Rules, Routines and Schedules

I know what you are thinking, you are thinking “A routine? A schedule? Where’s the fun in that?” (scary how I read your mind huh?). To answer your question before you skip my paper,  let me start out with saying that ROUTINES and SCHELDUES will ensure your child picks out a better nursing home then the child whose parents always went by the seat of their pants. Chaos breeds chaos. If there is no plan for the average day in your home, you, your spouse and the neighbors cat will go insane by the time the oldest kid reaches five. Now I am not saying plan everyday in 15 minute increments, and I am not even saying that your routine will always be your routine. As time moves forward and families evolve, so do their routines.

I am going to assume you already have children and that you have yet to set a routine, that way my job is easier and I can tell you step by step what to do (yes that’s a demand, if you do not like demands, move on to the next chapter, then when you are sick of the chaos you come back to this part, because you will be back muahahahahaa).

First things first, take out a pen and paper and list the 3 biggest issues in your home that you wish to correct and or change. For example, my children are 11, 7 and 6 and our list looks like this

1. Follow directions.

My children tend to wait until they get to strike 2 and sometimes 3 before they will follow a request from us. Strikes are what I use to let my children know they are close to actual punishment.

2. No yelling, or fighting with each other.

Who am I kidding, they are siblings, they will fight but this makes it less, it is a rule in our home. I do not mind disagreements but to yell and fight with each other is degrading to each other. No one likes to be yelled at. I hope one day this rule actually becomes successful, although I wont hold my breath.

3. Follow the schedule.

How can this even be a rule you ask? Give it time, you will understand soon enough. You may not understand fully until after you have actually set the routine and see how they correlate with each other. # 3 is ALWAYS on my lists of rules. Yes, I said it, the above 3 items are rules of the house. I understand 3 rules does not seem like much, and well how can a house have order with only 3 rules? Just hold on it will come together soon and you will be all knowing.

Second order of business is to think about your daily lives,  as in the things that you and your family must do everyday, or need to do everyday. This of course changes often, and that is fine, as a matter a fact it is encouraged. Life happens, things change. So back to thinking about everything you all do during the day , from the moment the tricycle motor’s wake up, and ending at their bedtime. Since right now is a school year my example schedule will reflect that (yes I am writing this while my kids learn their abc’s, after all it is not part of our “schedule” for me to write while they are visible). So take back out your pen and a new blank sheet of paper and get to work, yes you may use mine as a guide. (no need to thank me, I feel honored that you would look to me and my family for guidance)

0700 – 0730 – Wake up, Breakfast then cartoons
0745 – - School
0345 p.m. – 0400 – After school snack
0400 0600- Homework, chores, and then play time
0600 – Dinner
0700 – After dinner chore
0730 – Bath
0800 – Reading time
0830 – Bedtime

That is our Monday thru Friday routine, generally we stick to it, sometimes we don’t, the world wont stop spinning if you miss a day here or there when you can’t stick to the schedule. Although I will admit and encourage you by stating that the more we stick to this general list the better my children behave, and on the occasion we stray it is considered a treat and treated as such.

So you have your rules and schedule laid out, you may be asking yourself “well how am I going to introduce this to my family?” Don’t bother answering yourself, after all my Mimi says “A persons not crazy if they talk to themselves, they only are crazy when they answer” so I will save your mental health and tell you. Drum roll please The way to introduce this is by a family meeting. Yes you read that right, a family meeting, as a matter a fact I am going to ask that you pick either a Friday or Saturday for the first family meeting, and then *gasp* in four weeks you have another family meeting, and every four weeks after that for as long as you need them. Our family has one the first Friday of every month. Meetings generally are not much fun, however how else are you going to change the rules, or schedule without a meeting? Do you really want to in a fleeting moment as your passing each other shout out the rules,  or would you prefer to tape a memo to the bathroom mirror? No you do not, because FINALLY in life, you will enjoy and even look forward to a meeting.

Just how can you make a meeting something everyone looks forward to? Its simple, first and foremost you start with a theme, each month the theme will be different, and of course once you find what as a family is enjoyed most you recycle the themes to where they begin to happen like clockwork. Heres some ideas for themes, but be sure to come up with some of your own, I really am taking a lot of the fun out of this by giving you the ideas.

Fiesta Night – Do it yourself nacho and taco bar, pinata, then sombrero dancing (make it up, your kids will not know the difference.

