I talked to Amanda for our weekly chats. It turns out that she recieved a ticket for minor consumption and a DUI. Not cool. Especially because the reason she got pulled over in the first place was because she was going to pick up a sort-of-but-not-really friend from a party that she was uncomfortable at, using the other girl’s car. Which had expired plates. The cops wouldn’t have even pulled her over except for those plates. She was driving perfectly fine because she’d only had two beers an hour or two before.

She got a ticket for minor consumption because she didn’t lie to the cops. She got a DUI because she failed one of the little tests they give. (Not even the breathalizer, which they gave her when she got to the station.) It’s kind of absurd.

So she now has no licsense and she has to go to court in Feburary, plus pay over $2000 in fines. She’s thinking that she might have to get another job to pay off the fines. (She would be going to school full time, plus working two part-time jobs.) It really sucks for her, but I don’t know if I can feel that sorry. I mean, I love her and she’s my best friend, but she has been partying a LOT in Idaho. As in puking her brains out at least two nights a week. I’m hoping this will stop her from doing that so much. Even cutting it down by half would be an improvement.

But onto other things! (School tomorrow and it’s getting a bit late. No time to waste.) School for me started last Wednesday. I had today off due to MLK day.

I’m loving my German class. My Professor is a bouncy grad student named Ashli who is from Seatle. She talks to us all the time in German, using English as sparingly as possible. It’s sort of like a crash course/total immersion when in class. I really like it. It pushes us to learn more.

My other classes are okay. Not really worth mentioning, especially since they don’t directly relate to any of my goals. Although I must say that it is fun having class with people I actually know. Not as boring.

I did have a crazy Saturday night/Sunday morning though.

I had been invited to a party for my cousin’s 24th birthday Saturday night. I wasn’t planning on going because I had too much stuff to do. However, after I got an angry phone call from bitchy drunk girls at 10:30 I decided I could head over and just spend the night. I did. It was fun and I’m glad I went, although the cops did get called on us due to an old guy who said we were talking too loud. (The cops thought he was crazy and politely declined an offer of a beer from my cousin.) I crashed on the couch and got up at 8 to leave and get everything I had to do at my house done.

As I was pulling out of my cousin’s neighborhood my truck exploded.

(Okay, no fire was involved, but there were LOUD bangs and a rod that broke off and flew through the engine, tearing the entire thing apart and allowing a large lake of oil to form when I parked.) Needless to say I won’t be driving that thing ever again.

It actually makes me really sad, and not only because I no longer have a vehicle and won’t for at least a few months. That truck was my first car. It took me so many places. I can’t remember how many times it took me away from high school security guards in golf carts as they chased me and my friends as we ditched school. I practically lived in it my junior and senior year when I was traveling between my mom and dad’s house constantly.

We’re planning on selling it and two more blazers that my dad has hanging around to fund me getting a new one. I’m thinking I’ll be getting a small little car that’s better on gas. I guess that’s a good thing though. It still sucks that I’ll be losing my first car though. It may have been subpar but I loved it.

Well, I’m sure I have more things to say than that, but I can’t think of them right now. (I’m getting very tired. Lack of sleep on top of being sick is not a good thing.) I’ll have to do another update soon, when I’m not halfway to Hades.

So one of my really good friends (and I mean REALLY good friends, we spend nearly every waking moment when we aren’t in class or work together) emailed me today about why she hasn’t been answering emails, phone calls, texts, etc. We all knew that she was in Alabama visiting her mother, and since her mom lives (or should I say lived, which I will get to in a moment) out in the middle of no where and the directions to get there are “Turn right at the third bush that looks like Ronald Reagan” we figured she had no phone service or internet access. Well, we were all wrong.

Alma emailed us (meaning me, Lizzie, and Kim) today. She said that she was not in Alabama visiting her mother and her mother’s crazy boyfriend because she was off visiting her own. (I doubt he’s crazy or anything, he’s just a normal [well, sort of] boyfriend.) Turns out her mom broke up with her crazy boyfriend and is now living with Alma’s older sister. So she is currently in Oklahoma and has been since she left a few weeks ago.

