Magic 8

In response to Michele's blog, which is in response to Nat's, I too am doing the list of 8's. I have to say this was a little harder than anticipated and I cheated a little (you'll see where). I also added a misc category of some random favorites...so, here you go:

All of these are in no particular order, by the way (and, I typed this up quickly without proof reading it, so please forgive any errors)...

8 Things I'm passionate about:
1. Spending quality time with my family
2. Waterskiing
3. Cooking
4. Journal writing
5. Life and making the most of the seemingly simple things
6. Figuring out the perfect gift/gifts to get people for Christmas, birthdays, just because, etc.
7. The Church
8. Noticing small details about people, places, events...

8 Things I would like to do/accomplish before I die:
1. Travel the globe
2. Write a book and have it published (it would also be nice if it were on the best-seller list, but I won't get carried away....)
3. Marry in the temple and raise a family
4. Let charity/love govern my life/character
5. Learn a second language
6. Be on the Amazing Race
7. Keep a goldfish alive for more than two months (may we please pause for a moment of silence for poor little Sophie...thanks)
8. Have a beautiful garden

8 Things I say often:
1. "I know, right?"
2. "I mean, let's be honest..."
3. "Seriously?"
4. "Dude, that's lame"
5. "Ridiculous"
6. "Brilliant!"
7. "This is why I keep you around..."
8. "No, sorry, I'm not Russian, I'm from Ohio" (if you don't know me well, this one could require a little explanation...)

8 Books I"ve read recently:
1. Currently reading Anna Karenina
2. Twilight
3. The Kite Runner
4. The Best of Everything
5. East of Eden
6. The Time Traveler's Wife
7. The Namesake
8. The Bombshell Manual of Style (haha, look out everyone!)

8 Misc Favorites:
1. Flowers (PEONIES!, all kinds of lilies, lilacs, daisies)
2. Strawberries
3. Good music
4. Vacations
5. Homemade cookies on a Sunday afternoon
6. Going on walks
7. Autumn
8. Singing at the top of my lungs

8 songs I could listen to over and over:
1. Kiss Me
2. Somewhere Only We Know (and so many other Keane songs)
3. Lovefool
4. Yo Soshia Suma
5. Rally
6. Lost (and pretty much any Michael Buble song)
7. Chasing Cars
8. Trolley Wood (love Eisley!)

8 Characteristics I look for in a friend:
1. Kindness
2. Sincerity
3. Sense of humor
4. Passion for life
5. Individuality
6. Dependibility
7. Confident and capable
8. Common sense

8 things I've learned in the past year:
1. I've always known it but I just become more aware each day how amazing my parents are (and my siblings too)!
2. It's okay to slow down once in a while
3. I can't do everything, nor do I know everything
4. It's hit me again just how much I enjoy people
5. While I wasn't sure of this a few months ago, I really do love my job
6. How happy we are really does depend on the attitude/outlook we decide to adopt
7. If you pray and ask the Lord how you can improve, He will most certainly tell you (in a kind way, of course)
8. I love my life!

And, there you have it.