Well I do have 5 more things on my 30 before 30 that I didn't finish writing about. That's a pretty good place to start. My next post (I am being optimistic) will catch you up on what I have been doing that has prevented me from blogging. Don't get too excited. I am not that much of a thrill seeker :)
26. Kiteboard.
I have wanted to kiteboard since I saw someone doing tricks on the beach as a highschooler. I was impressed. I get excited just watching this video.
27. Pay off my credit card debt.
On my way. I am on a debt plan and only have 4 years to go to be debt free.
28. Be a part of a World Record.
Family legend has it that my great grandmother set a world record by being the oldest college homecoming queen in her mid-80s. My family is clearly the best. I don't know that I am ever going to be able to single-handedly set a record but I still have hopes that I can be part of a group attempt.
29. Swim with dolphins.
Well this would be self-explanatory. Basic but fun!
30. Sponsor another kid through Compassion International.
I know that some people (ahem, Jessica) have come to my house and made fun of the pictures of the little black kids on my fridge. I have to tell you though that sponsoring through Compassion International has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
This is Caroline, I have sponsored her for over two years. She is 11 and lives in a town in Uganda.
This is Mwongeli. I have sponsored her for a year. She is 9 and lives in rural Kenya.
Writing and receiving letters from these children has completely changed and humbled me. Caroline especially. I have to tell you, that kid is smart as a whip. She has written her letters to me in perfect fluent English since age 9. I get about 5 letters and pictures from her per year. I sent her a little birthday money and she bought a goat. I sent her family an extra $20 at Christmas. They bought clothes, shoes, plates, and a mattress. A mattress. Caroline wrote that it was the first mattress they have ever owned and now they don't have to sleep on the dirt anymore. Wow. She is funny and smart and has a killer smile. She wants to grow up to be a nurse. I think she can. One day, Caroline will possibly have the opportunity to go to college with the help of Compassion International. I will have the opportunity to keep sponsoring her through. And if that happens, you better believe that on the day my girl graduates from university in Uganda there will be a very proud white woman in that audience crying and cheering.
I could obviously go on and on about Compassion. You really should just go check it out. Their website is here. They constantly get top reviews from Charity Navigator and are very transparent about their finances.
I hope to one day sponsor another kid. Or to start saving up to put Caroline through college (sponsorship is more when they are in Compassion's Leadership Development Program) and fly to Uganda for her graduation. Either way, I know that my involvement in Compassion is here to stay.
I FINISHED MY LIST!!!!!
Updates on other list items:
#8 Visit New Orleans again post-Katrina: heading there next week for work! Will update when I get back.
#14 Create a list every year with smaller goals: I have officially booted this off the list. Too many lists to live by.
#17 Find a hobby: Thanks to Pinterest, I have started getting crafty. More updates to come.
#24 Take a Tae-Kwon-Do or Karate class: Justin and I start class in a couple of weeks once I heal more from surgery!
#25 Learn how to quilt or knit or something equally crafty from my mother: Oh she tried. How she tried. And tried. I can't knit. Period. Exclamation point. I looked like a baby t-rex. My arms and hands wouldn't move properly. Sigh.
Keep your fingers crossed that I will update soon!
