for Elizabeth...

when I was a junior and still trying to decide whether I really-REALLY wanted to be an English major, I had a neighbor who actually had a degree in creative writing. I remember talking to her about what happens post graduation and what to do with the degree. she mentioned the fact that one morning she woke up and found herself deconstructing her cereal box and decided that she needed to move on. I had a similar experience today. so I work for a psychologist. sometimes he needs a little prodding. I've learned that there a few things that work: mountain dew, almond joy, origami notes, and recently I've learned that REECE's PUFFS is also found on that list. my REECE's PUFFS experience is limited. I think I've had it once...maybe twice and that was years ago. for the most part, I don't eat sugared cereals, but for some reason today left me craving REECE's PUFFS. I stopped on my way home and bought myself a box. this is what I found on the box.
18 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU'RE 18: (apparently their target audience is not the 20 something single white female.) well then, let's see how I measure up.
1. Ride the world's biggest rollercoaster: I've been to lagoon, disneyland, six flags, and driven I-80 through wyoming.
2. Bungee Jump! repelling is the closest I've tried.
3. Score the winning goal/basket: I answered one question at the lit wit knowledge bowl. pretty sure the answer was either bill watterson or calvin & hobbes.
4. Win an award, trophy or prize: I went to the regional spelling bee in 6th grade.
5. Learn an instrument: piano, trombone (it's been YEARS!), and dabbled with the nose flute.
6. Go backstage at a gig. I worked backstage in junior high. it's where I learned to carry a gun.
7. Meet your idol. most of them are dead, but I did have my picture taken with elder bednar and published in the church news.
8. Play a part in your favorite TV show. TV? eh. I'm trying to live a life that's novel worthy.
9. Meet someone with your own name. rumor has it there are about 20 of us in the world. I do, however, have an alcoholic beverage that shares my name.
10. Make a discovery: I brined a turkey once. it was INCREDIBLE and a complete accident.
11. Get away with the perfect practical joke: due to potential repercussions, I avoid prank wars. that does not mean that I don't have ideas collected in my memory bank. ask me sometime...
12. Own a pointless collection. I keep a lot of random trivia in my head. there are always the "flying cow" stories. I do collect postcards. someday I intend to visit ALL of those places.
13. Invent a word that makes it into the dictionary. I'd like to think that I really could do that, really. I would have to argue though, that there are MANY ridiculously cool words in the dictionary that people don't use anyway.
14. Conquer your biggest fear. well...I learned spanish. I lived in a world without mountains. I learned to love the great outdoors. still haven't mastered that whole talking to boys thing...
15. Raise money for charity. I helped build a house in south america.
16. Pass your driving test the first time. check. done and done.
17. Complete a road trip coast to coast: I've dipped my feet in the ocean at both coasts. I've driven at LEAST half way across the country multiple times. (see number 1.)
18. Reach 18 years of age - yes!!! I'd like to add the sub-text on this one as well: Embrace old age. yup. done that too. I'm even graying to prove it.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank general mills for reminding me that I am old. ha! hardly. I refuse to get old. I would like to thank them for reminding me that I still have a lot to do with my life. done and done.