Time passes these days like:
[source]
I was never even a Harry Potter fan (sorry), but somehow this gif makes me feel like I should be emotional.
Speaking of emotions, I have a whole cocktail of those happening inside me right now.
- Disappointment that summer is over
- Contentment with how much I’ve learned this summer
- Excitement for going back to my beloved Boston
- Nervousness for how things will unfold this school year
- Sadness that I’ll have to say goodbye to my family (…and the kitchen)
- Gratitude for everything
I made a summer bucket list back in May, and it is now time for tasting and judgement to see how well I did! Before I take a look, I’m going to say that I think I got at least 50% of the items done. Fingers crossed.
1) Go to the beach (with Colby hopefully!)
not with Colby unfortunately, but with friends at BU!
2) Get a decent spot at a Tori Kelly concert
almost got stuck behind a 6’5″ dude, but Tori was incredible
3) Go on an easy hike with friends
I’m counting the one in Portland…with family
4) Watch a movie in the theater
5) Watch The Parent Trap ➔ {sadly, I never found the opportunity to find and watch this classic}
6) Meet up with Arman in New York City
wish I had time to meet up with him again!
7) Improve my handstand and other yoga arm balances
still working on it! trying to get proper alignment first and foremost
8) Come up with at least three new recipes ➔ {got at least four!…even though I almost never measured the recipe exactly}
mango banana chia seed pudding
best roasted sweet potatoes ever
strawberries ‘n’ cream smoothie
9) Get my full splits back (semi-comfortably) ➔ {you’ll just have to believe me on this one}
10) Re-read The Story of a Soul ➔ {nope…but I did start Unbroken!}
11) Eat a Dairy Queen Blizzard
12) Learn most of the muscles in the body (there is a diagram on the wall at my PT internship, and I’ve been studying it every day when I have free time) ➔ {wrote them down but didn’t LEARN them}
13) Go to a farmers’ market ➔ {I feel like I did, but I don’t think I actually did…}
14) Find an occasion to which I could wear a maxi dress, and wear a maxi dress for said occasion ➔ {wore a maxi skirt to the wedding rehearsal dinner in Seattle, which is good enough}
15) Watch the sunrise ➔ {I’m counting my watching the sunrise while driving to Toronto}
16) Hold an L-sit for 10-15 seconds ➔ {I think I may have underestimated myself, because I think accomplished this the day after I posted my bucket list}
17) Do another vlog with Daliza
18) Have a picnic with a friend ➔ {I wish!}
19) Gain weight (for real) ➔ {update on that whole shebang coming soon}
20) FaceTime with bloggers ➔ {FaceTimed Julia from Lord Still Loves Me!}
I completed 15/20!! I’ll take 75%.
I can’t forget about the food bucket list either! I completed…six. I made peach blueberry cobbler a la mode, chili, peanut butter cookies and fish cakes, and I ate Bareburger (twice) and a meatball sub at Festa Italiana. But I also cooked up a lot of new things this summer that were not on the list, so I’m happy!
Liv’s sweet potato lentil chili!
I also accomplished a lot this summer that I did not originally set out to accomplish!
- chopped off my hair
- used the slow cooker for the first (and second, third…seventh) time ever
- bought lemonade and cookies from a stand
- completed the Barefoot Mile
- finished at least three huge jars of peanut butter… 🙂
- wrote letters to several friends
- held a one arm handstand
- ate my first Shake Shack burger
- ate at Blue Star Donuts in Seattle + at a food truck “pod” in Portland (and went to those cities for the first time ever!)
- attended a wedding
- learned how to throw knives
- bouldered for the first time
- ate at Chick-Fil-A for the first time
- tried toasted ravioli in St. Louis
- witnessed my baby cousin’s Baptism
- had jury duty
- completed over 250 hours of physical therapy interning
- LOTS of blogging!
Needless to say, it’s been a fun and blessed summer. Now it’s time to move ahead into the school year for more adventures!
