Amy from Rocketwife tagged me, oh I don't know, 3 weeks ago. I've never been tagged before so this was very exciting for me. Until I sat down to write.
I'm suppose to write down eight things I'd like to do before I die. This is all great in theory, but then my mind begins to spin. What if I want to do more than these 8 things? What if there is something I'm forgetting? What if my list is vain and superficial? What if I change? What if people think I'm stupid? What if it's not a good list? What if I die tomorrow? What if? What if? What if?...And then I slam the computer shut, wipe the sweat off my brow and walk away. Please tell me you do this too? NO? I'm just a freak. Well, how about that.
I really was determined to get this done. I thought my 29th birthday would be an excellent time to identify 8 things/goals to accomplish in the upcoming years. Please note that I had to change '8 things to do before I die' to '8 things to do in the upcoming years'. This subtle difference, for whatever reason, makes this exercise even possible for me. So here goes...
1. Have a successful, long marriage. This may seem like a given, but when you're in your 20's with a divorce already behind you...
2. Run 50 marathons/half marathons by the age of 50. I ran my first 1/2 marathon 10 years ago (that makes me feel old), and I immediately fell in love with races. I don't like to run, but have completed 16 1/2 marathons and 1 full marathon. I think completing 33 more would be damn impressive. In fact maybe we should change age 50 to 40. I'm giddy just thinking about it. Come to think of it, maybe I do like running.
3. Live in a foreign country. When I was 18, I lived in Chile for 5 months. I was young, scared, and depressed, so spent most of the time in the fetal position in my 200 sq. foot efficiency apartment. When I wasn't eating pastries that is. Now that I'm older and more mature (hair toss), I'd love to live somewhere different and experience a new culture. Who am I kidding, though, I'll probably end up scared, sad, and depressed in the fetal position.
4. Have Children. Again, this may seem like a given, but when you're 29 and still don't have all your ducks in a row...
5. Visit all 7 continents. I only have Australia and Antarctica left, so I think this is already in the bag. Unless something tragic happens, of course, which gives me a panicky feeling, so let's not go there.
6. Be a better friend. I've lost contact with too many dear friends over the years. As I get older, I realize how important some of these friendships have been, and cringe that I let them go so frivolously.
7. Become a vegan for a year. Minus the piercings, of course. This is pretty far fetched considering I had some steak and bacon dish for dinner last night, but I've always struggled with food/mind/body issues. I think having the discipline to be a vegan for a year would help me grow immensely as a person, as well as show respect for my surroundings.
8. Be able to say that I've tried my best. I've spent too many years afraid of failure and afraid of what I have to offer. Because of this I've sabotaged successes, ruined relationships, and screwed myself out of many happy moments. I want to fail - because the only people that fail are the people that have tried. And heaven help me, I want to say I've tried just about everything.
There you have it. What are some things on your list?
Sarah:
I think you have many ducks in a row.
Jennifer
Posted by: jenx67 | August 29, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Hello Sarah .... I love this list ...
As to point 4) there is no good time to have kids ... if you have an egg and Jess has a sperm you should just move forward.
Point 5) you can stay in our spare room once you make it to Australia ...with or without babe in tow - dogs welcome too ... come within the next 18-24 months or you may find the spare room has moved to New Zealand.
Point 7) ... I am a fast, inaccurate reader .. the only thing more inaccurate than my reading is my fast inaccurate typing ... so when I first read 7) I thought it said "become a virgin for a year" ... I had to slow up and re-read ...
Anyways I am loving your work and will now feature you and associated blog on my rather select recommended list ... I don't have anything so scientific as a criteria like the darling Jenx67 ... I just like what I like ....
And I am loving those wedding pics ! If I ever went a third time (like nooooo)I would have to be sure to copy your sense of style and the prevailing feeling of love and fun I see in your images .... beautiful ... all my best Le
Posted by: Leanne | August 30, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Forgot one thing - love the title of this blog ... I am going to work it into my daily conversation, especially with men and see if it clicks ... hee hee le xox
Posted by: Leanne | August 30, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I think this was the year when my list held just two items:
1) BE PRESENT above all else-be who I am -where I am-with what I have. i don't really need to see Antarctica before I die if I am capable of really seeing what's in my own backyard.
2) DON'T WRITE LISTS.
Posted by: Lorrie | September 01, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I like the list. You are one goal setting woman! I switched my blog back to public btw.
Posted by: Holly Thatcher | September 02, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Hahaha, omg I love the title of this post.
I love your goals. I've been thinking a lot about becoming a vegetarian lately (I'm not sure if I could go as far as vegan), and I like the idea of doing it for a year. A good discipline/trial period.
Posted by: Katie | September 02, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Hello Sarah ...
so what did MIC say ... if I bury it back here I don't see any harm in telling ...he said I should quit my job, stay home for a couple of months and just mother and recover ...
Considering we upheaved everything six months ago to come back to Brisbane on a job whim for me I thought that was pretty generous ... and we live on one income - mine - so that would mean no income ...
It just said to me that I was waaaay more important than the dollars I earn, that I have real value as a mum and that he wanted me happy on a day to day basis ..
He then added that maybe the break would be the precurser to a move back to NZ ... my soul home ... even though I am an Aussie chick thru and thru ...
So there that was it - acknowledgement, acceptance, strength and love all wrapped up in a two minute exchange ... makes a girl smile
Posted by: Leanne | September 03, 2008 at 02:37 AM
I did something similar back in June after I watched "The Bucket List". I unimaginatively called it "My Bucket List" http://kwr221.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-bucket-list.html
Anyway, now you've got me all worried - is it too mundane? Have I not set my sights high enough? What have I left out? Oh, my. I may have to go back and revisit it. :-)
Posted by: kristin | September 03, 2008 at 08:43 AM
You are only 29!?!?!?!?!
Who the F*** has all their ducks in a row, I mean seriously? I don't think anyone doesS
Posted by: Nicole | September 04, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Your list is inspiring. Thank you. Maybe I'll add a "make a list of things I'd like to do before I'm 50" to my list of things to do. The one I haven't started yet. At least now I'm thinking about it! Thanks!
Posted by: Susanne | September 04, 2008 at 01:46 PM
I thought I had commented on this earlier but I guess it didn't go through. Doh! I was just saying that I admire you for #7. I couldn't live a day without bacon let alone a year without any part of the cow!
Posted by: Amy | September 04, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I don't know about being a vegan, but you could easily be a vegetarian in our family. If you come to Thanksgiving at Gail's, we have 4 vegetarians in the family :)
Posted by: Celia | September 08, 2008 at 06:06 AM