My Month of Writing Dangerously

November marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  

For each of the 30 days, I'll attempt to write 1,667 words per day which will result in a 50,000 word novel.  I'll try to make these words cohesive and remain on topic - the "plot," if you will.  I'll attempt to actually use my time wisely and write daily.  (That last part is what I'm most concerned about!)

According to the NaNoWriMo rules, you are allowed to outline your story before you begin writing on November 1.  I have spent hours developing my characters and my plot line.  I have consulted with numerous friends and family (well, my sister) about creating something that the average reader (me) would want to read.  

This is no easy task, dear reader.  In fact, this may be the most creatively difficult adventure I've attempted.  I can go on a hike.  Easy-peasey.  I can take my grandmother across the pond.  No probs.  But to sit down and write a novel is something completely different and completely out of my comfort zone.

Let me be clear: this is NOT the great American novel.  I'm not John Steinbeck or Mark Twain.  I strive to have the humor of Jen Lancaster or the will of Cheryl Strayed.  But in reality, I'm just a mere closet-writer.   That plot line I've spent hours developing isn't exactly....developed.  (Geez....I'm working on it, ok!)  

What do I need from you, dear reader?  SUPPORT.  This support can come in the form of an encouraging text message, or spunky care package filled with M&Ms, Kit-Kats, and Dr. Pepper.  Support could be in the form of a creative suggestion if my poorly planned plot line fails miserably.  

Wish me luck - I'm off to finish outlining before the big month begins!!!  Only 2 days, 9 hours left....but who's counting!!!

Bullying Blog Post

My dear reader,

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about a personal situation and about the tragedies of bullying.  

Since then, I have been approached by two news agencies about appearing on live television to share this story and even to apologize for death of a peer.

I will not appear on television to discuss bullying.  I only wrote this post because of the (then) upcoming documentary about bullying.  I understand this is a hot-topic and my hope was to encourage people to (1) watch the documentary, and (2) assess your character if you are in a situation which might foster bullying.  

Therefore, I have deleted my previous post.  

Thanks for understanding!

Lessons Learned from Traveling with Family

1.       Bring extra international adapters – there is always something to charge.  Not only will you need to charge normal electronics (i.e. phones, iPads, cameras, etc), everyone will bring their own curling iron and hair straightener.  Mornings are hectic enough and dealing with a dysfunctional hair appliance is no way to begin the morning.  

2.       Be patient with your 74 year old grandmother.  Then, be even more patient.  And don't think she's complaining all the time; she is simply observing the differences of cultures.

3.       Have a backup plan for your hair.  I recommend bringing multiple hair-ties when you leave in the morning.  The humidity of Venice does nothing for our thick, unruly hair.  (Yes, I’m serious.  Yes, this was a problem for us.)

4.       Warn them about the lack of ice and fountain drinks in Europe.  If they want a pop, they’ll have to drink from a lukewarm bottle….and they may not get a straw either.

5.       Bring more Euros than you think you’ll need.

6.       Don’t go too fast.  Noni will get tired and won’t have the chance to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the experience.  She didn't say anything about David's lack of.......girth. 

7.       Call PawPaw more often.  He really missed everyone!

8.       Don’t bring so many bags.  Try to pack as compactly as possible because dealing with another country’s customs is zero fun.  

9.       Be sure it won’t hurt anyone’s feeling when you want to spilt up from the group.  Some people may want to explore while others may want to hang out.  Don’t be offended when a traveling companion doesn’t want to do the exact same thing as you.

10.   Find humor in everything.  Reminiscing about Noni falling into the gondola will provide hours of entertainment later on in the trip.  Laugh as much as possible. 

The End of Summer

Summer is officially over, which is sad because I had a lot of fun this summer.  Yet, fall brings another host of activities.  I refuse to sit inside and watch the leaves change through my window.  Instead, I’ve spent hours planning events that will both get me outside and subject me to the cultures, activities, and events in which DC offers.  

You should see my iCal.  I’m soooo busy.  Almost every day has *something* to do.  Sure, I will go to the dentist and other responsible appointments, but for the most part, I’m out having fun.  Not only am I playing volleyball, softball, and football, but I am also making more of an effort to see more plays and attend diverse lectures.  

