Becoming a Big Kid: My Bucket List

"Every man dies - not every man really lives"


On July 19 of this year I will turn 26 years old, I will have lived in Colorado for 4 years, and I will be 18 days away from getting married. When I moved to Denver I was fresh off what I now realized was a very comfortable life. I remember calling my mother during month three or four and saying, "Do you KNOW how much they charge you for cell phone service?!!" Paying all my own bills was only one of the realities of becoming a "big kid." I moved here thinking I knew it all. I thought I had "grown up" in college and I was an "adult" and I no longer needed advice or wisdom or anyone telling me how things should or were going to be. The realization now? I'm still a kid. I'm still growing. I'm still learning. I'm still adapting. And I don't think that will ever change, at least I hope not. I want to be able to keep that young eyed version of myself alive... where every new experience is better than the last and the more you learn the more you appreciate who you are and where you've been. Today I am feeling blessed that I have a wonderful family, amazing friends, and the perfect partner in Matt to continue to learn and grow with me.

So many things have happened in the last four years and while my usual M.O. in blogworld would be to look back and remember those moments (sentimental me), today I want to talk about what I envision and hope for the future. A lot of life has happened and even more life is left to live. I hope I can take advantage of it:

Annalisa's Bucket List 4/15/2011

-Get Married! I cannot wait to marry Matt and start a new life with him.
-Travel. First stops: Africa, Croatia, Italy, and Denmark.
-Live by the ocean: I envision a beach cottage with wood floors that always seem to have sand on them no matter how much you sweep.
-Open a ceramics studio: a life long dream.
-Run a marathon
-Ride the cable cars in San Francisco
-Drink wine at a vineyard in Napa Valley
-Drive along the 101, in a convertible, with the top down
-Take more creative writing classes
-Write short stories
-Write a book
-Ride in a hot air balloon
-Ride a camel AND an elephant (not at the same time)
-See the Northern Lights
-Zipline through the rainforest
-Give someone a total and pleasant surprise
-Take my parents on vacation abroad
-Swim with dolphins
-Own a home
-Own our DREAM home
-plant a garden
-Continue our love of cooking
-Visit all of the big art museums around the world
-Kiss in the rain
-Explore a castle
-Get a picture in a red telephone booth in London
-Learn how to sail
-See a play on Broadway or see many plays on Broadway
-Have a successful career
-Be recognized for having a successful career
-Be invited to speak somewhere about said career
-Have babies, see Matt be a dad
-Be a good parent, make family a priority, strive to be like my parents
-Build a tree fort
-Achieve debt freedom
-Take my best friend on a trip of her dreams
-Live in another country
-Take a gondola along the Venice canals in Italy
-Go to Mardi Gras
-Learn to surf
-Stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora
-See Niagara Falls lit up at night
-Walk into an airport and buy a same day ticket for somewhere appealing
-Continue to see live music
-Say yes to change and accept new opportunities


What's on your bucket list?

Until next time,
A

Little Moments

Today I woke up to snow. A heavy, wet, pile of snow. While my dog loved running around the backyard burrowing his head beneath the drifts looking for his beloved red ball I sort of resented it. Not watching Cooper but the idea of what snow brings. Traffic. Slow, miserable, icy, traffic. I immediately found myself in a bad mood just thinking about it (I wasn't even on the road yet!!). While getting ready I talked myself off of the ledge and told myself I was going to be optimistic about my day. I filled my travel mug full of delicious coffee (okay and like 1/3 cream because, after all, I was HAVING a bad day) and got in my car to come to work. By the time I arrived (1.5 hours and 2 country cd's later) I was much more positive (thank you caffeine and zac brown). I walked into my office, responded to work emails, and dutifully checked all of my social media sites and blogs. What killed me was apparently everyone else was having a bad day today too. I found the "glass half full" mentality slowly starting to fade as I read about everyone elses troubles and struggles. It was then that I realized I really haven't blogged in awhile. Every time I have a moment to post I don't seem to have anything to write about, at least anything worth reading. But today while reading peoples facebook posts, twitter updates, and blog entries I realized my "today" is actually pretty great. And then I almost felt bad for feeling good! How crazy is that? So I realized that I need to blog about the little moments. I need to celebrate those daily things things that may not seem very important to note because all together they are what make my life really great. From now on each post will include a "little moment" that I truly treasure.

Today's "Little Moment": The green light on the coffee maker. Green, in case you non-caffeine addicted friends don't know, means "on". It means the coffee is hot! It means you are about to receive a jolt of pure energy. In my case it means I have an amazing fiance who makes coffee for me each day. Yes, he is up before me and yes, he drinks coffee too but the feeling I get when I walk into the kitchen after he has already left for work and see that green light makes me feel as if he just left a silent "Have a good day" for me to enjoy.

