Day 30 - A Picture that Describes You Perfectly

This is pretty much me! I don't have much to give, but I will give you my heart and my love!

Thanks for reading along with my 30 day challenge! I hope that you wer inspired or at least entertained by learning more about me and my life :)

Day 29 - A Picture that Can Always Make You Smile

This picture can make me smile even on the worst days!

When my best friend's little boy, Luke was like 6 months old, Kevin and I went to visit. Luke took a liking to Kevin immediately and he was loving time getting to play with this new guy in his life. Luke had a fascination with Kevin's nose (as you can see) and I thought it was the cutest thing ever :)

This picture brings a giggle to me every time I look at it. LOVE IT!

Day 28 - A Picture of Something That Always Makes Your Day

The Caswell sunset, which I'm looking at right now :)

It always makes my day... just wish I could see it more often these days!

Day 27 - A Picture of Yourself and a Family Member

This is me and my little (bigger) brother at the Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves game in 2009. It was a great game but definitely one of the hottest baseball games I've ever been to.

Day 26 - A Picture of Something that Means a lot to You

So I'm realizing that I don't take enough pictures to be able to post on my blog the expectations of this Challenge :(

I don't have a picture of the something that means a lot to me so I'll just describe it to you...

In the summer of 2002, I started working at Camp Caswell. Greatest Summer Ever! Anyway, I have a lunch bag with the theme from that summer ('That New Thing'). Now I know what your thinking... Really? A lunch bag? Let me explain... In that lunch bag there is about 1000 pictures from that summer. Pictures of people who are still my best friends today, 9 years later. I love to look through that lunch bag and remember that summer. The super early mornings and the extremely late evenings. Cleaning Oceana and finding surprises every Sunday that made us laugh and laugh and laugh. Running the putt putt course for hours and hours in the 100 degree gym. Listening the Amy Salley give us instructions over the radio. The Mountain Dew... Oh the Mountain Dew. The talks. The tears. The Worship. Vespers. Hatch. Oh my, I could type for hours.

Yep, that lunch bag is special to me! Extremely special :)

Day 25 - A Picture of Your Day

This is a picture of my day :)

I am at the beach with my family and my niece, Summer found/rescued a snail. She has placed it in a cup with glass, dirt, a rock and a sprinkle of water... everything a snail would need to make it in the cup world, haha.

It's such a relaxing day! I could get used to this!

Day 24 - A Picture of Something You Wish You Could Change

I wish I could make cupcakes healthy :)

I could seriously eat one a day... but since they're fattening I don't.

I wish I could change that!

Day 23 - A Picture of Your Favorite Book

Okay, don't laugh but my favorite book is...

...yes and I'm not kidding. Not even a little bit!

Day 22 - A Picture of something You Wish You were better at

Yep! I want to be a better runner... and I'm getting there. Slowly but surely :)

Practice makes perfect right?

Day 21 - A Picture of something You Wish You could Forget

This blog post would never go over well if I actually posted a picture of something I wish I could forget. I think it would be totally foolish of me to throw out something like that... to air my baggage for all the world to see. Not smart! Some things should just remain in my head... Not on a computer screen! But I will talk about something I wish I could forget... Something web appropriate.

You see, when I was younger, I wasn't exactly the perfect sister. I am 3 years older than my brother and I was that sister that really hated that my younger brother wanted to hang out with me. Kind of like the' too cool for school' mentality. Anyway, I was so mean to my brother. He was heavier when we were kids and I definitely used that to my advantage. When I would get upset, I would call him names and most of those names dealt with his weight. Ugh, I am terrible sister. I know I hurt his feelings and I feel bad about it now. As I look back, I was so hurtful to him when all he wanted was to be around me and be accepted.

Later, when I went off to college, my brother told me that he had always looked up to me and wanted to be just like me (minus the being a girl part). Can you believe that? Me, someone who said such awful things!

Anyway I wish I could forget all of that...but better yet, I wish I had never said those hurtful things! I know you can't change the past but I do know that the past has definitely affected my future. I'm not perfect but I can say that I have become a much better, more encouraging sister.

Day 20 - A Picture of somewhere You'd Love to Travel

I mean seriously, How gorgeous is that picture?!

