Update: Ten Things I Would Like To Do

In February 2010 I blogged about Ten Things I Would Like To Do. I included a list of dreams, goals, or aspirations (realistic or not) that I would like to do someday. Here is an update on a few of those wish list items:

* Take a photography class or lessons:
I really enjoy taking pictures. We have a pretty nice camera:

Nikon D300

Having a nice camera has inspired me to seek out picture taking opportunities. I have barely begun to learn how to take good/or professional looking pictures but I aspire to one day take some classes or just be a self taught amazing picture taker.

Most of the pictures I take are of my family and friends. I love capturing moments in our lives that I can look back and remember more clearly and also see things in retrospect that I did not notice or appreciate at the time. The down side for me is that people, especially my children, can be hard to photograph. Mostly because the thing they are doing when I reach for the camera is rarely occurring by the time the shutter opens. Furthermore, trying to create a photo moment is almost always more enjoyable as an idea in my head rather than the actual process involved in staging the photo shoot.

On our recent vacation I took 600 pictures! Again, most were of family and friends, but I did take a few others that made me want to take more pictures of the beautiful world around me:

St Louis Zoo:


Although I took some great shots of my family and friends, (which can be viewed here: myjoy), I had to include this one here too because I just love this picture!


Old Stone Fort State Park in Tennessee
A bit of a waterfall heaven:




*Learn another language fluently (perhaps sign language):
My daughter, Elizabeth, has recently shown an interest in learning Spanish. I checked into a local program that offers language learning experiences for children. After discussing the cost associated with the program with my husband we did not rule out the idea, but I started considering other options. I thought about the resources that are available right now at no additional cost. Then I remembered how fun it was and how much we learned from getting books and videos from the library and from television on sign language. I am by no means fluent in sign language but I have about a 300+ vocabulary in sign. Why not apply the same resources to learning Spanish (I have always wanted to learn Spanish myself) and also teach my daughters in the process? Brilliant!
So today we went to the library and came out with these:


* Conquer my fear of math:
I had not planned on writing about this particular wish list item until I reread the blog entry entitled "Ten Things I Would Like To Do." I looked over the wish list items and thought the list looked a little long, and sure enough there were 11 items on the Top Ten List, the last being, ironically, "Conquer my fear of math." Although at least visually I had a mathematical hunch, I am not sure if this can be construed as actual progress towards my goal.

Blog Journaling

For the past week I have been feeling quite a bit introspective. I naturally cycle through an introspective period about once every six months. If I don't talk about it or, better yet, write about my thoughts and feelings, I am left feeling anxious and unsettled for weeks. So, why not keep a journal?

I have just never been able to do it. I had never been able to commit to writing every day, or every week, or with any consistency. Furthermore, I do not like hand-writing anymore. My penmanship has seriously gone astray and my thoughts become too scattered when I do not have the luxury of the delete key. I tried keeping a journal on my computer for a period, but I got bored with it, or something, and let it go. Then my blog was born. Whew, I have finally found a way to express myself without the commitment of a journal. What's the difference?

I really don't know, but I am grateful to be writing, to be expressing my feelings openly (pretty much). Yes, I edit my posts, not always expressing my every thought or feeling, but I always edited any journaling I have done. I know that journaling, or in my case blog-journaling, can be beneficial. Reflecting on where I am , where I have been, and where I want to go in my life is, in my opinion, necessary for healthy living. At some point, I will be printing it out at for long-term keeping and posterity.

So, my most recent ponderings have been focused on consistencies and inconsistencies in my life. For quite some time I have been consistently sick. In the grand scheme of things, nothing too serious, but I cannot remember, over the past year or so, a period of more than a few weeks where I was not in some state of not well. I enjoy exercising and playing sports (soccer) but I have had to take so much time off for healing that I am longing to get back into shape and rebuild my strength, endurance and overall fitness level. Not sure what I can do to change this pattern of illnesses, but I am back playing soccer and going to the gym, despite the fact that I am still getting over a cold and I injured my leg a little.

As for inconsistency in my life, I have been preparing for several of my friends in the area to be moving away. I live in a very transient city and many of my friends are here for higher educational purposes and will be moving on upon completion of their (or their spouses) studies. I will likely continue to maintain our friendships through facebook and blogging, but it's sure not the same as having them here face to face. I am truly grateful for all my friends both near and far, but having a close friend nearby, who is not planning to move anytime soon, would be a welcomed consistency in my life.

Finally, I have mentioned several times in my blogging that I want to live more happily; to laugh more; and to generally have more fun. I will continue to seek after these things, but I realized recently that my idea of a happy life was pretty much unattainable. My "all or nothing" pattern of thinking had me seeking after a fun fest rather than a normal healthy state of living with it's ups and downs. So my new outlook is to acknowledge the bad or difficulties in my life, but to focus on that which is worth focusing on, or that which will allow me to feel happy, to laugh, and to have fun.

Uplifted & Inspired

General Conference never fails to uplift and inspire me. I feel strengthened and renewed. Although it is not easy to focus my full attention with small children, it is amazing how much I get out of it! I am quite sure I was not able to listen to one entire talk without being distracted. However, I received so much direction and support I am not sure I could have taken in any more this weekend anyway.

One message I am most excited to apply to my life from this conference is to express, demonstrate, and seek after ways to feel more contentment in my life. Simply put, to live more happily. I can do this. I actually need to do this. I am excited to see how being more positive will impact not only me, but my own family as well as others I come in contact with.

During this conference weekend, we continued our "tradition" of sharing a Saturday session with an amazing family, the Lowery's. Spending time with them is always a treat! We are so grateful for their friendship. This time they had us over for a fabulous brunch. We look forward to as many more conferences together as possible.

During the Sunday sessions I kept the girls busy with lot's of fun activities (and these activities too). And we all did some pampering for each other (combing hair & lotion hand/foot massages). I am grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and those that serve with him. I am especially grateful for the rich blessings of the Gospel and for our Savior, Jesus Christ!