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It's Okay to Quit

I follow this blog, The Ramble.  It was so unusual to see someone post about quitting and making it something positive.  I wanted to share. 


It’s okay to quit.

It’s okay to start something and decide that you don’t like it.

You can quit after 10 years. You can quit after one day.

Quitting doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you a human being.

Human beings sometimes change their minds.

It’s not so unusual to start a job with all the hopes in the world…and discover later that you’d rather do something else.

It’s okay to change your life.

Our culture is so obsessed with not quitting that I think sometimes we don’t recognize the value of doing just that. There’s a balance to be struck here.

Don’t quit just because it’s hard. Don’t quit just because it’s not happening fast enough. Don’t bail on people. But don’t be afraid to change either.

Sometimes quitting is the brave choice.

If your job is zapping your creativity and your self-esteem, quit. If your boyfriend is cheating, leave him. If you hate the city you live in, move. If that diet is making you feel weak and ill, change it. If you secretly hate your major, switch. If you feel totally lost, take a year off. Do something different.

Give yourself time.

Quitting isn’t always evil. And sticking it out isn’t always healthy.

Find your balance.

Quit.

State #46 - Nebraska

I'm just gonna say it.  I think I am allergic to Nebraska. 

I headed over to Historic Winter Quarters to visit the Mormon Trail Center and the Omaha Temple.  I started outside with taking pictures of the Temple. Then I opted to visit the cemetery as the 2 charter buses, of what I am pretty sure was a Youth Conference Group, showed up.  I opted to let them go inside while I got an uninterrupted visit outside.

I was outside about 30 minutes or so and I couldn't take it.  I thought I was going to die.  I was having a hard time breathing.  There could have been a tree or plant that I am allergic to but I am just allergic to Nebraska.  I'm sticking with that!

I found refuge in my air conditioned car.  I headed over to the city to check out the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  I think 2013 should be named the Year of the Bridges.  The universe must be trying to cure me of my fears.  As cool as this one is, it did sway slightly.

Luckily, I got off before it became a problem for me.  The gist I got about the City of Omaha is that it is an older city trying to revitalize itself.  It's looking to bring in young families and young professionals.  It has a ways to go but there are some fun things to do here.  Lots of outdoor spaces, sports and it is home of Omaha Steaks. 

In case you were wondering, I did not have trouble breathing while in the City.  Makes no sense, but what does?

State #45 - Kansas

Originally, I planned to drive up to Omaha first thing in the morning.  I was watching the weather very closely, trying to avoid rain and tornadoes.  It was nice and sunny in Kansas City so I opted to go ahead and visit things.

As a last minute search of other things to do in Kansas I saw the World War I Musuem at Liberty Memorial.  It was my favorite thing on the trip.  It started off well.  Free and easy parking and surrounded by a beautiful park and grounds.

Obviously the giant tower is the Liberty Memorial and underneath it is the Museum.  This Museum does cost but I thought it was worth it.  Wonderful exhibits, informative movies and some interactive exhibits.  It was such a wonderful crash course in the War and I learned alot.  I was surprised about how many visitors where not from the US and many not speaking English.  By the time I was to the end of the exhibits I understood why.  This War impacted them far worse then is really discussed in school.  I don't understand why this War isn't talk about more. 

Also, the Musuem is not so big that you couldn't do it pretty quick and there are a number of places to sit.

Don't forget to go up to the top level so you can see a wonderful view of the city.  If you want you can go up to the top of the tower but I'm pretty sure it is all stairs.

Before I headed up to Omaha I stopped at the Hallmark Visitors Center.  It sounds so much better then it is.  Luckily it was free and I was in and out in 15 minutes.  However it is in the same area (same parking) as the Legoland Discover Center, a shopping center and Sea Life Aquarium.  If you have kids or like the other things near by then stop in real quick.  Just don't make a whole trip of it. 

I did get some Kansas City BBQ.  It was room service but at least is was from a really nice restaurant that was in my hotel on Sunday night.  It was super yummy and I was happy that I was in my PJ's eating it.  I would like to go back to Kansas City and visit the Pres Library, the College Basketball Experience, the WW1 again and see a baseball game.  There are alot of things to do, see, eat and play with in Kansas City.  That is what a big city can do. 