I always knew that life was is not (and should not be) defined by my 9-5. I don’t describe myself by the words in my job title.  Work is merely the place I go to pay for my life.  It does not define me.  It does not control me.  My work ethic, though, allows me to devote any extra minute to the activities in which I wish to partake.  It’s exhilarating to know that I am in control of my own time and I honestly make the best of it.  For me, life is about the 5-9.  I take considerable efforts to ensure I have a great time after work.  Rarely am I bored and rarely do I wish I were doing something better or different.  Yes, I’m pretty busy.  Yes, finding spare time to relax can be difficult, but this is the way I want it.  I, for some strange reason, *want* my days planned out.    Sure, keeping busy can be exhausting, but seriously, what is the alternative?  As I said, I’m not allowing myself to sit inside and wait for fun things to come along.  I won't allow myself to look forward to watching a television program.  I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and realize that it’s winter.  I want to experience the season changing.  I want to take full advantage of everything my awesome city provides for its people.  Remember my 6 month checkup?  I had so much fun writing that post because it gave me the chance to recollect and memorialize some awesome events.  I’m excited to do my next checkup, which happens to coincide with my 1-year blog anniversary.  What an awesome year....and it's only September!!!    

My 10-Year High School Reunion

It’s time for my 10 year high school reunion.  The same girls that planned Spirit Day and Prom have devoted many hours and $1500 of personal money to reserve a venue.  Plans were underway.

Unfortunately for these planners, the mere 50 responses have been less than expected.    The lack of interest may result in a cancelled event.

In May 2002, over 300 people (maybe even 100 or so more!) graduated from my high school class.  We all stood together in a large auditorium before we moved on with our lives.  We listened to speeches we now can’t remember; we pretended to care about what everyone was doing next.  

10 years later, it’s time to regroup.  It’s tradition to get the class back together.  We’ll pretend we liked each other then and that we like each other now.  We’ll brag about our accomplishments and show off pictures of our babies.  We’ll try to one-up everyone about our exotic adventures.  And how many people do you think are dieting in anticipation of this 3 hour event?  

But let’s be honest, dear reader, no one is going.  There is no need for high school reunions.  Why is that, you may ask?  

FACEBOOK!!!!

I already know who has a baby-daddy....or two.  I know who got fat.  I can pretty much tell who still lives with their parents.  Boob jobs are evident through profile pictures, and so is lack of dental care.  

There is no surprise to the reunion - not in the same way our parents were excited.  There is no need to diet or go get a new outfit.  We already know where everyone is and what everyone is doing.  

And, seriously, can you imagine having to see ugly baby pictures after people already post them all over Facebook??  It would be even harder to lie to their faces.  

Sure, it’s unfortunate for those who did want to reunite and swap stories.  It’s especially unfortunate for the planners who exerted their time, energy, effort, and money.  But, I think we need to be realistic.  There isn’t an urgency to rush “home” to see our classmates, as we see so many everyday in our News Feed.  

Honestly, it feels like everyday is a freaking high school reunion!!!  But at least on Facebook we can unfriend the over-poster or hide someone’s posts who clearly didn’t receive the same spelling and grammatical education as the rest of the civilized world.   

Facebook is really all we need to reunite.  And don’t worry, there is enough to mock from merely reading the News Feed as there would be if we all made the trip to the actual event.

What the heck am I doing with my life???

The big 3-0 is approaching, dear reader.  I have never felt a stronger urgency to take hold of my life as I have these past couple of months.  No, I’m not talking about marriage or the “K” word.  I’m talking about MY life.

I’m talking about a sense of belonging and purpose within myself and my own environment. 

A couple of days ago, my Noni asked me, “How old were you when you figured out what you wanted to do?”  I just sat there. Uh…………..I don’t have it figured out.  I don’t have ANYTHING figured out.  I have no idea what is happening in the next 6 months or a year from now.  (This is very difficult for me too because I am used to living by a 5 year plan!) 

Let me wrap this all up for you: 3-0 is rapidly approaching and I have no plan.  I don’t even have a plan to begin a new plan.  Here I am.  Sitting here.  Waiting.

Waiting for what? 

