Final Blog

Part 1
I think that I have a respectful mind more than any of the other minds. I understand that I cannot judge others because I do not know every single thing about that person. I do not know every second of his or her past, which is what makes a person who he or she is. I feel comfortable talking to anyone really, no matter what "group" they are in or how different they are from me. It is very easy for me to understand and connect with people. In all situations, I always try to see all points of view and give everyone the respect they deserve.

Part 2
I was not a normal newborn. After I was born, I lifted my head, and looked around the room"curiously" (as my mom says). Most newborns just cry in their mother's arms. But I, on the other hand, looked all the strangers in the room. I have always been a curious person--curious as to how and why this happens or why this is this way, and so on. Even when I was little, I would come up with bizarre questions like, do people with different colored eyes see different colors? Most little girls are just concerned about their dolls, but not I. =]

As stated in Part 1, I look at things from different perspectives. I analyze everything when it comes to how people act or why they do certain things. I like to try to see their point of view. In addition to that, I also find myself in classes, especially physics or chemistry, asking myself much deeper questions than what is actually being taught. I tend to look at what is being taught from different points of view than just the basic material.


Once again, I also exhibit respect for other viewpoints. I am totally open to hearing and considering other ideas and perspectives that I may have overlooked.

Part 3
From my blog, I have learned that there is so much to do in life. I honestly do not know where to begin with mine. I do not want to take the traditional route: graduate high school, go to college, get a job, get married, have kids, etc... Of course I want all those things as well, but I want unusual, life-changing experiences that not many people have. I want to do great things! =]

My Bucket List

To wrap things up, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you part of my personal bucket list. Feel free to share some things on your bucket list as well.

Things I have already accomplished:
Go to Disney World.
Meet my best friend.
Go canoeing (8th grade trip: I had to do all the rowing for 3 hours because Ashley Finch's thumb was broken!)
Be confirmed.
Graduate grade school.
Go to a Notre Dame football game.
Go parasailing.
Jet ski.
Camp with friends in a backyard.
Pull an all-nighter.
Make a family scrapbook.
Go to a Kenny Chesney concert.
Fall in love.
Go to Wisconsin Dells.
Go to Gatlinburg.
Go to a Colts' game.
Make a wish on a falling star.
Ride Drop Zone.
See the Grand Canyon.
Take drawing lessons.
Travel to somewhere out of the United States (Mexico!).
Get my driver's license.
Win Nationals (softball).
Go to a prom.

Things I have yet to accomplish:
Go on my Senior Retreat.
Be on high honors every quarter in high school.
Be in a play.
Graduate high school.
Go on a road trip with only my friends.
Attend school at my dream college.
Go to Las Vegas on my 21st birthday.
Have a memorable and successful college career.
Discover my passion in life.
Meet the love of my life and marry him.
Have children and watch them grow up.
Be a good parent.
Create my dream home.
Master an instrument.
Shop at the Mall of America.
Be a spectator at the Super Bowl.
Swim with dolphins.
Break a Guinness World Record.
Witness a solar eclipse.
Be a spectator at the Olympics.
Skydive.
See the Northern Lights.
Go to Times Square on New Year's Day.
Visit the Seven New Wonders of the World.
Visit all 50 states.
Go on a cruise.
Learn how to cook--well.
Make a long list of books to read and then actually read them.
Drive a Lamborghini.
Go white water rafting. (I will next month: Summer Field Studies 2010!)

Inspiring Movies

Here are some movie trailers of a few life-changing movies that should inspire you to do some amazing things--like chase your dreams--and even some crazy things during your life:

Remember Your Life!

When you are 80 years old, and just sitting at home reminiscing, it would be really nice to have something to look back on: a scrapbook, a journal, videos, and a keepsake box. Make sure to take the time to have these things so later on, you will never forget the journey you have been through. Store photos at websites such as Shutterfly so you will never lose them!

Make a Difference

Whether it is in an individual's life, in several people's lives, or in the whole world, everyone should try to make some sort of positive difference. This could be something as simple as tutoring people who struggle in areas you excel in. Or, this could be something as big as making speeches about world peace or not harming the environment. Also, everyone should get out there and volunteer! Help out those people who are not as blessed as you. Encourage others to try to make these kinds of differences. Make the world a better place.

Live Like the Rich

Money, money, money. It is important to some people; to others, it is the least of their worries. But even if you don't care about money, everyone should experience a day in the life of the rich. Go on a cruise! Fly first class! Go shopping! Be waited on! Go to a spa! Take a day or two to relax, even if this means emptying your wallet.