Pizza Party- Do it yourself pizzas, plenty of soda, balloons and streamers

A night at the movies- Hotdogs, popcorn and candy after the meeting is over, pile all the blankets in the family room and watch a movie.

The possibilities are endless for your themes and it is through these that make family meetings fun. It isn’t all about the fun though, you are having the meeting for a reason and that reason is to keep your family and household running on track. The first meeting is the most important as it will explain the reason, the need, and the importance of the ritual. If creativity fails you and you need help organizing the meeting here is a simple to follow guide.

1. One week prior to first meeting announce to your family that there will be a meeting at such and such time (do not actually tell them such and such, I simply used that wording as I am unable to determine the time you will have your meeting).

2. Set your theme but keep that part a secret, make sure you have a few decorations for the fun of it, after all this is your negotiations for having future successful meetings. Your first one will make or break everyone’s reaction so don’t screw this up (no pressure or anything)

3. Be prepared with your house rules, and your schedule. I also have an “official” talking stick, he who holds the stick may speak, the rest are required to listen, stick gets passed around with the raising of a hand (more on the later).

4. Have everyone sit at the table and say something (remember this is for the first one, other ones will start a bit different, I am sure by the second one you wont need any help thinking of the opener) like

” I bet you all have wondered what this whole family meeting thing is about?” (yes it is that simple) go on to explain … “that this is a time when we all sit down, every month and talk about issues in our lives, things we want different in the family, and things we want to keep the same. Also we will plan family vacations, birthday parties, and even give you kids a chance to state you case when you want to do something different, or want more privileges like a later curfew. There are some rules to this though, first and foremost this is a open forum, no one will laugh at you for what you say, nor will you be interrupted, this (hold up the nicely decorated stick) is the talking stick. If you are not holding the stick you are not talking, if you talk out of turn you owe the person your interrupting half your allowance” (that last part is a joke, make sure your kids know that it is or they may not ever talk during the meeting). 

The first part of the meeting is the new family rules, this is where you read the rules, after the introduction of them explain why you feel your family needs this rule. Once all rules are read ask if there are any questions or if they have any ideas or feelings about the new rules. Explain to them that in a month you as a family will talk about the rules and how they worked. If you notice that you do not have to enforce a rule much you may change it to a new rule and if you notice that the rules are consistently not being followed and there has been no progress then you may add bigger consequences. This is your chance to find what does and does not work for your family. Also this gives your child the ability to give their input and help change things . When a child becomes part of the process they tend to be more apt to follow the rules.

A routine is the epicenter for daily life. However that does not mean you have no room for spontaneous actions and changes. I am not condemning you to a life of total control, however you will find once the habits are formed that life does seem to flow much better then when you are in total chaos. Sometimes I even plan my chaotic time, I plan spontaneous behavior! How is that possible you may ask? Well my family thinks that we are going outside my schedule when I announce a last minute vacation or shopping spree. It is a treat in their minds “Yahooooo Moms not conforming to the lists” however little does my family know that I have already planned it all in advance to make it go more smooth, because I have learned through trial and error that life is easier when there is a plan.

I also learned that its not always fun to live by a plan. Lets take for instance the summer vacation we have set for this year to Mount Rushmore. We are invited by my in-laws. The problem is my father in law does not like plans, he does not live by a schedule and definitely wont while on vacation. So in my little control freaked world I have planned a complete itinerary down to 30 minute increments, so anytime there is free moment I can “out of the blue”"suggest” such and such Get it? This way I control our trip while allowing my husband and his father a feeling that it’s a carefree spur of the moment activity. They will many times over the week have no idea where to go, or what to do, every meal they will mull over dining options I will when prompted spurt out “Ohhh I heard we can mine for Gold at ..”. It will not be until they read this that the spur of the moment side trips and restaurant choices have already gone through the “Mommy” test. They will instead enjoy every minute of the vacation, knowing they gave us all a relaxing vacation with no time constraints. All the while I know what we will be doing and roughly when. The difference for me, and for many moms would be that it will be okay if its not perfect, it will be fine when we go off track from “Moms plan”. Everyone wins. Lets look at the other side of it, what if I truly let this be an “at will” vacation? Lets see that would look a bit like this.

Kids 6.32 times per day “Mom, I’m bored”

Husband 3.1 times per day “What do you want to do?”
My response “How would I know I didn’t get to “plan” anything” (yes I would make the quote marks while speaking the word “plan” , I find that it really annoys people when you use sarcasm to tell them I told you so versus actually saying “Told you so”.

