Self-imposed To-do List.

My parents left for the States yesterday morning. For one month, they'll be visiting our relatives across the country like we did five years ago. Only, I'm not with them (as my mom jokingly chided, "Tuition or ticket, your choice.").

Which means two things: one, I'm completely left with the house; and two, I'm completely left alone in the house.

The difference between the two? While the former means that I can do whatever I want and can all day everyday, it backfires on the latter because sooner or later, I'll be bored once I finished doing whatever I want and can all day everyday. And I'm alone.

Siblings have either work or school, and my classes start on November. I really have a lot of time in my hands, and days are pretty long when you run out of things to do. So, I've decided to make a list. A list that would make me productive in the coming minutes, hours, and days spent alone in the house.

Don't worry mom, I won't wreck the house, I promise. Maybe just my room.

So the list goes (in random. Whatever comes to mind, I type):

• LEARN how to Photoshop. I've pretty much mastered whatever photo editing skills I have via Picnik (Exhibit A: my header) and the ever reliable MS Paint. But I really want to level up and learn all those vector terms. YouTube is a fairly good educator for absolutely everything: make-up, choreographies, how to prank your friend, how to look like an idiot, and yes, including the ropes on Photoshop. I figured that I have to learn this stuff sooner and later. Oh wait. Scratch that. I have to learn this stuff now.
• In relation to the first one: get into photography. I didn't bother to say "learn" photography because, how hard is it to focus on a subject, adjust the focus, and click the shutter? I have held a camera before, I've taken lots of shots of sceneries and moments. But I need more. In my room alone, there's already a lot of stories to share that can sometimes only be told through photographs. And that's what I'll do. Maybe I'll post some of it here.
• Cook every now and then. And bake some more. Oh, this one should be on top of the list, actually. I need to check for expiry dates. But, one thing about me is that I bake or cook whenever I feel sad or depressed, or just plain bored. I bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and even tried my hand on cheesecakes. At least somehow, my family benefits from this habit of mine. 
• Stay off the internet. Lately I've realized that I've become overly dependent on the world wide web; Facebook and Twitter, mostly - and it's not that healthy anymore. It's come to the point that I just stare at my News Feed or Twitter Feed and refresh the page - every ten minutes. I need to control or balance my time on Facebook and Twitter. Only exceptions to this rule would be the one on top of the list, and of course, my blog, just in case I've got something interesting to tell. Which brings me to the next one on my list...
• READ. I've got tons of books that I have yet to read... and read again. I don't know where to start. 
• WRITE. Whether it's in my journal, this blog, on a post-it, on a tissue, or to my parents out of the country. I just need to let my mind roam and let my thoughts be written down.
• EXERCISE FOR CRISSAKES. Not because I'm on the heavy side or anything, but because I've been living an unhealthy life these days. I used to dance. I used to be limber. I used to be flexible. Emphasize on the useD to. A combination of ballet and cheerdancing helped me get in shape. And I seriously need to get that back. Jogging or walking to my sisters house is a pretty good idea. In that way I get to visit those three little buggers (my nephews) a big hug and kiss.
• Add more to this list. 

I've run out of things to do. Maybe because it's 4:25 AM and I've run out of caffeine fuel (about damn time), or maybe because those are the only things that I could do right now. Those are big things already, when you look at it. I need motivation, determination, and all those qualities that I didn't have to go on a diet.

But I feel good about this list. This is way better than enhancing just the physical; if I do all these things in my list, it'd make me a better person physically, spiritually, and mentally. It's what I probably need.

Oh, and before I forget. This is probably the most important thing that I could ever include in this list:

• STICK TO THIS LIST. 

In the immortal words of Barney Stinson: Challenge accepted!