A Bucket List

I've always wanted to make a bucket list - so I thought, well ...yesterday was my goldenn birthday - shout out to myself ;). Why not make a list called "29 Things to do While I'm 29"...cute right?

1. Get my passport and travel to Italy to see Tessa Lynn (hopefully summer 2012)...flights aren't that bad!
2. Cook something new and different once a month (stolen from Erica G)
3. Begin Volunteer work with the Caring Place or Drew's Hope again - something similar ...This was a grief and loss program that I volunteered for in graduate school...how very fitting - but something I've always wanted to do again.
4. Apply for a PhD program
5. Have a beach house with friends (apply within)
6. Attend Phillies Opening Day/Night...and several other games (...also apply within)
7. Work my way into running a 5 K in the Spring and a 10 K in the summer :).
8. Host a reunion weekend for my college friends
9. Visit CJ in California!
10. Learn how to knit...where is my Aunt ;)
11. Start to write a book on the perspective of Higher Education from a young professional...(inquire within if interested)
12. Present at a National Conference for Higher Ed (apply within)
13. Have one coffee date a month with someone I don't know that well :)
14. Start playing the violin again...
15. Experience the history in Gettysburg...ghost tours, etc (let me know if interested)
16. Visit museums in DC...hollar at my DC friends!
17. See Rascal Flatts tour...Jacqui we HOPEFULLY have this covered
18. Read one new book every month
19. Invest in a camera and start taking more pictures :).
20. Find one, new restaurant a month and eat there with someone different :) -
21. Write one letter a week to a different friend...everyone loves mail
22. Write a blog post every time I achieve one of these goals :)/
23. Hike on a few of the trails in Central PA
24. Adopt a puppy!
25. Raise/donate money on a regular basis to the Ovarian Cancer Society - shout out to Dickinson for getting that started :)
26. Take a Sign Language Class
27. Have a Dad/Daughter trip somewhere fun
28. Get to know my extended family on a closer level...
29. Have a loving memorial in honor of my mom...and then run/walk in honor of her for the Ovarian Cancer Society National Walk...


I will do my best to blog as I achieve :).

As we go on, we remember...

I could not resist the title - if you don't understand, read on please. As many of you know, "Last Friday Night"  was our 10 Year High School reunion! I had absolutely no intention of going and quite frankly, the thought of seeing so many of my "high school acquaintances" made me cringe. However, things quickly changed the week that my mom passed away...a few of my high school friends became several of my rocks that have helped me to slowly...start to come back to life. My friend Jess and I were out to dinner one night that week and she exclaimed that she was buying tickets and we were going - I figured, well nothing could be worse than this point in my life - so what the hell! Later that night, I got drinks with CJ and Philly and before I knew it...we were all reunion bound.

Prom Pictures!

As we got to the reunion (after a few glasses of wine of COURSE)...I had the biggest smile on my face! There was literally not one person I wasn't happy to chat with or see! It was such a great time with so many genuine, fun people who really just wanted to reconnect...and for me, as I stated in my first entry...that it was life is all about...connections. Sometimes you meet people and they might not always be physically in your life but there is a bond created between  you with comfort and support knowing that they are always there. Of course, for me, I believe that making effort is important and whether it's a phone call, text, or coffee date - life is entirely too short not to build meaningful relationships. For me, the reunion was a great way to strengthen certain friendships, rekindle others, and start new ones! I hope that it was the same for many :). I believe that it is never too late to let someone into your life...and that a quick conversation can often change everything.

Now, of course - some things never change...

Can't Sleep...

Dad and I just got back from Black Friday shopping at the mall...hollar at the 2 for 20, 3 wick candle sale and 50 % off the Limited!!! :). However, WHY ...do parents let their 15 year olds run around dressed in super skimpy clothes...this is making me sound old but it's just awful and sad! I'm sure there is more to each of their stories...but when there are 100s of them wandering around at 12 AM you just have to wonder...

So today at Thanksgiving we also celebrated my birthday! 29 on the 29th - yay! My aunt and uncle bought me an awesome Keurig and then there was a bag my Dad handed to me with a few different presents ...I was like, damn...he did well. My aunt pulls me aside and said, your mom asked me to buy those gifts for your dad...she didn't want him to forget.  How was she thinking of my birthday when she was on her deathbed... but that's my mom...always putting others first...it made my day though.. :)

Giving Thanks...

Normally, this a day that my mom and I look forward too all year...spending the day together relaxing, cooking and eating...then napping and watching movies before a fun night/morning of shopping and breakfast at Peter's Diner :). This year is obviously very different from the rest...it's strange, sad, surreal (a word I keep using over and over again...). At the same time, there is much to be thankful for - my father and I have gotten significantly closer and are spending much more time together (we have always had a good relationship...but my Mom was my best friend...), I am reconnecting with lots of great people, and have a wonderful/amazing support system in Gettysburg that is not only a workplace for me but somewhere that has become like family. :). Don't get me wrong...I have my moments of tears and breakdowns (for those of you worried that I'm not coping...thank you graduate school). It's hard, it SUCKS...bottom line...but you have to find the silver linings or you will drive yourself crazy. I am thankful my mom is not suffering anymore and that she is not in pain...even though we are in pain for her. I am thankful for my Aunt, Uncle, cousin, and all of my Dad's family that has reached out and those who we are reconnecting with... such blessings.

Most of all, I am thankful that when people met my mom over the years, they would always say...Amy you look just like her, you are your mom...and you know what ..I am. I am thankful that I have the gift of being compassionate and loving like her, thoughtful and caring...someone who loves others and puts everyone first...I am thankful to see those qualities...and to let them shine...not shut them out as you should never like your attributes go to waste. So tonight, after my Aunt's Thanksgiving Dinner...I went to the store...got fun appetizers and desserts for my Dad and I ...and will carry on the tradition of pigging out and even (yes...get ready for this...) taking my Dad to the mall at midnight...(what is happening to the WORLD..) :)

Happy Thanksgiving, Ciao.

Is it ever too late to apologize?

Why must we always say we are "sorry"...when we are really just being honest? Thoughts?

Connections, Connections!

If you know anything about me, which most of you will soon learn, I have always said how important connections are in life. Whether it's with a lover, a friend, a student, a mentor - who you impact and who impacts you are two of the most important concepts in the world. I have never really met anyone who has not left some sort of imprint on my heart - come to think of it. That imprint may be awful...but still ...it means something. I think this is why I am now going to sign myself up for the world of blogging. My best friend, Tessa Lynn, has become an avid blogger - and I never really saw myself as doing it! However, very recently (like a week recently) my mother passed away, a man I really thought I would have a good relationship with turned into the oppostite, and many people from my past have decided that they would like to reconnect...(death is a crazy thing, people). So, I figured why not - one, we have no idea how long we are on this earth for ...so share your life! Two, if I can connect with someone because of a story...that's amazing. Three - would love to learn more about others and their life stories!

I've also always worked in Higher Education (yay!). I've realized that the most important and meaningful stories are often not shared! Why, because we focusing on talking about theory and training...when we should be sharing the "aha" moments...the moments that make us realize why exactly we are doing what we love (this is a whole other post in itself). However, I would love to connect with those of you who understand what I mean...and maybe those of you who don't - :).

(Fellow best friends and bloggers: :)