12 Days of Charity

This post is a little late, sorry! There's still time though:
Starting on the 14th I am doing my "12 Days of Charity" challenge.  Based on the 12 Days of Christmas song.  I have chosen my local animal shelter (where I volunteer), as the charity I will donate to.

My Mom also chose a charity - the local food pantry.

So, starting on December 14th, I will be posting everyday about the gift for that day!

Well, I don't have much to post right now, but I hope you'll all join in, though it's a little late.

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)

Ebola, should the US be worried? Part 2.

Apparently the answer is yes.

According to one article I've found New York City has 357 people being actively monitored for the disease.

While we panic about our own safety we forget to think about the safety of the people who are really dealing with it.  We don't hear about the children as much as the adults.  Maybe we don't want to admit that children get it, too, or maybe it's just that not as many children are being tested, and treated.

According to the CDC's website the USA still has only had four confirmed cases.  Three in Dallas, and one in New York City.  Two of those were people who had traveled or worked to effected countries, the other two caught the virus after coming in contact with the Liberian man in Dallas.

Let's not forget that there is actually another Ebola outbreak going on! It's not related to the one taking place in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and everywhere else there's been a case that's caught the media's attention.  In the Democratic Republic of Congo there is a separate outbreak happening.  It was first announced on August 26th, "The index case was a pregnant woman from Ikanamongo Village who butchered a bush animal. She became ill with symptoms of EVD, reported to a private clinic in Isaka Village, and died on August 11, 2014. Local customs and rituals associated with death meant that several healthcare workers were exposed to Ebola virus."

Here is the latest update from WHO.  I've been trying to keep an eye on these updates, and they've been pretty grim.  Hopefully we'll see the end, soon.

Tragedy in Nepal/Why Climb

Back in April there was the biggest disaster in Everest climbing history.  16 Climbing Sherpas died in an avalanche climbing through the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous sections of the mountain.

In October severe weather caused more deaths.  Rainstorms, blizzards, and avalanches on October 15th killed at least 43 people.  This weather is thought to have been caused by Cyclone Hudhud in India.  Many people are still missing.

As in any tragedy, the survivors stories are inspiring.  Knowing how close they were to death can really change a person's perspective.

This is the story of one of the "missing".  Not only did these two survive, they saved the lives of others! To me, it seems like these travelers trusted their instincts, a cliche, perhaps, but you should always follow your instincts about these things.

So, these things happen on mountains, yet people continue to climb?  Why?  Well, as Nigel Vardy said, in the first article, 
"They represent freedom and I always find peace whenever I am among them. Climbing a mountain is, for some, a spiritual experience. For me, it is also a place where I can reflect upon my injuries, my memories and my feelings.

"Being on a mountain is most relaxing – phones don't work – and it's a pleasure to talk to people."

When I hike, even a small "mountain", a hill, by mountaineering standards, I can't help but realize how small everything is.  Standing above everything, knowing that once you get down you'll be small and insignificant again, makes you want to be on top of the world all the time.  Things like airplanes aren't the same, because you're not touching the earth, you're above it, not part of it.  

Even the climbing is amazing, it helps me be confident to know that I can do whatever I feel.  I am strong enough, and I am determined enough.  In the end, that's all you really need.  Confidence is something I've struggled with for a long time, so having that feeling is different and invigorating. 

Why should I go to college?

This is a serious question that I've been dealing with a lot lately.

Being in my late teens everybody assumes I'm going to be in college fairly soon, and when I say I don't plan to go to college it's a shock to people! They try to argue with me, and tell me that I have to go to college.  I need a serious answer here; why should I go to college?  Saying that I don't know what I'd go to college for doesn't help.

If your answer is one of the following, then I don't want or need to hear it, because I've heard it before:
"To get a good job!" Define good.
"Everybody should go to college." Why?
"Well, what are you going to do, if you don't go to college?" Whatever I want!
"You don't need to know what you want to do, you can always change your major!" While wasting thousands of dollars and/or getting more and more debt to be paid off later?
"It'll be easier to get a job if you have a college degree."  What kind of job?  Maybe I don't want a job that requires a college degree.

