Day 31 - A picture of yourself

I must say, I felt like I've been doing this 31-day photo challenge for much longer than a month.  Actually taking the time out to think about each of the topics for the day and putting it down into words has made me really reflect on my experiences, the people in my life, and what truly matters to me.  I would encourage others who haven't done this to try it out.

We are the same people that we were yesterday, but sometimes we forget the details of our everyday lives.  And slowly we grow as each day passes by, until one day we look back, and realize just how far we've really come.  At times like those, it's a nice surprise when you can look back and discover your old self again.

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

I miss the lovelies who made this past year the best year of my life <3

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

hehe.

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

http://www.fantasyworld1.co.uk/new/buy/cock-roach-costume

I do not like roaches, and if I see one, I would rather run than try to face it.  If I spot one and there is no one else around to get rid of it, I throw shoes at it because I like to keep my distance.  My future husband better be a man about roaches and get rid of them for me.  This is a very important quality, almost dealbreaker level, that I look for in a guy.

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

My cousin and I at graduation!  One of my favorites!

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

My real friends, not just the tv show :)  I was going to copy and paste my friends' pictures in this, but I am about to go shopping, so no time!!!  I just finished my CPA tests, hopefully for forever!!!!!!!!!

Day 25 - A picture of your day

STUDY STUDY STUDY for CPA!  42 hours until lift off or complete fail.

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00499/version2/poverty.htm

I wish I could change poverty.  As often reminded by former news reporter Marvin Zindler, "It's hell to be poor."

Poverty is a little boy who wants the luxury of a toy truck for Christmas.  It's a plain, teenage girl who looks in the mirror and wishes she had makeup to wear.  It's the reality that the privilege of education can only exist if you have a means to survive day to day.  There is a big difference when you go to work to make money to spend and when you go to work to feed your family.

Poverty is something that some of us know nothing about, and others know all too well.

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

A simple, elegantly written book with a lot of depth:

The Little Prince

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"All grown-ups were children first. (But few remember it)."

http://www.generationterrorists.com/quotes/the_little_prince.html

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

http://girlfromthehills.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/that-friday-feeling-singing/

I wish I were better at singing.  It's a gift that everyone can understand and relate to, and it's a great form of expression.

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Warning, this is going to be a decently lame post because I want to remember all the good times I've had, and I usually learn a valuable lessons from the bad times.  Thus, something I wish I could forget is the time I spent trying to play QWOP, which is also referred to as the hardest game in the world.

I tried to play this game after my cousin sent me a link to it.  IT WAS SUCH A WASTE OF TIME!  I got maybe 5 meters in on my best shot, which took me probably 15 minutes.  Even so, this still makes for a conversation topic, assuming your conversation is headed down in flames and you would rather be talking to a rock...

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Hawaii!!!  I want to go snorkeling, see a volcano, attend a luau, and whatever else there is to do here!

I also think it would be awesome to go to Dubai because it's so modern, and I definitely am sold by the palm tree shaped islands.  It doesn't take much for me to want to go...

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

www.utexas.edu

Dear Texas,

It wasn't love at first sight, or even second sight.  But I knew when I made the decision to go here, it would be a good one.  I have never regretted it since, and my past five years here have been greater than I ever imagined.

My earliest memories of the campus were orientation.  There were the cheers, the midnight prowl, and of course, the experience of staying in the infamous Jester dorms.  I remember feeling nervous and so small walking around the 40 Acres with so many people around me.

Things have changed since then.  Somewhere between my first days as a bright-eyed freshman and my last days in class, I've grown to love it here.  Below are the lessons that I learned each year:

Freshman Year:  I met so many intelligent, fun, interesting people that were different from me.  Free food and t-shirts were common, and in fact, became an expected part of my weekly routine.

Sophomore Year:  I realized that classes were a lot easier my freshman year, and I had more free time back then than I realized.  While I treated my first year as a buffet, trying to sample all of the activities and organizations around campus, my second year was more like dinner at a sit down restaurant.  I focused my time on certain people and groups and developed those bonds even deeper.

Junior Year:   Finding time to hang out with friends, keep up with school, do extracurriculars, and recruit for internships is possible, but some of these facets of my life had to take the back burner.  This was the first time I started seriously thinking about my life beyond college.

