Bucket List: June 2012

61. Learn to play poker

I feel like pretty much all of Alex's friends play poker so when we were in Vegas, Alex spent some time teaching my how to play. I'm still not comfortable playing in an actual game, but at least I know all the rules now. One day...one day.

127. Take a picture by the Welcome to Las Vegas sign

My family went on a vacation to Las Vegas at the beginning of June, and while we were there I decided to walk over to the Welcome to Las Vegas sign (and I dragged Alex with me).  It was such a long walk, but it was on my bucket list so I had to go.  We got some nice pictures out of it, and I'd definitely say it was worth it.  To all of you that want to go, take a cab instead of walking.  Seriously.

144. See a Cirque du Soliel Show

The one show we had to see in Vegas was The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soliel. My family loves The Beatles so we knew if we could only see one Cirque du Soliel show, that would be it.  The show was absolutely incredible and I'm so glad we got to go.  The next day Alex and I went to Zumanity, which is a more sensual Cirque du Soliel show.  I didn't love it, but it wasn't terrible.  I'm glad we went.

145. Own a gun

I think it was only a matter of time before this happened.  After all, my boyfriend loves going shooting. I bought a Sig Sauer P238 which is a .380 caliber.  Alex has the same one so now we have matching pistols.  The couple that shoots together stays together.

Bucket List: May 2012

4. Write a book

When I started my bucket list, I never specified the type of book.  And to be completely honest, I forgot that I even had this on there.  Last month, I started putting together a collection of writing from the past nine years.  The goal is to self-publish it.  I don't intend on selling it (though it will be available for sale through the website I'm publishing it on).  My reason for "writing" this book was so that I could have a physical copy of my writing.  Sure, I have electronic copies of everything, but there's something special of having a physical copy of it.  Soon, #5 (publish a book) will be completed too.  But for now, the book is written, in format, and in the process of being edited.  I can't wait until the day it's in "book form."

It Isn't Easy

It's so easy to walk away when you're mad.  It's easy to say, "I'm done" instead of facing your problems.  It's easy to lie.  It's easy to keep all of your emotions bottled up inside.  But what's hard is facing your issues and dealing with them.  It's hard to look at someone in the eyes and say, "I'm mad at you."  It's hard to tell someone that you don't love them the way they love you.  It's hard to tell someone the truth when you know it's going to hurt them.

Love isn't easy and sometimes it isn't fun.  Sometimes it hurts like hell, and sometimes you're going to feel like you just won't make it.  But it will get better.  Just remember that the couples that are "meant to be" went through a whole lot of things that were meant to tear them apart...but they made it through and came out stronger than before.  Love isn't easy, but it's certainly worth fighting for.

Bucket List: April 2012

118. Attend a spring training baseball game (checked off April 1, 2012)

This is no April Fool's joke, people!  On April 1st, I attended the New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins spring training game at the brand new Marlins Park in Miami.  I've lived in Florida for almost nine years and never attended a spring training game before this.  Crazy, right?!  It was such an awesome game AND the Yankees won 10-8!  It's a great day whenever the Yankees win :)

18. Graduate with honors in high school and college (checked off April 29, 2012)

Technically I knew I was graduating with honors after last semester, but today made it 100% official.  I graduated high school summa cum laude and college magna cum laude.  Hooray! 

129. Graduate college (checked off April 29, 2012)

I did it...I graduated college.  Four years, countless major changes, and memories that will last a lifetime.  I met my best friends (and future bridesmaids) throughout college, and that alone made it all worth it.  When I walked across that stage, all I could think was "is this real life?!"  It can't be real.  But it is.  I graduated college.  I'm so sad that this journey is over, but now it's time to create new beginnings and new memories.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Here's to New Beginnings

So much has happened since the last time I posted.