So today I urge everyone to think of one of their "little moments." I guess this means I should go play with my dog in all that snow...once I get home from sitting in traffic, of course.

Until next time,

A

New Year, New Me, New Us?

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot


Wow, 2011! We made it. I can hardly believe we're back to New Years Resolutions. Last year my resolution was to write more and to actually keep my blog updated. If we're comparing to the infrequent posts of 2009 I think this was a success, however, I am hoping 2011 allows for even more improvement. Writing for me has always been the ultimate de-stressing tool. It is a time when I can completely shut out everything else that is going on around me and just say exactly what I am feeling. Do you remember when you were in 5th or 6th grade and your teacher would have you do "Free Writes?" You would have ten or fifteen minutes to just write whatever came to mind. You weren't allowed to go back and erase and you couldn't put the pencil down until she called time. That is sort of the approach I take to blogging. I just go for it. And sometimes when I'm finished I go back and I realize I either wrote something really great that I treasure... or I realize I just vented for 20 minutes about how I can't seem to have a good day. But either way I love blogging for a medium to express my thoughts, feelings, and attitude towards what "today" brings. And I love that I can share it with friends and family too. So here is to another year of blogging and a continuation of last years resolution. My hope is for 36 posts this year!

While we're on the subject here are the rest of my resolutions for the year:

*Pave the road to a stronger, healthier me: I will never give up the chocolate cake, glass of wine, or my favorite pasta in garlic cream sauce but I can choose a healthier path when I'm not consuming these favorites. In 2011 I want to continue to try new recipes that feature fruits and veggies, take advantage of local farmers markets, shop locally, return to my love of running (including at least one race this year), and, as always, take advantage of Colorado (hiking, snowboarding, biking, etc.)

*Stay in better contact with those I love: I suck at calling my friends. Enough said. In 2011 I hope to stop ending phone conversations with "I promise not to wait 3 months next time!"

*Be a better girlfriend/wife: First, can't believe I will be a wife by the end of this year. Can we just take a moment to say "AHHHHH." Okay, I'm better now. When Matt and I get married in August we will have been together for 4 years. Which, I realize, in the scheme of a lifetime is a drop in the bucket. However, if there is one reason why I know I can spend the rest of my life with this man it is his ability (since day one) to show up to our relationship everyday. My wish for 2011 is not to be perfect but to make the continued effort that we not only show up to our relationship each day but that we continue to learn and grow as well.

*Give back. Last, but certainly not least. I cannot be more appreciative of the blessings that I received in 2010. Because of this I think the master hope for 2011 is to spend more time giving back. A few causes I want to support this year: Jefco Action center, American Cancer Society, and St. Jude's. If you are able to give your time this year I urge you to support a charity that you love. This is truly how we will all make a difference.

I hope your resolutions stick and you have a happy and healthy 2011.

Until next time,

A

Today I'm Thankful For...

I know it, I'm a little early on the "Why I'm thankful" talk. However, with Halloween in a couple of days and Thanksgiving right around the corner I don't think the timing could be much more perfect.

Today I'm Thankful for...

Life, and the way it continues to amaze and surprise me. My life is constantly changing. I've adopted a way of thinking that pushes me to accept every new opportunity that I am given. Sometimes scary, almost always rewarding. My career is speeding along and my personal life grows with each new day.

My fiance. The other day I stepped on the scale and was astounded with the number I saw in front of me. Apparently those cupcakes, cookies, and candy DO matter. I proceeded to have a nervous breakdown and Matt looked me in the face and said, "You're beautiful. You're sexy. I love you." The scale went in the garbage that afternoon. He's my rock.

Wedding planners (ahem, mothers). My mom has taken wedding planning and ran with it. You would think she spent her entire career as an event planner. We are ahead of every wedding checklist because of her. During this process I have realized how like my mother I actually am. When she sends me emails with ideas for the reception, or centerpieces, or escort cards, etc. we are almost always on the same page. She's amazing.

Football Season. So my team has lost a couple of games and that is kind of a drag, however, I love this time of the year. I love the smell of chili cooking on the stove. Tomorrow we have friends coming over to the watch the game (fans of both side of the ball). It's these times with friends that I cherish. When I was little my dad would take me to football games...I loved these moments with him. I think that is why I grew up to be such a fan of the game. In November I'm taking my dad to the Vikings/Packers game in Minnesota. I'm thankful for these times with my dad and that every Fall Saturday when Iowa takes to the field, he is my first call.

