Well, screw perfect.
I'm just going to get it out there. I need to get something "good enough" finished so that I can keep writing this blog and focusing on completing my Quests.
So here is a summary of the goals I have been working on and completed in September, October, and November:
Quests Completed
Quest #7: ReunionI traveled for two weeks in October to visit friends around the world! The mix of traveling and spending time with dear friends was like a tonic to my soul.
I spent roughly five days in England (around the greater London area), three days in Switzerland, and nine days in South Korea. I feel so loved, satisfied, and ready to commit more thoroughly to my life here in the States now. Traveling like that also helps me put my life and problems here at home in a better perspective. Like looking at the world from up on the moon, everything seems more... manageable.
Quests-in-Progress
Quest # 1: Biographies
In September, getting inspiration from both Day of Democracy and Constitution Day, I decided to educated myself a little more about the people who help keep our country safe. This book follows the lives of a few service women in various branches of the military. The book is Undaunted by Tanya Biank. It was a great read, and fascinating to learn what service women go through to be taken seriously, lead, and serve their country. I am very impressed.
I didn't read a biography during October or November. I did re-read Brene Browns' Daring Greatly during my travels through Europe and Asia. I absolutely love her work - both her research and her way of writing - and would recommend this book to absolutely everyone. I wish it could be taught in our schools, it's absolutely lovely and inspiring, encouraging us to accept and allow ourselves to become the greatest version ourselves that we can be.Quest # 3: Tithing
September: The Sacred Stone Camp legal fees fundraiser, to help them fight the seizure of sacred land for the development of an oil pipeline. Also, I donated to the AmeriCorps Alumni Association's annual fundraising drive. My two years serving in AmeriCorps was such an amazing opportunity to learn about myself, my country, and to serve my community. (AmeriCorps is sort of the cousin of Peace Corps, with the focus on serving within our borders).
I also tithed my time, volunteering with the AmeriCorps Alumni Association to do a park/neighborhood cleanup one Saturday in Durham, North Carolina.
October: A fundraiser for Serbia's Forgotten Paws, an animal shelter in Serbia where one of my good friends adopted her puppy from. The money is used to help feed and keep the animals warm during the Serbian winter coming up!
November: The Wounded Warrior Project, in honor of Veteran's Day. I had the privilege to work in the same building and go to their offices in Washington DC when I lived there. They do absolutely wonderful, empowering work.
I also tithed my time by volunteering two 4-hour shifts at the North Carolina Comicon. I know it's a bit of a stretch as far as "volunteering my time to improve my community"... but.. the event does help bring people together to foster happiness and a sense of connectedness to a community. It also does help bring customers in for the local businesses, so that's good.
Quest #4: Spirituality
I did a mix of yoga, church, and spiritual/mindfulness discussion groups in September. Haven't really followed through in October or November.
Quest #5: Performances
September: Dragon Boat Festival (Cary, NC) - I got to see one of my bellydance instructors perform with her troupe!
November: Death Faire 2016 (Pittsboro, NC) - a "Day of the Dead" inspired festival, with music, dancers, funeral processions, the works, all in celebration of life.
Quest #6: Exhibits
September: Bugfest (Downtown Raleigh, NC) - I held a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach! (but I didn't eat the BBQ meal worms.... the line was too long...)
October: The Olympic Museum (Lausanne, Switzerland) - not only is it a well laid out, interactive, and engaging museum, it is also the headquarters for the Olympics; where they make all the "Big Decisions" -_^; Chateau de Chillon/Chillon Castle (Vaud, Switzerland) - Super awesome castle.
November: NC Comicon (Durham, NC) - Oh, the artistry! I was impressed by both the artists sitting at their vending booths, as well as those who were wearing the creations (cosplayers are amazing!). I'm so enchanted with this community of folks!
Quest #15: Housework (Update)
November - stained and sealed the deck, so now it is officially complete!
Quest #18: Exercise
In September, I participated in Camp Gladiator roughly once a week. When I didn't go to Camp Gladiator, I went to the gym. I was also doing dance class once a week. I have not exercised at all in October or November. I have been active... but have not done anything purely exercise-related.
Quest #29: Open my heart up again for companionship (maybe even [eek!] infatuation?)
In August I determined I was being a little silly about relationships. It's one thing to decide to be single in order to focus on making myself my best version of me... it's another thing to avoid dating because I was starting to develop sort of rebellious complex about "there's just no one around here for me."
With that inspiring concept, to prove to myself - and everyone who kept asking - that there was no man in my area that I would consider a good match for me, I decided to go on 10 (that's right, ten) first-dates.
On these first dates I would make a point of talking about all of the difficult topics (politics, religion, special interest issues, etc) to #1 scare people off, and/or #2 find out quickly a good reason to not see each other again.
I was pleasantly surprised at some of the guys I met, and went on a couple second dates even (gasp!). But there was one guy in particular who kept wooing my mind as well as my eyes (can that be done? my eyes were quite happy looking at him...), and I ended up going on *much more* than one date with him.
So, what started off being an effort to legitimize becoming a spinster (which is honestly a pretty decent enough sounding life! Except for the lack of cuddles...), ended up getting me attached to someone pretty darn awesome who excites me with ideas and possibilities in life. #nolongersingle #buthesprettydamnawesomesoitsactuallyprettycool
Although the dates started in August, they have continued into September, October, and November (and hopefully they'll continue?!?!) ^^.
Gettin' back on track with these goals! One last push to complete as much as possible over my final two months of this blog! :-D
KJets
In September, I participated in Camp Gladiator roughly once a week. When I didn't go to Camp Gladiator, I went to the gym. I was also doing dance class once a week. I have not exercised at all in October or November. I have been active... but have not done anything purely exercise-related.
Quest #29: Open my heart up again for companionship (maybe even [eek!] infatuation?)
In August I determined I was being a little silly about relationships. It's one thing to decide to be single in order to focus on making myself my best version of me... it's another thing to avoid dating because I was starting to develop sort of rebellious complex about "there's just no one around here for me."
With that inspiring concept, to prove to myself - and everyone who kept asking - that there was no man in my area that I would consider a good match for me, I decided to go on 10 (that's right, ten) first-dates.
On these first dates I would make a point of talking about all of the difficult topics (politics, religion, special interest issues, etc) to #1 scare people off, and/or #2 find out quickly a good reason to not see each other again.
I was pleasantly surprised at some of the guys I met, and went on a couple second dates even (gasp!). But there was one guy in particular who kept wooing my mind as well as my eyes (can that be done? my eyes were quite happy looking at him...), and I ended up going on *much more* than one date with him.
So, what started off being an effort to legitimize becoming a spinster (which is honestly a pretty decent enough sounding life! Except for the lack of cuddles...), ended up getting me attached to someone pretty darn awesome who excites me with ideas and possibilities in life. #nolongersingle #buthesprettydamnawesomesoitsactuallyprettycool
Although the dates started in August, they have continued into September, October, and November (and hopefully they'll continue?!?!) ^^.
Coming Up Next
Gettin' back on track with these goals! One last push to complete as much as possible over my final two months of this blog! :-D
KJets
