30 Questions: The Hardest Part

What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

This one's is difficult for me (fitting, since it's supposed to be about something difficult). I've experienced a lot, but I don't really quantify them by difficulty level. 

Let's face it...there are a lot of things that happen in life that just kind of suck.

But, I guess I'm the eternal optimist who tries to look at the positive in those sort of situations rather than dwell on the part that sucks. I'm not someone who walks around spouting sunshine all the time (you should see me before I have coffee in the morning), but I do try to accept that everything that happens to me will make me a stronger, better person.

That being said, here's some of the hardest things I've ever experienced.

Saying goodbye to my Grandpa after his battle with cancer.

Saying goodbye to friends and family with every move.

Attempting to maintain relationships while dealing with depression and anxiety.

Dealing with depression and anxiety.

Seeing people I love in their most difficult and trying moments.

Being helpless.

So, that's that. Regardless of what has happened to me thus far in life, I know I'm better because of it...and hopefully, I will be able to carry that attitude with me for the rest of my life.

How Much Does My Face Cost?

This kind of post is a little different than the kinds of things I usually post but I took my inspiration from my friend Ally's post over at her blog, 21st and Serendipity.

So, how much money does it take to get my daily makeup look?

Seeing as I don't wear a ton of makeup, I'll admit that I was a little surprised by the number I came up with!!

The Breakdown

Benefit Watts Up! Highlighter - $30.00

Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara - $5.19

E.L.F. Creme Eyeline w/brush in Black - $4.59

Maybelline Mineral Power Liquid Concealer - $6.94

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose - $22.50

Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Primer - $29.00

Benefit Sugarbomb Blush - $28.00

Benefit the POREfessional Pro Balm - $30.00

Eyelash Curler

Blush Brush

___________________________________

TOTAL: $156.22 

(excluding brush/eyelash curler)

Man!! That's an expensive face!!

As a side note, though, I am my father's daughter and of course did not pay full price for anything on the list.  I got all my Benefit products as part of a special Christmas package they did, so I basically got $120 worth of their products for $50.  The lip treatment was part of a free birthday gift from Sephora.  I got the mascara and concealer on sale.  I guess I did pay full price for the eyeliner creme, but it retails for less than the price above at Target.  So, I guess the cost of my face is deceiving ;)

Regardless of how much I paid for the products myself, it's kinda crazy to think that at full retail, my daily makeup routine is that expensive!

So, how much does YOUR face cost??

30 Questions: 5 Happy Things

What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

My family

The fact that I may be going to NYC in two weeks for this girl's 21st birthday!

Possibilities and what my future holds

Photography

Ski season! Both for work AND so I can start mastering snowboarding!

30 Questions: To 16 Year-Old Me

Greetings from Utah! I'm still getting all settled in Park City, but so far so good!  Tomorrow is my first day of work at USSA...can't wait!

So...today's bit of 30 Questions is to list 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1.) "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss.  I love this quote...and 16-year-old self, it is a very good thing to remember.
2.) Plans are made to be broken. Every plan you make for your life will end up not happening...but it will end up exactly how you want it to.
3.) You will never regret spending that money you've been saving on travel!
4.) Even when it feels like the world is ending, there is always something to smile about.
5.) I know you think wine is vile and disgusting right now...but one day, you will learn that nothing makes a bad day better quite like good wine and good friends.
6.) Having a dog is a lot more work than it looks like.
7.) Watch out for poles in Target parking lots.
8.) I know your life plan right now is college, marriage, med school and kids...but trust me, that's going to change and you will be very happy for it.
9.) The world seems huge right now...but in just 10 years, you'll have friends scattered not only all over the country, but all over the world.  It makes the world feel a lot smaller!
10.) Always keep your enthusiasm. You wouldn't be Riley without your spirit!

30 Questions: Relationship with my Parents

Today's question is about my relationship with my parents.

Fitting, as I'm sitting here on my sofa waiting to pick my mother up from the airport!

I have a great relationship with my parents.  They're my friends and I can always count on them when I need someone to talk to.

I'm so very blessed to have such incredible parents, and I'm honestly a little worried that I won't be as great of a parent as they've been to me!

I seriously could not ask for better parents or a better relationship with them.  Even being across the country from them, I'm as close to them as ever.

30 Questions: 3 Fears

“I don’t believe you should be ruled by fear in anything in life. I don’t like anything that scares me, I prefer to face it head-on and get over it. Anyone who says they’re not scared is a fool or a liar or both. I just don’t want that fear in my stomach to be a part of my life, so I work to eliminate it.” 

