August Update

I feel like I've really been slacking in keeping up with regular updates here. I'm sorry about that because there have been a lot of changes within the last month alone. Instead of trying to create a post for each one, I figured it would just be easier to make one master post of everything that has been going on the past few months.
 
First up, I got a new job on the first of August! It has been a whirlwind trying to learn all of the new reporting systems and everything that comes with starting a new job. Of course, the first few days were spent training and learning my new role, but I feel like I'm up and running now and ready for more responsibilities. I feel like I've really caught on quick and I'm going to be able to grow with this company. There's also been a possibility for me to make a change (within the company) to something with a bit more responsibilities. This is all still very early so I don't want to say too much and jinx myself, but I would love to be able to get this. It would be a big change in some ways which makes it a bit scary, but I think I need this change. And I really, really want this.
 
Second, I'm back in dance. Every summer, there's a three week break from classes and that break really makes me feel lazy. Even though I do keep up with basic barre work, it just isn't the same as actually being in class. I've also started taking classes at a second studio and I'm looking forward to seeing how the style of ballet compares to the Cecchetti I'm so used to. I've been working on my grade III Cecchetti and hope to take the exam soon because for Grade IV, you have to choreograph a dance. Even though I don't have to start working on it yet, I have. I've been working on two dances, one is to a classical piece and the other to a more modern song. I don't know how long it will take for me to finish these (because choreographing is hard) but I'm hoping that by taking classes at two studios I'll be able to create something really amazing for both dances.
 
On the subject of things that are hard and impossible, I've been writing a book! The past month I've been in the planning stages, creating characters, fleshing out the places, and working on the overall storyline. And I think I'm actually making great progress. I've decided that I'm going to try to generate a chapter every other week (fingers crossed I can actually stick to this schedule). I also found this ARTICLE of writing advice from Chuck Palahniuk which I'm going to use when I go back to edit when I'm done, or close to done.

GISHWHES ended last Sunday and, as someone that never has participated before, I can say that it was an amazing and insane week. I met a lot of great people from across the world on my team and I can't seem to stop gushing about how much I loved it. Like many people, it seems like I'm going through GISHWHES withdrawl, so I'm hoping to be a part of the volunteer team that helps to put together the coffee table book. While I'm
 
I was planning on starting my classes at UTD this semester but due to the fact that I started a new job on the first, I pushed it back to the Spring semester. It really has been nice to enjoy the summer off, without any stress of classes, and I must say I'm a bit worried about taking such a break from school. I know that it was in my best interest to defer my enrollment to the Spring so that I could really focus on learning this new role, but I'm also going to miss taking classes. Especially since I've now gotten to the point that I'm taking a lot of classes I really enjoy and look forward to.  
 
Lastly, on a more personal note, I've finally started taking medication. I've known for years that I suffer from anxiety, depression and panic attacks, but I've never actually gone to get medication to help me deal with these issues. And now, after being on medication for over a month to deal with them (as well as ADD), I don't know why I haven't don't this sooner. I really feel like a different person. While I have realized that there are certain things I can no longer do, I generally feel like a better person. It isn't like I'm taking a single miracle pill that just makes me "normal"and I do still struggle with some of the same things, they don't feel quite so overwhelming. I'm also trying to adjust to the fact that I can't do things, like go to a bar and drink, like I used to because (shockingly) alcohol and a cocktail of medication really doesn't mix well. Since this didn't occur to me that past few times I've gone out to have drinks, the nights have ended poorly. But, I guess it is all about making adjustments and changing my life to fit a lifestyle that will, in the long run, make me a happier, more balanced person.
 
As I continue this journey, I'm sure you will all see more posts about it because I had never considered taking medication because there is a serious stigma about mental health that people just need to get over it and deal with their problems on their own. Taking that first step to actually talk to a professional about the fact that I have had panic attacks while trying to have a "fun" night out was terrifying. I know I'll make more mistakes as I learn to balance what I can and cannot do. But hey, at least I'm working on it.

GISHWHES - Wrap Up

Sunday, GISHWHES wrapped up. As a first-time participant in GISHWHEs, I really wasn't sure what to expect. I knew that there would be a list of a number of very strange items that I would be working with fourteen other people across the globe to collect. I knew that it would push me out of my comfort zone to work on these items with people I had never met before.
 
What I wasn't expecting was the amazing sense of community that arose in only a week. A part of me knew (vaguely) about GISHWHES from last year and how people came together in order to complete certain tasks. I knew that if my team wanted any shot of winning, we would have to really come together and work together. I wasn't expecting other people within GISHWHES to be so amazing and supportive as well. I wasn't expecting so many people that had no idea what GISHWHES was to be willing to help.
 
