23 things to do before I turn 24

happy birthday to me!

1 | Brush up on my Spanish.

2 | Get my passport stamped.

3 | Master the art of budgeting.

4 | Sew 3 articles of clothing.

5 | Learn a new skill, preferably tatting.

6 | Read the Book of Mormon twice.

7 | Run 300 miles (approx. 25 miles/month).

8 | Finish the Royal book project from 2008.

9 | Write an essay.

10 | Cut all my hair off and donate it for cancer.

11 | Get rid of 1 box of stuff.

12 | Read a book for leisure.

13 | Give all Christmas gifts BY CHRISTMAS!! – that’s going to be a doozy.

14 | Practice the piano (or perhaps violin).

15 |Edit the freefall video footage (and post the raw footage).

16 | Begin a novella of who I am (idea compliments of Jadel).

17 | Make a quilt.

18 | Apply to grad school.

19 | Finish the pay it forward blog gifts.

20 | Go to the Sundance Film Festival.

21 | Snowshoe.

22 | Snowboard (since somehow last winter passed without going once).

23 | Design our Christmas cards.

{yes, I am a day late; our internet was out yesterday}

look familiar? that's because you've seen it here, here, and here. I need some direction in my life now that I'm out of school...

birthday *wishes*

While making plans for my upcoming 23rd birthday,
I started to find that all my ideas were much too pricey for my little wallet
(or, Brad's little wallet since I'm unemployed).

But a girl can dream right?

So, here are the plans for my extravagant, yet unlikely, birthday party.

First, we'd stay the prior night at Great Wolf Lodge
so that we can have access to their guests-only waterpark.

And I'd definitely buy (ok, I haven't seen this in white, so find) this birthday suit.
(sorry for my haphazard photoshop job)
Then we'd have a lovely dinner at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Restaurant.
(because of "turtle" in the name)

Then we'd hang out by the 16th floor infinity pool of the W Dallas - Victory Hotel
before turning in for the night in a lovely room there.
(chosen because of "W" being the name)
Oh, and then there would be my birthday gift of a European backpacking trip
for two weeks at the end of August/beginning of September.

Houston

Last weekend, my lovely cousin let me come for a visit in Houston.
Besides playing princesses (and hitting the half yearly sale -woot!),
we also enjoyed a lovely day at the Galveston Beach:


Yes, the water was a lovely brown color due to the sand. But it was SO WARM!!
And you could drive your car up to the beach like a drive in movie!

My car ride home included a lovely rain storm.
This is the lovely result of getting gas. Under the awning.
Also, on the side of the road was this tall statue man.
I'm assuming it's Sam Houston since it's by the Sam Houston park. Cool huh?
It was definitely a fantastic trip. And GREAT to see/converse with people again!!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Due to unforeseen events,

we switched theaters for watching HP6
and fashioned these fantastic costumes from paper.

I'm dying to talk about it....
So!
What did you think of the movie??

REAL SIMPLE = $5

I LOVE Real Simple magazine but had to cancel my subscription since I couldn't justify the $24/year price tag. BUT, being an internet junkie has paid off!! 320 * Sycamore posted that at Amazon, you can get a subscription for $5!!! Hello! Done.
You can also renew for $5 by entering all the same info that's on your current subscription.

And, if I've missed Christmas or your birthday within the past year, let me know and I'll send you a gift subscription and we'll call it even... ;)

I have no idea how long this will last so do it ASAP!!!

{holla!} from the 4-6-9 under the sea AND The Sunglasses Game

As promised, some photos from the underwater extravaganza.
Since Kellen tried to steal/stole the pictures of himself,
I didn't post any of him on here.
(I don't think he knows I had a disc made)






Also, what we've all been waiting for....
The Sunglasses Game!!!
Yes, it has a name.
Yes, there is a link to it on the side of my blog (plus a preview of the most recent photo).
Yes, there's even a special email address for the project: thesunglassesgame@gmail.com.
Yes, that matches the blog name.
And yes, the sunglasses have begun circulation!!!


And since I KNOW you were wondering...
Yes, Brad IS staying in Wichita Falls for the week,
which means I watched two movies today
and am planning to visit my cousin in HOUSTON this weekend (i.e. Thursday)!!

a gift.

A {very short} clip of my dad's "dance"
(aka nerve spasm/seizure/nervous twitch)
to one of his favorite songs,
"Someday" by Sugar Ray.

enjoy.

now imagine that times 3 minutes
and you have a little glimpse
of what our car ride to IF was like...

(well, plus some other songs/dances/twenty minutes worth)

{holla!!} from the 2-0-8

It doesn't get much better than this...

Miyasaki Family Reunion
Reenacting the Old Water Fights
The World's Greatest Chocolates