The Apprentice.

It must seem like lately I have been fascinated by television, but rest assured that I am not. My mother loves television, her eyes seem glued to it at times. I feel awful that my mother has to watch television alone all the time. It's kind of boring I think and can get lonely (at least it would be for me) so I have taken up watching her favorite shows with her when I am at home. She seems to enjoy this and I enjoy spending the extra time with her. Can't begin to express how wonderful my moments are with her. Anyways, tonight's television line up was The Apprentice. Okay so not much of a line up, but it was a two hour season finale, which is a line up for me considering I rarely watch television for more than thirty minutes to an hour depending on if King Of The Hill is on or Aqua Teen. Tonight's Apprentice was just as inspiring as Grey's Anatomy. Not quite the same emotional heart string pulling two hours, but emotional. As I'm sure most of you know Brett Michaels is a former poison member who suffered a traumatic brain hemorrhage. Someone diagnosed with the type of hemorrhage Brett Michaels suffered from have a 34-50% chance of living two days after attack. Michaels is still here and showed up to The Apprentice to show how committed he was to helping children diagnosed with Diabetes, despite being advised by his doctors not to attend. This commitment and strength that Brett Michaels has should give everyone hope and show people that they should never stop fighting during traumatic experiences. Yes, Michaels is a pretty extreme case, but he inspired me so much more than I already was today. I feel like my mother is just like Brett Michaels. Her prognosis is not too hopeful, but she fights and is making such amazing progress with her treatment.

I do believe that people can create miracles if they believe, have faith, and never give up hope or courage. You really can fight through anything in life even if it seems impossible in the moment. Nothing is really impossible unless you convince yourself it is. I used to run a mile in 15-16 minutes and suffered. I would literally be sick from running. After I lost some weight I was determined to be fit not just because I wanted to look good, but because I wanted to be healthy and do good for my body so it would do good to me. I now can run two miles with ease in about 20 minutes. I can workout 2+ hours without being exhausted and I enjoy the sweat I produce and the progress I make as I work my body harder. I would not be where I am today without training myself and keeping up with my fitness.

I set goals for myself and intend to share with you all a "summer" list of goals. I feel that goals give you something to look forward to accomplishing. Being successful is not about how much money you make, how many cars you have, how big your house is, it is about how good you feel about the way you lived your life. Success comes from within and does not always have to be seen. I feel that thus far I have been fairly successful in my life. Sure there is plenty more I want to accomplish in my life, but I am satisfied with the way things have went thus far. You need to be satisfied with your life in order to be successful and sometimes that means forcing yourself to do things that you know will better you. Time is limitless though it can be quite limiting. What I mean by that is a goal can be accomplished years from when it was first anticipated that doesn't matter. What matters is that you completed the goal and you got it done in the end. That's one more satisfaction you can fulfill in this crazy little thing called life.

So what is it that I want to accomplished this "Summer 2010" as the silly teenage girls call it :o)? Well there is plenty if you view my goals below. They are not in any significant order, they are all just things I would love to be able to check off the list for this summer.
-Take a few nice bike rides along the lake this summer.
-Go fishing countless amounts of times with daddy! (Even potentially go camping).
-Have a BBQ with friends and enjoy the beautiful summer sunset.
-Explore downtown and buy cute little inexpensive trinkets to remember my journeys (like old times)
-Impress my boyfriend's family!
-Make my boyfriend happy =]!
-Do more cutesy things for my boyfriend.
-Go on fun adventures while in Arizona!
-Try some new recipes and cook more! With no school I should have plenty of time!
-Look for another job so that I can make some more money! I'm in desperate needs.
-Complete (or come close to) completing my thesis!
-Finish at least 40 more pages in my novel. (This is the bare minimum come on now!)
-Go to a few Sox Games.
-Explore the Museums.
-Read at least one new good book.
-Go to the Drive In with Daddy or friends.
-Go out with my friends on explorations.
-Watch some movies and have "movie" nights with my blankies!
-Workout at least three times a week or more.
-Try to clean the apartment as much as possible.
-Get darker than Vivian this summer.
-Go for plenty of swims and don't care so much about Jew hair.
-Educate myself on medical fields/careers.
-Get a headstart on school so I won't be so swamped during the year.
-Pick out definite PhD programs and read what each has to offer.
-Learn more about political campaigns and how I can get involved.
-Get involved in some sort of political activities.
-Be more social and less afraid to be who I am around strangers! Networking is the key to success.
-Get back in helping young teens who are suffering from anorexia, bulimia, abuse, and sexual assault.
-Enjoy the great outdoors.
-Take time to pamper myself.
-Learn how to save and invest my money.
-Really push my acting, and get as involved as I can. Stay on top of it all!
-Trust that g-d is pointing me in the correct directions and be proactive about doing the right things.
-Spend time with my mother and father and be sure to give them plenty of love.
-Go on a few long car drives (even if they are alone) to enjoy mother earth and my beautiful midwestern state.
-Get prepared for the GRE and take a look at the MCAT books for fun.
-Enlighten as many people as I can and enjoy others company.
-Try not to say no or get upset over petty things.
-Always let everybody know that you are there for them and be there for them. Let them know you love them and appreciate that you have them in your life.

Okay so the list has more inspirational and motivational information then anything, but I am determined to complete the list as best I can. If I don't succeed in everything this year there is no need to worry for there is always next year's list :o) I really feel blessed for the people I have in my life and so grateful that so many people are so kind to me. It is exceptional how a few kind words can make somebodies day. If only we could do little things for others to let them know we are here and care. Tell people that they are beautiful or have nice style. Let them know when you think that they are doing a good job or are going in the right direction. Let them know that you support them and really do value the time you get to spend with them. If you make your friends and loved ones happier then they will only do their best and feel their best. If they feel their best then they will treat you well. Being nice is a win win situation. Never forget that sometimes our loved ones do fight with us or do disagree with us. This is not because they want to torment us or don't care. It is actually because they care so deeply about us that they are trying to protect us and want us to do the right thing. They get upset around us and take out their frustrations because they feel comfortable with us and we should be happy that they come to us for this so that we can comfort them.

Oh this summer will be wonderful! Only 9 days before I am in Arizona with the love of my life. I can hardly wait. I will do all I can to impress his family! I want them to like me as much as he does. It's extremely important because I know they make him happy and if I can't make them happy too then I will be disappointed!  I just have to have confidence in myself. I know my family will be missing me for 2 weeks and I will miss them as well, but maybe when I come back they will realize how much I do for them and be a tad bit nicer :P

Sincerely Me,
Alexis Zoe