As 2012 comes to a close I am reflecting back on my year. Quite possibly the most tumultuous one yet. 2011 was very rough for me so in January 2012 I decided to start a bucket list in lieu of a New Years Resolution. I stuck with it! Here is how my year played out:
January 2012
- Left Puff 'n Stuff to work at The Knot
- Started my bucket list to pull out of a mental slump
February 2012
- Hurt my ankle running through the airport and ended up in a boot for 2 months
April 2012
- Met two friends that launched my biggest item off my bucket list and have become two of my best friends, Eric and Cory
May 2012
- Got my biggest item to date off the list and faced my biggest fear, skydiving
June 2012
- Turned 31 and had the most amazing birthday to date
July 2012
- Left The Knot
- Was in the hospital and almost died...apparently my blood pressure issue is worse than I thought
August 2012
- Moved out of South Tampa to Brandon then to Westchase
- Found out I got a new job I really wanted at SUN 'n FUN
September 2012
- Legal battles with my ex husband finally came to an end and ironically that same morning was my first day at my new job
October 2012
- 2 more trips to the hospital
November 2012
- Packed up my life and left Westchase to move closer to work in Lakeland (best decision of the year)
- Was elected President of NACE
- lost a family friend to cancer
- went skydiving again
December 2012 is yet to close but it's been a fantastic month....
So today I'm blogging because my determination to work through this list has made me realize I need to add to it. In one year, I've completed 25% of my list! So I add...this journey isn't meant to end anytime soon. It's changed my life in so many amazing ways and I'm going to push myself just a little bit harder. 2013 I feel like will include a lot of traveling.
I finally am on the other side of a long road of change. I'm SO incredibly proud of what I've done, what I've been through and where I'm headed now. Unlike a lot of people,
I thrive on change. The challenges have made me who I am. I've definitely been through a lot in my short life but the best is definitely yet to come. I get really excited thinking about 2013!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
#24 - Ride on a motorcycle
One of the guys here at SUN 'n FUN has a motorcycle and while we were setting up an event we took a break to get this one off the list. I am definitely open to trying this on public roads. Honestly, it was a little scary but I would do it again!
#24 is now complete!
Monday, December 10, 2012
#85 - Write a letter to someone who changed my life and let them know
At 31 years old, I have been touched by many people in my life. Some who have celebrated through my good times and some through the hard times. As I thought about ONE person who changed me the most, I knew immediately who would be the recipient of my letter. The person I wrote the letter to was someone I met in 1995. It was my freshman year of high school in 5th period and his first year teaching at H.B. Plant High School. Bruce Yost made an everlasting impact on my life is so many ways that have changed my future completely. Without him...well I just wouldn't even be close to the person I am today.
People describe me as driven, positive, spontaneous, free spirited, outgoing and a go getter. Mr Yost literally was the beginning of every single one of those qualities. This man is literally the best teacher I have ever had and let me tell you how glad I am that I signed up for chorus. Below is the letter I sent to him today:
Mr. Yost,
In January of 2012, I decided to make a bucket list. I was going through some very challenging times in my life and needed a way to have some control over my life through a positive outlet. Number 85 on my list was to write a letter to someone who changed my life and let them know. As I thought about all the people who made a permanent footprint in my life, there was one person who really stood out as a pivotal life changer...YOU!
I am now 31 years old and I can honestly say there is no one that I want to thank more for the impact made on my life. As a teacher, I know you do your job for the love of your students and your passion for music. I have to imagine that as much as you hope to make an impact, you may never hear it or know what you truly mean to people later in life.
So here is what you have done for me...First of all, I would never have the confidence that I have in myself without you. I will never forget trying out for the "Boy from New York City" solo. You made me realize that sometimes you have to take a chance and have faith in yourself and your abilities.
Being on the chorus board taught me the importance of being involved! I'm proud to say I was recently elected as President of a national association here for our local chapter. Being on that board helped me get my current job and I will forever be thankful for that.
Because of the awards I won in your class and being in the chorus "Hall of Fame", I realized that hard work and dedication equal success. I have won over 15 awards at work including "Salesperson of the Year", "Member of the Year" and many more.
Had I not been in chorus, I would never have gone to school for music which is where I met the father of my 2 oldest sons. My kids also inherited my love of music and the older 2 have both had major solos at school and in their chorus's (gotta contribute some men as I know we were always on a shortage of them in our class). I have had some very hard paths to cross at some points in my life but because of what you taught me, I have always been able to get through any situation with a positive attitude and find an outlet through singing.