Now, it was a surprise to find out that Alma had a boyfriend. I never would have thought her the type, simply because of her demeanor towards people who have them. I always figured that she was the type to grow old and live alone, crocheting on the front porch and yelling at kids to get off her lawn. She never even disputed this idea when people would talk about it. She would laugh and nod saying, “Probably.” But this isn’t what really has me speechless.

She met this guy over the internet, has been dating him for a while now (when we thought she was visting her mom over the summer she was actually seeing him) and he is 23 years older than her. (Did I mention that she’s 19?) She said that she didn’t want to tell us because she didn’t want people she liked giving her shit. She said she looked and thought about every possible thing that could go wrong and she didn’t need us harping on her. She doesn’t care if we don’t go all “We’re so happy for you, OMG OMG”, but she just wants us to take the outlook that her dad took when he found out: Her personal life is her personal life. If we never talk about it again, she says, that will be alright.

I don’t know what to say. I emailed her back and told her that, then said that if I think of anything I’ll be sure to tell her next time I see her.

And I don’t know what to say. My hands started shaking when I read the email. It’s like, I thought that I knew her so well but she had been hiding this from me and Lizzie and, I guess, Kim. I understand that it’s her personal life. I like to have some privacy as well. I’m not blaming her for that. I just wish that we had somehow known. God. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach. Something bad could have happened to her and we wouldn’t have been even able to worry while she was over there. Something could have happened and we would have been oblivious to it all! Laughing and joking and being carefree while she was suffering!

I know this is what she was worried about and why she didn’t tell us. I understand. I just wish that I could have been worried silently. I’ve done it before with one of my other friends when she had an online boyfriend and they were discussing meeting. She didn’t know how I would react but she told me. Only me. She trusted me with something so personal and aksed for my advice and support. I was even planning on going with her to meet him (in a VERY public place) so that she wouldn’t be alone. I wish Alma could have trusted me.

I think that is what’s making me sick: That she didn’t trust me enough and then, through that mistrust, something bad could have happened and I wouldn’t have even known. God.

I feel kind of pathetic and drama filled right now. Like I’m making this huge deal out of nothing. But I really do care for her. She knows that I love her. If any of us would have harped on her about it, it would have been becuase we love her. Especially me and Lizzie. (Kim has been very, very off since we started college and we don’t know what’s up with her or what’s happening. I’m not sure we’ll ever find out.)

I’m not sure of Lizzie’s thoughts on this so far. Kim just sent out a big reply email saying: “Hey, I have no problem with that. A lot of good guys are 40+. Mostly, I’m just surprised.”

Yeah. I don’t know what to think any more. Maybe I am just making a big deal out of it, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. All I know is that I love my friends and I want them to be happy.

Other than that I have been doing very well on my list.
28) Find something nice to say about myself (5/1001)
29) Compliment one person a day (5/1001)
49) Say hello to a stranger each day (5/1001)
52) Read 50 new books, not written by Mercedes Lackey (.25/50): I am about a quarter of the way through a new book, courtest of the UA library.
54) Continue calling Amanda every Sunday: We had a very nice talk about just how cold it is in Idaho.
73) Continue watching Psych: The first new episode for the fourth season comes out on Thursday the 9th. I’m heading over to my friend Lizzie’s house for a Psych marathon of the very best episodes before we watch the new one.
78) Drink less soda: I have only had one since the beginning of the new year!
91) Drink at least one bottle of water a day (5/1001)
99) Take a picture every day documenting my life, no matter what (5/1001): Even though I’m having trouble uploading them, I have taken them!

