
7. Go whale watching
8. Take a trip to Ireland
9. Secret writing project
10. Read Les Miserable (abridged)

Of course, like last year, adjustments may be made. I hope to learn and grow just as much as last year. I think I'll call this 10 in 2010.

“There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it’s not by accident. One day, when we look back at the seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren’t so coincidental after all.” -Thomas S. Monson

Finished!

Thing Number 3 was to see the Newseum. I went early Saturday morning on my own. I had the place practically to myself. It is such an amazing building and space, really well thought out. I was a little overwhelmed by some of the exhibits - the orientation video ("What is News?"), the Pulitzer Prize photos, and the 9/11 section. There was so much information in every display. My favorite was the News Corps. News History Gallery: front pages from newspapers since 1450s in displays that pull out like drawers, artifacts, videos on numerous topics, and interactive displays.

Thing Number 6 was to train for a half marathon. I joined the gym at work in June and went faithfully for several weeks after meeting with the trainer. I had an injury in August that made it difficult to run. So I've been running sporadically since. So while I'm not completely ready to run a half marathon, my intention is still the same.

Thing Number 25 was to write a short story. This is done! I'm really excited about it; it was really fun to write. If you would like to read it let me know and I'll send it to you.

As a PS, Thing Number 27, in case you're keeping track, was accomplished in February.

Current Tally: Done!

I have learned a lot from accomplishing my list and have been greatly blessed (directly and indirectly) by this experience. I have learned a lot about who I am and what I like to do. I am planning a list for while I'm 28, but it won't have 28 things; that would be a lot. I will post the list soon.

New York, New York!

Thing number 11 was originally supposed to be to go see the Supreme Court in session. However, I got sick a couple of weeks ago and didn't feel it was appropriate to miss any more work. So I amended this thing to be visit the Statue of Liberty. This was something I had never done before. It was really cool. We didn't get to go inside, but just being close to Lady Liberty was worth the ferry ride. The narration on the ferry said that when immigrants coming to Ellis Island saw the statue, the whole ship would erupt in cheers.

Thing number 16 was to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This was really fun. I'm glad we did it. My mom, sister, and I got up early and found a place on 6th Avenue about 7:30 am. We had a prime spot: everyone in front of us was on the street and we were on the curb, so it was easy to see everything that went by. The marching bands were great, the clowns and other characters were entertaining, and the balloons were fabulous. It is a different experience watching them come down the street and then float overhead. This was hands down the best parade I've ever been to.

Kermit!

Snoopy makes the turn onto 6th Avenue from 42nd Street.

We finished the rest of our time off in New York by seeing the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular, eating at Bubba Gump's in Times Square, seeing a play with two of Jenny's favorite actors, going to the top of the Empire State Building, and eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Current Tally: 24 done, 2 in progress, 1 to do!

Reassurance

"With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you." - Jeffery R. Holland

Thing #10 and surplus things

Thing number 10 was to go whale watching. Here are the whales!

This whale hangs out at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium is full of beautiful living creatures, but this whale is obviously not real. And he doesn't count as whale watching.

I had been thinking about modifying this thing since whale watching season was over in the mid-atlantic states when a trip to California for work was approved. So I left it on, did some research on whale watching trips and found one that worked with my schedule. However when I went to buy the tickets before I left, the tour that I had planned on taking was no longer on the schedule. None of the other trips worked with my schedule, but I left it on the list just in case I could get the tour. I also added seeing the Redwoods to this thing, so that one way or another something would be accomplished this week.

I drove through Henry Cowell State Park on my way from Monterey to San Jose to come home. The road winded through the mountains and the huge redwoods went for miles. It was gorgeous. I met a rancher named Jim in the San Jose airport waiting for my delayed flight (picture a leathery, grampa-type wearing denim and a cowboy hat and boots). He told me that Redwoods don't burn in a forest fire beacuse of their thick bark, but actually need the heat in order to grow.

While in California, I explored Monterey (where the conference was) and Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more pictures go here.

Surplus #1: The trip allowed me to visit with a mission companion and dear friend Rachel, who was very pregnant. She and I hadn't seen each other in about 3 years. We played with her son AJ (too cute for words), helped prepare for her sister's wedding, made chocolate cover pretezels, and caught up on things. Such joy!

Surplus #2: Due to my delay in San Jose, I missed my connection in Salt Lake City. At first they wanted me to fly from SLC to LA to Atlanta to DC, arriving at 9 am. Spending the whole night on a plane didn't sound like much fun to me, so I scheduled a flight out for the next morning. Hurrah for the unexpected. I must admit I was a little frustrated in San Jose, but talking with the rancher named Jim and realizing that I could visit Temple Square helped change my attitude. Kathleen picked me up from the airport and we had dinner at Leatherby's (an old favorite) and then went to Temple Square. Oh how I've missed it! We walked around the temple and chatted with a couple of sisters - one from California and one from Mexico. We visited the new Chuch History Library (mostly just walked in and did a random search in their catalog). We sat in on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal for a few minutes - absolutely gorgeous - and walked up where the Christus is. Such memories came flooding back and I was very grateful for the delay that made it possible. I stayed with my cousin Megyn and her family overnight. Her kids are getting so big and are lots of fun. It was great to catch up with them and my aunt Linda.

