My Top 10 Favorite Summertime Activities

Summer is probably my favorite season, because it is warm out, we get to do more things, and it's a more relaxing/fun season.

At least, for me, it's fun and relaxing!

Warmer weather motives me more, for getting out and doing the things I want to do, and to enjoy the day.

In no particular order, here are my top 10 favorite summertime activities:

1. Bike riding
   I am one of those people that likes non-competitive sports and exercises, bike riding being one of the top ones. I can take my time riding, I don't have to have a particular route in mind, and I can see the neighborhood, while getting some exercise.
   
   
2. Swimming
   Swimming is another favorite non-competitive form of exercise for me. I love being in the water, and it's a good way to cool down during those hot summer days.
   
   
3. Farmers market 
   I finally started going to my local farmer's market a few years ago, and fell in love with it. I got to try new things, as well as favorites from different places.
   
   
4. Spending time at a park
   I love nature, so being at a park always calms me. There are a few different parks near me, that I can choose to go to, which is so nice.
   
   
5. Barbecues
   Barbecues are a summer staple, and they bring people together. And there's good food! What more can I say?
   
   
6. Festivals
   Festivals are always fun, with entertainment, food, games, and more, and I can go with friends and family. 
   
   
7. Watching pro baseball games on TV
   Baseball is probably my favorite sport to watch, and I have actually been to a couple major league games in person. 
   
   
8. Making s'mores
   Another summer staple! Chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and graham crackers...what more is there to say?
   
   
9. Spending time in the yard/on the porch
   I am a major homebody, and spending time in the yard, or on the porch, is one of my favorite activities to do at home during the summer.
   
   
10. Volunteering at Joni and Friends retreats
    I got to go to my first retreat in 2019, and it was the best decision I've ever made!!  Everyone has an amazing time, and comes away from it feeling loved, heard, and refreshed. You can read the post I wrote about the most recent retreat I went to HERE.

What are your favorite activities to do in the summer?

A Moment That is Special to Me

 

This photo was taken at the retreat I had gone to last month, of me going ziplining.

This moment is special to me, because I had pushed through my fear of heights, to do something I have never done before. No one forced me to do this, or suggested I do it; it was 100% my own decision. And, to be honest, I am so glad I did it!

For me, it was scary climbing up, as well as being on the small landing, but I pushed through my fear, and jumped off.

It showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to, if I am just brave enough to take that first step.

Right after I had done this, I said that I didn't want to go again, but now that some time has passed since the retreat, I am finding that I do want to go again, as well as try other activities that are out of my comfort zone.

Having this picture (as well as a video) of me doing this makes this experience all the more special to me, because I can relive it over and over again, as many times as I want, when I look at them.

I am so grateful that I got to do this, and to be able to have another first-time experience.

100 Places I Would Like to Visit in My Life

I love to travel, but I haven't been to very many places in my life (there are a few places that I have been to multiple times over the years) and I would love to change that.

Going to new places always fascinates me, as there are new-to-me spots to explore. 

I love nature, so seeing beautiful spots always makes me very happy!

So, in no particular order, here are 100 places I would like to visit:

