Lists

Today was a day of lists and lessons.

I like lists. Lists make me feel organized and in control. Lists give me motivation to do things so I can check them off. Lists remind me of the pressing tasks I HAVE to do.

For example, I made myself a list for today that went something like:

-read this book,

-write this paper,

-read these articles, etc.

Here's what my list should have looked like so I could actually have checked things off:

-Play a lot of piano

-Read 2 chapters of book and journal about it

-Make an awesome mushroom quesadilla

-Go to a BBQ at a stranger's house and sit by a lake for 2 hours

-Complete a challenging logic puzzle

-Go out on a boat to see some amazing fireworks

-Try to not be thrown into the water as the waves try to overturn the boat

As you can probably tell, my plans for the day did not quite match up with reality. The list part of me wants to be upset about that and make me anxious. I have a considerable amount of work to do and not a lot of days left to do it. However, life rarely goes according to plan, so I'm just going to go with it. If I stand and shift weight with the waves like I did on our storm-tossed boat tonight then it's okay. I think this mindset is probably good preparation for life in China where nothing will fit my plans and expectations.

22 days until I leave for China!

But for now I need to make a couple more lists and get some things done! :-P

～爱琳～