Fall in Love

Love: songs are written about it, movies are made about it, people everywhere are looking for it. Falling in love is not something I can give you tips on how to do because it's something that just happens! But you definitely need to make sure this happens to you sometime during your life. All I can say is, give it time and love will come when you least expect it. Finding that special someone is the highlight of most people's lives.

Experience Something Truly Amazing

There are some moments that will just take your breath away. This might be witnessing a solar eclipse, making a wish on a falling star, or seeing the Northern Lights. What the case may be, this is the a moment where everything is perfect and at peace. Every person should have one of these moments.Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. -Anonymous

Challenge Yourself--Mentally and Physically!

Learn how to play chess, become an expert at solving the Rubik's Cube, make a book of lists to read, even write a book, or invent something. Those are all way to challenge yourself mentally.
Run a marathon, go canoeing, or go skiing: challenging yourself physically. Don't be a lazy bum. Get up and do things! Learn things, challenge yourself.

Make Your Dreams Come True

Pursue your passion. If you have a dream job, why have any other job? Do whatever hard work it takes to get that job. Build your dream home; buy your dream car. Make your dreams a reality! It's all up to you.

Acquire Life Skills

There are some skills that are forever useful. Every person needs to acquire a few of these. They are ultimately what make a person unique and who they really are.

What are some of these "skills"?

For instance, one could learn how to fluently speak a foreign language, play an instrument, perform CPR, sew, cook elaborate meals, build things, dance, or draw. The options are really infinite.

Have Your 15 Minutes of Fame!

Be honest, have you ever imagined yourself on television? Perhaps you’ve fantasized about performing on stage in front of a live audience... Everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame. Well, there's several ways to get this. You could try to get on a reality TV show (American Idol, Survivor, Jersey Shore, the Apprentice, etc). I mean, who can forget about American Idol's William Hung andLarry Platt? But if you really want people to remember you, first you have to get on one of these shows, and then you have to have a lot of personality. This personality could be funny or extremely mean. It just needs to be something that will get people talking. Then you'll be guaranteed to be the subject of many conversations for a least a little while!

Or, instead of being on a reality TV show, you could be on Oprah. Confess your problems or share your talents in front of millions! People might even start a fan club for you.

Also, the Internet could play a big role in making you famous. This could be making hilarious YouTube videos, or even blogging! =)

Dare Yourself

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow, what a Ride!' " -Anonymous

Hey readers! So what are things you just need to do before your time is up? Well, live on the edge a bit! Do something you would really have to work up the nerve to do. What are some examples of this?

Getting a Tattoo
Maybe it means something; maybe it means nothing at all. Getting one might be the simplest way of living on the edge a little-and it is something that will be part of you forever.

Conquering Your Greatest Fear
Fear limits your greatest potential. Get rid of it! Overcoming this fear will make you feel great.

Climbing the Great Pyramid of Egypt
Can you imagine the feeling of achievement after climbing this 482-foot pyramid and being able to gaze out onto the desert?

Skydiving
Taking this leap of faith (literally) will make you feel a once-in-a-lifetime rush.




Diving with Sharks
Especially after seeing Jaws, I'm pretty sure anyone would have to have a huge amount of courage in order to do this. What's more daring than swimming around with something that can eat you?

There are many other daring things to do... So go head, dare yourself!

Meet Your Hero

Every person wants to meet his or her idol. For some, this person may be Oprah. For others, like little boys, this person could be Ichiro Suzuki. Many girls look up to people like the Jonas Brothers. Everyone dreams of meeting the people they look up to--the people taped all over their bedroom walls. Some people who have met their heroes already might consider the day they meet them the greatest day of their entire life.

If you are really interested in meeting your idols, go to this website for some tips:
http://www.hcfoo.com/2007/11/tips-on-how-to-meet-your-sports-idol-or.html

Travel

If a hundred people were asked, "If you knew you were going to die within the next couple years, what would you do with your life?", a huge majority of the people would most likely say, "Travel." At least that is what I think. That's what I would want to do. Get out of this place--the good ol' Crossroads of America--which I've been stuck in for 17 and a half years, and see what else is out in this big world.

But where to begin? There are so many place to go. Personally, I would start this amazing vacation with a nice beach, somewhere to relax. First, I would start on the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, then I would head over to the beaches in Southern California, and then since by then I would hopefully have a pretty solid base tan, I would hit up the beaches in Mexico... I would never get sick of going to the beach, and I would probably have to force myself to go anywhere else.

After finally pulling myself away from the beautiful beaches, I would definitely go to Europe: France, Italy, Spain... I would love to see the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Tower of London, etc.

Yes, traveling the world is surely a thing I want to do during my lifetime!