Girlfriends. My friend Rachel and I went to Vail last weekend to help her de-stress from wedding planning (she ties the knot next Saturday!!). I don't remember the last time I spent a whole night out with a girlfriend. The greatest moment was when we were on the Vail shuttle (to go to a different side of the village). We were the only people on the bus sans the bus driver and at one moment I just stopped and thought to myself what the bus driver must think of our conversation. Part of this was thinking that bus drivers must hear the most random things during their shifts, but the other part of me was thinking how blessed I feel to have a friend who I can say anything to. It's fun having Matt, and I can certainly tell him anything, but girlfriends are different. I feel thankful that in the short time I've been in Colorado I've made a best friend.

Colorado Sunshine. Winter will come to Colorado soon. The mountains will get snow and the temperature will cool. But the sun will still shine. Enough said.

There are so many things that I am thankful for day-to-day but today these are on my mind. I had someone say to me the other day that they are always happy to ready my status updates on facebook because I have a positive outlook on life. They quickly followed with "this must be an inherent trait of Iowan's." I thought that was really neat. Now, I'm certainly not always the most positive person, but I continually strive to have the glass half full mentality. I think a thought to take with you today is knowing that the road is going to be long and windy (and bumpy and even mountainous at times) but this is all a whole lot easier to take when you're smiling along the way.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next time,
A

Wedding Reflection

One of my best friends from college is getting married on Saturday. You would think I would be getting used to this by now. Several of my good girl friends have walked down the isle and started, what I consider, their "grown up" lives. Every time I attend a friends wedding I revert back to how we met and memories from our friendship together. Most of the other weddings I have attended have been for childhood friends. These friends are rare because you have known them for so long. Your first memories are so long ago that it is hard to pinpoint the time and place of the initial meeting. When my friend Jenny got married (years ago now) it was the first time I realized we weren't little kids anymore. Ashley will be the second friend from college that has gotten married. College is interesting because the friends you meet there take the face track to learning everything about you. Your best friend from elementary school has spent years learning every detail about your life, and therefore, probably knows you more, but it is close. College friends live with you. It's a completely different dynamic. They become best friends in a blink of an eye. The first time I met Ashley was as I entered my first class Freshman year at the University of Iowa. She was standing outside the building with another girl looking at a list of rooms and where classes were held. We quickly found out that the 3 of us shared a "courses in common" program... meaning that we would have 3classes together that semester. Soon we were all hanging out after class as well. When you start college you already think you're a "grown up". You live alone, your parents aren't there to tell you you're staying out too late, and you get to make decisions for yourself. But it's a false reality of being a grown up. Because when you finally finish college and you look back... you realize when you were a freshman, walking up to that first class, you were a baby. And that is why college friends are so dynamic.. is because they've seen you really "grow". And that's why they'll be best friends for life.

So when I started thinking about Ashley getting married on Saturday I realized, we're here. We did it. We're really adults now. We have "big kid" jobs, we pay our rent, we live in different cities, we are in charge of our lives. Don't get me wrong. It's not the first time I've realized I live on my own and pay my own bills. But weddings are one of those moments in life that we all can realize how far we've come. And how far we still have to go.

And weddings, of course, remind me that this will be Matt and me next Summer. How real is it going to feel then? I am beyond excited. So I thought in the spirit of weddings I would give you an update on how the planning for mine is going.

The wedding is going to be August 6, 2011 in Cedar Falls. We will be getting married at the church I grew up in, Nazareth Lutheran in Cedar Falls. The reception is going to be at the Rotary Reserve (TONS of outdoor space, which was important to us). I have been wedding dress shopping with both my mom and dad and my friend Rachel (c'mon it's like the first thing I did once I got engaged). This weekend I think I found "the dress". I kind of want to go back to the store and wear it all the time. When I put my regular clothes back on I was sort of let down. I'm reminded of a Friends episode where Phoebe, Monica, and Rachel all rent wedding dresses and wear them around the apartment because they just like how it feels when they're in them. I think I understand that now.

Other than dresses I have decided on colors.. hot pink, black, and white. I know anyone who knows me is going to be shocked by that color choice. Flowers are still in a discussion phase... originally I was going to go with Gerber daisies...but now I am thinking of other options. Stay tuned.

We are creating a wedding website so you will be able to follow along with updates for the next year. I will try to blog as well (as much as I can).

The other day Matt and I were talking about the wedding day and I said, "I'm either going to cry like a baby or I won't cry at all." He looked at me, smiled, and said, "That's pretty normal, right? I mean it's a big deal to be taking that next step." He then paused a moment and he said, "Well wait, I guess it's really like the first step, right?" I thought that was pretty interesting. It is the first step. Just like walking up to my first class of college was the first step of that chapter, walking down the isle to Matt will be the first step to something new. I can't wait to see what other "firsts" I will be writing about in the years to come.

