101 in 1001

Here is my list:

Start Date: September 1, 2014
End Date: May 29, 2017
Completed: 8/101

1. Come up with and complete 101 things (8/31/14)
2. Weigh 135 lbs.
3. Run a 5k without stopping
4. Run a half-marathon
5. Do a triathlon sprint
6. Do a triathlon
7. Pay for most, if not all of my bills (75%)
8. Have my own apartment
9. Graduate with at least a 3.5 gpa
10. Run for SGA
11. Hold an officer position in Swing Club
12. Learn basic french
13. Learn basic vietnamese
14. Take an art class
15. Get into grad school
16. Become head senior manager at baseball
17. Get blog up and running (aka blog on a regular basis)
18. Hold an internship (preferably paid)
19. Exit college with a job
20. Visit 8 new ballparks
21. Travel with Notre Dame's baseball team
22. Attend 5 different Swing workshops or exchanges
23. Visit a friend who doesn't live in San Diego 
24. Visit Charleston, SC
25. Visit NYC
26. Visit Boston
27. Road trip with friends
28. Take a spontaneous vacation (Paris, France 11/14/14-11/16/14)
29. Camp
30. Backpack through the mountains
31. Watch every episode of Doctor Who (including old who)
32. Get scuba certified
33. Dive in the tropics
34. Compete in a Jack and Jill competition
35. Visit each of my Aunts and Uncles once
36. Go vegetarian for a weeks
37. Read 25 non-school books (2/25: Lena Duhman's Not That Kind of Girl; Irene Carr's Jailbird's Daughter)
38. See a broadway play in New York
39. Write an article for the observer
40. Make homemade ice cream
41. Go on a blind date
42. Wake up and workout in the morning before classes for a week straight
43. Eat breakfast every morning for two weeks straight 
44. Learn to surf
45. Sail a boat
46. Visit 5 new countries (4/5: Ireland 9/17/14, France 10/28/14, Scotland 11/7/14, Italy 11/27/14)
47. Visit Disney World
48. See a pro hockey game
49. See a pro football game (Chargers, 9/14/14)
50. Try a new hairstyle
51. Don’t bite nails for a month straight (October 2014)
52. Find a new favorite restaurant in South Bend
53. Find 4 new “hidden gems” restaurants in San Diego
54. Play a round of golf with Dad 
55. Learn to properly eat with chopsticks
56. Have tea with friends (Not in Ireland!)
57. Post an Outfit of the Day post everyday for a month
58. Go to a concert (Hozier in Killarney 12/5/14)
59. Go out for drinks with friends after work
60. Take a photography class
61. See a Jimmy Buffett Concert 
62. Go wine tasting
63. Attend the Kentucky Derby or Opening day of the races in Del Mar
64. Go to Harry Potter World
65. Visit Rockefeller center
66. See a ballet
67. Take a solo trip
68. Do yoga every day for two weeks
69. Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans
70. Fly First Class
71. Buy a grown up wallet (9/6/14)
72. Go snowboarding/skiing
73. Learn to shoot a gun
74. Learn to shoot a bow and arrow
75. Go shooting with Kaitlyn and Kailyn
76. Go a month without shopping
77. Learn how to pick a good wine
78. Do Saint Patrick’s Day in Chicago
79. Make the Dean’s list for at least two semesters
80. Obtain a credit card and start building good credit (9/12/14)
81. Attend mass every week for three months
82. Drink only water and tea for a month
83. Buy a professional purse
84. Create an adventure jar filled with spare change
85. Learn to play guitar again
86. Take a cruise
87. Write a book
88. Invest in actual pajamas 
89. Visit Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket 
90. Visit the Atlantis Resort in Bahamas 
91. Go hiking three times
92. Try 5 Food Network Chefs’ restaurant
93. Make dinner for a friend
94. Make dinner for a significant other
95. Bake cookies/cupcakes for someone just because
96. Visit a lighthouse
97. Read at least 30 minutes before bed every night for a month
98. See a Rugby match
99. See a Soccer game live (Stade Renne 10/29/14; USA v. Ireland 11/18/14)
100. Go to a formal event that requires a nice gown
101. Actually get dressed in the morning for a month

September, September, September

September is one of my most favorite months of the year. In the past it meant the start of school, the changing of leaves (in every place except San Diego), football season, etc. I ring in the fall every year by watching You Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. My favorite quote from the movie is said by Tom Hanks in his opening scene.September meant things were going to change– usually for the better, but sometimes for the worst. 

