Lifescouts, yeah!

One of my favorite YouTubers is charlieissocoollike. He posted a new video the other day and talked a little about his friend's idea of having badges for real-world experiences. I followed his link to Lifescouts, and I love it!

Here's the badges I currently have:

1. Rainforest Badge: About 5 years ago, I traveled to Ecuador with my youth group. We spent time both in Quito and in the middle of the jungle, or rainforest, for 2 weeks. I can't even describe how amazing it is there.

2. Mountain-Climbing Badge: This summer, I went to Japan! We climbed Mount Fuji, which is incredible. The view!

3. Driving Badge: As a farming family, I learned to drive a bit before some did. No, I wasn't driving the combine at age 8, but I have seen it done. I've officially had my driver's license since I was 16, so nearly 4 years.

4. Parade Badge: Before I went to Alaska with my church, we had a fundraiser during my town's celebration week (ever hear of the Dalton Gang? That's pretty much the only thing that ever happened to my town) and we were in the parade, home-decorated themed float and all.

5. Pet-Owning Badge: I'm a proud owner of a cat, although I've had a hamster, rabbit, and several dogs in the past. Yay for animals!

6. Snake-Holding Badge: Again, the jungle in Ecuador. Also, elementary school field trips to the zoo tended to end in me grossed out from all of the animals we held.

7. Swimming Badge: I may know how to swim, but I can't dive or do anything besides the very basic.

8. Picnic Badge: I love picnics! Between going to the park or just in my backyard, I've had a fair share of picnics, although I'd love to have more.

9. Zoo Badge: When you live in Southwest KS, there isn't much to see or do. Going to the zoo is a solid choice for any kid or animal lover. I've gone to some in Colorado, Texas, and many places around Kansas.

10. Horse Riding Badge: My uncle and his family are cowboys, so I've done some horseback riding.

11. Sunrise Badge: Sunrises and sunsets are some of my favorite things. Waking up early is so worth it to see the sun shine over the empty plains nearly every morning.

12. Fishing Badge: I'm definitely not good at fishing, but I have fished a few times. The best time was in Alaska in a river, although I didn't catch anything or even get relatively close, and the worst was when I caught my finger instead and got a nice scar.

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What badges do you have? Can you one-up me? You might be able to, I don't know :)


Also, is anyone else really loving the great graphics? Reminds me of the graphics on Crash Course on YouTube. 

The One About Expectations

Is it just me, or does everyone have extremely high expectations for everything, only to be let down time after time? Not only for themselves, but for everyone else too. What we should do, who we should be, how to perform.

Part of this is because of our culture, the beliefs and values surrounding us, and the norms, or expectations and rules of behavior.

Our "ideal" view of how everything should be is nearly always different than the way things are, and not a good different.

As a college student in America, I'm hit constantly with expectations. I need to get the best grades, have a good major that will bring a successful career, and basically succeed in every possible way.

But what if I don't want to do those things? I have other goals in life, such as traveling the world, possibly owning my own small business, have a husband and family, and ultimately do what God calls me to.

I feel like the expectations of our society say those things are wrong and I should do what's expected of me, nothing different. Not that those are bad things to do, but I don't feel that's where I'm called to be or what I'm meant to do.

Lately I've been struggling with what exactly I am meant to do, but the truth is that I don't know. I am pretty much clueless as to what I should do next, but I do know what I shouldn't do. And right now, that is most likely college.

Wish I Was Here: England

Like many other people, I cannot wait until I can travel Europe. While I'm still stuck here in Kansas, at least I can dream, right?

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Right now I'm loving pretty much all of England and can't wait to experience more than just pictures and videos of it, but actually be there.

How can you not love it? From the breathtaking scenery to the amazing sites to the incredible architecture to the charm (and accent), I'm officially in love.

The One Where I Went To Japan

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Can it be? Already 6 whole months since I was in Japan? Was I really halfway around the world? It seems like last week, yet some parts have become blurry.

Yes, that is the famous Mt. Fuji! I woke up at sunrise (4:30 am, no biggie) with a friend to take this picture.

At the beginning of July 2012, I went with a group of nine other people from my church to Okutama and Tokyo, Japan for two weeks. We helped with the Japan SEND annual conference, from Vacation Bible School for the kids to leading worship and providing the speaker.

It was amazing, from seeing the missionaries and hearing their stories, to traveling around JAPAN. The scenery was breathtaking, with plants and water everywhere. Could it be more different? I live in Kansas, everyone. Southwest Kansas.

Here's some highlights from my trip:
+ One day I went on a walk around the Tama River with some friends and took hours of pictures on my then-brand new dSLR. I think it was somewhere around 800 pictures or so? Yeah, you could say it was kind of pretty there.