My bucket list

"Every man dies - Not every man really lives.” ~ William Ross

I LOVE to make lists.  I'm absolutely ridiculous about it.  I relish in the task of creating a fabulous list.  A packing list for vacation.  A honey-do list for Mr. H.  Grocery shopping lists.  I'm pretty anal about it...

So creating my bucket list is a familiar and comforting task for me.  Ah...  the thrill of numbering a sheet of paper, with beautiful penmanship, and then carefully listing off the exciting goals I want to accomplish before I die.  I get all tingly inside just thinking about it!

I decided that I would share my bucket list with you.  Maybe it will encourage you to create your own bucket list... maybe even give you some ideas that you hadn't thought of.

1.  I want to visit all 50 states by the time I turn 50.  I've got a pretty good start...  I have this "requirement" that I want to collect something from each state, or take a picture of myself in front of some famous monument in each state.  I'm really being quite finicky about this.

2.  I want to go skydiving.  I'm afraid of heights, and falling, and flying, but I am bound and determined to strap myself into a parachute and jump willy-nilly out of a plane.

3.  I want to do the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk/run.  Whether I walk or run will depend on how much I train.  Since I'm also afraid of bridges, in addition to being afraid of heights, I think I might run so that I can get off the bridge quicker!

4.  I want to run a half marathon.  I trained for and completed a 5k in the summer of 2010.  I felt great afterwards... until I came down with a respiratory infection and couldn't run, or exercise, for three weeks.  My intention was to train for a half marathon that October by training for and completing the 5k. 

5.  I want to see the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve.  It's not like I'm jonesing to see Dick Clark or Ryan Seacrest, I just feel like this is something that everyone should experience in their lifetime.  The excitement, the craziness, and the confetti! 

6.  I want to travel to Rome.  Or Europe in general.  I want to see the Pantheon, the Colloseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican archives, St. Peter's Square and Basilica, and all the other famous sculptures, fountains, and architecture.  I also want to go to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and see castles in Germany.

7.  I want to work at the Smithsonian.  I would also settle for the Field Museum in Chicago, IL.  I am a History major, with an Art History minor, and I would like to get my Masters Degree in Museum Studies.  I don't necessarily want to be curator, but I wouldn't turn down the job if it was offered to me. 

8.  I want to go scuba diving on a tropical reef.  When I was younger I wanted to be a marine biologist and I've always enjoyed watching beautiful fish in their natural habitats.

9.  I want to build my own home.  I have a "dream house" in my head.  It's nothing extravagant...  Just big enough for our family, a couple of guest rooms, nice open living spaces, an island in our kitchen, and a big yard with lots of trees and great landscaping. 

10.  I want to volunteer/work for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  My brother-in-law was diagnosed with MS a few years back and we have been involved with the society ever since.  Our local Michigan chapter is always in need of volunteers and people to work on committees to organize fundraisers and such.  I don't have a lot of free time, but I want to make time for this.

11.  I want to see Katy Perry in concert.  This may seem like an odd goal to put on a bucket list, but she is my favorite musician.  And consider this.  It's hard to get tickets to her concerts, they aren't cheap, and she won't be touring forever.  Every musician has their era...

12.  I want to become proficient in a second language.  I have always thought it would be exciting to be able to speak another language.  I have to be proficient in Spanish, up to a certain level, for my Bachelors Degree, so that's a start.

13.  I want to meet my goal weight.  Preferably before I get pregnant...  I have struggled with my weight for years, and I finally got things under control.  Now it's a matter of toning up and trimming off some excess weight.

14.  I want to publish a children's book.  I had to write, illustrate, and publish a children's book for one of my elementary education classes and I really enjoyed the whole process.  And, if I may say so, the book was pretty darn snazzy!

15.  I want to backpack the Appalachian Trail with my hubby.  This is really more of his goal, but I think the whole idea is fascinating and would love to accomplish this with him! 

16.  I want to buy and restore an old car with my hubby.  I haven't decided what type of car yet, but I think I want to paint it powder blue with cream leather interior.  Beyond that, I haven't a clue!

17.  I want to get my phoenix tattoo.  The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth.  I went through a big life change when I got my act together and started taking care of myself and getting healthy.  This tattoo would symbolize my transformation.

18.  I want to visit every one of the Disney World parks.  This is cheesy, but I'm still a kid at heart!  And I want a fast pass too!

19.  I want to be the founder of a historical organization.  Maybe something that raises money to restore historical artifacts?

20.  I want to get my Masters Degree.  Whether it's in Museum Studies or not, I want to accomplish this at some point.  Even if I have to write 60,000 word essays and spend months with my head in books at the library.

21.  I want to learn to drive a manual transmission.  This is especially important because the car that my hubby and I buy and restore is most likely going to have a manual transmission.  And I think it's cool to be able to drive a stick shift!

22.  I want to go for a hot air balloon ride.  I realize this is, yet again, another ridiculous goal since I am so afraid of heights.  But maybe I can wear a parachute...?

23.  I want to camp at a national park.  Preferrably somewhere like Yellowstone, or even along the Appalachian Trail.  I really want to experience the great outdoors.

24.  I want to be a contestant on Jeopardy.  I love watching this show and my hubby and I used to actually compete against each other and keep score.  I have gone to their web site to look at the sample tests they administer to determine eligibility to be a contestant, but the questions are random and ridiculously hard.

25.  I want to touch the Stanley Cup.  I am a die hard Detroit Red Wings fan and I love hockey in general.  I just want to be able to say that I was in the presence of and woman-handled the Stanley Cup.  That's not too much to ask, is it?  I might actually have to be dying for them to grant that wish...



26.  I want to see Haley's Comet.  I believe I will be in my early 80's when it comes back around again, so maybe my real goal here is to not kick the bucket before I'm 90?

You can check out this link if you need a little help in putting together your bucket list.