(July 22, 2006)  Hawai’i was amazing, yet tiring. I arrived there and met my mom’s side of the family for the first time. My cousins are adorable, I just wish I lived near them so I can be there as they grow up. My aunts and uncle are very nice, and HILARIOUS. I was so happy to see my grandparents. Puts a smile on my face. We stayed at the Hale Koa Hotel, which I’ve always loved. Its a military owned hotel, so when I was younger (growing up in Hawai’i) we would visit and hang out by the pool there. I LOVE that pool. Its was funny because my brother and my 2 non-blood-related brothers would hit on the most random girls and get shot down. Yet again, I was the only girl, and that’s how its always been growing up with family friends. I climbed Diamond Head, OMG that was crazy. Its a lot harder than it looks, you’re just walking but after a while (even though you’re just walking) it gets rough. Stairs, is all I have to say. Went to sooo many beaches. Its nice to see blue water in the ocean for once. The weather is more amazing than I remember. Not humid, always sunny, but you’re not sweating like crazy. Breezy. 

Disclaimer: For some time I have been thinking of random things that I want to do in my life. I have kept them in my head for so long that I think I have forgot a couple things. I decided to post the list in my journal so I can add to it from time to time and keep track of everything.  I will document the items with pictures and words. The items on this list are things I want to do in life just to experience it, and others are for helping me grow as a person. Some are for motivating me to achieve more and some are for pure enjoyment.

The List.
001. Visit England [completed]*
002. Write a children’s chapter book
003. Read the entire Bible
004. Go back & visit Hawaii (where I grew up) 
005. Write & illustrated a children’s picture book
006. Start my own online store/business
007. Visit Rome, Italy
008. Learn to speak Italian
009. Road trip up the Eastern Coast (I-95)
010. Visit the “4 Corners”
011. Learn to play the piano
012. See snow fall from the sky
013. Learn to use the sewing machine
014. Design & create an entire outfit from scratch
015. Bake a big/fancy cake (similar to the wedding cakes)
016. Backpack through Europe
017. See the Peter Pan statue in person [completed]*
018. Create a short video clip [completed]*
019. Own a large collection of books
020. Take a Road Trip [completed]*
021. Visit the castle in Harry Potter
022. Visit Canada
023. See the Guernica painting in person
024. Visit Prague
025. See the Great Wall of China
026. Sell a painting
027. Help build a house
028. Learn to speak French
029. Visit Paris, France
030. (Somehow) Attend Fashion Week
031. Go to Seattle
032. Teach overseas
033. Go to New York City
034. Work as a Camp Counselor
035. Graduate with a Bachelor’s [completed]*
036. Knit a piece of clothing
037. Make a purse, wallet, and/or planner case
038. Graduate with a Master’s
039. Move to another country that I haven’t lived in yet
040. Create a silkscreen poster
041. See the Grand Canyon
042. Visit New Orleans [completed]*
043. Tour around a historic town
044. Take voice lessons
045. Gamble in Las Vegas
046. Have a bonfire
047. Donate hair to “Locks of Love”
048. Fall in love
049. Make a difference in someone’s life
050. Decorate a room entirely from scratch
051. Live on my own
052. Visit a museum of a famous painter [completed]*
053. Have a “Harry Potter” themed party
054. Make up a dance
055. Be confident [completed]*
056. Visit New Zealand
057. Go Zorbing
058. Give blood.
059. Visit Slovenia
060. Go on a ghost tour
061. Get a teaching job [completed]*
062. Knit a piece of clothing 
063. Fall in love again 
064. Visit Australia
065. Visit the majority of the libraries on this list
066. Visit Platform 9 3/4 [completed]*
067. Read the books on this list 
068. Style an outfit for someone from scratch
069. Experience a music festival
070. Move out of my parents’ house
071. Take a cooking class
072. Watch a movie outside/in the park
073. Take a drawing class
074. Camp outside
075. Own a pair of Louboutins 

[completed]* - item is completed, entry pending

Completed: 14 / 75
Last Updated: February 26, 2012

I was in love once.  I recommend everyone do so at some point.  When you’re really in love, you feel like you are on cloud 9.  You are completely content with everything in your life.  If something comes along to disturb that content, you feel good because you have your love.  All you need is for that person to be there.  When  you look at them, you can’t help but to have a permanent smile.

With love comes the chance of feeling heartbreak as well.  At the time it happens, you feel the world is crumbling in your hands.  Nothing ever feels right.  It’s a horrible feeling, but sometimes it has to happen.  You may be bitter (like some), or you’ll smile and think back on the happy times but know you’ll have to move on.

Everyone experiences love in different ways.  However, no matter how different it is, it’s still a wonderful feeling.

My first love was a solid one.  Love always has it’s ups and downs, like a roller coaster.  It was my first real boyfriend/first real relationship ever.  I fantasized about love through the television shows I watched during my teenage years.  I fell in love quite quickly, which made me feel it wasn’t validated.  It took 2 months to say it out loud, and that doesn’t mention the times before when I would always ask myself “Am I in love?”

It had it’s run, about 5 1/2 years.  It was one of those relationships that had run its course and nothing happen to initiate the break up.  No major event or fight.  Just waking up one morning and realizing that it isn’t the person you are meant to be with.  You are two different people who grew apart.  

It wasn’t a bad break up, at first.  It dragged on for months.  We allowed that to happen.  Then finally there was an event.  An event that now caused the “we don’t talk to each other at all” phase.  It is necessary for both parties to move on sometimes.  

Moving on, it’s tough at first.  But, as cliche as it sounds, it does make you stronger.  You do become a better person in the end.  Without pain and suffering, there is no compassion.  

Summer 2007 was my first year working at Camp Winona.  Being a camp counselor was one of the things I’ve always wanted to do.  It’s an excuse to be just like a little kid again without anyone telling you to be otherwise.  I was fortunate to move up and become a Village Director and Assistant Program Director, but being an actual counselor is the most rewarding.  You are able to make a difference in a child’s life and make their week one of the best weeks of their summer.  You make such wonderful friends.  I will never forget that summer as a counselor.