There is one item on my list that is more of a general thing. I am trying to appreciate everything and everyone around me. It sounds pretty simple. Just don't take things for granted. But in the moment, people get caught up in their lives and fail to see the bigger picture.

I think my summer job constantly gets me back in the right frame of mind. I work with people who have special needs at a camp. It is probably the best job that any one could ever have. You get to hang outside all day (not really a choice, we have no inside!). In my case, I get to take a group of kids canoeing most days. Somewhere in between our camp and French Creek, I start to forget why I am doing it. The bus I drive is from the 80s, literally, it smells so bad we take breaks getting places so we don't get sick, it makes turns like an 18 wheeler, the list goes on. But when we get there, I am instantly reminded that it's all part of a bigger picture. Helping a kid learn how to paddle a canoe, getting someone in the water who used to be afraid, knowing this is one of the best parts of your campers day... it makes it all worth it.

All I have to do at school when I star to lose site is remind myself of camp and the amazing people I get to see every day. This is my LAST year in college... and aside for suffering through classes for my Masters, I won't be experiencing anything close to this again. I need to take the time to appreciate all that it has to offer me, good and bad, and live it up.

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." - Anonymous

Soak it up...

I am in shock that we have already reached the middle of September. How did this happen? I have so many things I want to do this year and time just seems to keep ticking by. In an attempt to soak it up, I have told myself that I have to make every day count. Keeping my friends in on it, we try and do something together for at least an hour or so every day.

This past week, I went for a bike ride with my friend. It was such a nice day and I hadn't been around campus in awhile, minus my visits to old, faithful, Nicarry. We hopped on our bikes and headed down some main roads. Now... I KNOW I am out of shape. But this was one of the hardest bike rides ever, I could not figure it out. I had been pedaling with all my heart to try and make it up and across these roads. After pedaling uphill towards the health center, which I nearly had to stop at for mouth-to-mouth, I hopped off my bike and found the nearest curb to sit on. My friend, Megan, asked me if she should go get her breathing machine. Yes... I was sucking that much wind. I could not understand why it was so awful!

Just when I decided I was going to cut cheese out of my diet for good, I looked down to see my once full tires practically flat. Bring back the cheese! It's the bike, not me! I switched bikes with Megan just to make sure... Guess who was sucking wind when we got back?

This whole "making the most out of every day" deal is taking it's toll! But in the end, I realized it was just another memory for the books this senior year. I will most likely look back at this with a "remember the time I nearly died trying to bike with you" attitude.

I added something to my list today.... Get back in shape. :-)

I'll take it as a sign...

In an effort to keep faithful to my list... I am also taking sign language. It is something that has always fascinated me. I think as someone going into the field of special education it would also be helpful. I am taking this class with my roommate and best friend. This is such a big benefit! I get to practice with someone at my house as much as I'd like.

Today, we decided to take a walk around campus and enjoy the nice day. We walked a good distance then stopped at the lake. We started practicing signing to each other. It was intresting to try and communicate using only the few signs that we know. I have a new appreciation for the language. I also have a new appreciation for my friends. Not many people come across life long friends such as mine. I am truly happy and blessed to have friends in my life who will sit on rocks for almost an hour signing with me.

As for my first mission, Racquetball, I am slowly but surely learning how to play without walking away like a bruised peach! And if I think very long and hard, I could probably ask you how your day was in sign language. I getting there!

As for the rest of my list.... there is plenty more to come. Senior year is just beginning and I am not ready to graduate until I have soaked up all the knowledge I am paying for and tried all the things I have come to try.

Everyone tells you to "live it up" your last year of college, but how can you? Reality is setting in each day. With every day that passes you realize you are one step closer to growing up and stepping into the real world. I Do Not want to grow up. In an attempt to "live it up", I have decided to make a list of all the things I would like to accomplish before I become a grown up! I think my senior year is going to be all about stepping outside of my shell and trying as many new things as I can. This week started the first "crack" in my shell, so to speak. My roommate talked me into signing up for racquetball. Me... the most uncoordinated person in the entire world. My lack of hand and eye coordination is the reason I quit soccer and basketball to pursue cross-country and track. Doing something I would not normally do gives me knots in my stomach. But after two classes, (and hardly any bruises!) I am already feeling like there might be something more to this whole "stepping out of your shell" deal...

Senior year, here I come.