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 -

B is for Beer

Beer: an alcoholic beverage usually made from malted cereal 

grain (as barley), flavored with hops, and brewed by slow fermentation.

[According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary]

So this past weekend I attended Country Concert for the second year. The three-day concert featured Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Justin Moore, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Montgomery Gentry, Lady A and so many more! Although the music was great and the concerts were fun, I think that the best part was just being there for the experience, camping, partying with everyone and meeting so many fun, new people. This weekend I stayed at a campsite with a friend from school and his friends from home. Everyone was so nice and we had all had a great time. Once we  got our camper set up, we met all the neighbors and settled in with a few drinks. We had to take our chairs and wait in line for Golden Circle tickets. Basically it's a huge mad dash to get a first come first serve ticket for super close seats. You just have to take your chair to get a ticket. The other days the guys had to get up pretty early and wait in line just to sprint again to make sure we got enough tickets. While the guys went to get our tickets, Richie made us breakfast on the grill every morning. It was the best meal you could ask for after the nights we had. Another one of the best parts of the weekend was after breakfast, when we all piled into Spencer's truck and headed to our friend Baum's house, which is kind of close to the concert. We all got to take showers and naps and get ready for the day - so refreshing! Then back in the truck and back to the concert. We had massive FlipCup games going on with our neighbors and random passer-bys while we waited for the concerts to start and during the breaks. I'm not sure what it is about alcohol that just allows everyone to bond, but I won't forget the people I met this weekend. They really made the weekend live up to its potential and helped make this one of the best adventures of my summer so far. Can't wait to see you all again and wish CC'12 wasn't so far away.

-~- B.

My Family for the weekend =)

Stephanie, Richie, Scrap Jesus

Chad, Spencer
Shrimpy and McMuffin