outblandish

Hey, I'm Ashley. I can hold entire conversations of just movie quotes with my siblings, make a mean mix CD, and thoroughly enjoy people and live events. Here, I'll be proving my last name has nothing to do with personality.

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Billy idol gets it.

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Here's the Purpose Project Live Like That list breakdown: If we support one orphan at $250, I'll accomplish these goals off my list: 1. Salsa Dance 2. Visit the Hope Outdoor Gallery 3. Cook for Family Dinner Night When we reach $500 to support two orphans, I'll master the above and also check off: 4. Taking a Jazzercise Class 5. Ride a horse 6. Wear red lip stick After our total goal of $750 is reached to support three orphans, the final three items on my Live Like That list to be achieved are: 7. Donate Blood 8. Drive a tractor 9. Shoot a bow (and hit the target)

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"You're the inspiration." - in the vocal styling of Chicago

Ever have that moment when all the crazy ideas in your head form to fit the perfect plan? I’m usually showering, you know, the most inopportune time to jot something down on paper or save a note in my iPhone. This was the case when the Live Like That Purpose Project took shape.

Inspiration #1 My younger sister, Tia, turned 25 in August. To kick off this birthday landmark, she compiled a list of 25 things to do before she turned 25. Her birthday list inspires me, she inspires me. (I’d like to think she had one amazing, older role model.) The two of us set off with our older brother, Ty, on the first sibling road trip with the mission to accomplish three things off the list that scream Texas:

1. Climb Enchanted Rock 2. Drink a Shiner in Luckenbach 3. Do a wine tasting in Fredricksburg

With a soundtrack of Ice Cube, The Presidents of the United States, and Justin Timberlake, we embarked on a journey that included quotes like “I would have never described onion rings as odor.” A few of our photos are below. We were adventurous, spontaneous, and extremely goofy.

Inspiration #2 My personal and professional worlds collide when our event center has the Thrive Tour with special guests Sidewalk Prophets in October. I was pretty pumped when they were announced as a Mocha Club artist this year. (If you have not listened to SWP, it’s a must. Check them out here.) In anticipation of the show announcement, my spotify had Live Like That on repeat. So what happens with a song stuck in your head and a desire to create a life list? The Live Like That Purpose Project is created.

Whether it include being adventurous, goofy, out of the comfort zone, or letting your light shine — whatever it is, I want to live like that.

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But, I don't drink coffee.

You may be thinking what I did when I first found out about the Mocha Club.  Cool concept, but I don't drink coffee.  

That was, until I found out what the Mocha Club actually is.  Imagine a community of people giving up the cost of a few mochas (or in my case a few Taco Bell meals) a month to fund development projects in Africa, with five main project areas including Clean Water, Economic Freedom, Education, Healthcare, and Orphan Care.  I get to be a part of a community making small sacrifices for a big impact.  How cool is that?

I decided early on I wanted to do a purpose project focused on Lizulu Orphan Care.  Kids have always been my favorite, from teaching art as part of early childhood development classes to being an aunt to three outrageously cool kids.  This purpose project will provide life and care for three orphans.  I can't think of a better way than to support future leaders filled with community support and love.

The purpose project goal is to raise $750 to care for three orphans for one year.  I've created a list of things I'd like to accomplish in life (more on this coming soon), and if we reach the goal I'll check off the list. The first item is officially checked off (1. Start a blog), but I've procrastinated long enough on the rest of the list.  Check out the Mocha Club and find ways to give up your mocha or help with the purpose project! 

[rollingstone]

11 moments from the Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Movie that blew our minds.

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you may say I'm a dreamer...

John Lennon

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Life is in session.

I've never been a fan of the question, "where do you see yourself in five years?"  If you had asked me that five years ago, after I quit my job of four years, moved to Los Angeles where I knew absolutely no one, without a place to live, the very structured and organized me would never have been able to process that as an answer.  

I am, however, a fan of dreams.  John Lennon gets its.  Luckily, the people surrounding me do to.  Whenever someone would ask what I wanted to do when I grow up my response would be "Change the World." As a member of the Mocha Club, I get to do just that, with a community of people sharing the same dream.  With the Live Like That Purpose Project launching today, you get to help too!  Small sacrifices, big impact. Dream On.

http://www.themochaclub.org/purpose-projects/ashley-bland

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A google search of outlandish lead to this definition.  I can't think of a better word to describe myself, of course with a little name play action.

you ready, b.