30 Day Challenge: Day 21

One of your favorite shows

One of my favorite shows is Cake Boss. I absolutely LOVE baking, and Cake Boss is the perfect show for me.

I have been into baking for several years (probably since high school). I can relax, have fun, and enjoy what I am doing. I am going to college for my hospitality degree, focusing on baking and pastry.

I hope to one day open up my own bakery, and serve people with and without dietary restrictions.

I love watching Cake Boss because they come up with very creative and beautiful cakes, and they really enjoy what they do. I also love how they incorporate family time into the show as well, which shows that they aren't all about work. That is awesome!

30 Day Challenge: Day 20

How important you think education is

Education is very important to me. You learn how to read, write, and other basic skills, like proper grammar. You also learn valuable skills like socializing, standing up for yourself, independence, and responsibility. Plus, all the subjects you can take, and learn about.

Yes, there are bad things about education as well, but I think the positives of education far outweigh the negatives.

With the way the economy is these days, you need at least a high school diploma or GED, and most companies require a college degree in order for a person work there.

Education helps you prepare for the future. It helps you be more confident in yourself, and your skills/talents. It can also make you more mature as a person.

The more you learn, the more prepared you are for things in life (job, family, etc.).

30 Day Challenge: Day 19

Disrespecting your parents

Disrespecting your parents is not a good move. They brought you into this world, love you with all their hearts, and try to do what is best for you.

I may have disagreed with some of the things my parents said and done, but I still love them, and always will. They are the only parents I have, so treating them with respect is wise.

Parents really are not bad people. They may make mistakes sometimes, and they may make the wrong choices, but that is because they are human, and making mistakes is a part of life. They learn from that, and move on.

They became parents for a reason, so don't disrespect them. They love you very much, no matter what.

30 Day Challenge: Day 18

Your beliefs

I believe that people should be treated equally, and fairly, no matter what.

I believe that people should not be treated badly, just because of who they are. If everyone were the same, life would be boring.

I believe that there is a heaven, and that I will get to see the ones who have died again someday.

I believe that families should spend as much time together as possible, that time together improves relationships.

I believe in very strict gun control. People who should not have guns are able to get them, and that is wrong.

I believe that everyone should get an education, no matter the family income, age, disability, etc.

I believe that people should abide by the laws, no matter who they are, and that they should be punished accordingly. There are laws for a reason!! Although, I also believe that over time, some laws should be changed or removed from action.

I believe in helping people out in times of need, no matter who they are, or what their situation is.

30 Day Challenge: Day 17

Your highs and lows of this past year

Hmmm.....this past year actually wasn't too bad. Not the best, but not bad either.

Highs of the past year
Watching my niece and nephew for my sister while she and her husband were at the dentist, and then going out for a treat at Crumbs Bakery afterwards.

Easter with my sister and her family.

Thanksgiving with sister and her family.

Christmas with sister and her family.

Signing up for spring classes.

Donating hair to Locks of Love.

Getting a cell phone that works for longer than a couple weeks.

Volunteering at the library, delivering library materials to those who can't come in for whatever reason.

Lows of the past year
Occasional nights where I get upset thinking about mom not being here anymore.

Hearing about the Sandy Hook shooting that happened on December 14 (which is my birthday).


I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

30 Day Challenge: Day 16

Your views on mainstream music

I grew up listening to mainstream music, so I am not against it in general. Though, there are some songs that I do not like, that have a lot of swearing, racist lyrics, and other bad lyrics.

I first started listening to country music, then listened to lite rock, and now include Christian music (mostly Christian rock), to the music I love.

I made the choice myself of what I listen to, but my parents have helped me in what is good and what is bad.

If you listen to mainstream music, that is fine. If you don't, that's fine too. I'm not going to tell people what to listen to, but I really do not want to hear songs that are offensive. I also wish people would not play the music so loud, that it can be heard from a very long ways away.

I like anything from Garth Brooks (country) to Andrea Bocelli (opera/foreign) to Francesca Battistelli (Christian) to Pearl Jam (alternative rock), among many others. So, I am open to most music.

School and Winter Woes

I go to a Nutrition class every Thursday morning, and have been to every class so far. But, yesterday, the teacher did not come in, which really stinks. She did not email or call anyone in the class, or at school, to let anyone know she wasn't coming in.

I'm not at all happy about that. I paid for the class, and I think the teacher should have at least contacted us, if she wasn't able to come in, so we didn't have to waste time waiting around.

But, at least there's no homework for this week. There usually isn't much homework in the class, and it's not hard, and I have a week to do it. I just like to have a break from it sometimes.

Last night, we got about 3 inches of snow, and I'm not happy about that. I know it's winter here, and we normally get snow, and cold weather, but I don't like it at all.

