I like making lists...

 

1) because they are fun.

2) because they help me sort through my thoughts.

3) because they make me feel organized.

I'm really just kidding about making a list of the reasons why I like making a list. 

But really. I do like lists. It has become a running joke amongst my friends. Probably my biggest witness to this is Alicia, who has been subjected to countless lists I've made. Sometimes I'll even make lists for her and other friends. I'm that out of control. But then again.. no one has ever complained that making a list was a hindrance instead of a help! 

I was paging through my journal and stumbled upon many a list, scattered about the pages. It's always fun/funny to go back and reread journals. My favorite is finding the list of qualities I want in a husband, that I wrote when I was in 10th grade. It includes 166 items. Not even kidding. Let me just say, high school was a strange time for me! :-)

The list that I rediscovered today is quite fitting, and a good reminder of what I want, or at least, wanted at some point. It's not a fancy list, and I hope I'm not the only one who has ever written this kind of list, or at least thought about it before. It's my list of things I'd like do to at some point in my life. The best is looking back at this list and realizing I can check an item or two off. Goals accomplished, however minor or insignificant they may seem.

Well, without further ado, here is my life's "to-do" list, as of October 2007.

(in no particular order - and HINT: my "secret plan" is somewhere in this post!)

1) Travel everywhere! (Semi-Check: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Spain, Morocco, Algeria)

2) Shoot a gun 

3) Learn how to drive stick shift.

4) Learn how to drive a motorcycle 

5) Take a photography class 

6) Learn more sign language

7) Hug a Chimpanzee

8) Finally become fluent in Spanish

9) Drive cross-country

10) Parasail (Check: Summer 2008)

11) Swim with dolphins

12) Skydive

13) Hot Air Balloon ride

14) Learn a 3rd language

15) Real camping/hiking trip*

16) Fly First Class (Check: August 2009 to the Dominican Republic)

17) Write my autobiography

18) Publish some sort of writing 

19) Learn how to dance Merengue

20) Learn how to play the harp

21) Relearn how to play the guitar

(Unfortunately for Becca, flying First Class does not ease the burden of landing with a weak stomach. Sorry, Bec.)

*In addition to this list, I also included a "Facing Fears" list. It's short.

1) Touch a snake

2) Eat a bug

3) Go on a Blind Date

4) Aforementioned Camping/Hiking (I'm afraid of nature.)

Besides the camping/hiking item, I am boldly going to state that I hope I never have to experience touching a snake, eating a bug, or going on blind date (So you can stop your scheming.)

That list was complied nearly 2 years ago, and as usual, the list has grown a little. Some newer items on that list include:

22) Learn how to sew on my new sewing machine (Check in process)

23) Learn how to crotchet 

23) Learn how to knit more than scarves 

24) Go to Midwifery school

25) Understand Football

26) Plan a wedding (Check: October 25, 2008 Katie and David)

27) Get a tattoo 

28) Wear red lipstick in public

29) Go vegan for a season

30) Do something Mother Teresa would do

So, that's it for now. 

I know it's kind of lame that there's only a few checks or semi-checks for this list. But like always, life is a process. I could be mad at myself for not accomplishing more, but instead I'll remind myself to take risks and live life fully. Taking risks does not come easy to me, I'd much rather feel safe in my own little bubble. 

But that's not reality. 

And I want to be real.