Current Tally: 22 done, 2 started, 3 to do in 42 days!

I heart being a librarian

I'm in sunny (and windy) California for a librarian conference. This has been quite an adventure as I've been mostly on my own, which requires me to go sight seeing on my own, something I rarely do. But let me tell you it's a great experience. I get to see exactly what I want, when I want, and for as long as I want. But, I do find myself talking out loud to myself a bit more often than usual and there are moments that I wish I could share, so I guess there are some trade offs.

In the keynote session this morning, Paul Holdengraber was interviewed. This man is incredible. I've heard him speak a few times. He has revitalized programming at the NY Public Library and his vision for the library is refreshing. He has created a program called Live from the NYPL which are unique conversations, debates and performaces with a variety of people from President Clinton to William Forsythe. He even talked this morning about an opera that was performed based on E.B. White's Manual of Style. One of the things that they often do during the programs is conversation portraits. Flash Rosenburg draws as the program happens. These are quite clever and you can watch a few here.

Paul also said that of all the things that he is, he is "not a librarian; but nobody's perfect." Love it!

Anna and a Boat

Thing #15 was to take the water taxi to Georgetown. It also happened to be on Amy's list as well. So we planned to go during Priesthood session in hopes that some of leaves would be changing and it wouldn't be too cold. Well the leaves aren't quite changing and it was pretty chilly sitting on top of the boat, but it was well worth the trip. (On the way back we sat on the inside of the boat.)

The boat has a narration that points out interesting things along the way. When we went under the Memorial Bridge the narrator described it as a bridge between the North and South and that there are 26 stars (I think that was the number) to represent the number of states at the time of the Civil War. I also learned that the Kennedy Center is the federally recognized memorial to JFK. And that the Potomac River is one of the top 10 places for bass fishing (if you've seen the river, I'm not sure that you'd want to fish in it). It was quite an educational evening. In Georgetown, we had dinner at Chadwick's and wandered a little through the area right near the dock.

The monuments from the Boat (courtesy of Jenny's awesome camera)

Jenny, Amy, me, and Michelle on the top deck

Thing #7 was to read (or listen to) Anna Karenina. This was my third attempt at reading this classic. The first two times I never made it past page 100. Knowing this, I checked out the audiobook from the local library in the hopes that this would help me along. I did get farther than page 100 this time (to about page 150), but I've decided not to finish the book.

While the book is beautifully written and the characters well developed, it is a heavy book, and I don't mean physically (although depending on the edition you have it could be that, too). Tolstoy includes descriptions of cows and politics and women's dressing habits and other things that are interesting tidbits, but make for dense, laborious reading, I mean listening.

I was torn for several days deciding if I should just plow through and get it done or if I should replace it with some other thing. While pondering this, I realized two things: One, this project is about accomplishing things that I have always wanted to do. While reading AK, it became something I no longer wanted to do. And two, that the decision to stop reading it and understanding that I no longer feel the need to read it was accomplishing the goal, too. So I have counted this thing done; I have returned the audiobook to the library and removed my copy of the book from my shelf. So long, Anna!

Current Tally: 21 done, 2 started, 4 to do

Randomness

Sometimes I wish I could understand myself better. That being said, this I do know: I have come to understand that every situation is different and not to expect the same thing twice. Perhaps I'm too nice, perhaps I'm too understanding, but this is who I am and I like being me. I am dedicated and loyal and passionate and willing to give people many, many chances. I am constantly learning how to take confidence in these things. Pain and disapointment are just as important to progession as happiness is.

I am reminded of the hymns "Be Still, My Soul" and "How Firm a Foundation" because they give me peace and strength as I move forward. What specifically comes to mind is "be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake/to guide the future as he has the past/thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake/all now mysterious shall be bright at last" and "In every condition...as thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be." This simply reminds me to look at the blessings in my life, that God has a hand in my life, and that I am promised joy. What more can a girl ask for?

A few of the things I'm grateful for:

random notes/texts from friends, answered prayers, work, crying, laughing, unexpected trips, geting lost, leaves changing color, accomplishing things on my list, alone time, finding things I'm passionate about, steadfast friends

Zero Solitude and a Mill

Yay for 3 day weekends and for accomplishing things on my list! I'm so excited to be getting these done. It's teaching me to make time to do things that I always think about doing but never do.

On Saturday, thing #9 - Hike Old Rag - was accomplished! John and I headed out before the sun was up to get to the trail before the crowds. The 3 miles to the summit includes two miles of switchbacks and the last mile is a rock scramble to the summit. After lunch at the summit, we hiked the 4.5 miles down the other side. It was a fantastic day! ;)

Thing #21 was to visit George Washington's Grist Mill. This was a tour of how Washington made his living by growing wheat and corn and turning it into flour, feed, and whiskey.

outside the Grist Mill

Jenny is finally taller than Amy

The workings of the Mill

(Current Tally: 19 done, 5 started, 3 to do)