Accomplishments

A new one on my list was to write/acknowledge 10 of my greatest "accomplishments" from each decade of my life.

1-10 - These are going to be a little silly, but granted, at ages 1-10, it didn't take much to feel accomplished.

1. Gotta start with being potty trained at 6 mos.  That's a bit embarassing to talk about so publicly, but it was a good start.
2. Walkin and talkin.  Again, really silly, but were would I be without it.  =]

3. 

   San Diego Junior Theater Production

   Reading and Writing. I used to sit under an umbrella on the couch and read my latest library find.
4. Going to the moon in kindergarten.  I remember we had to make "computer keyboards" and most of the class had boxes with pictures on them, but I had a real keyboard.  Back in the day, they weren't so common, so everyone thought that was pretty cool.  Our teacher brought in a bubble tent and we watched the spaceship launch to the moon.
5. Michael in Peter Pan.  This is probably one of my favorite grade school memories from 3rd grade.  I was the smallest person in the cast so I was cast as the youngest brother Michael.  I loved it so much, I wanted grow up to be a broadway actress!  I was in every play in elementary school there-after.
6. First trip to Disney World.  Now, Disneyland is my first memory - I remember my dad carrying me up the playground pirateship rope ladder with my brother.  But Disney World plays a key role in my life choices and decisions, so the first trip was a bit of a big deal for me.
7. Started saving and managing my money.  I did this very young.  I like going to my bank and putting a my months allowance in my account.  And sometimes going to Kohls and buying a treat.
8. Pen Pals.  I remember in 3rd grade we had PenPals from overseas.  We talked about life in our countries and school and growing up.  I remember this is how I learned to write in cursiff, and man was I ever particular!
9. Creative Writing - I learned that I loved to write very young, and started writing short stories by the time I was in grade school.
10. Arts and Crafts.  I was always into the simple joy of creating and making something that I could sign my name to it.  I was no art prodigy, and I still lack a lot of skills with a paintbrush that I have seen many of my peers accomplish, but none of that has deterred me from expressing myself to this day.

One of the largest and prettiest places I've ever been.
Schonbruun Palace.  Vienna, Austria.

 11-20 This is a big "growth" gap, so the range here is pretty expansive.

1. Went to Vienna with my parents and used a camera for the first time.  Dad was always a stickler about who got to use the camera (and all technology for that matter) but this trip, while he was working, I held the camera and my parents couldn't believe some of the images I took my first time. I was 11.  This was also my one and only trip over the Atlantic.
2. GSA Gold award.  I made 50 birdhouses for the NYS bird - the Bluebird.  I was 16.
3. Graduated High School - and passes all my NYS Regents Exams!  Including chemistry-which I really didn't think would happen (thanks big brother for all your study help!) A little unfair that other school don't have state exams like NY does. I was 17.
4. Taking photography in high school - really developing a passion for it.  I was 17.
5. Getting into all the colleges of my choice.  And choosing University of Idaho.



I got a medal just like this one!

6. NYSSMA - New York State School Music Association - passed level 6 on flute.  The highest level achievable.
7. Lived on my own for the first time in college and at disney.  I think living away from home is an important part of this stage in life.  It was hard, but I'm really glad I did it.
8. Worked at Disney World. I was 18/19.  Ok, this was a HUGE accomplishment for me.  I moved to FL on my own, lived on my own and paid my own bills.  I worked my first job and achieved one of my lifes goals (to work for Disney) by the time I was 18.   
9. Met my husband.  I met Rob when I was 20 years old.  This may not be a big "accomplishment" but it was a big turning point in my life. 
10. Built solid friendships with people I am pleased know know I can lean on and people who know they can lean on me when necessary.

21-present.  This one is a bit unfair, being that I'm only 24, so I can't consider this category complete yet.  However, the achievements here are the most relevant achievements to where I am today, so they can't be left ignored.

1. All of my many jobs.  Particularly, the UI Bookstore.  I had more responsibilities here then I had anywhere else until that point.  I did this job while juggling other responsibilities and a full-time student schedule. Phew!

2. Jazz Festival. Ok, this deserves at least 3 slots, really.  It was my first office position.  A "real" job in my chosen profession.  It served both as a career builder position and an internship position.  I was able to receive multiple credits for the time I put in at this office.
3. Coordinating 5 events for the festival and upholding a professional attiude in stressful situations.  This is starting to feel a bit like a resume.  I worked with grammy winners and major sponsors and donors, and sent invites to the likes of the president himself, inviting guests to the largest event in the Northwest and one of the 5 largest jazz festivals in the world!
4. Disney College Program Campus Rep.  I recruited students to go on an internship in FL or CA and work for Disney. I doubled the school's goals in 3 accounts.



Photopass

5. Disney PhotoPass Photographer.  My first job as a pro photographer.  I worked with guests, characters, and entertainment at the Magic Kingdom. I was 22.
6. Married my husband. Rob and I got married June 27th, 2009.  The best day of my life.
7. Started working for H&R Block.  Not exciting, and hardly an accomplishment, but the gratitude and the opporunity to grow here is. It is also the longest continuous relationship with a company.
8. Graduated from the Rocky Mountain School of photography.  This program built my portfolio and got me started on a road to success with my photography.
9. Started my photography business.  City Country Photography.  I am my own boss.  It's fantastic.
10. Purchased our first home.  We're homeowners now!