Friends, it’s such an integral part of our lives. We all would like to believe that we don’t need friends to complete our lives, but we certainly do. After college I’ve realized I don’t have a core group of friends that I truly believe “get me.” I don’t think there is anything wrong with me, however there is something about me that people seem to not want to invest a long term relationship with me and that goes for my love life as well. Looking over my history of friends they all come and go, to say the least they moved on from my friendship. 

Lifetime Achievement Goal #3: I want to find my core “ride or die” group friends. 

My favorite show is How I Met Your Mother, and I wish I had something as close as the friendships the characters share in this show. I know it’s a TV show, its not exactly real, but it has to exist somewhere…through the random, good, bad, tragic, or life altering moments of their lives, they have someone there to share it with.

And not just for the good times, but the bad times as well. I admit I’m a very closed off person, it’s tough to get to a deeper level with me, probably because I’ve been burned so much by friends in the past. I’m always afraid that I’m going to be so vulnerable to someone and they leave me by myself. I feel that way because that is all i’ve known. It seems that no one needs me as much as I need them.

I am by no means depressed or trying to throw a pity party for myself, i’m simply realizing that i’m getting older and I’m realizing the most important moments of my growth as a person, are not being shared with anyone. I’m definitely in a self-discovery mode of my life, however I constantly crave a relationship with someone who will reciprocate the depth of a real friendship. This is a lifetime achievement goal, it’s not like I want friends right now, its tough to make a real connection with someone, but hopefully one day I’ll find it. For now, i’m going to try doing things on my own, the best relationship is with yourself right? I’m not there yet.

Celebrations are “a Joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event.” I love to travel and experience other cultures, and what better way to experience a culture than to see them celebrate an occasion that means the most to them. 

Life Achievement Goal #2: Attend as many world celebrations/festivities/special events held in its home country.

I was browsing the photos for Holi: The Festival of Colors, 2011 - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic. The celebration looked crazy!

Some things I want to do:

1. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
2. Ati-Atihan Festival in the Philippines
3. Oktoberfest in Germany
4. The World Cup
5. Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan

There is definitely more, which I realize it is going to be very difficult to accomplish. But setting a goal always leaves you with something to look forward to.

Some amazing things i’ve already got to experience:

1. Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
2. Wimbledon in London
3. Tour de France in Paris
4. Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama
5. I was supposed to go to the Tomatina in Spain but I had unanticipated issues come up. WAAACK.

Even though it seems like the world has become very systematic, the celebration of our cultures is what maintains the spirit of humanity. The more I am able to experience these celebrations the better I can experience life. Some people are cynics about celebrations, even just a birthday celebration, and I feel bad for those people because I think celebrating generally make people happier. Since we are in control of our lives, I think it is our duty to make ourselves the happiest we can possibly be.

I have plenty of things I want to accomplish in my life, I think I should start keeping track of them. So I’m driving to work on Monday and I see people with convention badges, and I think, “Ooo! Its March! TED has to be here!” Soon enough driving down Ocean the street lamps are lined with TED flags. I did my research about the conference, first taking real interest when TED decided to make Long Beach one of its home locations for their annual conference. I’m so jealous, I want IN.

Life Achievement Goal #1: Attend a TED Conference.

If you haven’t heard of TED, it stands for Technology Entertainment and Design. Their slogan is “Idea’s worth spreading.” It is a set of conferences worldwide, and their mission statement states:

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Although it stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, it is not restricted to those ideas, but ideas that will change the world. Yes you must apply and fill out an application to attend and pay $2,500, but to be accepted you must have had some sort of significant success in your career. Duh, their slogan is: Idea’s worth spreading. 

So my goal is to attend a conference, and it doesn’t mean I will have become some rich elitist, but that I will have done something significant enough that will change the world in some way. Many of the speakers are not millionaires, but they have made amazing contributions in their area of focus.

I wish I could watch some of the speeches, but it’s $500 to purchase the broadcast. WOMP WOMP. I was lucky to have watched some segments on my Virgin America flight, I think you can find most on the web somewhere. It’s ok, I should just camp out this entire week at all the DTLB restaurants so I may run into a TED attendee (or speaker!! *cross my fingers*) and have a conversation about the conference! That will have to do until I can check this goal off my list. Just another motivation in life.

Here are some pictures of the conference going on as we speak, and check out their website TED. Enjoy!