On April 29th, I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University.  Even after sitting through a 2.5 hour ceremony, it still doesn't feel real.  I had an amazing four years at FGCU, and I wouldn't have wanted to spend those four years at any other college.  I have so many incredible memories at FGCU, and I couldn't possibly name them all.  But there are so many memories that stand out in my mind: three Student Government elections, moot court in Principles of Rhetoric & Argumentation, creating a PR campaign in PR Campaigns, our crazy group communication projects, joining a sorority, Chi Omega socials, meeting my best friends (and future bridesmaids), random lunch dates after class, running into sisters on campus, photoshoots in the Lutgert fountain, pie eating contests, Relay for Life, an internship at Pushing the Envelope, and so much more.  My experience at FGCU was one for the books.  I'm going to miss it so much, but I know this is only the beginning.  Here's to the FGCU Class of 2012!

After being accepted into all five graduate schools I applied to, I decided to attend The University of Alabama!  It was such a hard decision, but I think I made the best choice.  I loved that the program was geared towards recent college graduates and that it's only one year.  Yes, that means it's an accelerated program so it will definitely be harder, but it will be over before I know it.  Also, Alabama has an amazing football team, and since I've never been to a school with football, that was a huge plus.  And of course, it gets cold in Alabama.  Perfect.

On May 4-5th, my dad and I traveled to Alabama to get an apartment and visit the campus, and I'm happy to say that I got a one bedroom apartment at Crimson Student Living!  It's beautiful and it's within walking distance from the campus.  The next day we walked around campus, and I'm absolutely in love with the campus.  It's everything I could've wanted, and it felt like home.  I definitely made the right choice.

I'm scared of moving to place where I don't know anyone, and I'm sad to be leaving my boyfriend, friends, and family behind.  But I know my time in Alabama is going to shape me in such a positive way. It's going to force me to grow up and learn to do things on my own.  I'll have no one to rely on but myself.  And in a year, I'll be back in Fort Myers (hopefully) living with my boyfriend.  One year.  That's all it is.  I'm scared to death, but I know I can do it.  

It's What I Love About You

I love the way you've always been persistent because for the first time in my life, I feel like someone is fighting for me.

I love the way you text me in the morning because it makes me feel like I'm the first person you think about when you wake up (even if I'm not).

I love the way you pull my hair back and kiss my neck because it makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

I love the way you look into my eyes and tell me that you love me because in that moment there's no denying that the words you speak are true.

I love the way you tell me that you love me after an argument because it makes me realize that even though you're mad, I'm still important to you.

I love the way you wrap your arms around me when I'm crying because it makes me feel like I'm not alone in the things I'm going through.

I love the way you call me in the middle of the day because it reminds me that you're thinking about me just like I'm thinking about you.

I love the way you're honest with me even when I don't want to hear it because at the end of the day, the truth is better than any lie.

I love the way you tell me I'm beautiful because even though I know it, it's nice to hear it sometimes.

I love the way you hold my hand in the morning because it makes me feel like you love me even in your dreams.

I love the way you pull me close to cuddle because it makes me feel like it's only me and you in this crazy world.  And in that moment, I feel like no one can hurt us or bring us down.

I love the way you tell me you want to spend the rest of your life with me because for the first time in my life, I actually believe that someone loves me.

Bucket List: March 2012

133. Give a Senior Speech

I've been to a lot of events and banquets over the past four years of college, and a lot of them have a student give a senior speech.  I always thought, "if that was me up there, what would I say?"  After four years and tireless work, I was asked to do the senior keynote speech for the outgoing Senate banquet.

It was one of the hardest speeches I've ever written because I was trying to fit four years of memories into a five minute speech.  But the second I stopped worrying about what to say, it all started coming together. During the banquet I didn't just give my speech, I spoke from the heart.  I wanted to leave these outgoing Senators with something of value.  Something they could take with them.  Something that would inspire them.

And from what I've been told, I did just that.

It's not a traditional bucket list item, but giving a senior speech was something I really hoped I'd have the opportunity to do.  I watched so many other people do it before me, and it was such an honor to be able to give a senior speech of my own.  It truly was one of the highlights of my senior year.