#94--Have My Portrait Drawn/Painted

The amazing Sebastian Koever was kind enough to do a drawing of me for my 101 Things list. He did it from my webcam (while I was sitting in the dark), and still managed to capture little things like my scar, my headphones, and my headboard. This guy is seriously awesome, and you should look at his other work sometime if you ever have the chance.



Thank you again for taking the time to do this for me, Seb. I appreciate it so much!

#72--Keep A Steady Journal

I started my journal back in January of 2008, when I started my 101 Things list. I decided that I wanted it to be a "visual journal," where I could write things but also try and express myself in some artistic ways if possible. I'd say it's been pretty successful, and I still keep up with it to this day. I think that 2+ years of journaling counts as "steady!"

I've scanned a few of my favorites into my computer. Please excuse the foul language in most of them, but that's just who I am :)

#101--Be Able To Do A Split

This spring semester I was able to take a yoga class as part of my curriculum. I absolutely loved it and had no clue how difficult it would actually prove to be. I expected that yoga would be some easy-going relaxing class, but boy was I wrong. I left that class sweating and groaning every day. I had no clue how hard she would push us. But, to my surprise and excitement, all the hard work paid off and I was finally able to cross off item 101! Here's a bad shot of me doing the split (and you can just barely make out my cat lazing about in the background, haha!).


No telling how long that ability will last, but it's definitely exciting just to have been able to do it before my 101 days were up!

#58--Send A Message In A Bottle

Now, no one said that this message had to be thrown into the ocean or anything like that, so I still count this as a win. A friend of mine sent me an incredibly heavy box. When I say "incredibly heavy," I mean that this particular box weighed twenty two pounds. So, I open it up and what do I find? A large box full of sand.


As he said, the contents were quite buried and I needed to dig thoroughly. I found a message in a bottle sent to me, along with a copy of The Old Man and the Sea, to help me cross off #99. So, in return, I wrote a letter, stuck it in the bottle, and sent it back to him. I'm very happy knowing that not only did I send a message in a bottle, but I also received one :)

#16--Learn To Cook Something Well

This post is a bit outdated. The actual learning and cooking took place in roughly September, I believe. At the time, I was dating a boy who was really encouraging me to learn how to cook (he's a great cook), so I was getting more adventurous in my culinary excursions. My favorite thing that I made that I feel I could easily make again was baked ziti. I LOVED it, and so did he. It was incredibly tasty and I would be very happy making it for a dinner party or potluck in the future!

#93--Attend a Redskins Game

Sunday, December 6th, I got to go see the Saints play the Redskins at home with a good friend, his dad, and his dad's friend. It was my Christmas present from him, since he knew this was on my list! It was UNBELIEVABLY cold outside, so I was wearing two pairs of pants, something like 6 shirts/jerseys/sweatshirts, gloves, and a hat. I look like I gained about 125 pounds!

We had amazing seats (his family has the coveted season tickets!) that gave us awesome field perspective. I could see every play almost perfectly, and I could see the TWENTY-THREE YARD FIELD GOAL THAT SUISHAM MISSED no problem. (Don't know what I'm talking about? See this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhovxwaZ4VY)

And finally, here's an awesome picture of us enjoying the game before our epic fail of a lose.

So glad I got to cross this one off the list. I really hope I get to go back (preferably during a fall game) again, because it was an absolute blast despite the cold/losing.

#54--Stay Out All Night

In July, I had the opportunity to stay out all night with my best friend and my boyfriend at the time. We had a pretty awesome agenda, if I do say so myself.

First, we got ready to go to a fund-raising event for my job called "Hot and Bothered." It was so much fun! We got to dress up and go to a super hip hotel and drink cocktails with condom-swizzle-sticks!


After that, we went to a nightclub, but there weren't any pictures taken at this time. So, moving right along to bowling! Here's an obligatory picture of our shoes...And here's an awesome group shot.Also, I'm a terrible, TERRIBLE bowler.

After that, we went to a Waffle House, for some late night noms. Nothing really exciting here, just a sweet picture of my best friend and I enjoying some WHouse.


After leaving the Waffle House, we went to the beach. It was exceedingly late, deserted, and beautiful.We had a wonderful time, even though it got a little chilly. Another obligatory group shot! And here's a beautiful, beautiful collage of the progressive sunrise pictures she took.


