When I was younger, I thought that I had to be in a different country or jump out of planes for an adventure. I resented being alone, so in my loneliness, I sulked and dreamt about the lives I didn't have. I made lists of exciting activities I hoped I would one day be a part of. I made lists of books to read and movies to watch and music to listen to that I thought would help me become a better person. I made lists of pipe dreams and ideas and projects. These lists piled up and would find their way stuffed between the pages of the books I never finished or folded neatly under piles of CDs (where I hid them from my parents).
I still make lists. And these lists still end up getting lost in the mess of my life. But I'm a little more productive these days. Things that were on these lists for so long are slowly but steadily getting crossed off. Some from those ancient diary lists, like "get kissed by a boy" and "run for student council"...and some from the more recent lists -- the ones scribbled after taking inspirational autumn walks around campus.
Bake something from scratch. Check.
Have something published in the paper. Check. (hahaha)
Write a song. Check.
Though I still hope to have smashing adventures overseas (and I will be skydiving this summer), I realized that there are definitely simpler things in life worth smiling for...and that everyday is an adventure.
