The Benefits of a Neurotic Childhood (batteries sold separately)

Yes, I am obviously talking about a friend who is not really a friend but a friend of a friend. Totally not me. That’s for sure 😉

Before getting into anything, LOOK AT THIS:

PACO!! (remember, Kelly named our mountain)

Yeah, when do you think that’s from? It’s like one of those pics I snapped back in October, right? NOPE. IT WAS TODAY! note: It’s FEBRUARY.

*moment to take in the awesome*

I was outside, doing yoga and stretches on the lawn today. In a tank top. IN A TANK TOP.

Pretty sure that is amazing. On account of the nice weather we’ve been planning on scaling Paco. In two weekends, this will be a reality.

So, take another moment to stare at Paco, and then come back to me.

…

There we go. Today in class we talked about sports that we had or hadn’t done, including hang-gliding, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, diving, parachuting, and whatnot. From one moment to the next, while talking to Kelly and Natalie (my girls from the first trimester <3) I realized that I could do all (well, almost all… ix-nay on the ishing-fay!) of these things!!

When I was younger, I wouldn’t do anything at all because I always had an excuse to stay home and not try new things. New things that I might be bad at! I participated in the high school musicals and did cross-country for a bit, but even that was super hard for me. I attempted track, but quit because it was hard and not fun…

WOOOOO!!!! (note: not me...YET!)

Now that I’ve done things that most people talk about doing but know they’ll never actually get around to, like learning another language or traveling Europe, I realized that this barrier is gone. Now when I talk about crazy things like parachuting or deep-sea diving, I mean it. In my mind, it is a now possibility. Not a “maybe sometime” thing, not a “if someone else plans it” thing. A me thing. A thing that I will get around to because I want to do it. Failing at things is no longer an issue. I suck at Latin dancing, but I haven’t quit the class. My Spanish is iffy, but I don’t feel horrible about it anymore. I am actually working out on a regular-ish basis, and not caring that people can see that my belly is still there. So what? It’s a belly. Deal with it and look at how terrifically fast my arms muscles are firming. (this is me talking to other people in my head, which means that I’m actually saying it to myself haha)

I honestly want everyone who is reading this to take a good look at the bucket list that I KNOW you all have in your heads. Plan to tick one off this year. Why not? These things don’t usually cost a gigantic amount, so you can save up enough for that $100 parachuting lesson or whatever for a few months, and then do it. If it doesn’t work out, blame it on me! Perfect.

Doing what you want to do isn’t always possible, but getting out of our own way can be incredibly easy. Just realize that the “people” you are talking to when you think defensive, defiant things about yourself are actually you.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.. “Uh, Julia, I already know this.” Well, it doesn’t hurt to be re-informed. You’re awesome. Do some cool sh*t. (<–sorry mom)

My lovely, amazing, smart, fun Chinese classmates are leaving me soon, and we’ve been in the program together for basically six months. I am going to miss them. Some of my wonderful Brazilian and Japanese friends are leaving me, too, and it makes me sad. It’s like trimester one all over again. But, you know what? The friends that are staying are going through the same thing, and the friends that are leaving are going to keep existing in the world. We’ll just have to work harder to communicate. Almost everywhere I travel, a free, ecstatic reunion is included!!

Here’s to my friends, old and new. You are all wonderful people and I miss you/have missed you/will miss you. (although some of you might not be too happy about this ENGLISH blog hahaha)

Much love,

Julia