Anyway, I can safely say that this was one of the best nights I've had in my life. It was a total blast, and I spent it with two awesome people doing really fun things! All these pictures belong to my best friend, not me, so I'm thanking her for letting me use them. You're the best, loml!

Have you ever spent an entire night out doing stuff? If so, what did you do? I'm looking for ideas for night #2!

#2--Feed a Hungry Person

Sorry for not updating in so long, so I'll make a few posts with the things I've done!

On my way back from class in November, I passed by a Subway and realized I was really hungry. I decided to stop in, and saw a clearly homeless man sitting on the sidewalk outside. It was below freezing, and he was shivering. I didn't have a coat to give him, or anything, but I awkwardly asked if he'd like something to eat.

He was completely appreciative, and I got him a toasted sub in an attempt to warm him up as well as feed him. Anyway, I know I only helped a tiny bit, but it made me feel good. He probably won't remember me, but that's okay.

Since I can't remember the exact date, I'll just put November 2009 :)

#87--Make a Scrapbook For a Person I Love

During the fall semester of '08, my best friend studied abroad in Rome, Italy. She was gone all semester, and even though she's normally far away from me for school anyway, I missed her so much. I had recently bought a Moleskine cahier notebook, and started turning it into a mini-scrapbook for her. I simply called it "I miss you."

I wish I had scans of all the pages, but I only have a few that I'm proud enough of to share.

#69--Do Something Worthy

It took a while for me to think about what I consider to be something "worthy." I was pretty sure, though, that when I did it, I would know.


In May, I started working at Planned Parenthood as an EMT/Health Center Assistant. Every day, I work with other amazing people trying to reduce the cost of contraceptives, educate people about safe sex, identify and treat STIs, and generally advocate for quality reproductive health care.

Sometimes it's difficult work. Being stared down or yelled at by protesters is never fun, nor is it easy to see women making tough decisions. But I know that I'm doing a good thing, and I know my effort is making a difference. Never have I been more proud of what I do, though.

#53--Model For an Art Class

I did this three times during fall semester, and it was so awesome! On a whim, I just emailed the art department and asked if they were looking for any models. Turns out they were looking for face models and nude models, and so I signed up. I did face modeling one day, and nude modeling two days. I didn't know if I'd have the guts to actually go through with the nude modeling, but I told myself I wanted to push my comfort zones a little bit, so I just bit the bullet and went for it.

It was really cool! I learned how to basically shut off all the things in my mind telling me to be self-conscious, or reminding me how uncomfortable it was to hold that pose. I was able to see the drawings the class produced, and they were truly amazing. I wish I had access to one to put on the blog, but sadly, I don't. If I ever get the ability to, I'll add it for sure.

#8--Travel via Plane Alone

On May 22nd, I flew alone from Norfolk, VA to New York City, and from there went on to Salt Lake City for the wedding of two friends. I had a lovely time there, and then flew back (through Atlanta) in time to go back to work. It was awesome to finally fly alone. On the way there, I sat next to a boy my age who was taking the same flights to SLC. We ended up talking and becoming friends, spending the many-hour layover together. We didn't exchange information or anything, so I have no idea what he's up to now, but it was really cool to make a new friend on my first solo flight!


Here's a picture of me with the happy couple I went to go see!

#1--Have a Steady Pen-Pal

Sorry about the lack of updates--I've been working on my list, I just keep forgetting to write about it! I'm going to date them as completed on the day that they were done, not the day I updated, though. Anyway!

Since January of 2008, I've been keeping in touch with a soldier named Scott. We started writing when he was in boot camp, and we still talk now that he's deployed in Iraq. I was lucky enough to get to meet him when he was on R&R in early May. I'd say that I've checked this one off, finally :)

#83--Keep My Room Clean and Organized for a Month

This actually goes from 7/15/08-8/15/08. I was able to do this because I moved into my new place, set it up the way I wanted, and kept it nice and clean all month. I was working absurd hours, so I was almost never home. Maybe that's a little bit of cheating. Whatever, I completed my task!

Pictures :)

#46--Be Published in a Journal/Magazine

Well, I've already done this. Yes, back in January, I was "published" in the Wall Street Journal. I've outdone myself, thank goodness.

