Plans for the Future

I know I promised no more internal ramblings, but I just have too much to share lately! So for this post, I'm breaking the promise.

I've known for quite awhile that I want to be making some changes in my life. A lot of years of pent up wanderlust are contributing to this, of course, but I think I've identified a few things that I'm planning to do in the next five years (or so...we'll see how the planning goes). So in no particular order, here is my list:

#1: Become a licensed body piercer.
If you're thinking..."Uhh, WTF?" because of the fact that I don't seem like the type, you are somewhat correct but, I've been really interested in learning to do this for a couple of years. Portland has a school where you can get licensed and learn the trade and there's plenty of shops in which to do apprenticeships. If I save enough this year, I can start this as soon as summer of 2010.

#2: Attend the Makeup Designory (M.U.D.) in L.A.
I guess this is just another thing I've thought about doing for a few years. I've always loved doing stage makeup and wanted to learn more, so why not go to school for only six months and be fully trained? I can't think of any reason not to, so I'm planning to attend most likely in 2011. Only downside is that I really, really am not looking forward to residing in L.A. for six months.

#3: Be an Resident Assistant on a Russian Immersion floor @ PSU
So there's a new program starting on campus where students live together and are immersed in the Russian language. Well, I want to learn Russian simply because I hear so many people speaking it and it would be helpful to know, so I'm planning on taking Russian classes. With a lot of practice, I may apply to be an R.A. for one of the Russian Immersion floors.

#4: Study Abroad in Latin America/Become fluent in Spanish
I'm already so much closer to my goal of being fluent in Spanish, but it's going to take a full immersion in order to get to the point of fluency. I'm still looking for a relatively inexpensive program that I can attend where I can "live the language." Good news is that I think becoming fluent will not take more than a few months simply because just being around Spanish speakers at work makes my brain start thinking in the language.

#5: Travel to Greece
My mom is already making plans to take a trip in five years around the Greek isles and the place where my great-grandfather was born. I'm so excited that I get to go with her!

#6: Certificate in Fashion Design @ PCC
They have a program where you take evening and/or weekend classes that teach the skills you need to work in fashion design (sketching, sewing, patternmaking, business skills, etc.). it would be a good complement to classes in costuming through PSU, if I could ever get into them!

#7: Certificate in Music Technology @ OMTC
Again, weekend classes in audio/sound technology gets a certificate in music tech. Sounds pretty awesome to me!
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So that's the list so far. Funny how nothing in there mentions, say, finishing my Bachelor's Degree. That may be worked into the plan at some point, but for now, I think most of my goals are to get out and experience life. Despite the face that most of these programs are some sort of schook, I don't want to be school all the time! I want to be making things and doing other things besides going to class everyday and worrying about program requirements. My attitude towards college has been very relaxed. I want to get good grades, but I'm not obsessing over them. I am making progress towards finishing both of my majors in Theater and Communications, but have no ending date in mind. In general, I am still a control freak with my super planning years into the future, as this list attests to, but I feel so much more zen about everything going on in my life and I can't wait to see where my experiences lead me!