State # 44 - Missouri

In my first trip all by myself I went for 3 states.  Why not?  I had a Memorial Day Weekend to burn and I wanted to get away.

I opted for my planned visit to Kansas City.  Kansas City was built just for my crazy goals.  A big city that straddles two states and not far from another big city in another state.

I flew into Kansas City Airport, got my car, got some dinner and went to the hotel.  As noted in my earlier posts I got in earlier then expected.  That made my, worked all day and then traveled halfway across the country self, happy.

Saturday I made a quick stop in snap some pics of the Kansas City Temple and then off to Liberty Jail.

Visit the restored Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith spent approximately five months awaiting trial.

The visitor center is actually built around the jail to protect it.  It was a cool place to visit and didn't take much time.

Not far from Liberty Jail is the Independence Visitors' Center.  There are some other cool buildings near the Visitor's Center that are from other religions but I didn't take pictures.  I guess you will have to check it out for yourself.  On my way to the Visitor Center I saw the Presidential Library for Harry Truman.  I didn't get to go but I welcome the opportunity to visit another time.  Actually I did have time to go on Saturday and on Sunday but I was enjoying taking it easy and relaxing in my hotel when possible.

Now that I was done looping around Kansas City it was time to head into the City which was graciously located in Kansas.

Please Secure Loose Articles

If you have flown more then once you have stopped really paying attention to the safety demonstration.  You might be hearing what they are saying and watching but you aren't paying attention.

Naturally on this flight we got to see the video version of the safety demonstration.  The video started and I went right back to reading my book.  However a few seconds into it I heard some laughing.  Especially Channing over to my left.  I stopped my reading and noticed they were laughing at the safety video.  This is the first time in 5 years that I have paid attention to the safety demonstration.  It was so very entertaining (for a safety video that is).  Turns out there are two verisons on this funny video.  I'm going to share the one I saw.

I was so happy I got up to see if I could make it to this early flight!

 

Flight with Channing Tatum.

That caught your attention!

 

I am going to continue on with my flight stories from Atlanta to Kansas City.  The plane was a bigger plane to there were monitors in the headrests.  While the plane is on the ground and below 10,000 feet there are advertisements that flash on these monitors.  They are usually Delta advertisements or in-flight movie advertisements.  These monitors are the reason for my last two funnies. 

 

Across the aisle from me was this little family.  Mom, Dad, Little Girl, and Really Little Girl.  The Really Little Girl would point to the screen and tell her parents who or what was on the screen.  Cue the next advertisement.

 



The Really Little Girl points and says Daddy.  To which Dad responds happily, "Suuuure, Daddy looks like Channing Tatum!" 

 

 

It took everything inside me to not bust out laughing.  It was just so funny. 

 

In case you were wondering Daddy does not look like Channing Tatum.

Traveling Can Be Fun!

On my most recent trip there were a number of fun things that happened as I was flying from Richmond, VA to Kansas City, MO.

I was traveling with Delta Airlines and my connection was through Atlanta, GA.  It was really my connecting flight that made my travel day!  I got off the plane in Atlanta and my next gate was right across from it.  Score!  I had a 2 hour layover so I just sat down to read etc. 

After about 30 minutes, I noticed a large crowd of people circling around my gate.  Looks like they changed a gate on those poor people.  I double checked my Delta App to see if my flight gate had been changed.  That was when I found out my flight was delayed about an hour.  No big deal.  However the handy little App gave me the option to rebook my flight.  For kicks I let it look up my options.  There was one other option for that night and it was already boarding.  I sat there a minute and then got the urge to get up and check the monitor.  I wasn't sure where the gate for that flight was so I wanted to check and see if I could even get there in time.  Lucky enough it was only 10 or so gates down the terminal.  I took a brisk walk down to the gate.  They were almost completely done boarding but I thought I might as well ask to see if I could get on the flight.  The nice fellow told me that there weren't any seats available at the moment but to stay close because a seat might open up.  5 minutes later he waved me over and gave me a ticket!!  I couldn't believe it!!  I got on a flight earlier then my originally scheduled flight.

