Oh The Places You Will Go..

How many of you have a life to do list? Think about it for a minute....."I've always wanted to go....or "I'd like to go bungee jumping with friend x"......whether mental, written down, or spread to your family and friends, I think many of us have things we want to do before we die, considering we only have one life to live! Well, I've always started 'life to do lists' but never finished them as I have a tendency to get off track and forget about them-or accomplish things without congratulating myself ( celebrate celebrate celebrate!!!).....So, without further adue, here is a good start to my life to do list:


1. Go on an African Safari- DONE!!! Part of a trip that was an experience of a lifetime- ask me about it :)
2. Run a half marathon- plan to do it this fall!!! Minneapolis Twin Cities half!
3. Run a marathon
4. Visit several other places in Africa- Tanzania, Senegal, Kenya, Morrocco--and go back to South Africa...
5. Do a Europe Trip w/ girlfriends or my future husband--I think girlfriends would be more fun, don't you agree? I want to see Austria, France ( Bordeuax), Italy, Holland.....bring on all the tasty foods!!!
6. Do a 'semester at sea'--this is a study abroad program where you can go pretty much anywhere in the world for a semester at sea, literally. I wish I would have done a semester at sea in my undergraduate, but will now do it during my graduate studies OR as a crew member ( working as a traveling professor or in adminstration)....
7. study abroad--in the Virgin Islands and South Africa- DONE! Again, ask me about both :)
8. get a 4.0 at least one semester of my studies...I got a 4.0 during a summer term, but that doesn't quite count!
9. Scuba Dive in the great barrier reef in Australia
10. Purchase a vw jetta or passat or bug- I'm not looking for a brand new spanking car, but a cute used one :)
11. Get my PHD


okay.....I will continue this later because I'm off to dinner with my family- I think I'll have to get a margarita or two!

Giving.

'When I give, I give myself'....taken from a very good friend of mine who has spent her semester as a university student experiencing the culture and life of Ecuador, a life changing experience it has proven to be, I'm sure!

In my attempt at failing to blog while I was in the Virgin Islands (sad, huh?!), I have decided I'm going to work and make this a routine thing. I'm not going to be the type of person who writes each and every day, but rather write a few times a week or when I have something I feel is very worthwhile and valuable to share- so here it goes!

As my title implies, the theme of this particular post will be around the spirit of giving. After returning from a significant time of my life spent away in the caribbean, I finally feel like I have something 'concrete' to translate this experience into. When I came back from South Africa, I had (and still am having) a very difficult time translating how I spent my time there and what I can do with my experience. The Virgin Islands, however, provided me with something I realized I take for granted- simplicity. I have a newfound admiration the simple things in life. This didn't hit me until I sent foot in the US, where life was faster than I have ever seen it before- and I was an island goddess running around trying to catch my flight, frantically of course. I think my time in Wisconsin for the month of may will be spent well.......when I come home for more than a weekend to visit my family in Wisconsin, I used to find myself EXTREMELY bored. However, I am 100% embracing this month to continue my rejuvination and enjoy time with my family, friends (through phone and online, of course) and the 'northwoods'. I will admit, after living in the caribbean, I have a new found respect for the 4 seasons :)

Now onto the important stuff...

Today I had an awesome conversation with my dad. To put it very briefly, everytime I am around my dad, we 'dream share' (this is a term I've coined). We talk about each other's dreams, hopes, wishes, passions, etc. which will be something I will always remember my papa for. Because my parents are in their mid-50's, they have begun to think about 'life after life'.......how the investments and inheritence will be managed, who will manage it ( out of the 5 of us), what types of things he would like to see done with the money, etc.....let's remember my dad is a financial planner.....So, my dad went more in depth to a vision he has for our family he's mentioned before, but gave me incredible details. My dad has a vision of 'giving', more so meaning leaving a significant amount of money to his children to continue investing, but also to gather around during the holidays and collectively decide as 5 siblings, an organization, cause, whatever you have it, to give to. For example, one year it could be to a nonprofit my dad gave to throughout his lifetime ( to honor his legacy) or an organization, such as JL Zwane ( see previous posts) in South Africa that I care about. Not only will this create tradition, but will allow our family to celebrate who we are, as well as something we all remember my dad for- giving.

Throughout my lifetimee ( now granted, I am only 21 years old), my dad has given, given, and given. He has dedicated his life to his family- giving his time and love to his 5 children and wife , giving his time to our commnity where he is heavily involved, giving his financial wisdom to those he cares about, and will continue to do so. I have always wondered where my spirit and passion for giving has come from? Well folks, I finally have the answer- my dad. Yet another thing I can thank him for.

This past week at home has absolutly been a blessing in disguise- I have NEVER been this happy at home. Now if you know me well enough, you know I belong in the world's most positive or optimistic people, and can always see things on the bright side. Well, I found an even happier place and time- right now! I am more euphoric than I have been in a long time. And I have finally realized why I feel these feelings- I am giving. I am giving my time to my dad to listen and spend time with him, I am giving my time to go outside and play baseball with my brothers, I am giving my time keeping in touch with my friends around the country, I am giving my time to an evening spent with great friends in Minneapolis. I am happy because I am giving.

As I think about and figuratively 'digest' my experiences in the Virgin Islands, I realize my purpose was to give. Give my heart, friendship, advice, and self to whoever came along and allowed me to open up to them. And out of this, I made some wonderful friends who I can continue to give myself to for the rest of my life. All experience is valuable- whether good or bad- and as long as you choose to look at it in a positive note, one will benefit. So with that note, I challenge you to give- volunteer for a few hours at an organization you are interested in, give your time to an old neighbor you have been meaning to visit but just haven't gotten the time to do so, even doing something small as giving a smile to a strangeron the street will do; because in doing these things- you give yourself, a gift that is totally unique!

Warm Wishes,

Emily