11. Go to a Cat Cafe in Tokyo

There will be no beating around the bush in this post. I am a crazy cat lady. Adore the little things. So, naturally I want to go to a cat cafe in Tokyo. These things sound so ideal. Let's sip on sip tea and pet some cats, shall we? Cat cafes are all over Japan and I only wish someone would carry over the idea to Salt Lake.  You basically pay a little cover charge to enter and then enjoy your human and feline friends at the same time. Puuuuurfect. A trip to Tokyo and a cat cafe? Yes, please.

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10. Get Lost in a Big City Without a Map

This is something that naturally does happen to me when I travel because I'm so awful at directions, but the point isn't to consult a map or stranger like I normally would do. The point is to enjoy what's around me at the time and not worry about the details--where I am or how I'll get back. Little things fascinate me, and I'm pretty sure I could spend an afternoon in almost anywhere and find something to keep my interest. Whether that be an old bookstore, a street that's calling me to take photos of it, or an interesting group of locals to people watch. Sometimes I let time and commitments take over my life. I'd like to live in the moment more often and do things for myself. I feel like being lost in a big city would give me endless opportunities for this. The best days for me are the ones where I have no set plans. I love letting days unfold naturally and having a surprise visit or phone call or even being the surprise visitor or caller. Of course, when it came time to finally head home I would ask the nearest stranger for directions back, but not until I was content with the day.

Now the question is, which city shall I get lost in?

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9. Chop off my Hair for Cancer Donations

I have long hair. Really long hair. Last time I measured it was 27 inches long, but probably closer to 30 or so now. I trim it regularly, but haven't had it short for about eight years now. I love the programs Locks of Love and Beautiful Lengths. You can donate your cut hair to these foundations that make wigs for people with cancer.

I'm terrified to chop it though. My hair is a large part of who I am. I'm very much so attached to it, and can't picture myself without it. I've always wanted short hair, but just for a few months or so. I hate the idea of having to wait years for my hair to grow back. But then again, at least it does grow back. Also it's comforting to know that someone will benefit from the hair. My family would be the first ones to pull out the scissors if I said yes. They all think my hair is too long. My friends on the hand say, "No, don't do it. You can't!"

I love pixie cuts, but I'm definitely not brave enough for one of those. Perhaps when I get the courage I'll go chin length at first to get my toes in the water.

I must give all those girls with short hair my applaud, because that takes guts. Guts I clearly don't have.

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8. Join the Peace Corps

My brother planted the idea of joining the Peace Corps in my head a few years ago when he was considering it himself. I love the idea of helping and volunteering for an entire community somewhere. Volunteers commit 27 months of their life to volunteer in one of seventy-seven countries offered in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Middle East. While you're there you provide help and assistance in six program areas. They are education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture, and environment.


On their website, you can read volunteers' journals and what they have to say about the organization. I've really enjoyed reading these perspectives. 


This is a major time commitment, but I feel like it's a life changing commitment. It's something I'm seriously considering for after I graduate or a few years after I graduate. 

More Photos Here

7. Gather and Create my Own Found Typeface

I have many collections. That's no secret. Well, here I am trying to start another one. The goal is find or create 26 letters (A-Z) at flea markets, garage sales, other stores, etc. and then compile them all into one found typeface. The idea started when creating the "e" (seen below) for my typography class. I cut out an "e" from an entire 1500 hardcover book. Talk about tedious. I went through 5 exacto knife blades. I think this will be an interesting project that will develop over time and travels. So far I have collected the Y, O, D, E, T, F, & R. I found the T & F at a flea market in Seattle, the Y & O in an antique shop in Seattle, the R & D at Urban Outfitters and created the E myself.

Being drawn to antiques and anything old I think most of my letters will be thrifted. A 12 year old once told me, "Marisa, you like really ancient things." I had a good laugh and told her I think she meant to use the word antique. I'm not quite sure I have anything that would qualify as ancient. Not yet at least. :)

Here are a sample of a few of the found letters:

6. Wear a Bow Tie

Call me crazy, but I've been dying to wear a bow tie lately. What's so wrong with a female wanting to wear a bow tie you say? Nothing in my mind. Others that I've mentioned this to have serious issues with the fashion statement though. I'm on the search now for the perfect one. Would it be a bit more dainty and feminine or something with a bold pattern? Ooh, maybe it's crocheted or made out of paper! The excitement rises. I guess I'll only be able to tell when I find the perfect one. Perhaps I'll make my own perfect one.

It all started when I spotted this girl on The Sartorialist wearing a bow tie and ever since it's been some sort of fashion taboo I totally want to defeat. I've always liked bow ties, on men and on jewelry / hair accessories for women. I've definitely had my fair share of bow tie hair clips, ring, necklaces and shoes but I think I'm ready for the real deal now.

The Sartorialist

5. Make a Belly Button Book

I have a weird confession. I've had this odd fascination with belly buttons every since I was a little girl. I started scratching mine when I was itty bitty. I still do it when I'm either bored or nervous. I think belly buttons are so fascinating. There's innies, outies, half & halfs and everywhere in between. I'm sure I sound like such a creep right now, but I'm half normal I promise. Anyways, I've always thought it would be fun and a humorous idea to start documenting belly buttons everywhere I go. I think it would be great to get people of all ages, sizes, colors, and from all over the world. After I collected a large amount of photos it would be fun to start categorizing and noticing trends. I think the book would be coffee table style and pretty thick. I'm not so sure anybody else would be interested in looking at it though. :) 

from google images