But, I am grateful/thankful that I have a roof over my head, so I shouldn't really complain about the weather. I am able to stay warm, and I am happy about that.

I wish I was somewhere warm, like Hawaii or Australia. It is warm in both places, and I have always wanted to go there.

Well, that's all for now. More to come soon.

30 Day Challenge: Day 15

Your favorite blogs

My favorite blogs are:

71 Toes
Junior's Amazing Journey
My Beautiful Life
The Kings
There's No Place Like Home
Our Treasures from Afar
Our Place Called Home
One Woman's Dream
Kristen's Life With Cerebral Palsy

30 Day Challenge: Day 14

Your earliest memory

Well, there are a few memories that tie in together, and I don't remember which one is earliest. So, I will write about all of them. They are all from pre-kindergarten.

One memory is seeing a rainbow outside, while in the school gym.

Another is playing a game where one person is in "jail" and another person has to tag you to get you out of jail.

The third one is where we were doing this African dance thing, for the school. There was a dancer there, who taught us the dance, and we performed it for everyone else.

30 Day Challenge: Day 13

Somewhere you'd like to move or visit

I would love to move to England for a year, and then maybe Wisconsin after that.

There are many, many places I would like to visit, but one place in particular is Italy. I love pasta, and one of my absolute favorite musical artists is from Italy. There are also famous sites there, that I would love to see in person.

Another place I would love to visit is Hawaii. The state seems so beautiful, the people friendly. Plus, it is warm all year round, which is something I love. I am not a winter person, and I don't like the cold. So, that is where I'd like to visit.

30 Day Challenge: Day 12

Bullet Your Whole Day

• 9:30 am-wake up
• 10:30 am-breakfast
• Noon-shower
• 1 pm-buy new shoes
• 1:30 pm-lunch
• 2 pm-use the computer/Internet
• 3 pm-listen to book on CD
• 4 pm-watch movie (Shall We Dance?)
• 5:15 pm-go to library; return stuff; check stuff out
• 6:15 pm-use the computer/Internet
• 7 pm-dinner
• 7:30 pm-watch another movie (Scott Pilgrim Against the World)
• 10 pm-do dishes
• Midnight-bedtime

30 Day Challenge: Day 11

Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up

I don't have an iPod, but I do have a computer with iTunes, so I used that instead. Here goes:

1. Cantique De Noel by Andrea Bocelli
2. Melodramma by Andrea Bocelli
3. Rapsodia by Andrea Bocelli
4. Romanza by Andrea Bocelli
5. Voglio Restare Cosi by Andrea Bocelli
6. Quante Volte Ti Ho Cercato by Andrea Bocelli
7. Because We Believe by Andrea Bocelli
8. Canto Della Terra by Andrea Bocelli
9. Estate by Andrea Bocelli
10. E Sara' A Settembre (Someone Like You) by Andrea Bocelli

I know all of the songs that came up were by Andrea Bocelli, and that is because most of the music on my computer is by him. The other music I have, that didn't take up all the music space, is by Colbie Calliat.

Andrea Bocelli is one of my absolute favorite artists, which is why all of the songs that came up for this is by him.

30 Day Challenge: Day 10

Discuss your first love and first kiss

Well, I haven't had either yet, so I can't really say anything about it.

I have had a couple crushes over the years though. Once when I was in fifth or sixth grade, when I was in this multicultural arts program at school. There was a guy there, who was two years older than me.

His mom and dad were part of the program, so he was there as well. I remember he was standing by where I was sitting in the auditorium, while the adults were explaining about the program. When they were done, he asked if I wanted a piece of gum, and we had been friends ever since.

After I got to know him, I started to have a crush on him. In the last year or so, a friend of mine, who also knows him, to me that he became.......well, let's just say that he changed.

I had gotten over my crush of him after that.

There was another guy that I had a crush on, who I met in high school. I was a freshman, and he was a senior. He was a peer mentor for the freshman, and was in the same period study hall as me. We became friends, and got to know each other a little.

But, since he had gone off to college, I didn't get to see him again. He had gotten married since then, and now has a son. So, I had to get over that crush as well.

Right now, though, I do not have a crush on anyone, and I have not kissed anyone yet. I do not have a boyfriend/love either, which I am fine with at the moment.

30 Day Challenge: Day 9

How you hope your future will be like

I hope to work at a bakery, hopefully one that I opened up myself.

I hope to be married, and have children.

I hope to adopt.

I hope to travel the world.

I hope to write at least one book in my life.

I hope to live on a farm and raise horses.

I hope to volunteer with the Special Olympics.

I hope to take up yoga/pilates.