Published on page 17 of the Undergraduate Leadership Review.

Together with Hilary and Bess, we came up with a theory, wrote it up, and submitted it for publishing. A few revisions later, and here we are, shiny and published. At age 19, barely into my junior year of college, and I'm proud to say that I'm officially published (...again).

Feel free to cite me ;)

#80--Model In A Photoshoot

I had the privilege and opportunity to model with Van White, one of the photographers that CNU hires on a regular basis for events (Captain's Ball, etc.) and publicity (of the Ferguson Center/DSU). We took some pictures at Point Plaza, and had a really good time. I asked him if we could do a photoshoot involving a fire engine (yes, I'm a dork), and he said absolutely.

I think this is my favorite of the whole day, and it's one of the last ones he took.

Check out his photos at http://www.vansphotos.com

#43--Go On A Road Trip With Friends

On June 15th, a friend, her brother and I went from Norfolk, VA to Baltimore, MD (well, Towson, really) to see The Spill Canvas in concert. It took us way longer than it should have, thanks to a major accident on I-64, but we got there in time to be almost-first in line!

Notice the nice use of the seat-belt!


We left at 12pm, got there at 5pm, left around 1am, and got home at 5am. It was a very long night, but it was completely worth it. Why, you ask?


I got to meet the guys of The Spill Canvas! It was so great, I could hardly believe it. I also got to meet their Stage/Guitar Manager, Ace, who was probably the coolest person ever. I just regret not getting a picture with him :(

In any event, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. But I definitely want to take a much more long-distance road trip with 3 or 4 friends sometime soon! I think that would be fun. Maybe New York? Who knows!

#55--Spend A Weekend Alone

This happened more by force than choice. Living by myself in a place where I don't know anyone leaves me sort of pressed for things to do. I'd drive the 40 minutes back to my school's town to hang out with friends there, but the gas just isn't worth it.

So this weekend I've spent alone. Honestly, I've been alone since Thursday evening, and I won't be seeing anyone until Monday at 10 for an interview. It's okay, though, it helps me accomplish this goal.

I've made Easy Mac and Ramen, I made myself brinner (breakfast for dinner), I've watched Home Improvement on Nick at Nite's Summer Improvement Week. I've read pages and pages in Paramedic by Peter Canning, and I've cross stitched a ton. I write blog entries and I talk on the phone. I listen to music and take long baths. I've sat on the balcony drinking tea during sunrise. I even walked down to the grocery store and just wandered through the aisles, picking things up and looking at them and checking out the people who were there too. It's boring. But the coolest part has been lying on the couch going in and out of consciousness at random times during the day, because I have nowhere to go and no one to impress.

But I'm tired of it. I guess I thought of a lot of free time as being a mini-vacation. In some ways it is, but in others...well, vacations are usually spent with other people. I don't really feel safe walking down the streets downtown by myself, so I haven't really met...uh...anyone. It's okay, though, this is what I wanted to do, and now I've done it. I feel a sense of accomplishment, but I look forward to starting my job and interacting with people on a daily basis.

#84--Live As A Nudist For A Day

Well, for 24 hours, I did just that. I'm currently living in a place by myself, so I didn't have to worry about roommates.

Basically, I just lowered all the blinds and did the things I normally do, just...naked.

Things I learned:
When cross stitching naked, be sure you know where the needle is.
Make selections from the fridge very quickly.
If you stay naked for a while, you'll forget about it. Make sure you don't walk out the door.
Skin sticks to leather couches very uncomfortably.
When you walk past a mirror, you will most likely surprise yourself. "Oh, hey, I'm naked."

It was a really interesting experience, that's for sure.

#85--List 100 Things That Make Me Happy About My Closest Loved Ones

I did another set of 100 for Anni, one of my absolute closest friends.

There's nothing quite like it, honestly. It really forces you to sit down and consider every reason why that person is so close to you. It's a wonderful feeling to be reminded about all the great qualities that person has, even if you never really forgot.

As much as they are affirming for one's friendships and other relationships, I think this could be really self-affirming. After I've done a set for my closest loved ones, I think I'll do one for myself as well.

Sorry I don't have more to report, but with exams and all, life was pretty hectic. I'm going to try to do a ton this summer while I'm not in school.

Until next time!