Not yet.

Don't think Spain is going to happen
Therefore, Morocco isn't looking to happen.

I have an opportunity to go to the Olympics, but I don't know if that's still possible.

I guess we'll see.

Conclusion.

I want to dance for the rest of my life.

Maybe on the list?

Not sure if I had this one written down.
I know I did before, but I technically already achieved it then
But now, I'm feeling pretty accomplished that I'm doing this again.
Cause, in all reality. It's scary.

I signed up for ballet class.

I'm really excited at the possibilities this could hold
Of actually finally being able to stick with it and accomplish my dreams of doing this.
But I'm terrified at the same time.
I have no idea what to expect
I'm not really sure if I'll be doing everything right

But, the end result is worth pushing past the fear.

I'm beyond grateful for Lucinda Rico, who is answering my million and seven questions and helping me feel a little more easy about this.
I'm praying I can continue to afford it.

I'm just praying a lot.
I need to refocus.

Elephants Take 3!

For my birthday, some friends all pitched in to get me to the Houston Zoo for the Elephant open house.

talk. about. pumped!
Yes. So, I got to play with elephants, even baby elephants!
I was so excited, it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity :)

I still have yet to ride an elephant, but that's okay

baby steps :)

#46

Have a Post Secret Published

I just wrote the address on my very first attempt at having a post secret published...
I have three more made for back up
and one more idea in my head so far.

Hopefully it happens :)
Updates to come

Added.

This list keeps growing.

Here are a few more I've added.

39. Ride in a hot air balloon
40. Go out of the country
41. Learn a new language
42. Road Trip*
43. Take pictures of The Grand Canyon
44. Run a mile straight
45. Go to the Olympics
46. Have a Post Secret Published

Elephants Take 2!!

Just found out as I went to see Liz off on her own bucket-kicking Spain adventure that a few of my friends have conspired to make it to where I can be one of 100 people that get to be part of the Elephant exhibit remodeling grand opening!
Big. Deal.
HUGE.
There are baby elephants! Babies! Jordan showed me a video of them playing in a pool, and it's my favorite thing in the world. Now I get to see them! They're only babies for so long, you know.

So, I feel like an idiot. Because everyone but me knew. I'm cool with surprises, but this one surprised me. But, at the same time, I think I knew subconsciously this was going to be a big weekend... And part of me just wanted stay home and sleep and disappear, but when I text Jordan, it became evident that something big was waiting for me.
I feel so selfish. That I wanted to stay home and disappear and sleep when my friends had this big thing planned for me. All they want to do is love me.
I'm glad I wasn't insistent...

I love them. They are very dear to me.
Jordan, Liz, Ryan & Lauren Jones and Kristeen. Those are the ones I know are involved.
I'm am extremely grateful.

Side note

This is Katy and Emma.
They make me feel like what I do has purpose.

Their Daddy got deployed on March 19th, 2011. When he did, Mom made them a deal that they could come get some gelato. So, every month on the 19th, they come to coffee waves for some gelato.
They have a big cardboard cut-out of their dad that they take with them everywhere, so Daddy is with them getting gelato every month.
I look forward to the 19th every month, just knowing these precious girls look forward to this simple treat that I make.
To know that I have a part in one of the happy memories these girls won't soon forget in a time that's laced with so much heartache, it brings tears to my eyes.
They'll be moving soon after their Daddy returns around April, so before that I'm going to try and orchestrate a day that they can come into the back and see how I make the gelato they love.
I will never forget these girls and their beautiful family.
And I appreciate their Daddy, and his sacrifice he makes to fight for us.
It truly is touching

#21 Have Someone Named After Me

Everyone, meet Anastasia Emilee Ayers.
My friend Jackie and I went to High School together. We always joked that we were related because her grandma's maiden name (I think) was Ayers. Well, Jackie married a great guy with the last name of Ayers, so now she really is part of the club.
I remember her asking me if she could name her daughter after me, and she did!!
I finally got to meet her :)
She is absolutely beautiful. I was really in awe
And as soon as she saw me, she just smiled. Really big.

It was a beautiful moment

#12 See An Elephant

This is Me, Mandy and Liz on our trip to California

I got to see an elephant! Lots of elephants, really, I am so happy :)
I never wanted to leave, I could have stayed there forever

Such a fabulous trip all together.

Liz is moving to Spain, and Mandy and I are trying to coordinate going to visit her at the same time

It shall be glorious!

up dateeee

Liz, Mandy and I are going to California to see Chrissy and go to the Maroon 5 concert.
Well, Chrissy lives in San Marcos, near San Diego.
So, we're going to the San Diego Zoo!!
And Chrissy just called me and said that she's pretty sure they're featuring the Elephants right now!! I'm SO excited, I can't even express it!!
It's amazing how such a simple thing can mean so much to me... I am so pumped.
I wish I could ride one, too, but, that's okay.

Then, Liz told me that when I go visit her in Spain, that a lot of people with CIEE also go to Morocco, so she'll ask about it so we can go.
She had no idea that she was speaking straight to my heart with this. That has been on my list of things I want to do since about my first journal. I wanted to go so badly with Teen Mania, but mom wouldn't let me go out of the country. But now hopefully it'll all work out!

Living is going quite well :)

Hopeful.

My dear friend is going to Spain for a year.
I plan on visiting her.

She said a lot of people go to visit Morocco when they're in Spain, so she'd look into it so we can when I come.

I. FREAKED. Out.
That's like telling me someone bought me an elephant.
Going to Morocco is on my original bucket list from when I was a kid.

I really hope it happens.
I really want to go.
My heart is so excited, and full.
<3

Happy Birthday.

For the first time in my 22 and a half years of existence, I was able to tell my brother happy birthday.