- Anderson Cooper

So, three fears...

A little preface about me and fears: much like the Anderson Cooper quote above, I believe in facing fears head-on.  When I'm afraid of something tangible, I make a point of doing just that.  For example, I was afraid of snakes...so, when the opportunity presented itself at Late Nite in college, I went and held a couple of snakes. While I'm still not exactly a fan of snakes, I can say I'm not afraid of them anymore.

That being said, there are non-tangible things that I certainly have fears about.

1.) Failure. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist and hold myself to high standards, particularly where academics and career are concerned.  I'm not entirely sure where this one came from, but I'm guessing it has something to do with being the oldest child and always wanting to be someone for my siblings to look up to.  Going along with this, I'm afraid of what I consider failure in my personal life: not getting married and being a mother somewhere down the road.  I've never had much success in romantic relationships, and being the nomad I am, I'm guessing it'll take a very special person who wants to wander around the world with me.  I've accepted that there's little I can do other than be open to possibilities in that area of life, so here's to hoping something great comes along!

2.) Getting old.  This one's both exciting and terrifying to me.  I look forward to seeing my friends and family experience life and growing with them.  I'm terrified, though, of failing health, losing control of my body and experiencing the loss of loved ones.

3.) Fanatics/extremists in positions of power.  I don't care what people believe...I'm a staunch advocate of separation of church and state and respect for individual beliefs.  However, I am not okay with people trying to legislate their extreme views or opinions.  I won't get into it here, but I could go on all day.  Some of the officials and politicians out there are absolutely terrifying to me.

There you go.  I'm two for two so far on this thing!

30 Questions: 20 Random Facts

So, here we go with this 30 Questions thing! Today's list item is 20 random facts about myself...so, enjoy!

1.) I love spy shows. I am currently catching up on Covert Affairs, but I've also seen every episode of Alias...it's one of my favorite shows of all time.
2.) I never liked hummus until I discovered Trader Joe's Roasted Garlic Hummus.
3.) I currently live in San Diego but am moving to Park City, Utah, in six days.
4.) I got back from London about a month ago...I was working the Olympic Games there with my former employer, Ludus Tours.
5.) I bought my first pair of Sanuk shoes today and they are pretty amazing.  I'm sad I didn't discover them sooner.
6.) Countries/territories I have visited: USA, Mexico, Turks & Caicos, Grand Caymans, Honduras, Belize, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, France, Monaco, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.
7.) My first car was a Ford Contour...it was a beast that never showed a scratch despite getting hit in the high school parking lot about 5 times.
8.) I think Matt Bomer is about as gorgeous as they get and I saw Magic Mike just for him.  I was very disappointed in his lack of screentime.
9.) I'm a very loyal iPhone user and am pretty pumped about the iPhone 5 press conference tomorrow.
10.) I've been both a server in multiple restaurants and have worked retail...both jobs I think everyone should work at some point in their lives!
11.) I'm very liberal...and will gladly have a conversation about it anytime you would like.  While I'm very adamant in my beliefs, though, I very much enjoy conversations exploring all sides of an issue.
12.) I'm also a Christian.  I identify as a nondenominational Protestant despite being raised Lutheran and currently attending Catholic mass.  As with the above statement, though, I'm always down for hearing other viewpoints even though I'm pretty solid in what I believe.
13.) Shopping is stress relief to me.  I love it, even if I'm just window shopping.
14.) Once upon a time, I couldn't sleep unless there was complete silence.  Now, it's hard for me to sleep without background noise.
15.) While in London last month, I discovered Primitivo wine...it's marvelous.
16.) I wear very little jewelry, but I always wear my Trinity knot necklace, a toe ring (that's a family thing...my sister and mom do, too!), nose ring, bellybutton ring and pearl earrings.
17.) I've worn glasses or contacts since 1st grade.
18.) Just about all of my family lives in Indiana. I do not.
19.) Since leaving Indiana, I've always lived by either the mountains or the beach...both things Indiana does not have.
20.) I have some of the most amazing friends in the world...whether they be in different states, countries or right next to me, they're pretty damn awesome.  I'm very blessed.

So, I'm going to try and do this 30 Questions thing...wish me luck!


1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Next Stop: Park City

I'm pleased to announce that I've accepted a position as Communications Coordinator with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association in Park City, UT!

So, it's back to the mountains for me!  I'm moving in a week!  It's a little crazy to think I only have a week left in San Diego.

I'll definitely miss San Diego, but I'm hoping to take a few weekend trips back when winter kicks in...goodness knows I'll need a break from my return to real winter!!

Let the next great adventure begin!