Things I Would Like to Accomplish In the Next 5-10 Years

There are a LOT of things I would like to do in my life, and I hope to be able to accomplish as many of them as I can.

Here is what I would like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years:

• Be financially independent
• Live on my own
• Get my driver's license
• Get married
• Have children of my own (whether biological or through adoption)
• Be more confident in myself
• Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
• Get at least one more piercing in each ear
• Get my nose pierced
• Shave my head (yes, I want to shave my head! It was a passing thought for a while, until recently, when it became a more serious desire)
• Visit New York
• Visit another country (I have never been out of the U.S.)
• Have my own YouTube channel, and post regularly
• Get a photography degree
• Find an exercise routine that works for me, and exercise on a regular basis
• Learn to sew
• Go on a Wheels for the World mission trip
• Go to at least one Joni and Friends retreat a year
• Become fluent (or more fluent than I am now) in Spanish
• Become fluent in Sign Language
• Become fluent in Italian
• Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Visit Disney World
• Visit Disney Land
• Work on writing a book (and hopefully publish it)
• Get better at cake decorating
• Learn how to make macarons
• Go on a road trip with friends
• Adopt at least one dog
• Write at least one song
• Learn to say yes more to taking more opportunities
• Learn how to apply my own makeup
• Learn how to do fishtail braids
• Learn how to French braid
• Learn how to do Dutch braids
• Be more comfortable in speaking up (especially for myself)
• Have a regular girls' night with friends
• Learn to take better care of my skin and hair
• Learn how to use power tools
• Learn how to cut hair
• Go to a professional hockey game (I have been to professional baseball games, but not hockey, and I would love to go to one)
• Relearn how to play the violin, and play on a regular basis
• Learn how to play the piano
• Keep a prayer journal
• Learn to love myself

YouTube Channel Favorite: Ambient Worlds

Ambient Worlds is a new find for me, and I instantly fell in love with it! It was a recommended channel for me, and I figured I would check it out. I am so glad I did!

The channel is just music from popular movies, places, games, TV shows, and more.

For me, the music is very calming/relaxing, and I really enjoy it. Since I am familiar with a lot of the music, it makes it even more enjoyable.

I like how along with the music, there are scenes/pictures included from whatever the music is from, which is a very nice touch.

My Summer 2020 Bucket List

Here are the things I would like to do this summer (if we can have a summer this year):

• Be an STM at a Joni and Friends Retreat (due to the Coronavirus, the retreat I was going to go to has been cancelled, so this is a bust--unless the retreat is rescheduled, or I go to a different one later on in the year)
• Get my driver's license
• Practice learning Spanish
• Practice learning Sign Language
• Learn to French braid
• Learn to do a fishtail braid
• Learn to do a milkmaid braid
• Learn to do a Dutch braid
• Make s'mores
• Make lemonade
• Purchase a good quality laptop
• Purchase a good quality DSLR
• Purchase a good quality sewing machine
• Learn how to sew
• Sew pillowcases
• Knit/crochet at least one thing a month
• Draw with sidewalk chalk
• Relearn how to play the violin
• Make homemade bread
• Learn macrame
• Make homemade slime
• Shop for Operation Christmas Child presents
• Make a July 4th wreath
• Learn how to barbecue
• Have at least one self-care day a month
• Paint a little every day
• Go for walks every day
• Go to the local farmer's market
• Go thrift shopping
• Go bowling
• Camp out in the back yard
• Visit the zoo
• Make smoothies
• Redecorate my bedroom
• Ride my bike one to two times a week
• Go on a trip with friends
• Have regular chats with friends
• Spend the day (or a few days) in the city
• Get a second piercing in each ear
• Go out for ice cream
• Play mini golf
• Write a song
• Go to the beach
• Watch fireworks
• Spend less (at least half as much) money
• Host a game night
• Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
• Bake scones
• Bake muffins
• Paint rocks and leave them out around town
• Paint my nails
• Start writing a novel
• Make popsicles
• Have an outdoor movie night
• Draw with sidewalk chalk
• Have at least one girls' night out/in
• Eat out at at least 3 restaurants I have never been to before
• Make a vision board/book
• Learn how to apply my own makeup
• Go to a carnival/fair
• Become more confident in myself
• Get my driver's license

I don't expect to be able to everything on this list, but I want to do as many as possible. Hopefully things will be getting back to normal (or as normal as it can be) by the summer, so I can do more.

100 Hobbies I Want to Try

I saw an idea, I think on Pinterest, where you write down 100 hobbies you would like to try.

Growing up, I had a few hobbies that I loved (collecting Beanie Babies, collecting state quarters, collecting stickers, writing stories, volunteering at my local library), and since we are now in a stay-at-home order because of COVID-19, I figured now is a good time to start up some new hobbies.

