Lesson 100: Centennial

So I did it. I've reached 100 posts on this blog. It turns out that its initial purpose doesn't really matter anymore. There were even times when I was blogging and I forgot about the origin in the first place. I guess that's what happens with projects like this.

Of course, I've learned a lot--things that were funny, some that were profound. I had lessons on self-discovery, odd things and even a few painful lessons. In some cases, I confirmed things that I already knew or realized that there were things that I may not be meant to know everything about. There were a few posts that feature poor writing if nothing else, and there were a few that I was hesitant to release but ended up making public anyway. But ultimately, I like to think that my initial hypothesis holds true as long as you are willing to search for something new to learn everyday. Life is willing to offer tons of lessons as long as you are willing to learn.

There were some cases where I realized that what I didn't know was more important than what I did know. There were numerous things that I still don't know, and they make life more challenging, and more painful but ultimately more exciting and more interesting. These things open up new doors, and in doing such, they help me to progress to wherever it is that I will ultimately end up. I've learned that you can't rush these things until they're supposed to come. There's no way of knowing for sure, but I figure that some things that I've always envisioned for my life will come at a time when I am ready for them. It won't be easy waiting for them, but the wait will make them that much sweeter.

Of course, as I reach my 100th post, I look back to my first one, about picking up my pen and starting this project. Will I expect a future husband to teach me something new every day? No. But not having that expectation doesn't mean I won't learn something from him every day. Within these 100 days, I've learned about this man--if he exists at, I just want is to be loved out loud. I want to be needed, and I need to be wanted.

Will I continue with this blog? Maybe. Maybe I'll continue to document things I learn, but given what I've learned, I don't think it's necessary to have expectations of where this (or anything) will go in the future.

Lesson 99: Truth in Cliches

Not even 7:30AM and I've realized that despite my dislike of cliches, there is some truth in them. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

Lesson 98: SAT

Today while reading the morning newspaper, I learned a little piece of good news: Washington state has the highest average SAT scores in the nation for the fourth year in a row. In addition, more than half of all eligible Washington state students took the test, a statistic that usually leads to lower test scores.

I've never been a huge advocate of standardized test scores being the sole indicator of success, but I do believe that Washington's accomplishment is significant. There has to be some kind of metric to indicate whether or not students are learning what's supposed to be learned and whether or not teachers are effective in the classroom. Multiple factors should be brought into the equation, but I believe that these test results are a piece of the puzzle in building a better education system in our state. Sure, there are students who learn creatively and don't do well on tests, but the bottom line is that these tests measure the basics of what students should know. And being a "creative learner" who can't pass a standardized test won't get you too far in life...unless you're one of those one in a million artistic talents.

Do we still have a long way to go? Of course we do. But I'll take every little gain because they all matter to that child sitting in that desk.

Lesson 97: Hershey Kisses

I think that by now all of my coworkers know that I like to stash candy in my desk for the midday slump. Hershey Kisses are one of my favorites because they satisfy my chocolate craving without the interference of crunchy nuts or gooey centers (although you can opt for the fancier varieties that include almonds or cherry cordial centers (I don't recommend the latter!)

Today while unwrapping a Hershey Kiss, I noticed that the plume no longer simply bears the "Hershey Kisses" name. Instead, once I pulled that strip of white tissue, I notice that the faded blue writing said "You Rock" and another said "Looking Good." Just what I needed to get motivated for the rest of the day.

Hats off to you, Hershey's marketing department! Way to make give us little self-esteem boosters where we least expect them.

Lesson 96: Invisible Teardrops

I've never been one to show all of my emotions when I've been hurt. There have been times when I think that crying equals weakness, and no one wants to be around a crybaby. But today I came to the realization that no one can go through struggles alone and come out okay.

Humans weren't meant to be alone. Sure we have those moments when that alone time is refreshing, but ultimately, we're better together. And the thing about hiding those sad emotions is that no one can dry invisible tears. It's better to swallow your pride and let those emotions out so that someone can wipe them away.

Lesson 95: Stars Fall, Too

There are so many people in this world who I admire or am even a little jealous of, and I can't help but think my life would be better if I had their circumstances.

But today it hit me:

No matter how great a person seems or how well things seem to be for them, they can still fall. Even people who seem to have perfection down to a T have something about themselves that they'd like to change.

Learning how to be satisfied with what you have may be one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself.

Lesson 94: Lies

My brother and I had a long talk today about societal expectations. We spent some time recounting how we were brought up and what life was like when we were kids.

Back then, I didn't expect to be where I am now. I imagined myself living my life in a sequence that women are expected to live it: Graduate from high school. Graduate from college. Become a doctor. Get married. Move into a mansion. Have children...all before the age of 30. Here I am now with less than two years until the big 3-0, and I'm chose not to become a doctor. I'm not married. I don't have kids (unless you count the 4-legged variety) I'm cutting back on my cost of living, so that mansion is nowhere nearby.


Maybe all of those things will come to me one day (except for the doctor thing--I don't do blood), but if they don't, I'm choosing not to accept societal lies that I'm lacking in value just because I didn't meet these expectations that some amorphous "they" set for me. And I learned that such a choice is okay. No matter what, there will be some people who accept me as I am, even if they don't seem like they're nearby.