My problem with going to college is that I don't know what I'd go for.  I want to be a blogger, and an author, neither of which require a degree.  It's a waste of my time and money going to college for something I don't really want to do.  Honestly, I'm sure I'd love college! It just doesn't sound like it's worth the time/money if I'm just going to be a blogger/author anyway.  If I really want to I can always go to college later.

Let's look some of the things I plan to do while my friends are in college:
Thru-hike the AT.
Have a job, other than blogging.
Write a book.
Blog.
Road trip the USA, and visit all the National Parks in the states.

The thing is, I can easily do all that, and more, in the four years that my friends will be in college.

Not wanting to college doesn't limit my life, in fact, I believe that it opens up more possibilities.  By thinking outside the box, and wanting to do things that aren't considered "normal", I am making it possible to do more exciting, and interesting things with my life.  How many people will wish they had taken four years to travel before going to college?

Save the White Nile

Today I stumbled across the Save the White Nile project on one of my favorite blogs.

http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/video-paddling-in-africa-to-save-white.html?m=1

This project is so important because it's not just paddlers that will be effected by this dam if it goes up.  Let's leave as many places as we can as natural as possible, okay?

To anybody who wants this dam to go up, first of all, please comment a really good argument, because obviously I've only heard one side of the story.  Second, please go spend a day paddling the river in a place that will be destroyed by the dam.  Spend some time in less-developed areas, appreciate it, and then, if you can still bring yourself to destroy it, I know that nothing I say will change your mind.

(Here is the Facebook page for the project https://m.facebook.com/saveadventuretourisminUganda?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F) 

Sorry for the link format, I'm currently posting via iPhone. :)

13 Days of Halloween 2014

If you know me, at all, it's no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday.  This year I'm starting a new tradition - The 13 Days of Halloween.

Basically, the idea is that you wear a costume everyday for the 12 before Halloween, and then on Halloween day.  This year I am coordinating costumes with my little sisters.  Some of our costumes include:

• Slenderman, Jeff the Killer, and Eyeless Jack (Creepypasta characters)
• Jack, Sally, and Zero (From The Nightmare Before Christmas)
• James, Jessie, and Meowth (Pokemon's Team Rocket)
• Batman, Superman, and Spider-man (Popular superheroes) 

And, obviously, there are going to be nine more :)

Everyday during the 13 Days of Halloween I will post pictures of all three of us on my Instagram, a picture of just me here on the blog, and some reactions from people when I go out places here, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To anyone who would like to be added to my "13 Days of Halloween 2014" list on Facebook: Comment here, email me, or send me a message on Facebook.  I will only be listing first names or nicknames.  Send in the following information:

• Name (or nickname)
• Country (No more than country is necessary, let's see if we get anyone outside the USA!)
• List of costumes for each day (Preferably in order, I will add to each blog post who dressed up as what on each day)
• How you found out about it
• If you are part of a group (If you have a group of people you're doing it with please take note.  Groups can send in information individually, but if you want to be counted as a group I will also need a Group name.)

Let's take it one step further though: a costume contest! Send in pictures for costume contest.  The best costumes win Mystery Prizes. There will be a few different categories:

1. Best coordination - For groups only, so make sure all of your group members are in the picture! This wil go to the group whose costumes go together best!

2. Scariest costume - For one person.  Obviously, this is for the scariest contest.

3. Cutest costume - For one person.  For the cutest costume!
4. Most creative costume - For one person.  Let's see how creative you all get.
5. Most fun group - For the group who has the most creative/most fun costumes! (Not necessarily the best coordinated costumes, just the most fun)

On November 1st enter your pictures if you'd like to be in the contest.  The Best coordination, and Most Fun Group contests will be held here.  The Scariest costume portion will be held on Instagram.  The Cutest costume will be on Twitter.  The Most Creative costume will be on Facebook.

Since this is the first year let's try for at least 20 individuals and groups, myself included as part of a group, though I won't enter for a prize.  Get your info sent in by October 1st to be put on the Facebook list, we start on October 19th :)

Good luck, hope to hear from you soon!

Note: You can look forward to more challenges later in the year.  I have one planned for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas! There will not be contests along with those.