1. Hawaii
2. Disney Land
3. Disney World
4. New York
5. Rome
6. Milan
7. Venice
8. Florence
9. Pisa
10. Bologna
11. Naples
12. Verona, Italy
13. Dublin
14. London
15. Paris
16. Springfield, Illinois
17. New Zealand 
18. Berlin
19. Amsterdam 
20. St. Louis
21. Holland, Michigan again (I went there as a kid, but I only vaguely remember it)
22. Seattle
23. New Orleans
24. Las Vegas
25. Birmingham, Alabama
26. Toronto
27. Vancouver
28. Rio de Janeiro 
29. Tokyo
30. Cancun, Mexico
31. Veracruz, Mexico
32. Beijing
33. Singapore
34. Atlanta
35. Glasgow
36. Edinburgh, Scotland
37. Jerusalem
38. Mumbai
39. Delhi
40. Queensland
41. Madrid
42. Washington DC again (I went on my school's 8th grade trip there, and it was only for a couple of days, so I would like to go on a longer trip there some day)
43. Boston
44. Albuquerque, New Mexico
45. Niagra Falls
46. Grand Canyon
47. Charleston, South Carolina
48. Key West
49. Juneau, Alaska
50. Antelope Canyon
51. Los Angeles
52. Hollywood
53. Mount Rushmore 
54. Yosemite National Park
55. Nashville
56. Alcatraz Island
57. Lake Tahoe
58. Pittsburgh 
59. Pearl Harbor
60. Taj Mahal
61. Pyramids in Giza
62. Warsaw, Poland
63. Krakow, Poland
64. Dubrovnik, Croatia
65. Bucharest, Romania
66. Bosnia & Herzegovina 
67. Lisbon, Portugal
68. Latvia
69. Prague, Czech Republic
70. Thailand
71. Philippines 
72. Georgia (the country)
73. Athens, Greece
74. Cairo, Egypt
75. Alexandria, Egypt
76. Kilkenny, Ireland
77. Munich
78. Vienna
79. Salzburg 
80. Bali
81. Khiva, Uzbekistan 
82. Morocco 
83. Bruges, Belgium
84. Eibsee, Germany
85. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
86. Luxor, Egypt
87. Cape Town, South Africa
88. Budapest, Hungary
89. Petra
90. La Huasteca in Xilitla, Mexico
91. Lake Bled in Slovenia
92. Stonehenge
93. Kylemore Abbey, Ireland
94. Zurich, Switzerland
95. Geneva, Switzerland
96. Kolmar, France
97. Santorini/Oia, Greece
98. Burano, Italy
99. Iceland
100. Wales

There are more places I would like to visit, but these are the ones I would most like to visit.

What places are on your travel bucket list?

10 Goals I Would Like to Complete by the End of the Year

Since I am in between jobs right now, I am trying to motivate myself to be more productive at home. There are a few projects that I would like to work on, that take time to complete, and I know that the sooner I get started, the sooner they will be done.

Since I have a lot of time on my hands right now, it's the perfect time to work on at least one or two of these goals, so that I am not sitting around all day, wasting my time.

So, here are the ten goals that I would like to complete by the end of 2022:

1. Get my bedroom cleaned up and redecorated
   This has been on my to-do list for ages, and I just never had any motivation to work on it, and get it done. My bedroom is a complete disaster, and it is stressing me out, so I want to get started (and finished, of course), as soon as possible, so I can be able to actually relax in my room.
   
   
2. Get a new job
   I had to quit my job at my local library back in May, as I was dealing with a toxic person, so I am on the hunt again, for a new job. I have already started looking for a job, but have not applied to any yet, and I know that jobs can fill up pretty quick, so I really need to get going on applying.
   
   
3. Get driving permit, and practice driving until I am confident in my abilities
   I took driving lessons in high school, but I have barely driven since, so I am not confident in my driving abilities. I would love to be able to get my license sometime, hopefully within the next year, so that I don't have to always rely on others to get me places.
   
   
4. Get a tattoo in memory of my mom OR dye my hair purple
   I may have to wait a while to get a tattoo, because of my current situation, so I figured I would have a second option for this, which would be easier for me to accomplish.
   
   
5. Learn Sign Language and Spanish
   I don't expect to be completely fluent, but I would like to learn a little every day, so I could communicate more with people, who are deaf/hard of hearing, and those who do not know much English.
   
   
6. Knit/Crochet at least 3 items
   I love to knit and crochet, yet I don't do either very much. I miss working on something, when I have finished a project, and would love to knit and crochet on a more regular basis. I had learned how to knit first, and then learned how to crochet as well, when I was confident in my knitting abilities, and I love both the same.
   
   
7. Donate unwanted clothes, accessories, media (books, DVDs, CDs), etc.
   I have so much stuff, a lot of it that I don't use or wear, and it is overwhelming. I have started going through my clothes, to see what I want to keep and give away. Hopefully I can go through the rest of my stuff within the next couple of months, and donate the things I don't want anymore.
   
   
8. Get better at baking and cake decorating
   I went to school for baking, and have hardly made use of what I have learned. I want to improve my skills, as I am still not very good at some things, like decorating. I love doing hands-on activities like this, as I get to make things, and it's fun as well. I get to be creative with what I make, which I love! I don't practice the skills I learned nearly enough, and I want to change that.
   