I was so excited!  I was going to land early, get my car early, get to the hotel early and get to bed early.  The surprising thing was that my seat was an aisle seat, not the middle!  Even better, the middle seat was empty!!!  I had room.  I was so happy with Delta.

State #43 - Arkansas

"Why did you go to Little Rock, Arkansas?"

"Because I haven't been to Arkansas yet, duh!"

I wasn't overly impressed with Little Rock, Arkansas but I believe there were circumstances that put a crapper on the visit.

1. The drive to Little Rock took at least an extra hour because of traffic.
2. We had been traveling all day.
3. It RAINED and RAINED and RAINED.  That can put a crapper on any place.

Luckily, the rain would stop in little bits of time so we could do the main things we planned to do.

You can't go to a town/city that has a Presidential Library without going to the Presidential Library.  I encourage you to go to them.  They are not free but I haven't paid more then $15 so they aren't over priced.  They are well maintained, usually have some form of food and they usually have some cool stuff.  They are little glimpses of American History.

PS - Don't let "Library" be a turnoff.  It is really a museum about that President with extra research available.  

Seeing as though William Jefferson Clinton is from Arkansas so is his Presidential Library.

It's right off the highway and is super easy to get to.  Plus, free parking!

I do compare all the Prez Library against each other, but when I walked in and found out there was a full-scale replica of the Oval Office....GAME OVER...I love me some White House.

You don't even have to pay to see the limo.  It is right inside after you walk into the museum.

The museum is easy to navigate.  It's a wondering museum and really 30 minutes was good enough time for me.  I find most museums tiring and painful if you stop and read every little thing.  If you are into that then you could easily spend a few hours here. 

This is a shot of Little Rock from the top floor of the Museum.  They had some benches up there which made me happy!

Just down that road to the museum is the Gift Shop.  I had to stop and get an ornament.  They have a little van shuttle that will take you back and forth to the Gift Shop.  We actually parked right by the Gift Shop and it isn't a long walk at all.  Plus it was a pretty walk.

If you like to walk, run, bike or get your nature on then I would recommend making the stop at the Big Dam Bridge.  It was about 10-15 drive from the Prez Library.

It's a bridge over a dam.  Not just some bridge you drive over but a pedestrian bridge.  No cars allowed.

It is one of the longest if not the longest pedestrian bridges in the United States.  It was the last thing added to our to do list but moved quickly to the top.  I have this fear of falling so me and bridges aren't the best of friends.  I knew that I would be visiting the Hoover Dam in a few months so I think this was a good warm up for me.

Amazingly I had no problems.  I even tried to stare down from the bridge and get the anxiety going so I could try and overcome it.  I never got anxiety while on the bridge.  It may be because it was at our own pace and there weren't heavy cars making the bridge bounce.  Instead let's hope my fear is starting to diminish.

It was pretty and relaxing.  The view was lovely possibly romantic.  I am sure it would have been even better if it wasn't overcast from the rain.  I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting.

We could have done more in Little Rock, but we were tired and had to drive 2-3 hours back to Memphis.  So after the bridge we drove back to Tennessee. 

If you are curious, I say go.  If you have no real reason to go, then do something else.  Do some online research and make your decision.

If I was to go back to Little Rock, I would stay there at least a few days and stay in the city or right outside of it.  I would also make a trip out to Hot Springs at least for the day.  Little Rock is a relaxed weekend or long weekend stop.

TED Talk on Happiness

Let's Dance

 

I am not a big fan of Taylor Swift.  It's a mix between her amazing ability to still be sooo shocked that she wins awards and her great ability to publicly humiliate EVER guy she dates.  It's very negative to me.  However she does have talent and skillz.  I presume that she will grow out of the boy bashing before the industry turns on her.  Nevertheless, she had a rocking good time throughout the Grammy's on Sunday.  I am thoroughly enjoying these GIF's that E! has posted. 

With that, let's dance!



Let's start of slow...

...Now the Arms...
 

...Stand Up, Lil Hip Action...

...Bring it Back In, Show Love...
 

 




 

...Let's Turn It Back Up...




...Get Hype...

That was fun!  At least she had some fun!