My Time Capsule

I did a Saturday morning sift through a backlog of podcasts, and I found one about time capsules.

My morning coffee got my imagination churning. And from it, I present to you the items I would put in my time capsule (plus the one thing I'd be happy to bury and never think about again.)

1) This Sprite Bottle from 1997

Call it puppy love, but I never felt more special than the night this Sprite was bought for me. I just celebrated my Sweet 16 in Minsk, Belarus during a foreign exchange trip. A few days later, a very handsome kid, named Vlad, took me to a Valentine's Day dance. We held hands as we walked around the moonlit city. He bought me a Sprite on the way back to the apartment where I was staying. The night ended with some adorable flirting and me giving him a kiss on the cheek.

2) X-Team Articles & HLN Badge

My love of journalism started at age 13 when I woke up to find my movie review printed in the St. Petersburg Times, and then I joined their teen columnists on the X-Team. My HLN badge represents how proud I am of how far I've come in my career.

3) Dad's Coconut Bread Recipe from Barbados

Perhaps, a day will come when I actually learn how to bake my dad's coconut bread. However, the family line of good cooking skills seems to have missed me. But that doesn't mean future generations should be robbed of its deliciousness!

4) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

A beautiful, unique, unraveling, nonlinear love story. Also, a copy of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Future generations will thank me.

5) My "Tiff Griff" Necklace & My Heart-Shaped Locket

Long before Carrie Bradshaw strutted on Sex and the City with her "Carrie" necklace, there was the iconic "Tiff Griff" necklace! It was made at a theme park in the mid-90s. I didn't have enough money for the smiley face charm, but the sweet lady who made it gave it to me for free. I've also been obsessed with having my own heart-shaped locket since I was a kid. I found the exact one that I wanted at an antique shop -- porcelain with a butterfly design.

6) This Photo of My 12th Grade English Teacher

With one of his famous sayings on the back: "Don't just think outside the box. Burn the box and stomp on the ashes!"

7) The Last iPod in Existence

Filled with all of the songs I deem necessary by Duran Duran, Liz Phair, The Black Crowes, Foo Fighters, Zero 7, thenewno2, Janet Jackson, and more.

8) A Single Revolution by Shani Silver

In case the world hasn't evolved, and being single is still seen as a terminal illness.

9) Mama Bath + Body's Atlanta-Scented Candle

If it were truly an Atlanta-scented candle, it would rightfully smell like a chicken wing (lemon pepper wet, obviously). However, I loved how this (sadly discontinued) candle had a delicious amaretto scent that made my apartment smell like cherry vanilla ice cream!

10) What I Would Bury to Forget...

I'll keep it cute and say whoever invented skinny jeans is a masochist.