Summer 2K15 - Bucketlist

Since Friday it has officially become Summer. Summer is the time when everyone is out and about, and we are all just trying to make the best of the time available. People's ideas of awesome range infinitely as we all have different definitions at what awesome is.

Some people find having Netflix marathon's all day awesome; however, some think awesome cannot be reached unless it involves them jumping out of an airplane.

To me this summer would be awesome if...

1. Attend a concert at Red Rocks. Florence and the Machine is coming in August and it would be amazing to see them again; however, just being in that concert venue is so energetic and an incredible feeling.
2. Do a Man vs. Food competition. It would be cool to say you won one. It would also be quite a story to say that you lost one. There's a contest at one of the Pho restaurants near my house; however, the star of Man vs. Food has done several in Denver.
3. Go to Elitches with a bunch of friends because why not?
4. Get a job - You can't do some of these bucket list items without having a little currency. Am I right?
5. Watch all of Breaking Bad on Netflix. Hey.... It's educational... I think.
6. See my father. It would be amazing since I haven't seen him since Spring Break of my Senior year. Whether it means him coming out to Colorado Springs to see us or my sister, I, and the minions adventuring out to Kansas to see him.
7. Lose more weight. I want to be happy in my own skin. Last Summer I lost 30 pounds and I am hoping I can lose about the same amount.
8. Get my first tattoo. Having a job will make it easier money wise; however, getting a tattoo all depends on my weight. If I lose an amount that I want to then that won't result in stretching,etc.
9. Buy a car. It will need to happen sooner or later. I am ready to not have to rely on others for transportation. Plus it will make it easier for myself to get to and from home when I transfer to CSU in August.
10. Decide a major. I have a passion for computers; however, I also have one for helping people aka Psychology. Hmmm.... Psychology? Computer Science?
11. Do the incline. It is time to embrace the beautiful state that I live in. That means it is time to become more active and become one with the difficulties that come with the state. I have confidence that I can do it, I just need to get up and go!
12. Go to Manitou. Why not take time to go visit one of the most relaxing/hip places in the Colorado Springs area?
13. Go to Pikes Peak. Eat some of their crappy donuts. Send some reflected light from a mirror back down to the city.
14. Go to a Museum. Learn something for a day. Find out something that you had no knowledge ever of. Figure out something new. Learning can be fun, all it takes is a good group of people and an interesting topic.
15. Attend the Taste of America. It's a festival where you literally eat samples all day. Why not? Plus its in front of the BEAUTIFUL capital building in Denver.
16. Take a tour of The Capital building in Denver. Go see the more political side of Colorado. See the beauty of the Gold Capital dome from the inside/interior.
17. Make some new friends. It's never a bad thing to increase/expand your social life. You never know who will walk into your life.
18. Purchase some new clothing. Sure it may not feel like Summer right now; however, once it does you won't regret purchasing that pair of shorts, hip sunglasses, or tank top.
19. Attend an event at The Pepsi Center. Whether it is a sports event or a concert, see inside one of the coolest arenas in Denver and Colorado!
20. Spend a day helping the lest fortunate. You never know what it could bring to you. A little confidence boost, some good vibes as you feel like you've done something rewarding to both yourself and to those in need, a new friend, more thankfulness to what you have.
21. Visit Malachi's grave. I missed so much of his life and afterlife that I need to pay some kind of respect to him. Maybe bring some flowers or something crazy to display with his grave; just a offer of my respect to him, his life, etc.

This is where I leave this list as I do not know what else to add to it; however, I will be back as soon as I remember more things I want to do this summer. I want this Summer to be amazing; full of new and exciting adventures with a great family and both new and old friends.

"Death is only the beginning"

Two weeks ago I had a really good friend pass away. It was a really bad week. I felt so depressed and sick of being "not home." Because while his funeral occurred, I was hours and hours and hours away.

Things got better. People made me feel at home. I felt happy.

Then... Last monday.

There was a girl at my school who took her own life. I did not know the girl. I had no reason to be sad, right? Wrong. Very wrong.

The amount of stories that I have heard over her and how great she was brought the sorrow feelings to my mind. Why did I not introduce myself? Could I have prevented this? Etc.

In memorial, I decided it would be best to go purchase some candles and flowers (and a cross) and stick them beside the American flag to honor the girl.

But it still hurts.
It reminds me of when I tried to take my own life. When I failed. What would have happened if I failed to save myself from the grim reaper?

I don't know.
There are just a lot of thoughts in my mind right now.
If you guys could say prayers or keep in thought myself, Malachi, his family and close ones, Morgan, her family and close ones, then I would really appreciate it.

As for now I decided to dedicate this set to those passing way too soon. To those who live in a dark corner trapped in sorrow. To those still fighting. To those who survived the fight. To you, whoever reads this.

Live on.

Lady Gaga and the Haus

A question I get all the time is about why I like Lady Gaga so much.