This September brought about 2 things: 

1) Ireland is now in 2 weeks away. I feel like I am starting college over again. I spent two hours tonight working with Mom trying to figure out what clothes I was going to pack. Needless to say, this will be one adventure that will last a lifetime. 

and, 

2) The start of my 1001 day challenge. I was inspired by Mackenzie Horan (go read her blog, mackenziehoran.com) to do this sort of short-term bucket list. The goal is to do 101 things in 1001 days. Just over 2 and a 1/2 years. I'm posting this on here because I wish to record how I do and hopefully inspire others to make their own list. I'll be done by graduation senior year. I will post my list in a separate post so that I can go back and edit it as I complete each task. Here is my list.  

My Inspiration

I got a very sweet phone call and some video chatting time with one of my old friends from high school recently. We met my sophomore or junior year of high school when she was just starting out on the water polo team. I really bonded with the girls a year behind me, and having Mikaela in my life only made water polo and swim season better. I am so proud of this girl. She's been working an amazing internship at our local hospital, is a leader within our high school community and the San Diego community, and an overall inspiring young woman. She was trying to decide what school she will be attending in the fall, and while we were discussing Saint Mary's, we got on the topic of the people who inspire us.

Come on, look how cute my Mom is!

My biggest inspiration is my mother. Hands down! My mother is the smartest, strongest, and sexiest woman alive. She did not attend a university like my father and I, nor did her family push her to pursue a scholarly career path. My Mom is the prime example that you do not have to go to college to be successful. She has a keen business sense, having run multiple businesses in her youth and built up two businesses with my Dad. She's an instructor at her job, and has so much knowledge about insurance.

My mom is a marathon runner, a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, is training for a triathlon, and has completed all of this after tearing her ACL/MCL over five years ago. She's remarkable. My mom has fought against everything to be successful. Her path was not easy. Yet, here she stands, one of the most inspirational people in my life. I say my mother is sexy because she is. She's gorgeous, confident, intelligent, and kind. Tell me that's not the epitome of sexy!

Obviously I have mad respect for my Mom. I know I drive her nuts sometimes (okay, a lot of times) but I really do have mad respect for my Mom. She's honestly the best! I'm so happy I get to be with her on Mother's Day!

Personal Growth and Dreams

Coach gave an interesting talk to the guys last week at practice. He talked about self discipline and personal growth. There was a lot of emphasis on doing self evaluations every couple of weeks to make sure we are who we want to be and that we are doing what we want to. It made me really think.

I started writing this post immediately after practice, but I could not find the words to say. Last night, however, I was on the College Prepster's blog (I love reading Carly's posts so much. You should read them here) and she had written a post about a dream list. That really got me thinking. I wish back in August I had written down everything I wanted to accomplish in my first year of college. I sit back now and wonder what I would've put down. Good grades? Hopefully. Make lots of friends? I think it's safe to say I can check that one off regardless.

My plan is to finalize a list of dreams for the next year while I drive home from school. I'm not quite sure where I want to find myself in a year. I would've lived in Europe for four months, been in my second year of college, hopefully taken on more responsibilities with the baseball team. I'd like to think my GPA would be higher, my major and minor more solidified, that I would be living with my friends. That maybe I would be running for an officer position in Swing club and instructing one of the classes. There's so much I hope to happen over this year, it's unbelievable.

What's even worse is there are going to be things I don't have control over! Who knows what life will throw my way in this next year. All I know is that I'll have to face it and work with it. And that's truly exciting.

Crunch time!

This was a Koan in my Asian Studies class senior year of high school.
Still is in my brain since that day with Mrs. Davis!
Image from: http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/do-not-dwell-in-the-2.png

It's here! We are now in the final stretch of the school year. 3 weeks, 8 days of classes, and 3 days of finals and then I'll be on my way back to California for the summer!

Hard to believe I'm practically done with my freshman year of college! This year has flown by. I feel as if I moved in merely weeks ago, and yet I've lived on my own basically for 9 months basically. I was remarking to my roommate this weekend while we were at her house for Easter how old I felt. She laughed at me, remarking "Leah, you're 19 years old. How can you feel old?" It isn't that I feel ancient and worn down, but rather, I've been looking around and noticing how different I feel in comparison to my siblings, my cousins, and younger teenagers we were around.