That is New Zealand and it's on the top of my 'Must Travel To' list! If everything goes as planned, I'll be heading there next year :)

Day 19 - A Picture of a habit that you wish you didn't have

This is slightly embarrassing but, I really wish I didn't cry every time I got upset or was angry! I mean some people don't really think of crying as a habit but, when you do it as often as I do, it is! I am so freakin emotional and it drives me crazy!

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and had a 'pretend' argument with yourself? Basically your reflection being the person you are wanting to confront or you're wanting yell at, as loud as your little voice box can yell. I have these often because 1. I am terrible a confrontation (as I mentioned in my last blog) and 2. I don't cry when I when I do this. Granted, I'm not dealing with the issue because I'm arguing with myself but I do feel better afterwards (how pathetic is that?)

Anyway, I really wish I was a little stronger sometimes! Like, I'm not trying to sound like a victim (even though I know that' what I sound like) but, I would love to be able to tell people my mind without having remorse or having a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I hurt their feelings. Ugh, what an awful cycle! I need help... or a counselor... or someone to teach me how to be strong or to throw punches or something!

Any takers?

Day 18 - A Picture of You're Least Favorite Trait

This gets me in trouble a lot cause I don't express my feelings well and I tend to hold things in until I explode with a cause of verbal diarrhea. Not a good thing!

Day 17 - A Picture of something that has made a huge Impact on Your Life recently

Well it's not a something... it's a someone!

This adorable young girl is my niece, Summer. She is the huge impact even though she's quite little :)

To give you a little back story, Summer was born when my brother was 16 years old. I was in my first year at ECU when I heard the news. She was a surprise that has turned my world upside down. I've watched her grow up into this little woman... this little person with big dreams and a big love for every one. Despite some circumstances that I will not go in to, this little girl is super tough and has made a huge impact on my life!

She's a sassy little 9 year old now, who for some reason, has her own cell phone and texts me occasional messages like 'I love Aunt Shannon.' Melts my heart! I mean, a cell phone at 9 isn't something I totally agree with but at least she uses it well, ha :)

I tear up when I see pictures of her cause I'm not there to help teach her things like how to throw a softball or how to braid hair. I know that sounds a little motherly but I want to teach her everything! I want her to love life and know that she is beautiful and so very much loved! She's my munchkin!

Day 16 - A Picture of someone who Inspires You

I need to think on this one for a day or two cause I want it be more than a photo.

To be continued...

Day 15 - A Picture of something You want to do before You Die

Again so many things... I even have my own Bucket List. It's called a Day Zero Project but it's the same concept!

Okay, something I want to do before I die... hmmmm... I guess it would be this...

<-----That picture to the left is a representation of me wanting to visit all 50 states!

Duh!

I don't think that's too hard of a goal! I mean I have a few years (hopefully) and I think visiting every state would be so awesome.

I'd like to go snowboarding in Colorado and fishing in Oregon. I'd love to lay on the beach in California and walk along the rocky coast of Maine. I love trying new foods too so I'd have to try some food that each state (or it's cities) is known for! Hmmmm... Boston Chowder and Texas BBQ (even though I'm kind of a BBQ snob). Philly Cheesesteak for Philly and ... well what's Nevada known for? I'll have to figure that out.

That's what I would do... or better yet, that's what I'm going to do :)

Want to come with me??

Day 14 - A Picture of Someone You could never Imagine Your Life without

WOW... These just keep getting harder and harder!

It's really hard for me to narrow down ONE person that I couldn't imagine my life without. There are so many that would fall into that category... like my Dad, Mom, Brother, Niece, Grandmother... you get the gist. I could never imagine my life without my family. I guess aside from them, and for the purposes of this blog, the person I am going to choose to write about is... ... Kristen Heffelfinger (soon to be Mrs. Kristen Wilson).

I simply adore her! She is one of the most encouraging people I know. Definitely someone to call on a gloomy day.

Kristen and I met in 2006 while I was interning at Caswell. She was friends with my roommate and I was friends with her boyfriend. We became friends instantly after meeting... It was like that love at first sight thing expect more like friends at first conversation (if that even makes sense ha). We talked about everything... specific situations we were going through, boyfriends we had lost and were getting over and just life. What's so great about our friendship is that Kristen, who is about 5 years younger than me, and I have learned over the past few years is that we tend to go through the stuff, just at different times. Our life experiences are so similar, it's a little scary.