   
9. Learn how to cook better
   I am ok at cooking, but I would like to be better. I can make the basics, like macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, pasta, and other easy foods, but I would like to included more foods, that can take more time and skills to make, and become more confident in what I can do.
   
   
10. Create an exercise routine that works for me
    For quite some time now, I have not been taking very good of myself, and that needs to change. I plan on figuring out what exercises I can do, that I like, and that I would be able to keep doing on a regular basis.

What are some goals that you would like to complete this year?

My Time at the 2022 Joni and Friends Retreat

I can't believe retreat has been over for a few weeks now; it went by so fast!! It went from June 12 through the 17th.

I wanted to post about retreat sooner, but I got sick a few days after I got home, and it took a while to feel better.

On Saturday, June 11th, a retreat friend drove me up, and I stayed at a hotel for the night.

Sunday morning, I got to the retreat campus, and we had a day filled with training on Sunday.

Everyone found out what their job was during camp, and I was in the sweet shop again (which I was happy about; I love being in the sweet shop!).

On Monday, we had some final training in the morning and early afternoon, and then the families arrived. Our theme for camp this year was An Anchor for the Soul, so the costumes we wore were water themed. Some people were pirates, some were sea creatures, some we captains...it was fun to see all the different costumes.

For the campers/families, there are activities they can do in the afternoon, like zip-lining, horseback riding, boating/tubing, swimming, and a talent show.

After all of the families arrived, we had dinner, a welcome ceremony, and an ice cream social (which I helped out with).

Tuesday thru Thursday, there were morning groups for the campers, and I helped with some baking each morning. I made some brookies (part cookie, part brownie) for the sweet shop, and I helped man the shop in the afternoons.

The volunteers had devotionals/worship before breakfast Monday-Thursday as well, where a pastor spoke to us about passages that related to this year's theme (An Anchor for the Soul). Then, we got into groups according to which area we were serving in and prayed for everyone for that day, and went to breakfast.

On Tuesday, there was a carnival, and a petting zoo for everyone to enjoy, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides. I love horses, so I of course went on the carriage ride.

During my break on Tuesday, I got to go horseback riding, which I was so excited about!!! I haven't gone riding since 2004, and I sorely missed it.

On Wednesday, I did some more baking for the sweet shop, and manned the shop again in the afternoon. Then I was allowed to go horseback riding again, which I, of course, loved!

There was a parents dinner that I helped set up (we put tablecloths on the tables, as well as place settings and decorations). Us volunteers got to eat with the parents, once everyone got their food.

After the dinner, there was a break in activities, and in the evening, we all were able to enjoy a dance, as well as some games.

On Thursday, I did even more baking, manned the sweet shop again, and then there was the talent show in the evening.

After breakfast, there was an accessible worship, where those who wanted to come on (or near) the stage, could do so while worshipping.

There was a special lunch for moms, that I helped set up. Again, we got to eat with the moms, after everyone got their food.

I was surprised with a chance to go zip-lining on Thursday, something that had been on my bucket list for quite a while.

I am afraid of heights, so I had to push through my fears to do this, but I actually enjoyed it. It was fun!

The talent show was fun. There were jokes, dancing, a Star Wars light saber fight, music, signing (a song that was performed in Sign Language by a group), instrument playing, and a few other acts.

Then, when the talent show was over, people could either do karaoke, or go over to the sweet shop for snacks.

Friday was the last day of retreat, which I was not happy about. I did not want to go home just yet.

There was breakfast, families and volunteers packed up their belongings, we had a closing ceremony, and then when the families left, the volunteers had a lunch where we talked about how the week went.

During the closing ceremony, one of the other volunteers surprised me with a cat necklace that she made. I had no idea anyone was going to give me anything, so I was very surprised by the sweet gift! I have two cats of my own, which is why she gave me the necklace.

I can't believe camp is over already; it felt like it went by in the blink of an eye! I am already looking forward to next year, and hoping that I get to go again.

I have come to love retreat, which is now my happy place, where I get to serve and have my heart filled up at the same time.

Can next June come already, please?!?!