crossing things off the list.

there are 13 days before my 26th birthday, so i thought it'd be fitting to cross yet ANOTHER thing off the good ole 30 things to do before i'm 30 list.

this past weekend i went to the blue ridge parkway to see the leaves with my college roomie.  i'm crossing number 12 off my list quicker than you can say really meg, another list?  she, like most humans growing up within driving distance of the parkway, had already done that.  however, i choose very gracious roomies.  we drove to her little town to stay the night on friday, and without really meaning to, met a few interesting locals. local townies are like nothing i've ever experienced.  not in a bad way, just in a "please stop skateboarding at me while i'm trying to walk downtown" way.

anyways, back to the adventure (but trust me, those skateboarders are on my list).  of course we saw the leaves, and trust me, they were all they were supposed to be, but we also went to an alpaca farm, stopped at a crafty tourist stop (really just for the bathroom), and walked a MILE HIGH IN THE AIR at grandfather mountain!

now our adventures weren't without some hyperventilating, but besides the brief "meg i'm not doing this!" freak out from b after i'd already started across the mile high bridge, everything went off without a hitch.  and goodness gracious it was breathtaking.  it was everything i needed to stop my stressed brain and appreciate the place that i live and the life that i have.

i'm blessed with kind friends, a nonstop fun job, and the best family.  and the cutest puppy around, let's just put it out there.  while i still have quite a few things on my 30 things list, it's nice to stop and remember that even if i'm getting grandma age, i've got more than enough to be thankful for.

updated list:
1.  visit a castle ... preferably in england or ireland, but i'd be willing to consider alternatives.
2.  SKYDIVE.
3.  camp out under the stars -- very different than the 'camping' that my family usually does in the hilton. **this one was ALMOST completed accidentally, but i slept in a tent instead. next time!
4.  swim with dolphins (in a controlled atmosphere, not because a boat sank and i was stranded in the ocean).
5.  go to a pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkin.
6.  attend new york city's thanksgiving day parade OR new year's eve celebration -- i'm not delusional enough to think both are possible before i'm 30 ... just delusional enough to hope for one.
7.  get a dog and name him doodle her macy.  **completed 11/2011

8.  learn to cook something other than pasta that sticks together.  and have photographic proof of this accomplishment.

9.  find a shark's tooth all on my own ... not because i stole it from one my sister or mom found.
10.  read the bible.  and understand it.  and not the kiddie version that i read when i was seven.
11.  adopt a child for christmas.
12.  see the blue ridge parkway leaves during the fall.  **completed 10/2012
13.  FINALLY go out west.  i'm leaving that as unspecific as possible since every other westward plan has failed.
14.  actually get up in the early hours of the morning and experience the chaos that is the day after thanksgiving sales.  **completed 11/2011
15.  cruise to ... anywhere, really.  just go on a cruise.
16.  ride in a hot air balloon (and don't throw up).
17.  snorkel...or scuba dive, but let's start small with snorkeling. 
18.  fold 1000 paper cranes and make a worthwhile wish.
19.  go white water rafting without wetting my pants.
20.  travel by train.  not necessarily hogwarts style, but similar.
21.  learn to parallel park.  so so scary.
22.  get a massage. and enjoy it. because it IS possible to relax, right?
23.  watch all 7 (kind of 8 thanks to the two part finale) harry potter movies in a row ... spreading over multiple days if necessary.
24.  join a church.  not just attend one.  but join one like an adult.
25.  learn how to build and start a fire, all on my own. 
26.  hike in the blue ridge mountains.  or any mountains, but i prefer the blue ridge.
27.  learn more than just the harry potter theme song on my guitar.
28.  experience a true sunrise.  maybe on the beach.
29.  become a vegetarian for a month.  and people, there has to be a limit on this because of my extreme aversion to vegetables.  it's just something i want to try.
30.  kiss in the rain. 

blown away.

it's official: i'm an occasional blogger at best, a sporadic blogger at worst.  however, over the past month (specifically the past week) i have been blown away by the kindness and generosity all around me and i absolutely have to share it with you.

i'm not ashamed to admit that at times (or many times) with my new job i've felt overwhelmed.  i'm a little baby teacher and i often lack the confidence needed to execute everything i want to execute.  it's been quite a test of patience to develop long term goals -- i'm such an instant gratification type person that i've really had to take a step back and pace my tasks.

this past week was my FIRST BOOK FAIR EVER (besides the last one i went to when i was 10 years old) and i SURVIVED.  there were 100000 things i could've done better, but there were at least a couple things that i did right.  i'm calling it a success, even if my financial form isn't filled out just yet.  it was one of those mental successes.  i had to get through it to know that i could get through it.

and speaking of getting through it, i could never in a million years have survived without the generosity of my volunteers (and my dad who was manipulated into spending TWO ENTIRE DAYS with me at my book fair).  these are some of the most selfless people i have ever met and i am truly blown away by their kindness.  they gave up hours upon hours to sit at cash registers, straighten books, or offer a warm smile.  there were also so many teachers (who are BEYOND busy with their own things) that stopped by to lend a hand during planning periods, pass along words of encouragement, or just remind me to breathe (or share a halloween cookie with me).  you can't find those types of people these days.

and besides that, my precious college roommate, who happened to get married this past weekend, took the time out of her week-before-the-wedding-crazy-time to send me words of encouragement about the book fair.  (and side note: the wedding was amazing, no one tripped down the aisle, AND i got to spin around in circles in a field during photographs ... my kind of party!)

so what have i learned the past week (and month)?  there's good all around me.  good moments, good learning experiences, and most importantly, good people.  i'm a blessed baby teacher.