I was somewhat of a mentor to Kristen in the beginning of getting to know one another, but lately she has been a mentor to me. She teaches me SO much and she never let's me look at the darker side of things. She always has a bright side for every situation :) She is so wise and she has helped through some tough things. Can we say LOTS of late night conversations!

I don't see Kristen as much as I would like but we have a very strong bond nonetheless... one that we continue to build over Skype and the occasional phone call. She is one of my very best friends and I can honestly say, 'I could never imagine my life without her!'

Day 13 - A Picture of someone You Miss

I miss my puppy, Cambi...

She's been at home in North Carolina with my awesome parents for over a year now and I think it's been long enough. It's time for my sweet little country puppy to come back to the city!

I know technically that's not a someone but she is the one I miss!

Day 12 - A Picture of something You Love

A picture of something I love... that's easy! I LOVE Caswell.

Caswell is my haven... my home away from home. It's one of those places I can't get out of my head and I long to be there every Summer as a staffer, especially when returning staff start posted pictures to Facebook between May and August.

There's just something about that place that I can never fully explain because you have to experience it to feel it. All I know is that when I drive through those gates, no matter what time of year, this feeling of peace and comfort come over me. I never want to leave once I'm there and I guarantee any one who has ever worked there will say the same!

Here's some pictures of my haven for you :)

Day 11 - A Picture of something You Hate

Hate is a very strong word and I do try my best not to use it... So for this blog I am posting a picture of something I dislike. It sounds more appeasing :)

Atlanta traffic!

That is a major dislike! It makes me late, it causes me anxiety and sometimes it prevents me from going the places I want... just because I refuse to sit in it! If Atlanta had no traffic, it's safe to say may world would be a better place!

Day 10 - A Picture of the Person You do the oddest things with

This one's just weird to me. The oddest things? In my head I'm trying to define this so I write about it. Give about 10 minutes to think on this one...

La la La... whatever. La la la... it doesn't matter. La la la... oh well.

Tonight Tonight! A little music video while you wait.

La la La... whatever. La la la... it doesn't matter. La la la... oh well.

Okay... I'm back. Did you enjoy the video? I love that song :)

So, I picked a person after some serious thinking. The person I do the oddest things with would have to be these two (cause they are a packaged deal)...

Brock and Auny Gill... two of my favorite people! These two introduced me to some crazy things, foods and experiences over the past 5 years. I mean they do magic... how much cooler can it get!

I wouldn't necessarily say we do odd things, but these two are very creative. For example: They have a homemade zip line in their back yard, as well as a place to shoot bows and arrows. They taught me all their secrets to magic, which I will never share, so don't ask... They helped me make a slide show video of a bobble head lost in an amusement park (I should probably go in to more detail on that, but I'll save it). They showed me how to cook a turkey in a wooden box... best turkey I've ever had!

I could go on and on about hanging out with these two, but I just remembered that I do go on and on about them... throughout my entire blog. So go check out some posts from 2006 - 2009 and you can read for yourself all the odd/awesome things we did :)

Day 9 - A Picture of the Person who has gotten You through the most

Hmmmm.... gotten me through the most?!

Well, I'd have to say that would be Mr. Ryan Salley...

I've known Ryan for over 11 years now and looking back over the last decade, he has been there. Through break ups, through tears, through laughter, through all my relocations, through job changes, through bad decisions... Ryan has been an encouragement, a confidant and a best friend. I called him for everything and he listened... sometimes for hours while I cried for most of it. But he was there...even if it was over the phone.

Thank you Ryan! You are a blessing.

Day 8 - A Picture that makes you Laugh

So, there are multiple photos that make me laugh. I could probably put together an entire album just dedicated to funny pictures. Hmmmm, maybe I'll do that in my spare time.

Anyway, the photo to the left is the one I'm choosing for this post. I mean seriously, if you can look at this picture and not laugh at the face Kevin is making, I commend you. I can not! I am actually giggling right now because I'm having to write this post while the picture is just chilling... staring at me... taunting me and every time I look over I bust out in to giggles. Hahaha!