The simple answer is because I see her for who she is and not what the media displays her as. There is more to her then the outfits she wears.

The genuinely cares about the fans that follow her.
She is an inspiration and motivates myself (and millions of others) to change the world for the good.

She's also so talented.
She really can sing.
She really can dance.
Whatever she does on stage is actually her and not an illusion like some artists.



The last few days I have gotten this question a lot (which isn't a bad question as it makes me excited to talk about it), and it is about how her concert is.

Q: How was the artRAVE
A: It was absolutely perfect.

Her concert at the Pepsi Center was absolutely amazing. I have anticipated seeing her in concert since I was in eighth grade, and now my sophomore in college self finally got the chance to.

She is so exciting.
She is so uplifting

Lady Gaga performing G.U.Y.

Never have I cried as much as I did that night, and they were extremely happy tears in case you were wondering.

I cried when she first came on stage because I could not believe what I was seeing.
I cried when she talked about teenage suicide and depression because I was a victim of it in high school, and she was the one who saved me.

I am still amazed at how close she got to me I mean look

Lady Gaga walking to the piano to perform
her final song, Gypsy

I absolutely cannot wait until she comes back to Denver because I will be seeing her in concert again. Hopefully this next time I will meet her because that is my life goal.

Sophomore Year of College

Everything is set up.

All that I need to do is move back up there.

August 17th is the date that I say goodbye to Summer.

I'm disappointed to leave my family and friends again (and my dog Wrigley), but I'm so excited because I'm only a year away from meeting another point on my path of life.

At first all I think about is excitement. I get to see all the friends that I have not seen for the last few months. I also get to work more towards my fitness goals. Here I don't have gym access but there it's gifted to the students with tuition.

There is nervousness. Of course I'm worried about the work load that I'm putting myself into. A biology, anthropology, psychology, and sociology class? To me that seems like a little too much.

BUT I'm not as nervous as I could be. I have faith in myself and know that the help is there if eventually I do need it.

I also do hope that with all the classes I'm taking something clicks and I decide on another major. I'm not making a deadline for December on having a major decided, but I'm hoping that by graduation there's something at mind.

Plus I get to take a break from the intense classes with my choir involvement. Without them I think I would possibly die this semester.
Rule #1 into surviving college at NJC - Take a class with Celeste Delgado-Pelton. Her sass and personality will make you feel like you belong somewhere.

I'm so excited to also begin to work for Jesse again. I don't even look at her as a boss. She is so caring and sweet, and I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to work for her.

Bittersweet feeling's come when I think of my RA position. It's not that I'm nervous but I'm scared that I'll not satisfy my residents in the ways that Olivia and so many others did last year. I; however, have so many ideas that will make the year fun and exciting for them.

I am just so excited for December when I can look back at the previous months and be happy with the results that follow. I sense so much success coming in my path, and I know I'm ready for it.

Credit's taking: 16
Hours working biweekly: 40-50
Kickassness Level - 80%

The Game of Austin's Weight Loss

What you need to lose weight:

1. An ideal goal - You cannot say you want to lose 50 pounds in 2 weeks. Well... I guess you can say that, but the odds of it actually happening is not likely. 50 pounds in several months though? Now that's what I call realistic. It gives you time to figure out what your body personally needs in order to reach that goal.
2. A good support group - Hearing from family, friends, and strangers send compliment you on the weight you've lost or wanted to lose is something that'll just motivate you into losing it even more.
3. a scale - multiple people see the scale as an enemy when it's really there to help keep you focused on where you're at in reaching your goal. Avoiding the scale will leave you stuck on the path because you'll never know what you're doing right/wrong.
4. Noticing the problems and fixing it - How can you fix something if you cannot point it out? With weight fixing one problem may result in a huge difference. These changes can range from dropping soda to performing various exercises.

This may not be correct as I have not reached my own goal; however, I'm working my way there successfully (...I think).

I set up my goal in May. It was to lose 70 pounds by December (Christmas)

This is my second month with the goal at mind and I have lost 25 pounds. I am very proud of the results that I have gotten. This shows me that it is possible no matter how hard I have to work for it.

What I have been doing to lose this weight:

1. Watching what I eat. I have not cut anything out, I've just limited myself a bit. Since May I have avoided fast food at all costs. I would rather spend my big mac money on a bowl of pho soup.
2. Watching what I drink. I have stopped wasting my calories to beverages. I have not had a soda since the beginning of June.
3. Walking long periods of time. If I get bored or my mind is not healthy (I'm upset, mad, etc.) I will go on a walk, and return hour(s) later.

Differences in myself:

1. I am a lot more positive than I was in May. I do not think as negatively as I was. I also tend to not overthink everything as I once was.
2. I also don't eat as fast as I was.
3. I am beginning to take interest in the clothing I wear. I don't just walk around in pajamas.

The current differences make me so much more excited for when I lose more weight as I'm anxious to see the other results that may possibly come.

If you have any suggestions or want to share your inspiring stories with me, comment below.