I'll be honest, I haven't done anything spectacular or bucket list-related lately. As much as I hate to admit it, my lack of finances has seriously hindered my ability to partake in some of my more...ambitious adventures. I've been living paycheque to paycheque for the last year and a half to pay for my ridiculously expensive private college tuition, on top of paying off my undergrad. As of this December, I'll have finished paying it all off (well, my college part anyways). Just in time to fly to Jamaica in February for a wedding. 2012 should be a much better year financially, as I hope to actually save money, instead of only paying off my loans. But for the next six months...I'm kind of screwed in the money department. Woops.
But all seriousness aside, it's not like I haven't done anything adventurous as of late!
On June 9th, I participated in
Warrior Dash, "a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell." Pretty much a giant obstacle course held at a ski resort. Lots of running, climbing, and getting dirty! Next year, I'm doing Spartan Race. Who's in?
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Look at all the donated muddy shoes!
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| Yeah, I know it's epic. |
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| Post-race |
I celebrated my birthday in style -- surrounded my closest friends at Rey & Priya's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I wish them the best of "
love, laughter and happily ever after."
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| Veil sponsors for the Catholic ceremony |
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| BBH boys! <3 |
I spent the rest of my birthday weekend at Blue Mountain and we went outdoor rock climbing -- my first time! -- and rode a jetski at Wasaga. We had even gotten tickets to ride the gondola up the mountain and ride RidgeRunner, a mini mountain coaster, but we ran out of time. Our tickets are still good for next time though!
Outdoor rock climbing was incredible. I've got indoor rock climbing a handful of times, and I usually peak around the 5.9, 5.10 mark. We lucked out and ended up with our own private group; just the two of us plus the guide. She took us through five sites (Superman, Peanut Butter, Pickpocket...I can't remember the other 2). Everything went smoothly until the last one, Superman. It was incredibly difficult and challenging. I remember quitting halfway through my first try because I was so exhausted (meanwhile, the Mister somehow managed to conquer it on his first run). My second time, after 20+ minutes, I finally managed to climb to the top. There are no words to describe my mentality as I struggled to grasp a new ledge and push myself up, but I did swear quite profusely. If there's anything I took from that, it's that "if you want it badly enough, you can do it" is not just a cheesy cliche. I remember summoning up every..single..last..bit...of energy, and then some, to pull myself up. Definitely one of my proudest moments.
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| A third up the way on Superman, the hardest part |
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| On the other side of the walls we climbed... |
Financially, I'm gonna buckle down for the next few months. My funds are dangerously low...and I have a lot of expenses coming up still...so it looks like I'm gonna hang up the board for another season. An entire season, I think.
*sad face* PADI certification, Camp of Champions and surf school will have to wait for another year =( I know this goes against everything my bucket list stands for, in terms of living in the moment and such...but I'd like to think I'm gonna be around for a few more years...and I've still gotta be realistic about the way I spend my money =P
The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.
-Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting
