Resolutions... how are you doing?

My life is at an odd place right now.  I'm helping out with a musical which I really love to do.  The show is in December.  I don't have another job, and I don't want to look for a permanent job until I'm capable of moving somewhere else.  So, after musical I'll be looking for a more permanent job, until then it'll be some odd jobs and volunteering.
 The past few months have been hard, but I'm staying positive and trying to boost skills that I feel I haven't utilized in a while like writing, song writing, video editing, and piano skills.  To also help with keeping my mind focused I wanted to update the statuses of my 25 resolutions I set for myself, and here we go:

1.   April Tough Mudder (Already planned....)
Went through with it.  Survived.  Did not do every obstacle, but I completed all 12+ miles when I wanted to quit around mile 5.
2.   In prep for Tough Mudder - get into shape, so I don't die during the Tough Mudder.
I could slow job a 5K which I could never do before and I survived the TM so, win!
3.   Read all books in the Hunger Game series (shouldn't be too hard to do.)
Did it.  Loved it!
4.   Finish "The Three Musketeers"
Not sure this will happen... I just started Game of Thrones.
5.   Film at least one movie with friends
Could possibly happen... just hasn't yet.
6.   Visit Marissa again in Disney World
Happened in April!
7.   Feel more confident as a music educator
I thought I did a good job with my students, but my nice and patient demeanor is not for everyone.
8.   Upload at least one video of me singing onto my youtube account
I did it!  And I got to sing at Leakycon because of it!  It was AMAZING!
9.   Attempt to go on more trips/day trips than last year
Doing a pretty good job on this one.  Chicago/Leakycon, TN, Ren Faire again, Harrisburg, New Hope, NYC, Lavallette, Ocean City (NJ)... I think I'm doing good with my trip quota.
10. Maybe start some grad school classes... an idea I've been playing with for a while.
This goal is on hold currently due to my job situation.
11. Maybe get my own apartment if I get a full time position?? >_<
This goal is also on hold for the same reason.  January or February of next year.
12. Write one story/script... short long... as long as it's complete.
I wrote some vignettes, and I am planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
13. See "The Hobbit" (duh)
December!
14. Celebrate some awesome people getting married!
Went to 1 of 2 marriages so far.  I couldn't go to the one which was a bit of a bummer.  However, two of my friends are getting married in October and I can't wait to see them start their new life together!
15. See Sarah again!
Sarah is home this week, and I saw her the past three days.  Last night, we saw Ramin Karimloo in concert!  AMAZING!
16. Visit a state I've never been to before... or at least a place.  I'd love to visit Boston and Chicago this year.  San Francisco would be amazing since my cousin lives there now.  I'd love to go to Comic Con too, but I don't think that'll work out. Especially if I get my own place. Kentucky/Tennessee might happen if Matt and I visit our friends there.
Illinois and Tennessee!
17. Keep in better contact with people. (I think this is on many lists.)
Kind of, sort of?
18. Read "1984" (which has been on my To Do list for years.)
Going to get to it after Game of Thrones.  We'll see how long that takes.
19. See the Daily Show live! :)
Did it in January!  :)
20. Take vitamins everyday (Yay healthy living!)
I've been doing good so far only missed 3-5 days so far this year.
21. Drink more water. (Yay more healthy living!)
Better some days than others.  I've been drinking less soda which is good.
22. Cook more/bake more (I think last year, I baked more than actually cooked.)
Eh... once I get my own place it'll be easier for me to take over the cooking in the household.
23. Stretch more.
More so recently. 
24. Dance and karaoke more
I do dance sometimes.  Haven't karaoked yet this year. :(
25. Create more things (doesn't matter what, as long as I'm creating!)
Songs... vignettes... those count as things.

12 out of 25 goals done, and the year isn't over yet.  Some probably won't get done with year, but they'll happen in the near future.  We'll see what happens in time.

Ciao until next time!

End of July/August Recap

For the end of July and most of August - I was on the go.  I probably should have been job searching, but instead I was traveling which is something that is important to me - so I'm okay with that.   I'll let the pictures do most of the talking, but I'll add some informative captions to guide the way.