This picture was taken in NY at Kevin's cousin's wedding. I won a table arrangement in one of the games we played and I was super excited. That's why I am smiling. Kevin, on the other hand, well I'm not sure what emotion he was expressing, hahaha :)

Day 7 - A Picture of Your Childhood Crush

Now let's be honest here... if I posted a picture of my childhood crush, it would just be plain weird. Especially if I posted one of him in the present. Let's just say he's not really my type any more. I guess 3rd grade crushes really don't extend into years passed elementary school, ha!

So, I'll just describe him for you... in the way I saw him in 3rd grade :)

His name was Chad and he was definitely a ladies man early on. He was tall with dark hair... a real smooth talker and he could play 4 square like no one else. He was a pro and I loved to watch him play.

I loved him, the way only a 3rd grader could, but there was this one day that everything changed. You see, apparently Chad was dating/seeing/hanging out/(whatever you call it when your 8 or 9 years old) with two other girls the same time as me. How awesome! ... even at 9, guys can be jerks.

So anyway, we decided (the other two girls and I) that we would play 4 square and the last girl in would get to date Chad... I mean, in 3rd grade, 4 square was how you solved problems, right? Haha. So we began to play. Chad was in the King Square and me and the other two girls scattered into the other spots and got in to position. Chad really had the control and it was obvious that he would get out the girls he didn't want to date. He tossed the ball up and hit it hard towards the opposite square... way too hard for any one to retrieve. So, guess who's square that was and guess who was first out? Yep... ME.

Ugh, I was so mad and somewhat heartbroken. Thinking about it now is bringing it all back. What a jerk! Maybe that's why I don't play 4 Square after InsideOut, hahahahaha ;)

Although looking back and looking at the present, getting out first was a blessing... even if I was only 8 years old!

Day 6 - A Picture of a Person You'd Love to Trade places with for a day

Hmmm ... this is tough one!

I can't really think of someone that I would want to trade places with for a day. I mean I can, but it would depend on a ton of circumstances. Like, I'd love to trade places with Reese Witherspoon because she has a ton of money and she's famous. I'd love to trade places with Melissa Beard because she lives in NYC and works in Manhattan. I'd love to trade places that size zero girl that passed me in the mall the other day eating Oreo ice cream with extra Oreos... just because she's tiny and she's indulging in some serious deliciousness!

You see, there are circumstances and reasons why I would want to trade places but for the purpose of my blog, I will post a picture of one person I'd like to trade places with for a day... but it'll have to be on a Sunday when we make the trade!

Yep... for those of you who attend Buckhead Church, North Point Community Church or any of the strategic partner churches from Tennessee down to Florida, I'm sure you recognize this awesome lady! For those of you who don't, meet Chrystina Fincher. She is absolutely amazing! I met her about 4 years ago while working with Brock in Panama City Beach, FL at BigStuf Camps. I can honestly say, I liked her from the start. She was so kind and so inviting to a girl who just starting on the road and was away from home.

Now, the reason I'd love to trade places with her... specifically on a Sunday is because Chrystina can sing like noboby's business. She's incredible and each week she gets to walk on a stage and sing worship music for thousands of people. That would be something I'd be willing to trade a day to do!

Day 5 - A Picture of Your Night

Now I'm not sure if I'm supposed to have some extravagant picture of me on the top of a 10 story building in downtown ATL, under the fireworks or what, but this picture is not that.

Here is my night...

Me and my roommates sitting around talking about our 4th of July weekend while eating chips and salsa. We all just got back in to town and we're catching up on our 4th festivities, adventures and magic moments :)

Simply and sweet!

My favorite kind of night!

Day 4 - A Picture of Your Favorite Memory

I'm not sure if I ever posted this picture to my blog around the time it was taken, but this was day one :) This picture is from Labor Day 2009, the day Kevin and I started dating! It still stands as my favorite memory.

7.6.11 Continuation...

I thought I would elaborate a little on this picture! I realized after I posted it, I didn't really give you much of a story. I'm a sucker for sappy stories, so I thought to myself 'maybe someone else out there is too.'