Me to husband 4.5 times per day either directly or indirectly “See I told you so, had you let me make a itinerary we wouldn’t have to listen to the kids being bored 6.32 times a day and we wouldn’t be stuck eating at McDonalds”
Husbands response to me “Well why does everything have to have a plan? Why cant we just relax when on vacation”
My response “Relax? Are you honestly stating you are relaxed while listening to the kids boredom? The only person who can relax is you, the kids are bored, I’m lost and I’m starving because I don’t eat McDonalds”

See the issues when I don’t make a plan? Shhhh I wouldn’t want it to get out though. I swear I could be spontaneous, just have got to fit that into the schedule!

I was not born a follower…

Just when I think that I had the best day of my life, Tommy and Evan prove me wrong.  On my way to meet the boys I call Tommy to let him know I am at starbucks and what kind of coffee do they want… It is within this phone call I find out that I am going to be leading a bit today.  Was I more scared?  No, I actually knew I was ready to learn this part of the sport, I was not scared of climbing anymore, that fear turned into respect and love for this art.  I knew that we were going to walls that had 5.5s and really thats not much harder then the approach (slight exaggeration of course) so I knew I would be okay.  I could not surpress my joy and it made the drive to Reimers Ranch that much longer. 

Reimers is really a beautiful place.  Im dumbfounded at how close I live to this little bit of paradise.  I only saw a small portion of it, and I can not wait to discover more as I progress in this sport.  Our first spot was sex cave for a boulder problem that Evan and Tommy are working on for the comp.  They both did it and then Tommy says “okay your turn”.  Now ladies and gentlemen, I had at this point only 5 sport climbs…. now Tommy is telling me to hang upside down ?  He must be insane, but he couldnt have been to insane because I did get my body off the ground and I did start to actually do it.  However the ability was not there and I fell rather quick.  I did like hanging upside down though, and it was really fun mentally to try to solve it before even getting up.  It was a laydown start, in the dark, very interesting feeling that is.  I dont know if I will become a “boulderer” however I do know that it will be fun to find out if this part of the sport is something I can achieve.  So basically that means I will continue to try it until I can solve a few problems. 

Next we approach to “dead cats wall” and to the 5.5 called “Lisa the puamatic 6000 Kitty”.  Tommy was going to set up top rope, have me follow and set up my quick draws (minus rope clipping) and then come down.  I really liked this wall.  The textures of the rock were smooth, and crisp yet a millon avaliable holds no matter which way I climbed.  No problem getting up, no fear or freaking out whats so ever.  Once I get down Tommy asked if I was ready to lead and yup, I was more then ready.  I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I could lead this.  We once again went over the difference in risks of a lead versus the follow and I was off.  As I am making my way from bolt to bolt I realize that yes Im not going to be “the lead” for a long time, but dammit this is the most fun ever…..Each time I clip the rope in I feel power, each time I passed above it I started to mentally try to figure out how much Id fall including line stretch.  Remember this is only a 5.5 2 bolts 2 top anchors, so its pretty simple.  That however does not take from it being my first lead.  Evan got tons of pictures because at this point it is known that I want pictures of everything, from fresh morning dew to the setting of the sun and everything that happens between.  There really was an outstanding feel to looking above me and not having the rope in my site…. it was truly just me and the rock.  When the climb was complete I knew I was hooked (as if my last blog didnt represent that).  It started to get out to the others on nearby routes that I just did my first lead and got about 3 congrats from the group next door. 

Next we headed to “Clawing Zoe” 5.7 3 bolts 2 top anchors and again Tommy lead, I followed and clipped my quick draws, and came down.  This was alot of fun to follow on.  I did well, didnt use the rope at all and felt I was going to lead it well also.  I did great the first three bolts.  However as I was getting very close to the anchors I made a mistake of taking I high right foot where I should have done the high left.  I was secure in my position but  I could not figure out how to make it back to where I needed to be to anchor.  I got scared, and when I say scared, what I really mean is I started to get upset, calling to Tommy that I couldnt do it, and wanting nothing more then to have them come up and change the position of the top anchors for me.  I was yelling at the rock, I was pissed that I had failed, I couldnt figure out how far my fall would be, I had thought I passed the last bolt 6 feet ago but I might have been wrong….damn this stupid rock.  I started hearing Tommys encouragement, and other voices of those I didnt know, I look back and on either side of tommy the groups climbing had stopped what they were doing and were watching and encouraging me.  At that moment my legs stopped shaking and my arms stopped trembling and I figured it out, got anchor and told the rock “how do you like them apples” (Im a dork I know this)  When I got back on the ground before I was even off the rope a man I didnt know told me “Wow you are a inspiration” I looked at Tommy and had to hug him, I then told the man thank you, Ive never heard that before and dammit if my ego isnt huge now.  Damn best teacher in the world I have.  When the group realized it was only my second day of outdoor climbing and I already was leading, the looks on their faces seemed shocked and wow factored.  I asked Tommy “Am I moving to fast?  Should I be leading?” Tommy replied “What do you think?” I thought about it, and said “no Im not”

