Lifescouts: Niagara Falls

Hello!

Some of the Lifescout badges are really hard to get! This one is another badge that I know I earned but don't really have memories of:

My parents have told me that we went to the Canada-United States border to look at the Niagara Falls on New Year's. All I really know about this trip is that it was a lot of fun and that we were soaked. I have seen pictures from my visit there but don't have any memories of it. You would think that seeing this gigantic waterfall and being showered with water would remain in my memories but I guess not. It's really funny the things you remember from your childhood. . . Sorry this is another boring story :/

Badge count: 4

Lifescouts: Driving

Hi!

I hope you guys are enjoying the Lifescouts posts. I feel like this badge isn't that big of an accomplishment:

However after writing that, I realize that having the ability to drive is kind of an accomplishment since there are many people who have tried multiple times to get their license and have failed. I was on track with getting my license. Where I live, you can get your learner's permit at 15 after passing a written multiple choice test about the laws of driving. I went to the DMV on my birthday after taking countless practice tests online and freaking myself out to the point that I tried to convince my mom not to take me. She however thought I was freaking out for no reason and insisted we go. To my surprise I got a 100 on the written exam. I was then able to start driving with a licensed driver in the front seat and begin learning how to physically drive. I learned how to drive mainly by my mom and took a driving class as well so I could get my regular license early. Then came the day where I actually had to drive. The one thing I always had an issue with was the 100 ft backup because for some reason I always drifted to the middle of the road. Which of course I ended up doing when taking my actual driving test. However, my examiner was nice enough to let me retry the 100 ft backup after finishing the rest of the test. Thus, I got my license!

Did you have a hard time getting your driver's license? Or do you not need to drive a car where you live?

Badge count: 3

Lifescouts: Empire State Building

Hi!

I hope you have checked out the Lifescouts tumblr and read some of the amazing things people have done to earn these badges and started telling your own stories!

My next badge is:

I don't actually remember my time at the Empire State building but know for a fact that I did visit because of the things my parents have told me. I used to live in upstate New York and so traveling to New York City wasn't that far of a drive for me and my parents. Unfortunately, when my parents and I went to go visit the Empire State building, they were doing construction and we were not able to go to the top. I know that this story isn't the best, but I love how people consider spitting or throwing a penny off the top the thing to do when you get to the Empire State building. I would never have the guts to do something like that in fear of hitting someone. However, I will say that your spit will not kill someone if it falls from the height of the Empire State building because if it could we would all die from rain.

Badge count: 2

Lifescouts: Mountain Climbing

Hello!

As a person who loves to waste time on Tumblr, I've been noticing this thing popping up called Lifescouts. What I had initially gathered from the blog was that you get badges for the different activities people should do in their life. Then Alex Day (nerimon) posted a video about how Lifescouts was his brainchild because he always wanted to collect badges like a Boy Scout but never signed up. Check out his video here. I've been meaning to join in on collecting badges, but instead of doing it on Tumblr, I wanted to post it here. The next couple of posts are going to be about the Lifescout badges I have collected and why I think I have earned the badges.

The first badge is:

Now I've gone hiking and climbed mountains, but definitely not mountains like Kilimanjaro or Everest. And my mountain climbing experiences do not in any way include rappelling or helmets, but even without the extreme danger I've had great times with my parents. My most recent encounter with mountain climbing occurred while I was on break from college with my parents and cousin. A popular attraction close to where I live is Chimney Rock. Unfortunately I wasn't able to climb up to the waterfall due to ice, but the views from the "chimney" and other attractions like the "Opera Box" still made the trip worth it.

I encourage you guys to go to the Lifescout tumblr and look at the other badges available. If you want to get involved then reblog the badges and write about your own experiences. You can also buy physical badges that look really awesome and collect the badges that way!

Badge count: 1

Project for Awesome 2012

Hi!

I really should have posted this earlier seeing as P4A started on the 17th and you guys would have prior warning, but finals. Anyways, Project for Awesome was this thing started by the Vlogbrothers, Hank and John, on YouTube where people post, comment, like, favorite P4A videos. What are P4A videos? They are YouTube videos created to promote a charity of that creator's choosing. Then on December 17 these videos are posted to YouTube and www.projectforawesome.com where other people can watch and vote for their favorite videos. The five videos with the highest votes will get a portion of the money raised. Project for Awesome continues onto the 18 where final votes and donations are tabulated to determine which charities get the money.

This year I wanted to more actively participate in P4A by making a video about the club I joined GlobeMed and it's partner with MAP Foundation. Watch it on YouTube here. If you really want to help out MAP Foundation, you can donate money here.

Have a great Project for Awesome! And good luck to those of you finishing up with exams. I just finished mine today and I understand your pain.