So this picture... ahhh just looking at it brings a smile to my face. You see, my good friend Michelle was quite sneaky that Labor Day weekend. I had told her about my interest in Kevin about two weeks before the holiday weekend came around. Basically, I told her I was intrigued and I would like to hang out with him more. She decided to make that possible.

Kevin and I Facebook chatted leading up to the weekend... just casual conversation. You know, like 'Can I have your number.' Totally kidding, but that is one of my favorite MADTV skits (I linked it in case you're curious). Anyway, back to the story... So we had chatted and we realized both of us were going to be up at the lake for the weekend and we were going to be hanging out. All the while, Michelle and Kevin were talking about the weekend as well... and about how Kevin was intrigued by me too :)

Fast forward to the weekend... We all stayed at Michelle's parent's lake house (guys in rooms and girls in rooms of course). First night, we all went on the boat for a little late night cruise. It was about midnight and there were about 10 of us on the boat just hanging out. A decision was made that is was time to head to the dock (tiredness kicked in for some). So as all 10 people started getting the boat the dock, Michelle leaned over and said 'do you mind riding back to the boat storage with Kevin? I just don't think it's wise for him to drive back all by himself.' Sneaky, Sneaky! Of course she asked it loud enough for Kevin to hear so I couldn't say no. Late night boat ride under the stars??? Sounds romantic to me :)

We talked and laughed and talked and laughed! We turned what should have been a 5 minute boat ride in to like a two hour boat ride. I mean the stars were out and we were engaged in conversation... you know the butterfly type of conversation where you talk for hours and it's like you can never run out of things to say. The conversation was perfect and the kiss as we left the dock was more than perfect :)

And that's how all started! I won't say Michelle is the reason that Kevin and I started dating but her sneakiness did help out a lot :)

Day 3 - A Picture from Your Favorite Show.

This one is a little tough for me because I don't really have a favorite show.

Actually, I don't really watch TV!

So for this post I have decided to attach a picture(s) from the show(s) that I have watched most in the past few weeks...

Yep... I was fascinated with this show! There's something about talented singing voices that draws me in :)

And then there's this show...

which I have watched every Monday night for the past month! Obsessed, I tell you! Obsessed!

Day 2 - A Picture of You and the Person You have been Closest with the Longest.

This is Jenni! We met in elementary school and we've been friends ever since. I'm pretty sure aside from my brother and my parents, Jenni has been in my life the longest. We've been through a lot together ... good times, sad times and times that we never thought we'd make it through ... but we managed to sing our way through them ... literally.

I'm pretty sure our bond grew from classmates to best friends the day we sang Disney tunes in the back of a bus on our way to a field trip in 3rd grade! I mean all bonds should start with singing 'A Whole New World' from Aladdin, right? :)

Jenni is the reason I sing. She is the reason I know about Church and she played a huge role in me being a Christian. We both hold a place in our hearts for a little fort that forever changed our paths ... Caswell! It was here that we learned so, so much. I love her and always will!

Jenni's Wedding Day... May 2007

Caswell... back in 1997! We both had long hair back then.

Ah, the memories!

Day 1 - A Picture of Yourself and Ten Facts.

Okay so here we go...

1. Hi, my name is Shannon and I'm a workaholic. I don't like leaving work till I've completed my entire task list for the day... which creates some late nights at the office for me.
2. I have a mild obsession with cupcakes, especially Gi Gi's.
3. I collect two things: sand from different beaches that I've traveled to and lapel pins from every city I've visited. I have a giant map in my room that houses the pins. My goal is to cover my map!
4. I cry when I'm mad because I don't know how to deal with confrontation.
5. I have kept the same plant alive for 8 years. It's moved 3 states with me.
6. I hate wearing shorts and I can't really explain why.
7. I won the sportsmanship award all 4 years playing high school basketball.
8. I have this tradition of visiting Camp Caswell every summer... going to the PX... and picking an item out from Yam. One of my favorite traditions!
9. I have a very good memory and that sometimes gets me in trouble.
10. I am a country girl trying to mold into a city girl. Grew up driving tractors, playing in fields and catching brim in the ponds. Like they say, 'you can take the girl out of country but you can't the country out of the girl.' TRUE statement!!