Next was “Hissing Cloe” a 5.8 with 3 bolts.  We were going to follow the same routine, Tommy top rope, me follow with quick draws, come down then men lead.  It was a beautiful climb.  This limestone has such a variety of feel, color and texture that each grip brings a new surprise visually and feel wise.  However when I got back down I had to tell Tommy I cant lead it, I was to tired and there was a moment where I wanted to and almost needed him to take and I wont lead something when following it, I almost needed the rope, at least not yet.  It was however a beautiful end to the sport climbing part of the day.  That did not end the day, but my fingers, and my body just hurt to much today to continue to write.  However the best part of my day happened after this, while Tommy and Evan made new problems of new boulders yet to be ascended….

My fingers are bloody, my body is bruised but my…

spirit is satisfied. Yesterday I made my first outdoor climbs on two different walls, 5 routes. I have always been scared of heights and so it doesnt make sense that I would skydive and climb rocks. However my goals in life are to fight my fears and win. When I started skydiving I fought fears but it did not help my fear of heights, if anything it made it harder to be off the ground unless I had a rig.

So I was introduced to some rock climbers and there my plan was hatched. I was to climb one day, stop being afraid and move on. Last thing I needed was another addicting sport in my life. That wasnt to be the case. As I sit here, typing with two fingers, letting the others rest due to them being swollen, bruised, and missing some layers of skin, I am finding that I NEED to go climb again and if I could go today I would.

My first route was a 5.6, which is very minor and probably considered an easy climb. At this point I had learned alot about how the gear works, and how the belayer and climber relate to each other. I was most fearful about putting my life in anothers hands. This is not something I have done ever. I do not need other people to protect me. However in rock climbing your life depends on the communication and skills of TWO people. In my life I have learned that its only me, I protect myself and not to rely on others. I was quite surprised that once I actually learned and saw how it works that my fear was unfounded. I trusted my belayer Tommy more then I can even describe. I think mostly due to the fact I had my first fall on my first climb about 10 feet off the ground. Actually I didnt fall at all, I just lost hold of the rock, my belayer had me. He saved me from broken bones. Right then and there I knew that this sport was for me, I knew that no matter what, I finally relied on someone else and he had me. It felt so great to know this, so many things healed in me in that very moment. I however was still freaked by how high I felt and that I literally fell within the first 5 mins of my first climb, but there was no way I was turning back. Tommy protected me from falling, now I must let him see his training at work, I will make it to the top and I will let him help me down. Back to the rock, I slowly made my way to the top. Although it was only a 5.6 it was MY 5.6. I didnt see the holds, I felt like I was flailing around clinging to the rock. Tears at different moments because every so often I had to stop and Tommy had me practice my way down and would have me look at the ground, and I did it. I hated it , hated every moment of it…. Until I reached the top, turned around, and saw Tommy grinning ear to ear. I DID IT. As I was walking down the wall being lowered by Tommy, I was looking at the rock, all of a suddan I start seeing all these holds, three finger grips, where my toes could have been etc etc…. I started seeing the rock and how it could be climbed. It was a rush, it hit me and it was the first thing after the high five I told him. I saw the rock.

The next route was a 5.8. However it looked MUCH taller then the 5.6 I was just on. I was okay though I knew I could do it, and I started climbing in my head before I even stepped on the rock. I saw where the right hand would go and my right foot, I knew when Id have to make a long reach. I was in the climb before I was in the climb. I get my shoes on, which by the way are way to tight and hurt until you get on the rock itself. The part that was hard and out of sight about halfway up was very intimidating to me, I had to trust my feel, and Tommys words from below. And I did just that. After a bit of crying and whispering I want down I made it. I whispered my grievences so Tommy didnt hear, I didnt want to actually come down. It was a battle between my mind and my body and my mind won. Looking down still was a battle, coming down was a bit scarey still. Another high five, some belaying (which I hear I did well at as well because although I had a back up they didnt need to take over) and a feeling of complete self.

