15 Day Challenge [Day 5]

[Day 5] If you could have dinner with any 5 people, who would they be?

This is actually pretty easy for me. I knew almost immediately who I would want to have dinner with upon reading this prompt.

These five people are important to me.

They all have a special and specific place in my life and in my heart.

They were all taken from my life before I could really know them,

before I could learn from their stories,

before I wanted to let them go.

I am thankful for the time I had with them when I was yonger.

But there are so many things I wish we could all just sit and chat about with them now.

Now that I'm grown and experiencing so many new things in my life.

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I wish I could have dinner with:

My dad, Mark

My mom's parents, Tom and Irene

My dad's parents, Chuck and Elenor

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I hope to someday have these conversations with them.

15 Day Challenge [Day 4]

[Day 4] What's your favorite childhood memory?

My sweet boy Basil, my family's golden retriever, was such a huge part of my life growing up and I remember the day that we went to pick him up. April 1st. I remember driving in the car to the other side of town. Meeting the family who were the owners of his parents. I don't remember picking him out specifically because he was my Dad's birthday present. I assume it was his choice which pup we brought home.

I remember driving back to our house with our silly pup in the car, comfortably sitting in his cardboard box. He laid flat in the grass the first time we put his collar and leash on. We left him locked into the kitchen the first night he was home as our family went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday at hand. 

I remember begging my parents for months to let him sleep in my room at night. I just wanted to love on that soft fur and smell that puppy breath. Years later he subtly became more my dog as opposed to the family's. I was "his girl" and he was "my boy" and he eventually came to know me by that when my mom would say it on my trips back home from college. 

He was always our family; not just as our pet but as a member and part of who we are as a family. He was always my tie to my dad and I think about him all the time. I'm so thankful my pup Ollie got to run in the yard with him, growl over whose toys were who's and snuggle with me and my other pup in bed with me at home. 

I sure do love that dog and boy do I miss him sometimes.

15 Day Challenge [Day 3]

[Day 3] Tell about an article of clothing that you're deeply attached to

I wouldn't say that I am deeply attached to this piece of clothing in the sense that I would cry if I lost it and would never be able to replace it but.... it is something that holds a special place in my heart. 

This cream lace dress is definitely important to me. Yes, I like important rather than deeply attached. I bought it from Moriah @ Moriah Makes when she was having a sale on her blog of things she no longer wanted. I loved it as soon as I got it and knew I'd wear it often. 

Well as life would have it, I was wearing this dress on Christmas Day 2011 when J asked me to be his wife. This day will forever be one of the most significant days of my life and I'll always see this dress when I look back on the pictures and video of that day. (Yes I swear that's what I'm wearing even though it's hard to tell.)

Then I decided to wear it again for half of our engagement photos. I didn't want our outfits to be too bold and distract from the amazing site where we had the pictures taken and thought this was the perfect choice. So again, I'll always look back on these pictures (which I've also used in our Save The Dates and guest book) and see this dress. 

More than a deep attachment to this specific dress, I'd say I have a deep attachment to these few moments that forever changed my life when I happened to be wearing this dress. 

15 Day Challenge [Day 2]

[Day 2] Write a [few] six word memoir[s]

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Right now, you are the best. 

Turn your dreams into your plans.

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These are two things that I've been trying to tell myself each and every day. 

I haven't gotten too personal in blog-land lately but I've been struggling as of late... trying to come to terms with the fact that I am in exactly the place I'm meant to be at this point in my life and that I am doing the best that I personally can be. 

Specifically this all has to do with my future career goals and if you've been around this here blog for a while you know that this has to do with medical school and the ups and downs that come along with reaching this goal for me. There's a part of me that will never be able to give up this dream but at the same time there's also a part of me who just wishes things were easier. Wishes this current life could just stay. A part of me that wishes my current job surpassed all my expectations and was the perfect place for me. A part of me that hopes I wouldn't be disappointed in myself if things didn't work out like I have always planned. A part of me who is in the beginning stages of so many changes in my life that I almost don't know where to start. 

I know that these feelings will pass soon and I know all the effort and the stresses and the tears and the work will be so worth it in the end but for now.... sometimes it's tough realizing that this is all happening for a reason. Sometimes it's hard to know that I truly am doing the best that I can do with the cards I've been given. 

I am extremely thankful through this all to have a fiance and a family who will support me where ever life may take me. I think I'm fighting more of a battle with myself than with convincing anyone else.

15 Day Challenge [Day 1]

[Day 1] List 15 fun facts about yourself

[1] I can't set an alarm at the 00, 15, 30, 45, or any even number. For example, my alarm went off at 6:27am this morning and 6:30 would have given me hives.  This is extremely OCD of me and I accept that.

[2] I've lived in Southern California for close to 5 years, been on numerous tropical vacations and have yet to even attempt to learn to surf. I'm sure people think that's crazy but I just have no desire to learn.

[3] A few years ago I chopped off my super long hair to donate to Locks of Love. I loved it for a little while but could never be a short-hair girl. I'm currently back to rocking mid-back length hair and don't see that changing anytime soon.

[4] Highlighters and ball point pens contributed significantly to my success in college. I would come up with a note-taking scheme at the beginning of each semester and would have to stick with it through finals. I loved having everything in exact order and know exactly where to look when I needed something.

[5] My favorite movie of all time is Forrest Gump. Very closely followed by Father of the Bride (both parts).

[6] I haven't worn make-up (minus a touch of mascara sporadically) for the last, say, 5 months and it's been awesome. At first I thought it'd be tough but it turns out I have less to cover-up without all the crud on my skin than when I'd try to make my skin look perfect every day. Take that, Covergirl!

[7] I'm originally from Littleton, Colorado and would move back there in a heart beat. I moved to San Diego to go to school (what high school senior doesn't dream of life on the beach). Now I've absolutely loved living here and who doesn't love constant 70 degree weather all year but there's just something about home that's calling me back.

[8] It is extremely relaxing to have the bottoms of my feet slapped, don't ask why. For as long as I can remember my mom used to do this to my sister and I and I love it to this day.

[9] Getting into a bed that has fresh, clean sheets is something I really look forward to. If it wasn't such a hassle to wash everything and remake the bed I'd do it every day.

[10] I could listen to Christmas music all year long and never get tired of it. J on the other hand says Thanksgiving is too early. Thank goodness I have headphones :-)

[11] Every contact in my cell phone (minus my mom and fiance) has both first and last name included. Even the people who are extrememly obvious. I don't know when this started, possibly when I knew more than three people with the same first name but I've kept it up without question till now.

 [12] I love turning over a pillow and having it be cold on the other side.

[13] Socks are my enemy. I unconsciously take them off (especially in my sleep) and then wonder where they are or find them when I'm washing the sheets.

[14] I like boys names waaay better than girls names and I always have. Even when I was little and would imagine the coordinating names of all my pretend children with my pretend husband, I would always pick boy names first. Watch, J and I will only have girls years down the road!

[15] I am terrified of horses. And no I never had a tramatic experience with them, they just scare me.

I'm a bit behind on the 15 Day Challenge so my days may be off until I have a chance to catch up