So tell me:
Two things you accomplished this summer that you wanted to accomplish.
Two amazing things you ate/cooked this summer.
Two things you accomplished this summer that you weren’t planning on doing.
Daily Moves and Grooves 
Um…I am horrible at challenging myself and coming up with things I want to do in the summer. Maybe I can blame not having the money? Ha.
I have only recently been starting to actually make recipes I’ve seen on blogs, but there are so many that I have liked! Everything of Amanda’s that I’ve made I’ve loved, and the same goes for Julie. I LOVED the overnight oat smoothie (heaven for me because overnight oats and smoothies are two of my favorite things) – so addicting! I think my other food thing has got to be Cookie and Kate’s toasted chocolate coconut muesli. Which you might not like because of the chocolate? <- still can't comprehend that! I keep some on hand for munchies or dessert or breakfast – whenever. 😉 http://cookieandkate.com/2015/toasted-muesli-recipe/
Ok, this is super lame, but I did not expect to see three "guy movies" only one of which I was really wanting to see, and enjoy them so much! I thought we would never get around to seeing them because we had to watch it without my mom (she doesn't like these kind of movies), and I certainly didn't expect to see them all so close together. Another thing I did that was I was not expecting was changing my workout routine. After doing the same one for 2 years, it was getting old, and I wasn't enjoying it. Making the change has made me happier and stronger (already!).
I think I'm going to attempt to make a bucket list for fall/winter, but we'll see. I'm no good at coming up with ideas. 🙂
Ok, couple more things I forgot. 😉 1. So glad to hear of another Harry Potter non-fan. I always feel a bit guilty because everyone and their brother just love-love-LOVES it. And that GIF is pretty emotional. We are growing up too fast! 2. Loved your vlog; it made me laugh! 3. Really creepy, I was called for jury duty this July, too! I didn’t end up having to serve, though, which was a relief for me. 😀 4. I want to try all of your recipes, but especially the energy balls!
Woo! Look at how much we have in common! 😉
I love all of Amanda’s recipes too! And I’m so glad that you are reaping the benefits of varying your workout routine. I can relate!
You go girl!!!!!!! It’s a good thing I didn’t make a bucket list this summer lets just say that! Lol 🙈
And no worries, I will come over with the parent trap💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻😘
Haha YES, PLEASE!
Mmmm hmm. Id say it was a pretty epic summer for you! But I’m afraid you left off one very important point that you should probably stick on there and do within the next week or so, and that’s to see the Canadian Rockies. I hear they’re gorgeous around this time of the year 😉
Gah! You KNOW I would go over there in a blink of an eye if I could!
I’m loving those handstands!! It sounds like you’ve tackled quite a bit on your list!
Looking up to you with your BA back handsprings! 🙂
Well done Alison! That is definitely a summer to be proud of – you really made the most of your time!
This summer I made the biggest change in my life – my husband and I moved to Australia! Scary yet exciting, I’m still pinching myself that I am here and living this amazing adventure!
Thanks, Jen!
OMG Australia!? That’s incredible! An adventure indeed.
I just watched your vlog, and it’s so cute!! I think you did an amazing job at checking off most of the items on your summer bucket list. It looks like you had a lot of fun along the way :). Hope your school year goes well!!
Aw thanks, Allie! 🙂
Amazing! What an awesome summer. I am happy for you ❤
How awesome you were able to cross so many things off! It sounds like you had an amazing summer Alison! Cannot wait to see what else is in store for you :).
🙂 Seeing you was on my bucket list. Well, my one I just made up. Can’t wait to visit Boston and make sure it’s a night when the dining hall is serving good food.
YES. Please come one of these days!
You had an amazing summer!! And I’m so glad I got to follow along with all your fantastic pictures, stories, and HILARIOUS stories. ❤ you girl. You are a blessing to me.
Thanks for following along, Emily! I’m glad you were a part of my summer!