So yesterday, I had coffee with Hailey. It was a lot calmer than I expected, but more on that later. I know, I know, I keep saying I’m going to talk about our drama, but something keeps coming up. Maybe I just don’t really want to tell all of you about it?
Anyway, I was talking about Brody and, really, everyone I know going back to school. I started talking about things I wanted to do and what I need to really get my life on track. And I decided that the most important thing right now is to follow through on those goals. I was reading something the other day about how to reach your goals. I forget where I saw it, which is bad for a reference, but there was one thing it suggested that I really liked. Here goes:
If you’re making a goals to-do list, you usually list the steps in order of what you need to do to get to the final goal. This can seem daunting and inevitably may cause failure. Rather than writing the list leading up to the goal, write it backwards. Start with your goals and go from there!
In other words, it’s no longer a to-do list, it’s a bucket list!
I’ve always meant to write down my bucket list, so it’s going to be the next focus here. I like telling you about all sorts of things I’m up to, so get excited.
TRAVEL
One of my huge goals is to make it to all fifty states. I’ve decided to set up some parameters. So, here goes:
1. In visiting all fifty states, some amount of time must be spent in the state. Driving through does not count.
2. While sometimes lengthy, an airport layover does not count either.
3. There is no set time line for doing this.
So, let’s take a look at our fifty states so far:
This map is a nice visual and I will update it periodically. Here is the code. The goal is to eventually have all states be green, blue, or red (though I don’t see many more becoming red, honestly).
Here is the key:
Red states: Red states are states that I have lived in and visited extensively. I may actually add another state to that list at the end of next summer, but I’m deciding on that still.
Blue states: Blue states are states that I have lived in for a brief, but extended period of time.
Green states: Green states are states that I have visited and stayed in for at least one night, but less than a month.
Yellow states: Yellow states are states that I have either visited the airport, via layover, or driven through. There are a few other states I have technically driven through, but I don’t remember them, so I am not including them here.
Purple states: Purple states are near future destination plans. These will be explained. States in other colors can also have a purple status in their description.
White states: White states have no status yet. We shall see in the future.
So, here goes!
Alabama: I eventually plan to visit, I just don’t know when. Really, I should just head down and have a tour of the south.
Alaska: I honestly don’t know when I’ll visit Alaska…
Arizona: I visited when I was younger, but I definitely need to make my way back to visit Steph and our friend Kelsey who is doing Grad School at her alma mater. She’ll only be there until May, I think, so I really need to get on this. Steph, as we know, may be coming back as soon as January! Arizona is also under purple status.
Arkansas: Tour of the south? Let’s make this happen.
California: I was born here and moved around a lot in Southern California for my first few years before we moved to Colorado. I also used to visit every other year all through pre-school and K-12. This would also make it a green state as well, but California is also under purple status, as I intend to visit Allie.
Colorado: I mention the mountains enough if you’ve been reading and you would infer, therefore, that I currently reside in the mile high state. I intended on moving away from here as soon as I had enough money, but after spending my summer away, I discovered how much I really like Colorado.
Connecticut: Kristin currently works here and I intend to visit her up there next summer.
Delaware: I honestly don’t know what’s in Delaware, but I intend to find out!
Florida: Some day. Some day I will visit Florida.
Georgia: I landed in the airport here when I was in seventh grade and then drove through it on the way to Tennessee, then the same trip on the way back. I would really like to go back and actually see the state some day.
Hawaii: Hawaii is similar to Florida. Some day!
Idaho: I don’t know what’s in Idaho but Blue/Orange State. I’ll figure it out.
Illinois: This will be a fun place to visit some day too.
Indiana: I’m running out of things to say about some of the white states. Sorry if this offends anyone from these areas.
Iowa: I visited here in sixth grade. I was able to see the Iowa State campus. I still don’t understand the bird if they’re the Cyclones, but I generally tend to give up understanding. I stayed here for about a week or so.
Kansas: If you’re driving anywhere in the midwest, you pretty much pass through Kansas.
Kentucky: Tour of the South?
Louisiana: See above.
Maine: Whats in Maine? I’ll figure it out.
Maryland: I almost attempted going here over the summer, but it’s a six-hour drive. Though honestly, that’s not so bad. Everything in the Northeast is pretty close.
Massachusetts: Some day I will go here.
Michigan: I saw it from the lake, but that’s about it.
Minnesota: Running out of things to say.
Mississippi: Tour of the South?
Missouri: You know, I wish I would have been there for the last game. Alas, I can’t think of a football reason to go.
Montana: More states in the North…
Nebraska: I actually may go here for the last game against Nebraska. We shall see. I say this, but the game is on Black Friday, so the chances of me getting out of work to go to the state are pretty slim. Wishful thinking? I did stay the night here on the way to Iowa in sixth grade, though.
Nevada: Three hour layover in the airport at the age of seventeen. I am a champ. I really need to make it out to Vegas, though.
New Hampshire: In the same category as Maine.
New Jersey: Went to the airport and drove through on the way to Pennsylvania. Also drove through a bit on the way to New York.
New Mexico: South?
New York: Visited Manhattan for the night and next day. It was awesome. The tunnel was crazy for eleven PM on a Sunday, but probably not out of the ordinary. I may visit Shawn, so potential purple status?
North Carolina: Airport layover. Awesome.
North Dakota: Oh the North….
Ohio: O-H! I-O! haha? I just like that cheer.
Oklahoma: No more football games here either. Well, there’s one this year, but I doubt I’d make it out for it. Especially since it’s Halloween weekend.
Oregon: I need to go here to complete the West coast. It’s going to happen. Also, there’s this a cappella group Steph and I want to see up at OU.
Pennsylvania: I spent all summer here last year and I intend to do it again this year. Potential red status? We shall see.
Rhode Island: It’s white… Need a car next summer to drive all these places. Only so many off days.
South Carolina: Future tour of the South.
South Dakota: Things up North…
Tennessee: I stayed here for a week or so in seventh grade at the University. I’d love to go back, though. But they made fun of my accent… I have a twinge, but it’s definitely not Coloradoan.
Texas: I intend to visit Melissa here before she finishes up. Definitely purple status.
Utah: I’ve probably driven through here at some point.
Vermont: Northeast…
Virginia: Tour of the South!
Washington: Half my family lives here. I’ve been here quite a few times. Erika is up there too, so I think it needs potential purple status.
West Virginia: Haven’t been here…. Totally white.
Wisconsin: I lived here for an entire summer after fifth grade.
Wyoming: I don’t know why I haven’t driven through here even. I’m at a loss, actually…
So, there’s the list of traveling. In case you were wondering, we’re currently at 10/50, or 1/5 of the way there! Future travel, here I come!
Help! I'm Post-Grad... 