Things I'd like to learn

The kids are back in school this week which means I have gotten some much needed quiet time.  I decided to spend some of that time blogging and went to this website for some ideas.  This prompt popped up - "What are ten things you would like to learn."  I figured since the kids are at school learning, this would be an appropriate blog topic for me to ponder as well.  So, here's my list of ten things I would like to learn.

1) To swim - Yes, we have a pool and no, I can't swim - at least not very well.  Truthfully, my 10 year old is a much better swimmer than I am.  I never learned to swim as a kid and, as an adult, I just can't seem to completely overcome the fear of water.  I get in the pool and even go in the deep end with a noodle.  I do not, however, dive or go under water.  I watch my kids swimming and diving, going underwater as if they were part mermaid.  I long for that level of comfort and ease in the water, but I do not possess it.  I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to learn to swim and that they have developed a love of the water.   I am more comfortable now than I was ten years ago, and, hopefully, with time I will continue to learn.   

2) To sing - I 've said before that I love music and that is very true.  That does not mean, though, that I am musically talented.  I sing all the time - while I'm driving; while I'm cooking; while I'm cleaning.  I strongly doubt that anyone would want to hear me really belt out a song, however.  It would probably cause permanent damage to one's hearing.  When I watch others sing on T.V. or at church or anywhere, it is a talent of which I am a rather envious.  
3) To play the guitar - This one kind of goes along with the singing.  I did take piano lessons when I was younger, but it never came naturally to me.  I hated to practice and I struggled to play proficiently.  I would love to be able to sit down behind a piano or with a guitar and just play - just hear a song I like and then play it with ease.  Never to late to learn???  
4) To be happy with my body- I struggled with psoriasis for years when I was younger.  I was diagnosed at age 9 and dealt with flare ups and various treatments until I was 25 when pregnancy seemed to make it disappear.  Although I have been essentially psoriasis free for the past ten years, it had a lasting negative impact on my self-image.  I spent so many of my "formative years" trying to hide what I didn't want others to see.  I even picked out prom dresses and a wedding gown based more on what they covered than on what I liked.  Now, when I look in the mirror, the psoriasis is gone, but I still focus on the negatives - too much here, to little there - and I rarely ever feel like I look beautiful.  I try really hard not to let my girls see my insecurities because I want to be a good role model for them and I want them to believe wholeheartedly that they are beautiful - because they are!  In my favorite post, "Lessons I Want To Teach My Daughters", I even tell them to be confident in themselves and remind them of what it says in Psalm 139:13-16 - ". . You knit me together in my mother's womb. . . I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ."  I struggle daily to remember this myself and embrace those words of wisdom.  I hope someday I'll get there.   
5) To be stylish - As I said above, I spent so many years focusing on the function of clothing - i.e. what it covered - I gave little attention to what was "in style."  Now, I see other women wearing an outfit and think, "That looks great!"  Then, I find those negatives again and think, "but I couldn't pull that off," or I try to pull it off and feel ridiculous.  I'm not so bad that I need a "What Not To Wear Intervention" (at least, I don't think I do), but I would love to have at least a few noteworthy outfits in my closet.
6) To decorate - I absolutely do not have "the eye" for decorating.  You know how you walk into some homes and think "this looks like something in a magazine"??  Well, you won't think that when you walk into my house.  I see things that look pretty in stores, but I can't figure out how to make them work in my house.  Or, I know I need something in my house like a new rug or something for a particular wall, but I am terrible at choosing.  There are so many rooms in my house that are "almost finished" from a decorating standpoint that it is ridiculous.  Maybe HGTV should make a show about that - the "comfortable, functional, I-have-three-kids-and-a-dog, almost finished room!"
7) To travel - I haven't traveled much in comparison to lots of people and most of the traveling I have done has been with David.  David, you see, is a professional traveler - literally.  He travels a lot for work.  He has probably been to every major city in the U.S. and he has been overseas as well.  When I travel with him, it's fine.  I just follow his lead.  But the thought of traveling by myself is daunting.  Just recently, I was reading other bloggers' reviews of the BlogHer conference in NYC.  I was impressed that these women struck out and went to NYC on their own to attend the conference.  I had brief thoughts that "Maybe I could go next year!"  Those thoughts were quickly followed by these thoughts - "How would I navigate Chicago ALONE?!?"  I guess David will just have to take me on LOTS more trips.  I'll consider it research so that, some day, I can travel to far off places with girlfriends or my kids or for a conference that is just for me and not be so dependent on someone else.
8) To eat seafood again - When I was newly pregnant with my third daughter, I attended a business Christmas dinner at a very nice restaurant with David.  We were served an appetizer plate that included a very large and very cold crab claw.  I took one bite and honestly about lost my marbles right then and there.  Since then, I have been unable to stomach much seafood.  If it is battered and fried so that it no longer resembles any type of fish AND if I'm in the right state of mind, I can do it occasionally.  However, if it is not disguised and especially if it is cold, my stomach does flips at just the thought of it.  Shrimp cocktail??  Disgusting.  Sushi?? No way.  This is the only pregnancy related food aversion I ever experienced, but I haven't been pregnant in over 5 years now.  Does it ever go away????   
9) To comfort others in distress - Just today, I encountered a friend who had suffered a loss.  I'm certain I resembled a deer caught in the headlights and she stood there crying and telling me her story.  I know that in situations like these there are never any words that will make everything o.k., but I just feel so uncomfortable and awkward.  "I'm so sorry."  "I can't even imagine how you feel."  "Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers."  These all seem so rehearsed; so trivial.  I wish I was one of those people who always knew just what to say rather than the stunned friend who is just trying not to say the wrong thing.
10) To take better photos - It seems everyone is a photographer these days - either as a profession or as a hobby.  My photos pale in comparison to most of the ones I see posted on Facebook or other blogs.  I attempt to take pictures for my recipes posts and they just don't look quite right.  The photos of my kids are always very basic, amateur photos.  Just once, I'd like to get a really awesome shot where the light is just perfect and everyone smiles - or one of those "Why didn't I think of that" poses that makes others say "Wow!"  Instead, I usually get these:

Too far away and the wind blew her hair in her face.

What usually happens when I try to snap a shot of Rachel.

Would have been absolutely adorable if it wasn't so blurry.

Only one is actually looking at me and she looks thrilled, doesnt' she??

So how about you???  What are some things you would like to learn??