Thoughts...

I’m going to be 25 in a couple of months. Sometimes I can’t believe it…but mostly, I think, “really? Only 25?” I’m pretty sure I’ll start feeling my age once I’m in my 30’s, with no great explanation... other than to simply state that I feel my life has been quite...long and eventful...

After some reflection, I can honestly say that I am very happy with what I’ve been able to experience and accomplish within the first 25 years of life…

Some examples:

- Have lived in 4 different states, 5 different cities, 6 different houses

- Learnt the piano (a skill which has been…almost…completely lost)

- Helped/played a part in raising three (enh…4) AMAZING kids

- Have watched (and own almost) every single Johnny Depp film ever made

- Learnt Spanish, with fairly decent fluency

- Completed my undergrad

- Have made friends with some of the most amazing people in the world (fact)

- Learnt/found a love for the art of pottery

- Found and became part of my absolute DREAM profession (luck played a MAJOR role in that matter)

- Became a member of a church I 100% love and believe in (again, luck)

- Established a decent sense of self

- Fell in love (both unrequited… and real…I think… :)

- Have really lived in and experienced Vegas life (have seen almost every show, stayed in several hotels and have dined at many of the famous restaurants on the strip)

- Became a vegetarian

- Read most of the books on the Time’s list of “ALL TIME 100 Novels”

- Survived a 14 day tour of Europe

- etc, etc, etc

I’ve seen/done quite a lot, but I still have a lot I want to do. In conversation, I oftentimes hear people say things like, “I’ve always wanted to do that!” or "I've always dreamed of going there!" So, I’ve decided to make a list for myself. A list of things I want to accomplish/complete/achieve during the next 25 years of my life.

Here it goes:

My Bucket List for years 25-50 (in no particular order):

1. Marry my Mr. Darcy

2. Become financially secure

3. Learn how to snowboard

4. Own my own business

5. Have a chocolate lab with blue eyes (named Moose :)

6. Learn French and Spanish with absolute fluency

7. Become a great reader

8. Own a piano and master it (again)

9. Learn to cook (a wider variety of dishes)

10. Travel EVERYWHERE

11. Accept myself completely

12. Own a pottery studio (even if it’s just a small one in my backyard/house)

13. Learn to dance (Swing, Salsa, Ballroom, etc)

14. Help as many people as I can, in whatever capacity I am capable of

15. Serve a medical-mission of one form or another

16. Go to Harry Potter World in Florida

17. Become more disciplined

18. See Jay-Z in concert

19. Learn to Skateboard

20. See all 7 Wonders of the World

21. Become more active in my church/religion

22. Take my entire family on a dream vacation

23. Go fishing

24. Build, live and retire in a home I designed from framework to light fixtures and everything in between

25. Attend an Olympic event

It's not complete...but there it is. Wish me luck...and tell me what some items on your list may be :)