What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?

Normal enough question right?  Everyone has those goals in their life whether they share them with other people or keep that list to themselves, every single person has a list of things they want to do before they die.  Their bucket list.

I have three different lists.

Crazy some may say but if you know me, I'm not the most normal person you will ever meet.  Hell, if you read back on these posts, you will know I'm not a normal 25 year old.  But like I said, I have three different lists.  One is a typical bucket list, everything I want to do before I die.  Then I have a food bucket list.  The places I want to visit.  The dishes I have to try.  Then I have a book bucket list.  The majority of this list are the classics, but the Hunger Games had been on that and that deserves a check off it.

Anyway, I was discussing my bucket lists on Wednesday night and I got all sorts of excited about them.  Now I want to take action.  Don't ask me why all of a sudden this has become important but it has.  I'm thinking about doing a 5k in June with Emily and Katelyn.  I got the tattoo last week.  Signal Rock and I are going to become best friends.  And all the books I can read once I get this test over with?  It's going to be magical.  Plus, Paul has agreed to go to restaurants with me because he has never seen someone like me eat as much food as he has. 

And during this journey?  I want to document it.  I want pictures, I want detailed reports, I want to have fun.  Summer is fast approaching and I'm looking to make some memories.

Miss You....

It's been fifteen years since you have gone and I miss you like it was yesterday.

My world was rocked that March day.  I have told this to a handful of people, but I had a feeling I needed to be with you the night before.  I insisted on spending the day off at your house, but you had school.  Maybe I knew you needed someone there, maybe I just had that feeling.  I really do regret not being able to say goodbye.  Not spending that last day with you but for my own sanity, it's probably a good thing I was not there because I would have been devastated.  


You were one of the most amazing people I knew.  Candy was always in the cabinet above the sink.  Chips and other snack foods in the unused stove.  While I always smelled like cigarette smoke when I left, I was never happier then spending the day with you.


Sick days were my absolute favorite.....I got to snack on junk food and sneakily watch soap operas while I was supposed to nap.  I'm sure Mom would not have been happy about that remedy, but it made me happy.


Grandma, I miss you every day.  I got this tattoo with you in mind.  I thought about you all day today and even told Theresa how amazing you were.  I hope you I make you proud Grandma, I hope you watch over me every day and hold me up when I truly do need you.


Anytime I see a butterfly, I know you and Papa are with me. <3

Check That One Off

It's a new me ladies and gentlemen, and that starts with checking stuff off of my bucket list.

And the first thing to be taken off of my bucket list?  Getting a tattoo.

Yes, I finally took the plunge and got the tattoo last night.  Thanks to my wonderful friends who scheduled the appointment and held my hand, I was able to get through it.  Go figure it wasn't as awful as I expected.  Also go figure I wasn't as anxious as I thought I would be.  I held Shannon's hand when it first started because I wasn't sure what to expect.  Then I held her hand when he first started coloring the thing in.

But honestly?  It's really pretty and it's HUGE that I actually went through with it.  I mean, I have wanted this for a while, and when we were sitting around Otools (I think?) I didn't think it would actually happen.  It was just an agreement during drinks right? Nope, the new me champed it and can not wait to get another one (Sorry dad......).

Now onto jumping off Signal over the summer, and taking on a whole bunch of restaurants for the food aspect of my bucket list.

P.S. pictures to come......the ones I have aren't anything amazing, also known as the one that was taken right after getting it done.

Even If the Skies Get Rough

This blog has recently become a music blog, because well, music runs my life.

I heard this gem last night while setting my alarm.  Instead of quickly setting my alarm and turning over, I sat and listened to it.  And it was magical. Then, I heard it again this morning and once again Jason Mraz gave me goose bumps with this beautiful song.

The song isn't overly produced.  It's a simple guitar and his voice.  And that voice?  You can hear the pain this guy is feeling in the story of never giving up on his true love.  While the rest of the world may have thought this relationship was doomed or completely over, he knows that she is the one and that no matter what, he will always believe they are meant to be in their life.

While I know some may be rolling their eyes at me right now, I understand wanting to fight for someone so much.  I did.  And while now I'm rolling on along, I understand wanting to let that person figuring out everything, but knowing you will be around.  And it's beautiful.  It's beautiful to think that there is this type of love out there where someone does not want to give up on you no matter what, even if you don't believe, they will believe for the both of you.

Plus, I'm a sucker for this lyrical video, because I just love how clever it was with the letters and writing out the quotes.  I know I have mentioned that I absolutely adore quotes, especially song lyrics.  And Jason has done it once again in making a song that I want to quote ALL THE TIME.

Enjoy

Hi Haters....

As March Madness has descended upon us, I have found this wonderful little video that shows how amazing UCONN at Gampel can be.  When we want to be, this small little arena can make a HUGE impact on any game at all.  Give me a packed/high energy Gampel any day and I would be there.

Part of me wishing I was there for this epic video, because I mean, how much fun is this?

Life's Too Short to Even Care At All

"So, Jen.  I heard you've read The Hunger Games...."

I've heard this countless times the past week alone.  I guess my inner nerd has been showing more and more recently now that the movie is rapidly approaching.  But it's nice to know that people realize I'm a book nerd and come to me for reading news.  

This series was amazing.  It's about the strength of a young girl wanting to protect her family and the people she loves over own needs.  Can you imagine having to fight for the safety of your own family and your town people, even if that means your death?  The message is different from what our society views young people as now.  Society thinks we are only concerned about ourselves.  But Katniss shows that there are rare instances that young people do concern themselves with other people around themselves.

I recommend this series.  Everyone I know has fallen in love with it, even people who are not big readers or seem to be fans of dystopia.  Maybe we all enjoy dark and twisty side that we don't want other people to see.  I can not wait for this movie to come out.  I think Jennifer Lawerence is beautiful and will make for a wonderful Katniss.  She has this silent strength and confidence that Katniss has throughout the books.

"Let the Hunger Games begin."

Fun.....Because Who Can Hate on a Band With that Name?

Tonight....We Are Young

Open that link.  Close your eyes. And think of that epic classic song from your teen/early twenties.

Because, to me?  This is that type of song for our generation.  

I'm an admitted music freak.  I have loved this song since Glee did it (okay, I can't believe I admitted that) but I have listened to it all the freaking time.  And it's coming on the radio more and more and more.

This song makes you love the amazing people who a person can surround themselves with.  I have some pretty amazing friends who have stayed by my side no matter what.  And I mean who can't love a song that builds to a chorus that just explodes?

Okay, so I'm not the most elegant when I'm talking about this song.....but it's because every time I have heard it, I fall in love with the song and life more.  It's the possibility of a group of friends just doing wonderful things and making memories.  It's about not being afraid of anything around you, even if you are trying to get over some difficult memories.  It's about those people you will always be around, to help them stand up after life difficulties and being able to overcome them.

I dare you not to fall in love with this song.  I dare you not to sing along to the chorus at the top of your lungs.  Or to raise your hands while singing it.

Because I have found those friends that do carry me home....every time I need them.

Wasting Again in Margaritaville

I finally got my nachos from Margaritaville last night and let me just say, they were AMAZING.

Seriously, I have been waiting for those bad boys for over a year now, and they were everything I remembered and more.  The food was awesome, the company was amazing and even though the bad was okay, I had a really great time.

And a Margarita?  I didn't get to have one last night, butttttt next time I will definitely enjoy a pretty cocktail because I mean who can pass up a pretty color drink?  Not many people I can tell you.

Next time I go to the casino I'm totally going to play Roulette and actually win.  Or wheel of fortune game because Nick won a lot of money off of that game.