Next route was my first 5.10. On the ground Tommy told me when I got to the spot that I already was freaking about, that if I listen to him I will make it past. To listen and put my feet and hands just how he said and I will do it. It was hard, it sucked, and I screamed a few times when I slipped. I had tears and I wanted to vomit and I hated this stupid rock. I look down and see Tommy closer, he came up on the first ledge to be closer to help talk me over. I did okay, and made it with alot of help from Tommy, but I made it also because of me. I listened to him, I trusted him, I knew I could beat the rock. I knew he was with me every step of the way. I knew I could do this. On the way down I started having alot of fun, coming down is a blast. Just sitting in the air, with your feet on the wall. I noticed I wasnt nearly as scared at being up high and dammit this is the most fun I have ever had. How can that be possible?

On the second wall we went to called “Meet the flintstones” I really was excited to get up it. I was problem solving on the ground, I knew I wanted this rock. He was a 5.9. On the way up, I was having a blast, grunting to fight the pain in my arms, hands, fingers, legs and toes. I loved this rock. I loved this spot of Barton creek. I loved this sport. We all knew I passed my limit already but it was me who kept pushing myself. I told Tommy on the ground that Im reaching my limits limit and I hope I can make it but I might not. I never give up on things in life, ever. Its not something I can do. I cant have unfinished business so this was a weird feeling to me, to actually accept that I will not succeed and actually still try it. I sat there before climbing and explained I want to try to but I do not think Ill be making it to the top. I was actually okay with saying “dude I wont be able to finish this but hey Im gonna what I can” I made it past the first anchor (this is a old route and that first ones pretty high, Tommy who does the maintence on the routes said they should be replaced and re-routed) but getting past that first one was a blast. Theres so many things I noticed, from the various colors of the layers, to the different textures of the surfaces, I could see and feel my holds before I got to them. I was becoming part of the rock. I wanted to at least make it to the second anchor because that would mean I got past the hard part for me. I got really close, and I probably could have touched it if I just reached a bit further. However all at once my whole body told me that I was done, completley washed of all energy and endurance, I was done. I wasnt upset, I didnt feel like a failure because I didnt get there, I felt satisfied of my journey and knew that me and “meet the flintstones” will come together another day.

Tommy and Evan did one more climb on the 5.12a (I think that is what she was) and it was a beautiful piece of rock at that. Even if I hadnt given up on the last route there would not have been a chance for me to climb this. Its just way out of my realm, but I watched, and I took pictures and I knew that one day that will be me. I started seeing Tommy and Evans moves and seeing them as art. They were creating art, melding their bodys to nature and it was a thing of beauty. Of all the pictures that day, this is my favorite. To me it captures a moment in my life, where I fought and won fears I knew I had and even some I didnt realize were a problem.

I dont know where this journey will take me, all I know is that in 6 hours yesterday my life changed. I saw things in myself that I never thought existed. As I lay to try to sleep last night, all I saw was my movements of the day, all I heard was the communication between me and my belayer, all I felt was pure satisfaction of who I am, what I am and what I can do. Although tomorrow I climb again, I know in my heart that no matter where I go with this hobby, that everything I did yesterday does define who I am. I am strong, mentally, physically, and emotionally and no one will ever take that away from me.

Christmas Traditions…

When I think of Christmas my first thought is “Not again…”. Yes I dread this holiday for several reasons. Yet I love this time of year because this is the time we celebrate the birth of Christ and a time to enjoy family (which can also be the negative side of the holiday).

Before I go into traditions I feel I should elaborate why I hate this time of year. The pressure of this season is so vast that more people commit suicide in December then any other month of the year. We place such high hopes of family love, gifts, and togetherness that we often lose sight of the real reason we celebrate.

Secondly I am not fond of Santa Clause, I never have understood why parents choose to lie to their kids about something where the truth is much better then the lie. Why do people feel compelled to give credit of gifts to a fat man in a red suit? As a parent I know I will make mistakes, therefore I want credit for all the nice things under the tree.

So with that out of the way I shall share with you the ways to make Christmas more about Christ then about the gifts. Speaking of gifts one thing you have to do is pick a budget per person you choose to buy for and stick with that. It really is the thought that counts. For that reason I tend to not give many gifts from a store but choose to make them.

Which brings me to one tradition that I absolutely love, making ornaments with the kids is by far one of my favorite past times. From simple pre-cut wooden ornaments that just need paint, to extravagant beaded balls of spirit. Every year my children make at least one for each of our immediate family members, as well as one for our own tree. We date and name them, and that way when my kids grow older I can hand them a box of starter ornaments for their first Christmas tree.