I decided to do that, and here are the 100 hobbies I would like to try:

1. Woodworking
2. Painting
3. Drawing
4. Jewelry making
5. Candle making
6. Macrame
7. Photography
8. Makeup
9. Needlepoint/embroidery
10. Violin playing
11. Quilting
12. Scrapbooking
13. Sewing
14. Soapmaking
15. Video editing
16. Gardening
17. Horseback riding
18. Running
19. Cooking (I am a baker, but I would like to be able to cook as well)
20. Calligraphy
21. Tapestry weaving
22. Pottery
23. LEGO set building
24. Chess (I do kind of know how to play, but I want to get better at it)
25. Juggling
26. Learning Spanish
27. Learning Italian
28. Learning Sign Language
29. Learning French
30. Hair braiding
31. Story writing
32. Playing piano
33. Playing ukulele
34. Furniture restoration
35. Bead art
36. Songwriting
37. YouTubing
38. Yoga
39. Meditation
40. Programming
41. Card/magic tricks
42. Martial arts
43. Handwriting
44. Upcycling
45. Watercolor painting
46. Jam making
47. Flower pressing
48. Bicycling
49. Guitar playing
50. Making greeting cards
51. Cake and cookie decorating
52. Decoupage
53. Prayer journaling
54. Making fairy gardens
55. Animation
56. Worldbuilding
57. Fostering animals
58. Genealogy
59. Paint kindness rocks
60. Paint pouring
61. Archery
62. Grilling
63. Hiking/walking
64. Podcasting
65. Book writing
66. Oil painting
67. Making mosaics
68. Self defense
69. Paper mache
70. Book binding
71. Basket weaving
72. Graphic design
73. Solo traveling
74. Digital drawing
75. Bullet journaling (I do this, but I want to try new spreads)
76. Art journal
77. Knit one item a month
78. Crochet one item a month
79. Collage
80. Learn a new word every day/linguistics
81. Make shadowboxes
82. Sketching
83. Homemade skin care
84. Collecting crystals
85. Paper making
86. Sand art
87. Woodburning
88. Astronomy
89. Kayaking
90. Canoeing
91. Zumba
92. Flower arranging
93. Raising animals
94. Homesteading
95. Skateboarding
96. Video gaming (I play, but not much)
97. Experiment in baking
98. Equestrianism
99. Container gardening
100. Wreath making

It took me a few days to come up with this list, but I am happy with what is on it. Hopefully I will be able to do a few of these soon.

YouTube Channel Favorite: Family Freedom

Family Freedom is one channel/family that I have been following for quite some time (probably over a year now).

They are the parents Bob and Katie, and children Sam (the oldest), Jamie (middle child) and Jojo (the youngest).

They are a UK family, who do their best at living a minimal waste lifestyle, as well as traveling, and making the best memories they can.

They really care about others, the environment, animals, and themselves, and they do what they can to bring happiness and light to those around them.

When they travel, I love seeing the places they visit, and the memories they make along the way. They always have a good time, and inspires me to want to visit as many places as possible in my life.

My Current Thoughts

The world has been thrown into chaos these last few months, with the coronavirus spreading everywhere.

A lot of businesses have closed until further notice, schools are closed and are doing e-learning, restaurants are only doing drive-thru, pick-up and delivery of meals, and we are being asked to stay inside as much as possible.

I work at my local library, and we have been closed since March 13th. I haven't been working since March 10 (I had my normal 3 of four days off, before the closure became official), and I am really missing it. A month of things not being normal.

I have only gone out 3 times, to buy some groceries, and the rest of the time has been spent inside.

None of us at home have shown any symptoms of this virus, and for that I am thankful. Hopefully we never will. For those who are sick, or who have lost loved ones to this pandemic, I am praying for you.

For the last couple of weeks, I have been having a hard time dealing with not being able to work, nor being able to shop, or go out to eat, or get together with others.

I have been watching lots of movies, writing, listening to music, and reading a lot, to try and keep my spirits up, but there is only so much I can do that will help with that.

I got a couple pieces of news over the last week or so, which I am not happy about.

One: the Joni and Friends retreat that I was planning on going to in June has been cancelled. I understand why it was cancelled, and accept it, but I am still sad that it was. I was looking forward to seeing the friends I made there, and to have fun.

The other piece of news is that a dear neighbor friend of mine had died some time ago (not from coronavirus, but from cancer).

I didn't hear about her passing, so a Ppart of me is kind of angry about that, as I truly cared about her, but I am, of course, mainly sad that she is gone. I had known her for over 20 years, and will miss her dearly.

This is a crazy time we are living in, but we will get through this, and I can't wait for things to calm down, and go back to normal. Or as normal as it can get after something like this.

YouTube Channel Favorite: Knorpp and South

Knorpp and South is probably up there on my list of absolute favorites.

This is another family that has adopted children, as well as biological children.

The couple who run this channel has four biological sons, and five adopted children (3 girls and two boys).

They document their everyday lives, their travels (they are big on traveling), and making memories.

They have done a series of videos, where they sit down one on one with each child, and interview them, as well as sharing the stories of the children that they adopted.

As well as the other families/people I have mentioned before in my YouTube Favorites, this family truly cares about each other, and the others around them. They want to leave the world a little better than before, and try to make the best of things.

100 Things I Want to Do in My Lifetime

There are a lot of things I would love to be able to do in my lifetime, and I want to be able to do as many of those things as possible.

