Laser Tag, Trips, and Electronics

Finally I post about my trip to play laser tag, one of the things on my list that I finally got to cross off!

On Valentine's day this year my boyfriend decided to take me to play laser tag.  He read my list and saw it, so that's what we did! We visited Hilltop Arcade in Somersworth, played some arcade games, and then played laser tag.  I had a lot of fun, and I will definitely play laser tag again.  It was the perfect Valentine's date.  

As the title says I have a couple of trips planned that are coming up pretty fast.  First, my friend Amy, and I are going to be taking a train down to Boston for a weekend in April.  I won't post too much about it not, but some of the trip highlights will be visiting the aquarium, getting piercings, my first visit to the cheesecake factory, and much more! It's going to be a let's do as much as we can in Boston in a weekend as possible type trip.  I'll post a detail plan soon.

And the last subject of this post, electronics.  My boyfriend bought a new laptop and gave me his old Macbook, and today I ordered a Canon Rebel T5 off Amazon.  The camera should be here before our Boston trip, and hopefully I'll have a couple days to play around with it and figure it out beforehand.  Definitely look forward to those pictures, and keep an eye on my Instagram, and Flickr to see them all.  I've got three lenses, and a couple filter sets coming with it, so I'll be able to do some cool stuff.

Some things

I've been panicking about not completing my "Before I Turn 18" list in time, my 18th birthday is today, when I realized something, when I made the list it was only things I could do before I turned 18, not things that I had to do before then.  I didn't want to have to wait until I was an adult to begin my list, I was afraid that I'd lose my enthusiasm about it, so I broke them into smaller bits so I could start right away.

Working towards my goals, I am currently learning Italian (still), and I am working at a climbing park near where I  live! Getting over my fear of heights is an important step to a lot of my goals, including sky diving, climbing the Seven Summits, and BASE jumping, among other things.

Another exciting thing, I recently acquired a Canon Powershot G5 for free, all I had to buy was an extra battery, and a charger.  It's an older camera, but it takes decent pictures, and it's a good "training camera" so when/if I get a better one I'll be more familiar with how to use it.  I realized today that I don't actually have a way to get my pictures onto my laptop though... That, however, is a problem for another day! Like, when all my memory cards are full.

Little Challenges

Sometimes, I get so focused on posting about the big goals I have, I forget to post about the smaller challenges I've been facing.

I injured my toe a couple of weeks ago, we're fairly certain I broke it, though I did not get x-rays.  I had two dance competitions soon after the injury, and I performed in both.  It was incredibly painful, but being with my "dance family", and dancing in general made it worth it.

It has been warming up as spring approaches, so I have been out walking more often.  If you follow my instagram you should be seeing many more pictures from me soon.  I've also been working out to be in best shape possible for hiking this summer.

I still have yet to complete my "before I turn 18 list", I only have a month and a half.  I may not complete it in time honestly.  Hopefully I will be able to plan some trips.

Something slightly stupid I did recently I did for only two reasons 1) Because why not?  2) Bragging rights.  I drank a gallon of 7-11 slurpee in under twelve hours! How many people can say that?  Some people think it's gross, but honestly, if I can't do stupid things like drinking a gallon of slurpee in a day when I'm seventeen then when can I do them?  Aren't teenagers supposed to do silly things, especially if they don't hurt anyone, and aren't in any serious risk!

Yesterday I was also an "assistant stage manager" (I did give myself that title) for the first time.  I was on a headset backstage communicating with the light and sound people, and I had a runner making sure numbers were lined up and ready to go on time!

I've also been working on a new story.  You can read more about it here.

Really, we all face little challenges each day, and do goofy things just for fun all the time, let's celebrate and talk about the little things as much as we talk about the big things.

Before I Turn 18 List

As you may know, I broke my 100 things list down into sections.  It's an easy way to get everything done.  Anyone who creates a list of things they want or need to do, whether it's for a day, or for their life, should break it down into sections.  It's helpful for organization.

Now, on the "Before I Turn 18" list I have:

1. Stop being shy
2. Dye my hair
3. Play laser tag
4. Play Paintball
5. Watch a full Season of "24" in 24 hours
6. Collect hard copies of all of Fall Out Boy's albums
7. Start a FOB cover band
8. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

As of today, I have completed two of those things.  I'm also well on my way towards a third, and fourth.  What about the other four?  As with most people I procrastinated, thinking I had quite a while before I need to finish them, and now time is running out for me to complete them before I turn eighteen.  

I currently volunteer at an animal shelter once a week walking dogs.  I dyed my hair for the first time in summer 2013 with kool aid, and in April 2014 with boxed dye.  I have made a lot of progress to not being as shy, little things like dying my hair, and wearing unusual outfits, things to make me stand out so I can't be shy.  I also have three of Fall Out Boy's albums on CD (I have more of them electronically).

So the list is now: 

1. Stop Being Shy
2. Dye my Hair
3. Play Laser Tag
4. Play Paintball
5. Watch a Full Season of "24" in 24 Hours
6. Collect Hard Copies of All of Fall Out Boy's Albums
7. Start a FOB Cover Band
8. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

There are three on the list that I'm not sure I'll be able to finish.  Numbers 3, 4, and 7.  Though for number 7 I've considered doing a solo project, and performing at open-mic nights nearby.  

My problem is time, and, in some cases, money.  Mainly time.  Time is the thing that none of us ever seem to have enough of, but if we don't make time for the things we love to do then what's the point?  If we're not enjoying what we're doing why are we doing it?  I, personally, enjoying being busy.  Unfortunately, that doesn't often doesn't give me time outside my schedule for things like Paintball.

Unless online Paintball counts, I'm going to have to get busy planning! Hopefully, I'll be able to finish this section of my list, soon.  It's only eight items, how hard can it be?  (Famous last words)