My To-Do List.

Life after college is a strange one.  It pushes you into adulthood whether you are ready for it or not.  I have learned many things being in the real world and thought I'd share what's been on my mind recently. 

One of the things I have learned is time is precious.  Time flies.  Time moves.  Time pushes everything forward.  In a blink of an eye you are going to ask yourself where the last 5 years have gone.  What about the last 10?  I don't want to live a life where time is gone and I haven't taken advantage of the adventure that was right there in front of me. 

So, here I am publicly saying things that I want to do and improve on for this year.  You may be asking yourself why I am doing this.  Well here it is.  I want to share my adventures with you.  Yes you.  I want you to be a part of it.  So, here is my list.  Take it or leave it, but I am going to take life head on.  So what do you say?  Are you game?

I want to go country dancing.
I want to go on a spontaneous trip where no plans are made.  Just get in the car and go.
I want to learn how to burn wood and make art.
I want to spend an entire night outside looking at the stars in the middle of nowhere.
I want to go to the beach.
I want to spend an entire day at the river sitting in my hammock.
I want to get on a plane and visit friends I haven't seen in years.
I want to learn how to play the banjo.
I want to giggle more, laugh more, and laugh so hard I cry.
I want to go bow-fishing and deep sea fishing.
I want to be kissed at midnight on New Years Eve.
I want to write a song and sing it.
I want to go to a hockey game.
I want to spend an entire day without looking at my phone.
I want to learn how to make a pie.
I want to take more photos with and of people and places I love.
I want to stop comparing myself with those around me. 
I want to write more letters to people.  Simplicity will always be timeless.
I want to take a cake decorating class.
I want to pick an entire bouquet of flowers from a field of wild flowers and give it to someone.  Just because I can. 
I want to live with a spirit of wild abandon.
I want to have a moment where I have 20 seconds of insane courage.  Just 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery.
I want to make a difference for the Kingdom.
I want to love and care for those who are the nameless, faceless, and Fatherless.
I want to think more of others and less of myself.
I want to be a difference maker.
I want to see beauty in anything and everything.
I want to make compassion second nature and love my everyday attire.
I want to live a life full of adventures that leaves a legacy that is glorifying to my Savior.

The Insta Challenge: Photo a Day.

December 1st, my sister-in-law Sara talked me into doing The Instagram's "Photo a Day" challenge.  For those who do not know, The Instagram is a social media avenue for friends, family, and strangers to share photos of all the happenings in their life.  The challenge goes as such: every day there is a given theme and the participant is supposed to take a photo corresponding with the word or phrase that is given.

I have always been slightly weary of doing one of these things, not because I don't like it, but I just don't have to patience for these kinds of activities.  But I thought, hey why not?  It is Christmas time and I should have things to take photos of, or so I thought.

Here is the list of all the days and the corresponding photos I was required to take:

1. Red                                        11. Green                                 21. On the Door
2. Where I Stood                       12. Joy Is...                              22. Sparkly
3. Silver                                     13. Composition                       23. Tradition
4. Tiny                                       14. Drink                                 24. Wrapped
5. In the Cupboard                     15. Lights                                25. Best Bit of Your Day
6. Shadow                                  16. Makes You Feel Merry      26. Where You Slept
7. 6 O'Clock                               17. Tree                                   27. What You're Doing Now
8. I Shop Here                           18. Big                                     28. Something Awesome
9. This is the Weather Now       19. 'Tis The Season To..          29. Reflect Best Bit of 2013
10. R is For...                             20. I'm Listening To..              30. You
                                                                                                   31. Celebrate

So, I decided that I was going to try this.  I was going to take a list and be as creative as possible with my photos so I can share with the rest of the world.  I felt like I was beginning this awesome challenge and I needed to dominate.

But I have a couple of confessions to make: 
1)  I didn't do all 31 days during the challenge.  The 6th day, I had my wisdom teeth taken out so I did not participate on "shadow".  But after an event like that, I don't think anyone can really be creative with taking a picture of a shadow.  I mean seriously.  I also didn't do "where I slept" because who wants to see a photo of someone's bed?  Man, I am such a rebel.
2)  I couldn't keep track of the days.  I did not post "Day 27", but posted two "Day 28s" instead.  Each word/phrase for the day was numbered.  How I lost track of the day is beyond me.
3)  I thought some of my posts were more clever than they actually were.  I really do crack myself up.

Towards the end of the month, I began to lose my "oomf" for this photo challenge.  I have always had a love for photography, but this was a whole different ball game.  This was work.  This was commitment.  A crap ton of it too.

I began to realize I didn't want to have to "search" for the best photo to post on The Instagram.  I didn't want to be put in a small little box.  I didn't like that I felt like I couldn't post things that I wanted to post.

Then it hit me.  Hit me hard I tell you.  In the midst of this challenge I began to recognize God in everything.  I began to see that His hand is everywhere, even in the smallest of things.  Why is it that I didn't see it before?  Is it because this little electrical box is always glued to the palm of my hand?  Is it because I just want to take a photo so I am able to receive insta-affirmation that what I like/do, people like too?  Am I too consumed with other things that I can't look up to see around me?

We all get so wrapped up in social media and our lives that we forget to recognize the little things that God loves and does.  We need to learn to appreciate the little things and cherish them.  And maybe leave it at that.  I don't think we need to be Instagramming this and Facebooking that.  Yes, it is fun to share life's moments with others, but sometimes the best memories are those you can keep close with you.  Cherish the "awwww" moments.  Simply hug on others.  Take in the beauty of this world and give thanks.  

Here are a couple of photos of December's photo a day challenge.  If you like these pictures, please feel free to check out the rest of my photos on The Instagram (@angelamardock).  I think they're fun.

 

 

Shall We?

Hello World,

Sorry I have not shared with you the things that have been going on in my life recently, I know you have been dying to know.  Well, I will spare you the details, but what I will tell you is that I am now a college graduate (woot woot) and currently trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up (isn't everyone?).  But here is proof I graduated.

In the meantime, I have decided I am going to live out the adventure called life.  This blog has been and will continue to be a way for me to celebrate this wonderful life with you all.  Some may be international journeys (you know I love traveling), while others simply may be about everyday occurrences.  Either way, life is meant to be shared.  We can just call this a new beginning to something great.

With that said, let's celebrate life and enjoy it together, shall we?

You ready?

Sincerely,
Angela