Here's hoping that you have loved ones in your life that you can celebrate with every day.

Until next time,
A

Happiness

Hello all. Been awhile. Seems I always start my blogs the same way. It's crazy how time gets away from you. I can't believe July is almost coming to a close. Before we know it Fall will be upon us. I must say I am excited for the change of seasons. I'm excited for short and sweatshirt weather. I'm excited for tailgates and football season. I'm excited for the leaves to fall and most of all I'm excited for my house to finally cool down.

Again, remind me next year I need to move to a house with Air Conditioning.

There is so much to report from the last few weeks. One thing is probably most prevalent. Matt and I got engaged on July 18 in Santa Fe! We were on vacation and he proposed with the most beautiful ring (turquoise stone with a diamond on each side). He had picked it out in a little antique store in Santa Fa plaza and will surely be a reminder of this amazing weekend. The proposal itself was unexpected and when I turned around to see him on one knee I was in shock. I remember starting to cry, he remembers me jumping up and down and saying "Are you serious?! Are you serious?!" What a memory.

We had talked about engagement...but I never truly realized how excited, and how sure, i could feel until it happened. I am so unbelievably happy. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. When I moved to Colorado 3 years ago I never expected to meet anyone this fast. I was set to be single and start my career and eventually I would focus on my personal life. God works in mysterious ways.

I remember our first date..., in case you don't know, was a blind date. I met Matt at a restaurant with an outdoor patio and when I walked up my first thought was, "Wow. He is so cute." I was even more intrigued when i realized he was incredibly nice and down to earth as well. We clicked right away, and what was supposed to be an hour long happy hour turned into an entire night of hanging out and sharing stories. Since then I can't remember many moments or memories that don't have him in them. An initial friendship turned into a loving and committed relationship. I feel so lucky.

Our wedding has been set for August 6, 2011... exactly 4 years from our first date. I cannot wait to walk down the isle towards Matt. This has been a wonderful journey. Can't wait to see what's next.

Until next time.

A

Hello from Colorado. This weekend has been rainy and cool... actually a welcomed change from the desert weather (90+ degrees and dry) we have had as of late. My flowers are certainly responding to the change...mother nature's way of ensuring they see another day. Matt and I have spent the weekend indoors, curled up on the couch, watching movies and relaxing. The rain, for some reason, makes me believe that this behavior is okay. I feel completely rested, have had time to catch up on TV shows and facebook, and now have time to post on my blog. Heaven.

Things in Colorado are always changing. Lately, I feel as if many different opportunities have been opened to me (career wise) which are positively reflecting all aspects of our lives. It's crazy to me that July will mark 3 years in Denver for me... as I feel the time has gone by in the blink of an eye. Looking back, however, there has been some really hard times in these last 3 years. I feel that every day really is a new beginning and we need to live those days as if they could be our last. I read friends posts (and look at their pictures) on facebook, blogs, etc. and am amazed that we are reaching the point in our lives that friends are engaged, married, and building families. When did we become adults? My parents came to visit Matt and I over Memorial Day. We had a wonderful time (lots of great food, Rockies game, and many nights sitting outside under the gazeebo just hanging out). The crazy thing was when my dad sent me an email after he returned home to Iowa that said, "you have a great attitude as it pertains to your work. I am very proud of you." Wow. It was one of those "light-bulb" moments where I realized I am no longer a little kid under my parents wing but a young woman on my own building my life. And my dad is proud of me? That was one of the best compliments I've ever received. I think I understand when I hear people talk about their 20's...and they talk about moving into their first house, or living paycheck to paycheck, or wondering if things were ever going to be easy. Because the last 3 years haven't always been easy, and there have been times when we've wondered how we were going to make rent, and I often wondered if there was a light at the end of the tunnel. But I always come back to the power of hard work and if you really do your best I feel you will be rewarded. It's certainly how it has worked in our lives. Every day we wake up and we push ourselves to be the best that we can be. And I am so thankful that I have found a man that supports the decisions that I choose to make. And lately I really have started to feel that things are going to work out for us. And one day we are going to look back at our early 20's and laugh and say, "Wow, we made it through that?!" I'm feeling pretty great about that.

I guess the rain is making me a little sentimental today, huh? I guess my thought for today is stop what you're doing and take a moment to breathe in the moment. Look around you at the people (or pets) who make your life special and say thank you to them for being so wonderful. And know that even if times are sometimes tough (you're normal if this is the case) that the light at the end of the tunnel is right around the corner. And shoot a quick prayer up to God, because he's made this all possible.

Until next time,
A