In no particular order, here are 100 things I want to do:

1. Get my driver's license
2. Get into a loving, caring relationship with a significant other
3. Live on my own
4. Get married
5. Have children
6. Travel around the world (there are TONS of places I have never been to, that I would love to visit)
7. Be more confident in myself
8. Play the violin again, on a regular basis
9. Buy a good quality DSLR
10. Buy a good quality laptop
11. Get my baking and pastry degree
12. Become fluent in Spanish
13. Become fluent in Italian
14. Become fluent in French
15. Become fluent in Sign Language
16. Learn how to sew
17. Go to a Garth Brooks concert
18. Go on a Joni and Friends Wheels for the World trip
19. Go to an Andrea Bocelli concert
20. Exercise on a regular basis
21. Learn how to play the piano
22. Make my own vision board/book
23. Get my photography degree
24. Become a professional photographer
25. Become a professional baker
26. Open up my own bakery
27. Write and publish at least one book
28. Visit all 50 U.S. states
29. Go on a road trip with friends
30. Have my own YouTube channel and post videos on a regular basis
31. Learn how to French braid
32. Learn how to do Dutch braids
33. Learn how to do a fishtail braid
34. Learn how to do a milkmaid braid
35. Go on a picnic
36. Go ziplining
37. Have my own garden with fruits, veggies, and flowers
38. Foster children
39. Foster animals
40. Learn how to knit/crochet sweaters
41. Learn how to knit/crochet blankets
42. Try snowboarding at least once
43. Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
44. Get a Harry Potter-related tattoo
45. Learn how to make macarons
46. Learn how to make ombre cakes
47. Read The Hobbit books
48. Read The Lord of the Rings books
49. Host a Friendsgiving
50. Go to a White Sox vs. Cubs game
51. Learn how to bbq
52. Reach financial independence
53. Write my own songs
54. Learn to read braille
55. Relax in a sensory deprivation tank
56. Host a 4th of July party
57. Learn to juggle
58. Participate in an Escape Room
59. Take a solo vacation
60. Take self defense classes
61. See the Hamilton Play
62. Go paintballing
63. See the Northern lights
64. Get my nose pierced
65. Get another piercing in each ear
66. Get a passport
67. Have a photoshoot done
68. Grow more in my faith
69. Go to a pro hockey game
70. Spend Christmas in another country
71. Spend New Year's in another country
72. Dye my hair purple
73. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
74. Adopt at least one dog
75. Write and give letters to people who mean a lot to me
76. Write in a prayer journal on a regular basis
77. Pack and send off as many shoebox presents as I can for Operation Christmas Child
78. Make someone's day with a random act of kindness
79. Visit Disney World
80. Visit Disney Land
81. Go to a drive-in movie
82. Learn how to tie a tie
83. Learn to use chopsticks
84. See the Harlem Globetrotters play
85. Write a letter to myself to be opened on my 40th birthday
86. Go to a Blue Man Group concert
87. Go indoor skydiving
88. Go to a paint night
89. Learn how to apply my own makeup
90. Spend a day at Great America
91. Go horseback riding as often as I can
92. Go mini golfing again
93. Go whitewater rafting
94. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
95. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
96. Meet Robbie Coltrane
97. Meet Johnny Depp
98. Meet Jonathan Antoine/go to one of his concerts
99. Meet the Obamas
100. Meet J.K. Rowling

My Spring 2020 Bucket List

I love making bucket lists, so it seams only fitting to make seasonal bucket lists.

In no particular order, here is what I would like to do this spring:

• Get bedroom cleaned up
• Redecorate bedroom (paint walls a different color, get a new bed, etc.)
• Spend more time with friends
• Spend at least half as much money
• Find and keep up an exercise routine that works for me
• Have a self-care day at least twice a month
• Practice baking and decorating skills
• Learn Sign Language
• Learn Spanish
• Donate unwanted clothes
• Donate unwanted books, movies, CDs, etc.
• Binge watch season 3 of Call the Midwife (one of my favorite shows!!)
• Host a game night
• Get my driver's license
• Go on walks
• Dye Easter eggs
• Bake cookies
• Start riding my bike again
• Go thrift shopping
• Explore my neighborhood
• Spend a day in the city
• Take lots of photos
• Binge watch season 1 of Bonanza (another favorite show of mine)
• Learn how to use chopsticks
• Knit or crochet at least one thing a month
• Read a book at a park
• Make a vision board/notebook
• Talk to my friends on a more regular basis
• Start a veggie/flower garden

I may add more things in the future, if I think of more. But, at this point, this is what I would like to do this spring.

What do you want to do this spring?

YouTube Channel Favorite: Crazy Middles

Yet another new one for me.

Crazy Middles is a large family, who also have adopted children (as well as a biological child, I believe). The parents have two biological kids, and 18 adopted children.

They document how they handle everyday life with so many children, which they do with lots of love, care, and fun.

A few of the older kids live on their own, but the others are still at home, and I love watching what they do in a typical (for them) day.

This is another family that truly cares about each other, and those around them.

They definitely love each other, and love to have fun, make special memories, and just be there for each other.

I have a heart for children, and for adoption, so I seem to be drawn to channels where the couples have adopted children, which is absolutely fine with me!