Another tradition that I started with my family is reading from the Bible on Christmas eve. I share with my children the meaning of the holiday as we celebrate it. I let them know that just as Jesus Christ received just three gifts for his birth and silently I cross my fingers hoping they know that Jesus did not receive a Nintendo Game Cube and they probably wont either. I want my kids to respect this Christian holiday for its Christian meaning, not for the gifts they want.

After reading the true Christmas story the kids get to open one gift each, and every year it has been the same gift…P.J’s. Not very exciting to some, yet every year thats what Christmas Eve brings, new pajamas to sleep in.

On the morning of the 25th I with exaggerating song wake my children up. I generally try to wait until a reasonable time but sometimes the excitement gets the best of me and I am waking them up before the sun. Before we open the gifts we eat breakfast together and figure out who passes out the gifts first. There is an order to how we share this morning, I sit on the couch with a camera, and each kid takes a turn of picking one gift per child and passing them out. Then they watch each other open one gift at a time. This really helps to draw out the time and it makes them feel as if they received more, since it takes so much longer open. Then once the gifts are all open we as a family cook dinner together.

Whatever your traditions are, pass them on along with your beliefs. My children have fond memories of everyday life, yet I know its the time we spend during the holidays that they will treasure the most.

Before Death Checklist…A Top 10 List

Everyone has one, regardless if it is written or just in our mind, we all have a list of “What I want to do before I die”. I used to be the same as all of you who have one. I even accomplished many of them. Then one day as I was reading my list I realized that there was not much left to do and I started to wonder what would happen once I completed said assignments…

I realized that if I could complete everything I ever wanted to do then what would I have left? Would I make a new list? Would I feel as if I accomplished something special? Would I feel as if I succeeded? My answer was no, because once you have everything you want, you end up wanting more. I realized my list was to easy, travel, skydive, rock climbing, SCUBA, etc… It was a standard list of to do that most people have, yet I was actually fulfilling them. The thought of completing the list scared me, so I wrote a new one. It is safe to say I may never check one of the following off but its fun to think about and I will never get bored of the daydreams that revolve around my top ten, all of them are desired yet I exaggerate just enough to where if I even succeed I still am not able to mark it as completed.

10. Ride a Great White shark – In reality I just want to be in the cage nearby them, but since I could do that for just a few hundred dollars I have to actually ride the shark for it to be a valid check.

9. Climb Mount Everest – Since anyone with 200 grand can sign up to climb this it would not be hard to do except for the fact that I am to cheap. If I even had that kind of money to waste, I would never actually spend it due to the chance of frost bite. I really am quite attached to my fingers and toes. However the fantasy of climbing it is still there.

8. Spend a night in jail – Odd you may think, but well its something I have not done and it seems like it would be interesting to at least be handcuffed and booked. I like having my picture taken so I would completely geek the camera for the mug shot. However I am a law abiding citizen and would not break the law just to experience jail. I am to cheap for bail money and I do not look good in stripes.

7. Boob Job – Seeing as I am flat chested I sometimes wish I had cleavage to show off. However I do not like pain and I think it would be painful to have my nipples cut off and foreign material shoved into me. So although it would be nice to have say a C cup, I will just continue to use “Houdini Bras” (now you see them, take it off and now you don’t).

6. Smoke a Cuban Cigar – Will not happen due to it being illegal in the U.S to buy Cuban cigars, not to mention I do not like cigars. And even if we were allowed to purchase one, they are to expensive.

5. Become a pilot – I have flown in a plane, and I have jumped out of them, but I have not flown one myself. This is actually one I can accomplish but I cant be expected to have a list of things to do that wont allow me to have a few checked off.

4. Win the lottery – Will not happen, because I do not play, but I do often spend the millions in my head that I could win, had I played.

3. Become president of the United States – Considering I do not even vote and considering I have smoked pot (and yes I did inhale) I am almost positive I would not win the presidency.

2. Become a Astronaut – First off I do not have the education to warrant a seat on the next shuttle but I am also to tall to become one. There’s a limit and I pass it by one inch.

1. And the number one thing I wish to fulfill in my life is to never live life based on what society deems normal. This is something I have already completed, but since I am still alive the only way to mark it off the list is to continue to live life on my terms not what others dictate. Once I “fit” in, then I will have erased the check mark.