Pack, pack, pack it up

Is anyone else sick of this cold weather? I think that the worst part is the huge range in temperatures. It will be below freezing one day, 70 degrees within 24 hours, then back down to below 50, and everything in between. How does one dress for that? The outfit I leave in loses its appropriateness by mid-afternoon and it bothers all the lovely out of me.

Anyhow, this week, I started the packing process. With less than four weeks until the move, I figured it was time to begin. Lucky for me, we get supply shipments at work on an almost daily basis. Collecting cardboard boxes and packaging material is something I do not have to stress about. All my coworkers know that I'm moving soon and are kind enough to save boxes for me to bring home. So nice!

Thus far, packing is going well, although I have way too many books. I thought that packing all my clothes was going to be rough, but I was wrong. It's all these freaking books! I have set aside a stack that I no longer want. I haven't decided what to do with them, though. Donate them to a thrift store? Sell them to Half-Price? Have a yard sale? Having a yard sale is very tempting because there are a number of other items that will not be making the move with me. Why not make some extra cash? Sunglasses, clothes, shoes, hats, belts, dvds, knick knacks, jewelry, and yes, books. Too bad this darn weather isn't very inspiring! We shall see.

Packing is the not-so-fun part of moving. Planning the furnishing and decorating is so much better! Dustin and I will actually be purchasing a new bed! We have already ordered the frame (along with a dining table) and will order the mattress soon. We also got a great deal on shelving while looking around Loew's over the weekend. We were in need of extra shelving given the aforementioned massive collection of books I own. I think all that's left is finding desks. He needs one for his computer and gaming setup. I need one for all my crafting, writing, and studying. Our place is going to be so cute and cozy!

I even had a special calligraphy print made for our place, but I don't have the framing for it just yet. As soon as I do, I'll post a picture of it. It is so perfect for us!

Back to cleaning, organizing, and packing. Only 23 days to go!

Yes, the title of this post is a reference to Lil Jon. To the windooooooow....

Ten Things by Paul Baribeau

Name ten things you wanna do before you die and then go do them.

1. Run a marathon
2. Indoor skydive
3. Go to a music festival
4. Swim in the Pacific Ocean
5. See whales in the wild
6. Get married
7. Learn to sew
8. Become fluent in French
9. Foster more animals
10. Zip line

Name ten places you really wannabe before you die and then go to them.

1. Paris, France
2. Venice, Italy
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Chichen Itza
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. The Pacific Ocean
7. Kyle Field
8. Cloete, Coahuila, Mexico
9. Bruges, Belgium
10. Home

Name ten books you wanna read before you die and then go read them.

1. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
2. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
5. The End of Faith by Sam Harris
6. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
7. The Lord of the Rings [the entire trilogy] by J. R. R. Tolkien
8. Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
9. Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grage
10. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Name ten songs you wanna hear again before you die, get all your friends together and scream them.

1. Destiny by The Rocket Summer
2. Mamma Mia by ABBA
3. Yesterday by The Beatles
4. Ron con Coca Cola by Mister Chivo
5. Belle from the Beauty & the Beast soundtrack
6. Photosynthesis by Frank Turner 
7. Lookin' Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival
8. Querida by Juan Gabriel
9. Praise Chorus by Jimmy Eat World
10. Skies So Blue by The Rocket Summer

Because right now, all you have is time time time. 
Yeah, but some day, that time will run out. 
That's the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.

Think of all the things that are wrong with your life and then fix them.

1. I do not spend enough time with my friends and cousins.
2. I am too attached to my smart phone.
3. I need to be more creative.
4. Not enough reading is getting done.
5. I do not get enough sleep.
6. I need to satisfy my wanderlust.

Think of all the things that you love about your life, be thankful you are blessed with them.

1. My parents
2. My happy, healthy relationship with Dustin
3. Great friends
4. Cousins cousins cousins!
5. A wonderful job
6. The opportunity to help animals
7. Running
8. My mermaid hair
9. Balance
10. Being compassionate and cruelty-free
11. My adorable fur babies
12. A free mind and heart
13. My health

Think of all things that hold you back and realize that you don't need them.

1. Worry
2. Apprehension
3. Naivety 
4. Wastefulness
5. Fear

Think of all the mistakes you have made in your life, make sure that you never repeat them.

1. I was not focused.
2. I became distracted.
3. I let fear get the best of me.
4. I let what others thought bring me down.
5. I did not speak my mind.
6. I was not myself.

Because right now, all you have is time time time. 
Yeah, but some day, that time will run out. 
That's the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.

Name ten thousand reasons why you never wanna die, go and tell someone who might've forgotten.

1. There is so much left to learn.
2. There is so much left to see.
3. There is so much left to hope for.
4. There is so much left to fight for.
5. There are friends to be made.
6. I have too much love to give.
7. I have energy!
8. I want to keep smiling!
9. Animals are always doing cute things and I do not want to miss them.
10. I do not want to stop exploring.
11. There are so many adventures to go on.

Try to list the endless reasons why it's good to be alive, and then just smile for a while about them.

1. The sun
2. Picnics
3. Swimming
4. Laughing
5. Friendship
6. Love
7. Animals
8. Beauty
9. Kindness
10. Hope
11. Flowers
12. Trees
13. Books
14. Music
15. Art
16. There are compassionate individuals.
17. "All the wondrous things that mere mortals can achieve."
18. Changes and progress can happen.
19. Love will prevail.
20. Freedom
21. I can do whatever I want.
22. Money does not buy happiness.
23. Wealth is measured by the relationships you keep, the difference that you make, the time you can devote to substantial causes.

Soon the sun will rise and another day will come.

Soon enough the sun will set, another day will be gone.

And right now, all you have is time time time. 
Yeah, but some day, that time will run out. 
That's the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.

Another year, more daisy days

I am not really one for making New Year resolutions. I am the type that thinks of goals throughout the year and works on them as time permits.

For example, in the spring of 2013, I thought I would try the Insanity workout. I made it through four weeks before realizing that it was not very fulfilling or enjoyable. Halfway through the year, I decided to train for a half-marathon. So I did. In August, I chose to switch to a vegan diet. Done. Three months ago, I finally ran that half-marathon.

Earlier this month, I resolved to run a full marathon by spring 2014. I have been completing my training runs diligently. I also decided to re-learn the French that I once knew and pick up even more. I have downloaded a few apps on my phone and picked up some books in order to get that going. In the creative realm, I am continuing to practice photography and trying to pick up calligraphy. Pinterest and YouTube each offer a wealth of helpful tips for both. These are all ambitions from late 2013 that will be carried into this year. I also want to start sewing, something that I resolve to pursue once I move and have a space dedicated to this endeavor.

As always, I want to be kind, loving, patient, forgiving, and happy. Those are everyday goals that never change, though. They are the same characteristics I have made an effort to possess my entire adult life. I feel that I pretty much have them down now and only stray occasionally. Still, the effort has to made daily, more conscientiously on some days versus others.

Yes, I am looking forward to this year and all the accomplishments and adventures that will come with it. Life is so exciting, it never stops being so. If you set goals not only now, but continuously, you will always have something to look forward to and life will be thrilling and rewarding!

Get to it, folks, and have a happy 2014!