I hope to become a professional photographer.

I hope to become either a special education teacher, or a teacher's aide.

I hope to volunteer/work with Girl Scouts.

I hope to live in another country (possibly somewhere in Europe) for a year.

I hope to learn how to sew, so I can make my own clothes.

I hope to become better at knitting and crocheting, so I can make my own clothes.

I hope to be more outgoing.

I hope to learn a few foreign languages so I can talk to more people.

I hope to work/volunteer at an animal shelter.

I hope to go on at least one missions trip in my life.

30 Day Challenge: Day 8

A moment you felt most satisfied with your life

Probably in May, when I started volunteering at the local library in my town. I deliver library materials to those who can't come to the library for whatever reason (illness, disability, etc.). I was finally able to do something since graduating high school that I can stick to.

I love doing what I do, because the people I deliver to are really nice, and have accepted me into this line of volunteer work. As well as the other volunteers.

I missed a few days from oversleeping, but I have been doing this ever since May, every Friday. Even through the extreme heat we had for about half the summer, to the cold and snow/ice we have had this winter, I have been going out and delivering library materials.

I am now going to school on Thursdays, which is nice, because that gives me more to do, and I'm not laying around at home, doing nothing.

It's weird doing homework again, but it's surprisingly nice to be back at school. I haven't really like school until I stared going for this degree (baking/pastry). I think it's because I am learning about something that I actually love and enjoy.

So, basically, the last eight or nine months have been pretty good overall.

30 Day Challenge: Day 7

Your zodiac sign and if you think it fits your personality

Signs of the Zodiac By Athena Starwoman Sagittarius Your element: Fire Your ruling planets: Jupiter Symbol: The Archer Your stone: Turquoise Life Pursuit: To live the good life Vibration: Overly expressive - frequent burnouts Sagittarian's Secret Desire: To make a difference in the world

Description: Ruled by the benefic planet Jupiter, Sagittarians possess a natural exuberance, sense of adventure and love of life that makes them one of the most optimistic zodiac signs of all. Like their astrological symbol - the Archer - Sagittarians are renowned for aiming their sights towards whatever it is they find alluring - a love partner, dream job, vacation - and making it their own. They believe that anything is possible - and because of this belief system, Sagittarians are adept at seeking out their very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But sometimes trying to tie down these free-spirited individuals is frustrating for those around them. Sagittarians are happiest on the move - exploring new cultures and ideas and many are attracted to occupations related to travel, the media, outdoor work and philosophical pursuits. In love, their catch-cry is "don't fence me in". But once they find a partner who understands their need to retain their own sense of self and identity, Sagittarians can be the most big-hearted, generous and fun-loving companions of all. Freedom loving, optimistic and honest, Sagittarians are ruled by Jupiter, the planet of abundance and higher learning. The wisdom of Jupiter imbibes Sagittarians with an inherent need to develop their own unique philosophy of life. The Centaur is their astrological symbol, and it gives many insights into the Sagittarian personality. The higher-evolved Sagittarian learns to integrate the two ends of the Centaur (half-human, half-beast) in order for their arrow (another Sagittarian symbol) of higher aspirations to be more on the mark. Although they are intellectually and spiritually advanced, Sagittarians are notorious for their lack of tact. In relationships they demand independence, but when in love, it can't be denied that they are one of the most big-hearted signs of the zodiac. If you were born on the first or last day of a Sun sign, in astrological terms you were born on a cusp. If that's the case, you will probably benefit from reading your own Sun sign and the Sun sign that ends or begins right before or after your date of birth. For example, if your birth date is 22 December, your Sun sign is Capricorn, but you probably have some Sagittarian traits as well By Athena Starwoman I think my zodiac sign somewhat fits my personality. I am optimistic sometimes, I love freedom, I am honest, generous, big hearted, fun-loving. But, I am a shy person, so I sometimes don't go after what I want, just because it would make me feel very uncomfortable, and be out of my comfort zone. I am not into psychics and all that, but I think it's fun just to read what these things say, every once in a while. (I got the explanation for the zodiac signs here, it was the first site that came up.)

