So...

I need to change my list, yet again. I have taken on a new responsibility that takes up a significant amount of time. The things that are being taken off the list will just be put on hold for a while. Here's my new list...

1. Run a 1/2 marathon (Logan, UT, August 28)
2. Take a trip to Utah (not just for the marathon)
3. Is a secret! OK, it's really not a secret anymore...I'm learning to ride a unicycle. I even bought one of my very own. It's red and tends to attack me when I'm impatient, but I know I can learn.
4. Secret writing project

This, I Believe

As a companion to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies of the divinity of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know it is true and that by following its teachings we can come to know Heavenly Father, His son, and the Plan of Salvation, which leads us back to them.

An update

So I've made some changes to my list. The list felt a little off to me. I found a couple of things that needed replacing and found a couple that I'm really excited about.

Number 5 is a project to learn more about my great-grandmother. She died the same day my grandfather was born and her family wasn't fond of my great-grandfather, so we know very little about her. She has been important to me since I was in high school when I first found some photographs of her. The main way I'll be able to do this is through some letters she wrote to my great-grandfather during their courtship.

Number 7 is a secret. It's a different type of secret than last year's secret. It'll be fun!

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. Get to know Martha Lake Charmichael Medlock
6. Repaint my dresser
7. Is a secret!
8. Take a trip to Ireland
9. Secret writing project
10. Read Les Miserable (abridged)

Me

I wish I had as much clarity as I've had in previous times, but patience with one's self, with others, and with God brings a measure of peace and the ability to progress. I know that gratitude is a great healer and the remedy for many, many things. A few of the things I'm grateful for today...

the Lord's timing, the atonement, a thoughtful text message, kindness and love of friends and family, hard work, regular routines, new goals, lists of things to do, libraries, running, rain on the windows, cold air, sunshine, crying, white cake with chocolate icing, colorful scarves, laughing, pondering, quiet time, driving, the temple, reflection, gratitude, prayer, reading, hope, miracles, memories, the promise of many things

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!