And, in the midst of so many terrible things happening every day, it is amazing to see something like this happen. When there are kids out htere killing innocent people because, quite simply, they're bored, it is amazing to know that an entirely different group of people can come together to break the Guinness World Record for the largest online photo album of people hugging. Reading the news can really make you think the world is an awful place and that people are really just terrible. But then something like GISHWHES happens and CEO's of different companies are willing to make people smile by dancing to Single Ladies and random people across the internet are helping me raise over $400 in diapers in a matter of THREE days for the Genesis Women's Shelter and thousands of people spent time with a random stranger trying to cheer them up during dialysis treatment and people are going with friends to donate blood.
 
I know that the good does not cancel out the bad, but sometimes that isn't what we need. We need to just simply know that there is good in the world. That people are good.
 
And I think that is what GISHWHES is all about.
 
Well, that and taking pictures dressed as stormtroopers.

GISHWHES: Bungee Jumping

So, I was tasked with the bungee jumping item on the scavenger hunt. Even though the clip submitted was only 30 seconds of the jump itself, I decided to make a longer, more vlog-style post for all of you. Long story short: bungee jumping is awesome and I want to go again.

Bonus points: this means I get my Lifescouts badge for this, too!!

GISHWHES - Day 3

This is the third day of GISHWHES 2013 and I must say I have had an absolute blast with all of the people I've met thus far and working on the tasks at hand. One common question I've been getting from people not involved with GISHWHES is "Why?"

Granted, from the outside looking it, some of the items on the scavenger hunt that we're meant to find are a bit, well, odd, so people don't always see the draw of it. How are these tasks doing any good? How could making yourself into a dessert or creating a bathing suit out of toast really be doing the world any good? How could dressing as a pirate at the DMV be making the world a better world? After all, this is associated with Random Acts of Kindness, so this is (ultimately) all for charity. Shouldn't this seem more like work and volunteering than having fun and doing silly things?

For me, this is about being able to connect with other people.

Not just the wonderful people that I've met through my team, but also the people I've met while actually working on the tasks. While I dressed my car up as a "prom date" I actually had the chance to talk with my neighbors (something I really don't do all that often, if ever). When I was buying some of the most random things at Target, I started talking with a few of the employees that were dying to know what I would need all of this stuff for. I've made people smile. I've learned about friends that have gone bunjee jumping and learned amazing stories as to why they did it in the first place. I've met friends of friends of friends that I would never have known that are willing ot lend me a Stormtrooper costume. I'm also going to really be able help bring a smile to peoples' faces when I go to try to cheer up a patient while they are undergoing their dialysis treatment.

I've also been amazed by the community that has sprung up from my own team. We've been in touch with government officials, NASA, scientists, Oscar winners, pilots, CEO's and so many other amazing people that I would never have thought to be able to reach. The number of people from these organizations that have been willing to help us out with somewhat (extremely) insane tasks has been amazing. Having never participated before, when I first saw the list of items and some of the people that we would need to get involved, I panicked (even though the commandments quite clearly states "Don't Panic"). I didn't see how there was any way to get this all accomplished. And, in the past three short days, I've been blown away by the number of people willing to participate.

GISHWHES isn't just about doing somewhat ridiculous tasks for the sake of being strange. It actually does help make the world a better place.

GISHWHES 2013 - The Beginning

This year I've decided to be a part of GISHWHES (the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt Ever Seen). And, last week, I was assigned to be a part of the Team Barracudas.

And I must say, I'm really looking forward to all of the fun.

The list was only released yesterday and I've only gotten a couple of the 155 items done, but its already been a blast. I think half of the fun I had today was going out and buying a ton of random items at Target today to get ready for the tasks ahead. Tonight I've been able to complete two tasks and prepare for a couple, but I think this will be something I participate in year after year.

It has also been great to get to know the fourteen other people on Team Barracudas. I was honestly a bit worried about trying to work with a bunch of random people from all over the world, but it was all for naught. All of these people have been amazing! It is great to see how so many different people can get together to get so many amazing (albeit strange) things done together. Also, if you see me asking for strange or unusual things through the end of the week, keep in mind it is all for a great cause (so you should totally help out)!!

Since part of the commandments of GISHWHES is that we are not allowed to publicly post our tasks until the competition is over, I (obviously) won't be posting them as I complete them. But, I think that a few of the tasks that I'll be doing will deserve a blog post all of their own...