30 Day Challenge: Day 6

Write 30 interesting facts about yourself

Well, I don't know about interesting, but here goes:

1. My favorite color is purple
2. I love making lists
3. I love calendars
4. I love to bake
5. I love photography
6. I love to write
7. I am the youngest of five
8. I LOVE chocolate
9. I have never travelled outside of the U.S., although I was close to the Montana/Canada border once.
10. My favorite season is either spring or summer
11. I volunteer at my local library, delivering materials to those who can't come to the library for whatever reason (disability, illness, etc.)
12. I love spicy foods
13. I have never had a boyfriend before, which is kind of nice
14. My favorite animal is the horse, but I also love polar bears
15. I never really liked school until I started college
16. I knit and am learning to crochet as well
17. My favorite sport is baseball, and my favorite team is the Chicago White Sox
18. I also really like ice hockey
19. I prefer long hair to short
20. I love Italian and Mexican food
21. I want to adopt children someday
22. I want to live on a farm someday
23. I love the smell of coffee, but hate the taste
24. I love listening to books on CD
25. I love things that glow in the dark. I have glow-in-the-dark stars on my bedroom ceiling, and love it.
26. I love Astronomy, and science
27. I love working with clay
28. I love rainy days
29. I am a huge Harry Potter fan
30. I am a night owl

30 Day Challenge: Day 5

A time when you thought about ending your own life.

Such a personal one here. I haven't thought about ending my life, but had thought about hurting myself on occasion.

For the past several years, I have been dealing with depression and anxiety. There have been times when I just wanted it all to go away, and I had thought about cutting myself, but I didn't because I thought about my family, and what they would think if I had actually done it.

For a while after my mom had died, the thought of cutting myself came back a few times, but, again, I didn't want to do it. The thought of my family, and the fear of cutting a major artery and possibly dying, stopped me.

The thoughts of hurting myself weren't really bad, just in the back of my mind, while going through life. I am thankful for that. I know that some people aren't as lucky, but I am glad that things for me hadn't become real serious.

I have been going to a therapist for the last few years, so that has helped me a lot.

Right now, I am doing well, and am pretty happy. And I love that. I want to live, and experience things in life that I wouldn't be able to do otherwise. I am grateful for getting help when I did, and that my family was supporting me through it all.

30 Day Challenge: Day 4

Your views on religion

I'm not seriously religious, but it's good to have some beliefs in life.

Religious people, and people who consider them "spiritual" are usually more caring, compassionate, loving, happy people.

For a while now, I have been wanting to go on missions trips, and I am kind of jealous of those who do go on them.

I am kind of against "organized" religion, but I don't mind people who do like it.

I don't agree with some of the things in the Bible, but I am not against it as a whole.

There are many pros and cons of religion, like with everything.

I consider myself more "spritual" than "religous," which I am perfectly fine with.

I just wish people would stop fighting over anything to do with religion. Not everyone believes the same thing, and I wish people would be ok with that. People can not all be for or against something, so stop fighting about it. It is no use.

I love prayers, but I have a hard time praying every single day, but I have nothing against people who do pray every day. Prayers are awesome things, when used right.

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Your views on drugs and alcohol

For the most part, I am against drugs and alcohol. People tend to abuse both, especially young people. It makes people do things they wouldn't normally do otherwise.

Although, certain drugs can help people with illnesses. And that is fine, as long as they don't abuse it.

And alcohol is OK as long as people don't become drunk and do stupid stuff. A friend of mine lost her dad to a drunk driver, and that really angers me. I hate it when people think they can do things like driving when they are drunk.

I know that when people are drunk, they can't make good decisions, but there needs to be someone there for that person, to be a designated driver, if something like that happens.

I wish there were better laws regarding drugs and alcohol, and more people willing to be stricter about it as well, so less people would be tempted to abuse them, and less people would suffer from the results and consequences.

So people, PLEASE be responsible when it comes to drugs and alcohol. There are laws and rules for a reason!!

30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Where you'd like to be in 10 years

In ten years, I would like to have my associate's and/or bachelor's in Hospitality (focusing on baking), and hopefully working at a bakery.

I would also like to work on either getting my special education teaching degree (bachelor's), or a teacher's aide degree.

I would love to have my own place, and be able to take care of myself, without relying on others to do stuff for me, like getting groceries, and driving places.

I would also love to have my driver's license, so I don't have to rely other others to drive me around.

I would like to be a little more outgoing, so I don't miss out on things I want to do in life.

I would like to be in better physical shape, as well. I don't need to lose weight, but I don't exercise very much, and I am out of shape because of that.

I would like to have been married, and started on a family. I am ready to be a wife and mother, and can't wait until those two happen to me.

30 Day Challenge

I found a really good 30 day challenge that I will be doing, starting today. Here is the first one.

Day 1-Your current relationship. if single discuss how single life is.

I am single, and for the most part, it is great. There is no drama, no stress, no miscommunications, no distractions.

Although, it would be nice to have someone to love, because then I would know that I won't be alone, and I would be happy in life. I would know that someone other than my family truly cares for me. I really want to get married someday, but I'm not in too big a hurry. I don't want to rush it.

So there are pros and cons of both sides. But, at the moment, I'm happy being single. I can concentrate on school, and doing my best.