I, too, am looking for something amazing, but I really struggle in my attempts to figure out my next step(s).  Where do I want to work?  Where do I want to live?  Should I move overseas again?  Can I survive without a car?  Should I go to grad school?  Is professional, economic stability really more important than living a fun, fulfilling life?  Are professional, economic stability and a fun, fulfilling life mutually exclusive?

One of my BFFs told me her favorite quote: “The world is run by people who show up.”  I love this idea.  (Hi KLH!)

I’m realizing more and more that being an active participant in my own life is the best thing I can do. 

These are the areas I’d like to change:

1.        My professional life – I want a fulfilling, meaningful job.  I want to dig wells in Africa.  I want to work with AIDS patients.  I want to give girls the Depo shot.   I also don’t want to take a pay cut.  I understand that I probably can’t have both, so here I sit contemplating the “what ifs.”

2.       My location – I think I’m done with DC.  I’ve lived here since the end of 2007.  (EEK!)  I’m ready for something new.  I have no idea where I want to go, but I’m ready should the situation present itself.

3.       My travels – I’m ready for my next adventure.  I’m ready for something outside of my comfort zone.  I’m ready to hit - dare I say it - my last continent. 

4.       My feet – My feet and I are having some disagreements right now.  At this point, it’s really not about me vs. the world, it’s really about me vs. my feet.  They might be winning today, but I’m making some great progress!  Let’s face it, I can’t do anything without my feet.

A part of me really wants to take a year (or three) to travel the world.  I want to explore as much as I can.  But I know that is completely unrealistic.  I have a life and stuff and a job and a partner.  I have expectations and responsibilities that prevent me from quitting my stable job for something so unreliable and whimsical. 

Another part of me wants to save, save, save.  I want to feel so secure about my finances that I don’t need to think about my next vacation or worry once retirement time comes.  Then, I feel like I should use this time to do everything I want because eventually I’ll feel too old and it’ll be too irresponsible to make such a drastic change.  Again, I struggle to find the medium.

I’ve also decided that everything in life is a phase.  Childhood was a phase.  Puberty was a phase.  High school was a phase.  In just the same manner, adulthood is a phase.  Parenthood is a phase.  Your career as a <insert job title here> is a phase.  Because life is organic, these phases are also organic.  I am no longer the person I was 10 years ago, just like I am no longer teenager.  I’m a different person because my life is drastically different.  I want to keep changing.  I want to develop into a better version of myself as I age.  My current phase will quickly end and I’ll embark on whatever the universe holds next for me. 

Nothing is guaranteed: marriages/relationships, jobs, one’s health.  The current phase in which we all reside will evolve into something different.  We won’t know if it’s better or worse until we get there and live through it though. 

Do I expect to feel different on my 30^th birthday?  Of course not.  BUT, I do hope to use this time to gain a clearer direction to the path on which I see my life.  I have 16 months to deeply analyze my life, my choices, and my environment  While I’m doing all of that, I’m going to SHOW UP.  I’m going to make more of a conscience effort to explore the world and assess my whole life. 

Do you have any suggestions for me? 

What are you doing?

1st hike at Shenandoah

I spent last Saturday hiking in Shenandoah National Park.  I went with that Capital Hiking Club as a first-timer.  I was a little nervous.  As much as I love trying new things and don’t mind participating solo, I was a little nervous about the entire activity.  I’d never been to the Park and I’d never been on a real hike. Don’t worry, dear reader, I survived.

There is one thing I learned from this hike: I’m basically a little teapot.  I’m short.  I’m stout.  If someone would have tipped me over, I would have poured out all over the trail.  The super cute green pack on my back was kinda heavy too.  

I went on the short hike: 7 miles.  (The long hike was 10 miles...I'm not sure I would have survived.)  I traveled through Stony Man and White Oak Canyon.  The hike ended with a swim at a beautiful swimming hole.  

These 7 miles weren’t easy for me either.  I was huffing and puffing through most of the trail.  The ups and downs really challenged my body.

I got to see a rattlesnake.

This waterfalls was my background noise.

The views made everything worth it.

And my sweet blisters have forced me to remember this trip all week!!!

It was an awesome day.  I highly recommend making the trip the Shenandoah or joining me and the Capital Hiking Club on our next adventure.

Happy hiking!!!