B is for Book

Book: a set of written, printed or blank sheets bound together into a volume.

[According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary]

I love books. I mean, I really like reading when I have the time. Now this isn't like reading textbooks and school stuff, although I'll admit that sometimes I like to read those too, but only when I'm really interested in the subject. My favorite books are by Nicholas Sparks, and I own all of them except for his latest and of course the one that comes out this October. I've read about half of them so far. I love the romance in the stories, even the tear-jerkers and I just can't get enough. It's my guilty pleasure. Sometime to get lost in for a little bit. I wish I had a few more hours in the day to read and to do everything I want to, but priorities come into play and work and all that nonsense.

Anyways, the book that I'm reading right now is actually not by Sparks. It's called the 4 Hour Work Week and is written by Tim Ferriss. I'm not sure how many people actually read books and really get into them like I do, but for being about only twenty pages in, I'm already inspired. It's actually part of the reason for the many adventures and plans that have and are going to take place this summer, which I'm very excited for.

The PostSecret Book series is another that I really enjoy reading and the PostSecret Blog (new every Sunday!) for that matter too. It really is eye-opening to see these secrets that people write down and send to a Frank Warren, just some guy who started a project/experiment to collect secrets on postcards. It's kind of comforting as well to see what everyone else is going through, knowing someone else is dealing with the same issues and knowing that you aren't alone in that.

-~- B.

B is for Brave

Brave: having or showing courage.

[According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary]

As a girl, I was completely shy and reserved. For the most part I've still got that calm and quite nature, but for the last three or four years I've been more outgoing and much less self-conscious. I try to meet new people and experience as many new things as I can. I really love listening to people's stories and what they've experienced. I find it fascinating to learn where people came from and how they got where they are today. I do whatever I can to be happy and to live so that I'll have an amazing story with lots of adventures that I can tell someday to someone like me. I chose 'brave' for this blog because I'm traveling to Boston by train (a 17-hour ride) by myself. Yes, thats going to be really long and probably boring, but I'm not worried about keeping myself occupied. Actually I'm kind of hoping to meet someone on the train and have a nice friendly chat with them. You know, kind of like in the movies. Silly as it might sound, but it's just all part of the adventure. I want to be able to say that I did those things and take something away from the experience. After college I want to move somewhere new. If I'm starting over on my own, I think I should kind of test myself and I'm using this trip as that test. I'm sort of taking this adventure prove to myself that I'll be fine. I mean I know I can do it and it won't be a problem, but honestly if I can't take a train to Boston and travel by myself to meet my friend for a week, then how can I possibly live  on my own in a brand new, unfamiliar place? It's all about pushing the limits and testing comfortability.

-~- B.

 "A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he is willing to have."

B is for Bold

Bold: fearless before danger / standing out prominently.

[According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary]

This past Saturday I knocked off one of the items on my bucket list. I've wanted to jump out of an airplane since I was younger because my dad used to do it about twenty years ago. You'll know from B is for Bait that I've got a close relationship with my dad and for the longest time I was thinking that I would go skydiving and take him with me for one of our big birthdays (you know like 18, 21, 45, 50). But this summer I got the "live in the moment/now or never" urge and we decided to go for his 46th birthday this summer. IT WAS AMAZING. I can't even describe in words how excited and adrenaline-filled I was. The free fall was an unreal experience and it was all just so fast. I think the craziest part though, was standing at the edge of the plane door and having Brandon (my tandem partner) push us out of the plane. Awesome. The wind was rushing by us so fast - I almost lost my goggles! After a couple minutes, he pulled the parachute and ended the free fall. The rest of the ride down was just as cool though. We floated down safely, doing some spins and I got to hold the handles and help us steer. We even got to float through a cloud! It was everything that I had hoped it would be. When I had originally planned the trip it was for my dad and I for his birthday, then my brother was showing some interest so I couldn't say no. If you knew my brother from when we were younger, you'd know he's pretty shy and he was scared of heights and roller coasters. He's a big fan now though and I wanted him there with us, too. He was a trooper - him, my dad, and I all got to take the same flight up and drop right after each other. Jeremy went first. I went next, then my dad followed. I'm so glad I was able to share the experience with the people who mean the most to me. Just another great day that we'll be able to look back on and laugh about and another one of my adventures this summer and in life, and I loved every minute of it! Check out my video, Jeremy's video and our pictures from the trip!! And to anyone who has ever wanted to skydive - DO IT!! The thrill is amazing and 100% worth it!

-~- B.

- Our Skydiving Song -