Trip 1 - Ocean City, NJ (with a quick stop in Atlantic City)

My family has vacationed here almost every year in my life.  We love the family atmosphere and the fun boardwalk with its many mini-golf courses, food stands, and trinket shops.  We lucked out and had a few great days at the beach.

Mom, Marissa, and I always like to watch the sunrise over the ocean.  It's always such a beautiful sight... I just wish we didn't have to wake up so early.

Sunrise picture from my phone.  Even though I had waking up early, it is a beautiful sight to behold.

138' Ferris Wheel at Gillian's Wonderland Pier. 

We also usually check out Atlantic City for a day or an evening.  It's usually pretty fun (and full of gambling.)  Although this year my siblings and I had eggs thrown at us from the top of a parking garage when we were walking past.  Not cool.

We left on July 25th, and look at who was on the corner that day.

 Trip 2 - Day trip to the Philadelphia Zoo

Matt and I decided to check out the Philly Zoo since neither of us had been there since we were elementary/middle school aged.

This was the first animal we saw... and I fell in love.  It's a Giant Elephant Shrew.  SO ADORABLE!

This peacock was just walking around.  A kid walked past us, and was taunting the bird.  When the bird taunted back, the kid did not think it was so fun anymore.

She is a beauty, and I'm so glad there's a window of thick glass between us.

Trip 3 - Lavallette and Seaside Heights, NJ

Beautiful cotton candy sky!

This beach house was SO COOL!

Matt and I on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

Enjoying the beach. It was gorgeous!  A bit windy, but the water temperature was just right.

Fireworks on the boardwalk. Perfect way to end our trip.

Trip 4 - Mini-trip to Bethlehem Musikfest

Unfortunately, it started to pour with a bit of lightning.  We were stuck under the polka tent for a bit, which wasn't that bad.

Trip 5 - Chicago/Leakycon

I won't say too much about this trip because I want to make a separate post about it, but here are some pictures:

Chicago!

A picture with Alex Carpenter

Post opening ceremony picture with the other LeakyStars entrants, and a photobomb by Hank Green. :)

Picture with Melissa Anelli.

Ministry and Magic and Lauren Fairweather performing Accio Love - my favorite wrock song!

Some of my friends I made at Leakycon!

Nerdfighter Gathering

I ran into a different Doctor this year.  Last year it was 10 this year it's 4.

More friends at Leakycon!  (And you all should check out Elsbeth's etsy page: MyLittlePatronus!)

Such a great program! HPA - Living the Lovegood Life.  Also check out Equality FTW!

Snitchwich

Potter Puppet Pals :)

Lizzie Bennet Diaries cast + Bernie Su, Hank Green, and moderator, Kristina Horner!

Wizard rock concert!

I still need to learn all the words... or at least more words to this wonderful songs.

Maureen Johnson "Stare" tattoos.

"Luna, Luna, oh yeah, Luna Lovegood. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

A picture with Athena and the cast of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries.  They are all very awesome!

When I flew back, I flew at sunset.  Unfortunately, I was flying east, so I didn't get to see the full glory of the sunset, but I did have some breathtaking views.

Trip 6 - Tennessee/Nashville

Matt and I visited our friends in Tennessee and we went tothe Rockin' Rollercoaster... I mean, the Grand Ole Opry.

We got to go on stage with the backstage tour.

It was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be.

Yeah, I got into the country spirit.  It matched my shirt!

The Pedal Tavern traveling the streets of Nashville.

Nashville from afar!

Things have slowed down quite a bit since it's now September.  I'm excited that I did get to check out two new places - Chicago and Nashville.  New places are always on my to-do list!  Now onto job searching, "Little Mermaid," trying to keep myself busy, and trying to stay positive about not returning to school.  It's weird to break out of that habit, but I think it is time for me to try to pursue something else.  If that doesn't work out, at least I know that I enjoy teaching music and I enjoy working with kids that I can always return to it with an open mind and heart.  I've always been a bit of a free spirit - so while the unknown scares me, it also fills me up with hope and excitement of what I will find in my future.