I’m also trying to work on 55) Join a book club. I’ve been looking for a book club near me that happens at a time when I’m available. So far I have not had any luck (besides that of a children’s book club, ages 5-12…).  I’m hoping that with a little more perseverance and luck I’ll find one in the future. Hopefully.

My exercise regime is about to start up. I got sick on Christmas night and I’m just feeling well enough to go jogging. Tomorrow morning will be the first day! Two miles of running and maybe some DDR if I’m not too dead. Yay for getting healthy!

14) Become proficient in a foreign language (I am now registered for a German class at the University of Arizona! Four days a week working towards my goal!)
18) Pay more attention to politics (Blog about it): (I watched Lou Dobbs on CNN last night with my dad… now I just have to find something that really lights my political fire and blog about it )
28) Find something nice to say about myself (2/1001)
29) Compliment one person a day (2/1001)
49) Say hello to a stranger each day (2/1001)
78) Drink less soda (I haven’t had any since Dec 31st at 7 PM)
91) Drink at least one bottle of water a day (Yesterday I had at least three glasses, and I’ve already finished one today!)
99) Take a picture everyday documenting my life (2/1001) I will be posting these, hopefully, every Sunday!

Now, there are a few things that I know I’m going to struggle with. Mostly the emotional ones with my family like
25) Tell my dad I love him
My family, at least my dad’s side where I seem to get my personality, is not ooey-gooey emotional. We don’t tell each other that we love each other. In fact, the last time my dad and I said the ‘L’ word was my Junior year of high school. Almost two years now. I had just gotten in an accident and called to tell him. As we hung up he surprised me by saying it. I don’t even remember the last time we said it before that. I may have been too young to remember.

So while some people may think this one will be easy and I could get it out of the way right off the bat (especially since I’m staying at his house right now), I’m going to really strugle and work up the nerve to complete it. I know I can do it, I just don’t know how long I’ll put it off. I’m going to try and work up the nerve to say it before I leave for the new semester.

Another goal I’m a bit worried about is
39) Learn a new sport
I know it may seem absurd, but I seriously don’t know what to do. I know tennis, soccer, track & field, volleyball, softball. I don’t know what else there is to learn! I’m not sure if swimming would be considered a ‘new’ sport if I already know how to swim. I’m hoping I’ll find someone who can give me a good suggestion.

I’ll probably update on Sunday to post the pictures and talk a bit more about my goals! I’m excited about this and can’t wait to REALLY get started on some of my goals.

There are tons of people that joined the community and we will all be completing the lists we compiled together in the next 2.75 years. We will (hopefully) all update regularly to imform everyone else how we have been doing on our lists. The starting day is today.

I am really excited about doing this. I have never tried to set New Year’s resolutions because I always felt that I would never be able to complete them. By doing this, however, I hope that I will be able to complete everything because I will be doing it with others and we will be supporting each other.

Here is my list:

101 Goals in 1001 Days

1)      Write a novel

2)      Exercise at least 3 times a week

3)      Move out of my roommate’s house

4)      Get my guinea pig a friend

5)      Pass all of my classes

6)      Find more friends (that I didn’t have in high school)

7)      Find a boyfriend that I actually, REALLY, like

8)      Have real, meaningful sex

9)      Do something drastic to my hair

10)   Go to a club (legally)

11)   Road trip to Idaho

12)   Visit Canada again

13)   Try traditional Scottish food (Haggis anyone?)

14)   Become proficient in a foreign language

15)   Get a big dog to jog with

16)   Try bartending

17)   Get a better car

18)   Pay more attention to politics (Blog about it)

19)   Help someone in need

20)   Hike Picacho Peak again

21)   Do something exciting over Spring Break

22)   Do something out of my comfort zone

23)   Go skinny dipping with Ashley again

24)   Go to Seattle

25)   Tell my Dad I love him

26)   Help my nieces and nephews with their homework

27)   Pierce my ears

28)   Find something nice to say about myself everyday (0/1001)

29)   Compliment one person a day (0/1001)

30)   Wear more jewelry

31)   Don’t start smoking!