You truly have no idea how much you did for me as a teenager. I am proud to say I was in your very first class at PHS and 17 years later I still remember and am forever changed by being your student. From the bottom of my hard, THANK YOU so very much for every last thing you did for me. I would never be where I am today without you and the values you instilled in me.
Aymee (Prosser) Brace
As they say...the show must go on! I know that he will continue to touch many lives but I am so thankful that I got to be one of them!
People describe me as driven, positive, spontaneous, free spirited, outgoing and a go getter. Mr Yost literally was the beginning of every single one of those qualities. This man is literally the best teacher I have ever had and let me tell you how glad I am that I signed up for chorus. Below is the letter I sent to him today:
Mr. Yost,
In January of 2012, I decided to make a bucket list. I was going through some very challenging times in my life and needed a way to have some control over my life through a positive outlet. Number 85 on my list was to write a letter to someone who changed my life and let them know. As I thought about all the people who made a permanent footprint in my life, there was one person who really stood out as a pivotal life changer...YOU!
So here is what you have done for me...First of all, I would never have the confidence that I have in myself without you. I will never forget trying out for the "Boy from New York City" solo. You made me realize that sometimes you have to take a chance and have faith in yourself and your abilities.
Being on the chorus board taught me the importance of being involved! I'm proud to say I was recently elected as President of a national association here for our local chapter. Being on that board helped me get my current job and I will forever be thankful for that.
Because of the awards I won in your class and being in the chorus "Hall of Fame", I realized that hard work and dedication equal success. I have won over 15 awards at work including "Salesperson of the Year", "Member of the Year" and many more.
Had I not been in chorus, I would never have gone to school for music which is where I met the father of my 2 oldest sons. My kids also inherited my love of music and the older 2 have both had major solos at school and in their chorus's (gotta contribute some men as I know we were always on a shortage of them in our class). I have had some very hard paths to cross at some points in my life but because of what you taught me, I have always been able to get through any situation with a positive attitude and find an outlet through singing.
You truly have no idea how much you did for me as a teenager. I am proud to say I was in your very first class at PHS and 17 years later I still remember and am forever changed by being your student. From the bottom of my hard, THANK YOU so very much for every last thing you did for me. I would never be where I am today without you and the values you instilled in me.
Aymee (Prosser) Brace
As they say...the show must go on! I know that he will continue to touch many lives but I am so thankful that I got to be one of them!
Friday, October 12, 2012
#52 - Go Camping!
I've never been an outdoor type of girl but lately its all completely changing. The weather as of yesterday has started to become perfection! I love the fall, it is the perfect couple of months in Florida and I feel like I will camp many more times. There were cows, coyotes and a bunch of other animals just roaming around the property but somehow I managed to keep calm and enjoy it. A few new friends heard me talking about my bucket list and facilitated camping overnight.
I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life willing to help me through many difficult and wonderful times and really embrace my quest to enjoy life through a bucket list. I will continue to push myself as much as possible.
#52 - Go Camping! - Done but it will not be my last time :)
#108 Play bingo at an authentic Bingo Hall
Most of my bucket list items have been happening at random and this one was no different. My friend Ashly and Heather had apparently mentioned going to bingo and let me tag along. First of all, this is no joke. These people are professional bingo players here. They have caddys for their ink bottles, can keep up with upwards of 18 cards a piece at any given time. We obviously were the youngest people here and honestly it seems as though it keeps these peoples minds going at their age.
The 2 women we sat with helped us a lot and had it not been for them we would have been completely lost through the process! Although I didnt win anything, victory was sweet for Heather who won $50.
I would definitely do this again. #108 - DONE!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
#58 - Read a book outside in the sunshine!
Very little surprise that I got into reading "Fifty Shades of Grey". I feel like everyone reads or has read the book now. I did enjoy reading almost the entire book in a day by the pool at my house. What a gorgeous spot and a relaxing day!
Such a simple bucket list item but a calm day to enjoy for myself.
Such a simple bucket list item but a calm day to enjoy for myself.
#61 - Attend a football game at my old high school, HB Plant, with friends from high school
One of my favorite things in the last month or two was being able to enjoy watching my old high school, H.B. Plant beat Jefferson High Schools football team. Two of my best friends actually went to Jefferson and one of them came with me and my old friends to watch the game. We ended up stomping them! Victory was sweet but he was a good sport and took a loser picture with me :) (Sorry Eric!!)
I saw my old soccer coach who is now the principal of our high school. Old times but good times!
#61 - Off the list!
I saw my old soccer coach who is now the principal of our high school. Old times but good times!
#61 - Off the list!
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