For example, we found ourselves at Burger King in Lake Geneva for some french fries and ice cream (which they sadly did not have since their ice cream machine broke just before we got there). After we ordered a group of sixteen year olds meandered in and were being goofballs. I felt so much older in comparison. These kids were the same ages as K and SK (Special K). It was weird watching them goof off, when I, a couple years ago, probably was doing the same thing. So much has changed in such a little amount of time. It only makes me wonder what the future will be like.

Isn't this view pretty?

Anywho, this year has flown by! I finally broke down tonight and made my way to the library. I have only been in the library on campus a handful of times, simply to print out papers and power points. Tonight, however, I broke down. I packed up my backpack with all of my work and my laptop and went searching for a nice table next to a window.

Boy, have I been missing out on a prime studying place! The view is remarkable. I love looking at LeMans (even if the sky is all grey and cloudy because of the rain). I think this table and I will be good friends for now on. Mom and Dad will be so proud that I actually found the library and put it to use. No joke, I went home over Christmas Break and Spring Break and the running joke was "Saint Mary's has a library? Oh, I should go find that one day. That could be helpful". The library is seriously nice. I'm currently eyeing one of the rocking chairs and wondering if I would actually get some reading done or if I would fall asleep.


If anyone needs me in the upcoming 17 days, I'll be in the SMC Library (and hopefully awake!)

There's No Crying in Baseball

NCAA Baseball season is well under way. Notre Dame, as of today, is currently 9-17 overall with a record of 1-11 in the ACC. Ouch! Not a great start to our season, but I believe we will do better.

I spent all day Friday and Saturday working with the team, and I'm just starting to get the dynamic of it. This team works hard, and I'm not just talking about the players. I mean the entire team. Each coach, manager, trainer, and player puts in 100% effort and wants to make sure everyone succeeds. It's different to be apart of a team and not be the athlete, I'll tell you that.

I've learned a lot working under the Hoff-man and A-Dawg. They're two really great people to work under. Each is dedicated and works their ass off daily. I value what they have to say, as they challenge me daily at work. It isn't just, "Hey Leah, shag balls". Rather, more like "Hey Leah, do you want to order food for the opposing team and then go and set up the field for their practice with me?" When working with Hoff and A-Dawg, your year does not matter. They want you to work your hardest and show that you are committed. Saying you are a freshman and don't know how to or don't know any better is not an option. This isn't just a job. They demonstrate that as a manager, you are apart of this team and therefore, you HAVE to be fully committed.

I didn't think I would learn this much about work ethic and myself when I applied to be a manager. I expected myself to be working with other students, running errands for coaches, and just going with the flow. Working with baseball is the opposite. I have learned how to be independent at a job, how to take and order and execute it to my greatest ability, as quick as I can, while still being efficient. I've learned that you will work with people you don't get along with, and that sometimes you have to roll with the punches in order for things to work out again. I learn more and more about myself daily as the season goes on.

The boys's season has not been that great. Yet, if you watch practice, you wouldn't guess it was such from how dedicated everyone is and how hard to boys train. We'll see how this weekend against FSU goes. I have a good feeling about Florida.

Go Irish!

Staying on Task

This seems to be a big issue for me right now. Since I've gotten back from Spring Break, I cannot seem to get my stuff together and get ready for the rest of the semester. There always seems to be something to tear me away from the task at hand. Even now instead of writing this post, I have wandered way to Facebook and my email.

It must be the fact that the snow is melting, the days are finally getting longer, and spring is in the air. Such lousy reasons to stay inside at my desk. Alas, though, this is where work gets done (or should get done), so here is where I will stay. Spring fever is definitely setting in, and I think it's getting to me. Three weeks ago, I was complaining about being stuck inside due to snow and bad weather conditions and how much I would've rather it be spring. And now it is! Let me assure you though, I think now is worse than then because I actually can go outside and enjoy it. It's physically possible! Except, I have work to do, therefore I must force myself to stay inside.

Besides some red tea to help me focus, and the likelihood that I'm just going to turn off my internet connection, there's not a lot to do these days to help with my concentration. This will be the true test of my discipline this semester– can I handle being a studious young adult with Spring arriving?

To be honest, I have no idea how I'm going to do this, but I have big plans in the future that are dependent upon me being disciplined now. So I shall succeed!

xoxo, Leah.

PS:  This is totally my motivation right now–