Senior Year:  Everyone said Junior year classes were the hardest.  I kept telling myself that for three semesters straight, but each semester, the classes just got more difficult.  The fall semester of my senior year proved to be the most challenging one, but thankfully it went downhill from there.  This was a turning point for me, and I began to see my time in school as very precious.

Super Senior Year:  Making time for friends and getting to know people you were not close to before or never thought you would click with is what I valued most.  It's as if we're at a turn in the road where we can see for miles down the past road we just took and also for a distance up the road that lies ahead of us.  And in trying to savor that moment where I wanted to take the whole view in, I wanted to explore the city and campus again as if I were a freshman, but this time with a plan and focus.  I can truly say that I lived up my time here, and I would do it again if I could.

I will miss the opportunity to learn new things and be challenged and taught by professors whose brains are filled with knowledge.  I will miss the countless hours of playing volleyball with friends and strangers alike.   And most of all, I will miss the people who made my time here the best time of my life.  Thank you, Texas, for everything.  You're in my heart forever.

Hook 'em!

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

My biggest insecurity is talking to a new group of people and not knowing what to say or coming off awkward or boring.  As I get to know people more, I open up more, but I don't have a commanding presence when I walk into a room full of strangers.  I really admire those people who can talk to anyone and make others open up, feel comfortable, and never have a loss for what to say in each situation.

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Health is something we often take for granted.  As my parents and my friends' parents get up there in age, though, I feel the importance of it more and more.  Life is not just about money or about having a glamorous lifestyle.  Remember to love those around you while they're still here.

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

I'm going to have to use a default today:  Oprah.

Adjectives that describe Oprah:  generous, active, rich, successful, charismatic, queen of the world, etc.  She can do anything.

A common question is can success be bred?  Can greatness be raised?  I do believe a person's upbringing greatly influences a person's future.  There are exceptions, of course, where we see giants rise from humble backgrounds.  But for a regular person like me, I don't feel like I was born with the characteristics of a superperson.  An article, which I highly recommend, by Adam Bryant came out a month ago discussing the qualities that he noticed CEO's commonly shared.  The five qualities listed were:

1. Passionate curiosity.
2. Battle-hardened confidence.
3. Team smarts.
4. A simple mind-set.
5. Fearlessness.

Now, this is not the end-all-be-all list of characteristics one needs to succeed in life.  As I go through the traits, though, I can understand how the people who thrive, at least in the business world, can fit them.  So, can someone like me, who is lacking in 3 or 4 of these areas, learn how to embrace these qualities and turn them into strengths?  Currently, I feel like I have too many worries holding me back.  I worry what others think of me and looking like a fool.  I don't like confrontation and want to avoid the consequences.  I am risk averse and would prefer job security over a huge leap of faith...

I'm sure if Oprah were here talking to me now, she would gracefully acknowledge my fears, hold my hands, and give me inspiring advice.  Damn.  She's good.  As I start this new phase of my life, my first goal is to push myself to continue to grow and be a little more fearless.

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Among my bucket list of things to-do are the following:

Go hang gliding or parasailing:  I'm too chicken to do skydiving or bungee jumping.  I feel like I might have a heart attack or forget to breathe.

Learn to golf:  I want to play a full 18 holes and hopefully get a decent score...whatever that may be.  Michelle Wie, you are my inspiration :)

Explore more exotic cuisines:  You have to eat anyway.  Might as well make it interesting!

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

She's like my older sister.  She's headstrong and beautiful.  I've always looked up to her, and she's been there for me when I needed advice and encouragement.  If it weren't for her, I would have never gone to New York or had the same college experience that I've had up to now.  Thank you, L.

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Either you love her or you hate her.  I just happen to like a lot of her songs.  This was the album I played on loop when I went through my first break-up.  She's a very talented songwriter, and her lyrics are what speak to me.  The most recent song I've heard of hers that I really like is "Last Kiss".  Below is a cover that I really like of "Last Kiss," sung by another one of my favorite artists, Boyce Avenue, and Megan & Liz:

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

http://www.techdreams.org/general/earth-is-running-out-of-helium-birthday-parities-may-not-have-balloons-in-future/4413-20100823

When I saw this photo, I fell in love with it.  It embodies so many things that I love.  It reminds me of first love and the butterfly feelings you get when you like someone.  It reminds me of chick flicks/romantic comedies.  It reminds me of youth and all the carefree feelings that go with it.  And it makes me smile.