32)   Eat a good steak

33)   Feel comfortable being naked

34)   Paint a picture

35)   Wear my retainer

36)   Start tennis again

37)   Go horseback riding

38)   Have a snowball fight

39)   Learn a new sport

40)   Watch all of the Marvel superhero movies

41)   Clean my bathroom once a week (0/143)

42)   Discover something that is just MINE, no one else’s

43)   Work my way up to jogging 5 miles (2/5)

44)   Find an animal shelter to volunteer at

45)   Go to a HUGE concert

46)   Take a dance class

47)   Cook myself a healthy meal once a week (0/143)

48)   Take a self-defense class

49)   Say hello to a stranger each day (0/1001)

50)   Call a family member who isn’t my mom or dad once a week (0/143)

51)   Learn from Alma the night sky

52)   Read 50 new books, not written by Mercedes Lackey (0/50)

53)   Blog at least once a week (0/143)

54)   Continue calling Amanda every Sunday

55)   Join a book club

56)   Have my dad teach me how to shoot properly

57)   Become comfortable handling guns

58)   Get a concealed carry permit

59)   Seriously think about getting a tattoo

60)   Get a facial

61)   Lose 10- 20 pounds

62)   Maintain it

63)   Attend a UA football game

64)   Climb a tree

65)   Try contacts

66)   Visit a state I haven’t been to (besides Washington)

67)   Meet someone amazing

68)   Clean my house at least once a month

69)   Save money. Seriously.

70)   Swim more

71)   Find a better job

72)   Develop my sense of style

73)   Continue watching Psych

74)   Continue watching House M.D.

75)   Don’t talk trash

76)   If someone says something bad about a person, point out something good

77)   Learn about 2 different countries and their governments (0/2)

78)   Drink less soda

79)   See a whale in the wild

80)   Watch a horror movie without screaming

81)   Get a house plant

82)   Give my sister a hug

83)   Tell my brother “You may have a banana-beak nose, but I still love you.”

84)   Go see a waterfall

85)   Visit the Grand Canyon again

86)   Do one, selfless thing for my mom

87)   Pay back Valerie

88)   Go to a crazy party that Amanda would be proud of

89)   Try to snowboard

90)   Go ice skating

91)   Drink at least one bottle of water a day (0/1001)

92)   Personally drive across 5 states on a road trip

93)   Play catch

94)   Take a photography class and make Mrs. Eberle and Mr. Wagoner proud

95)   Visit my best high school teachers and tell them how they impacted my life (0/6)

96)   Teach someone something they don’t know

97)   Donate more blood

98)   Have a special New Years kiss

99)   Take a picture every day, no matter what, documenting my life (0/1001)
100) Support my friends in all of their endeavors
101) Learn the Thriller dance and go crazy

I will also be updating here, along with other posts, to document how I am coming along in my goals. I am extremely excited. I want to post every week to at least display the pictures that I have been taking.

I’m wishing myself and everyone else good luck!!!

I was able to surprise my sister’s kids with the puppy Teresa and Bobby had gotten them. It’s a little teacup poodle now named ‘Peanut’. I hung out with my dad, watching a movie like we normally do, not making a huge deal over the holiday. I saw all of my nieces and nephews at the get together that my mom held. My brother Jason, his wife Luisa, my sister Teresa, and her husband Bobby all came and we ended up playing the card game 31 well into the night.

I was so tired that I ended up sleeping in until noon. I’m still tired.

Today was also pretty busy. I went shopping with my mom, using some Christmas money I was given, and bought a dress, a sweater, and two pairs of shoes. We also went and saw ‘Marley & Me’. It was an extremely good movie and I am not at all ashamed to say that I cried.

It was a pretty good past couple of days, though I do think that I may be coming down with something. My throat is making itpainful to swallow and my entire body is beginning to ache. I really hope that if I did catch something that it wont be too bad.