I've always said it in my head, but never actually gotten to tell him.
My heart is full.

Success.

I had some random urge today to go and buy stuff at the store to cook.

I've never cooked, spare the one time with Chrissy, where she did most of it, and I don't remember anything about it.

I'm home alone.
Called mom.
Bought the supplies.
And went after it.

There is hope for me yet!

you know.

I haven't done anything bucket list-y in a while...
But, dispite this fact
I still feel like I'm achieving noteworthy things every day.

It may not feel it when the day is in progress
But in retrospect.

Sit back.

And think about all the things in your life you are truly blessed with.

Push past all the difficulties of the day, all the things that stressed you out
And take time to really appreciate those beautiful things you have
And the ability to enjoy them.

You will find true joy and happiness in this.

Fun-filled.

My co-worker, Liz, and her (and I'm sure soon to be my) friend Mandy will be traveling to California in July.
Liz has this obsession with Adam Levine from Maroon 5, and found tickets to a Maroon 5, Gavin Degraw and Train show in Cali.
We bought tickets.
I talked to my old roommate, Chrissy
We're staying with her
We bought our plane tickets.

This. Will. Be. FUN!
I'm so excited.
Who knows what kind of shenanigans we will get ourselves into :)

#7.

#7.
Do something that scares the crap out of me.

This for sure happened today.
a Turkish guy was taking a liking to me.
He even came to The Net.
Long story super short, I had to stand up to him, despite my fears of what could happen and my fears caused by what has happened before, and tell him no.

I did.
And afterwards, I broke down.

It was a very emotional thing for me
But I do believe it qualifies for this life list-er
I'm sure there will be more of these happening

Ironically, before the net, I was watching the biggest loser, and one of the trainers said,

"Doing something you're afraid of is the only way you can grow"

So true.

#20

#20.
Cook something from scratch with no "incidents"

I realized I did this one a while back
Before Chrissy got married

She helped me make stuffed chicken Parmesan from scratch
and nothing bad happened
it actually tasted good.

I wish this was second nature to me.
maybe one day.

28, 31, 34, etc.

So, a few of my list that I have accomplished but haven't gotten to post about.

#28.
Show true kindness to everyone.

There is an encouraging update on this one.
I got a card from my co-worker today.
It says

"With you, being real is easy--you just get me, and that means more to me than you'll ever know. I'm so lucky to have someone like you in my life"
Then she wrote,
"Just wanted to say thanks for being who you are <3 people need more friends like you in their life that bring out the best in them by inspiring them to be kinder, patient & happy!
Emileeeeeeeee you're a very considerate friend, subtle yet strong woman of God, beautiful inside & out, FUNNY kind of person I'm grateful to Him for :)
<3 Liz"

This meant more to me than words could ever express.

# 31.
Write a song.

Jon Foreman put out a challenge to everyone to write a song with the same title on the same day.
I wrote the words to one.
It's a lullaby. It's called "Tomorrow's Song" and it's on my facebook.

# 34.
Sell Photos I've Taken.

On November 7, 2010 my friend Rachel told me about an art walk on the island.
My sister and I got to be a part of it.
I sold a good $50 worth, which was awesome, and when I was printing the pictures, they accidently printed twice, so the lady gave them to me, which was awesome.
The first picture I ever sold was of my rainboots :)
I thought that was great :)

edits.

So, my co-worker is on this "life is too short" kick.
well, I've been bitten with the bug.
So, now we are going to be doing completely random, possibly dangerous things over the next six months before she leaves for Spain.
Then, I want to visit her in Spain.

So, be prepared for random posts of things that may not have been on my original list
And hopefully getting to mark some of the original things off.

:)

Mark
"Get asked out by a Turkish guy"
off my list of things to do.

Number 9 update.

My dad told me he found my brother on facebook.
That he went by Vic.

I found him.
I added him.
He accepted.
And we messaged back and forth a few times this weekend.

This. Is. HUGE!

I've been freaking out with excitment.
He's not a fairytale anymore.
He's real
He's alive
He's successful.

He lives in Austin. Trying not to get my hopes up, but hoping maybe I can meet him.
If nothing else, communication is enough for me :)

He knows who I am :)

Someone suggested that if and when I get married, I come in on an elephant.
I'm definitely liking this idea.

Meanwhile, I have accomplished something on my list.
Not sure if I actually listed it, but it's definitely on my mental life list.

We went the Sunday before last to feed the homeless.
It was the second time we did this, and we took a different approach.
Instead of just going to the missions and handing out food, we first went looking for legit homeless people. The ones sleeping on benches and living under bridges.
We came across this old man a few people in.
He was walking when we passed him, but we went back around to get him.
We asked him if he wanted a sandwhich and some water, and he asked if we could give him a ride.
At first Chach, the guy who kinda leads this endevour, denied him the ride. Understandably, we have to be wise in what we're doing.
All of our hearts broke for this man as he said, "Please, I'm begging you. It's not too far"
We let him in.
I asked his name, he said it was Karl (unsure of the spelling)
I asked where he was walking from, and he said the hospital
I asked if there was anything we could pray for him about, and he said, "just, life."
David Moody prayed for him. The Holy Spirit came into that car.
After Moody finished, Colby prophesied into his life.
We finally got to where he was going. At least another 5 miles down the road.
This man was older, super weak, and just leaving the hospital. When we found him a good ways from the hospital, he was barely able to pick up his feet.
When we dropped him off, he said, "Thank you so much, you guys are life savers."

When he left, we all just kind of sat there. In awe.
My mind went to the scene in Groundhog day at the end when he finally gets to the next day, and he sees the homeless man he passed die.
I really do think we saved this man's life.

I almost cried.