Before I Die

A bucket list, or a life list, is something nearly everyone has, whether they have it written down or not; things that they would like to do and goals that they would like to meet. I have been trying to compile a short list of my own that has the big things - there are a million more things I would like to accomplish, but these are the big ones, I think.

1. Graduate from college
This is a long time coming. Most of my friends have graduated from college by this point and several have moved on to their professional career. I am years and years behind my peers; in fact this year I will be starting my "Van Wilder" year of school - that is, my seventh year of college. It is pretty ridiculous if you think about it. But I am definitely ready to move on with my life and the first step is returning to real college this fall.

2. Catch a home run, foul ball, BP ball, or warm up ball from an MLB game.
I don't care which park, which team, which player - I don't even care if I am the one to catch it or if David or a kind stranger catches it and gives it to me - I just want one. We got close at the last nationals game we went to, because one ball came a few rows in front of us, but I just think it would be the ultimate souvenir.

3. Have my story published.
Originally this was my Norwood story, but the way things are going, that probably won't be the first one I finish. And that is fine - it's s long story and I want to get it just right. But being a published writer is ultimately my dream, my ideal career would be writing stories. But I know how hard it is to make a living doing that, which is one of the reasons I am choosing to major in something other than English or creative writing. I do intend to take additional creative writing classes at CNU though, because there is always room for improvement.

4. Ride from castle to castle on a horse across Ireland.
One of my friends, several years older than myself, took this journey when she graduated from college. It sounds so amazing, and ever since in heard about it - probably 8 years ago - I have wanted to do it. It is expensive. I don't know anyone that would come with me, David only likes horses if he doesn't have to ride them, and my mom I think would like to but isn't comfortable enough in the saddle to do go for the 2 week trek.

5. Become a mother
I know, I know - I am too young for my biological clock to be ticking. Don't worry, Mom - it won't be for a few years! But I have a relatively small family and I have always wanted it to be bigger. I always used to love watching the show 7th Heaven, and how big that family was, wishing that I had sisters whose clothes I could borrow and stay up late gossiping to. I always felt like I was missing out on something. I will never have that bond with someone. I do have a half brother, who is 10 years older than I am, and he is wonderful - but we didn't grow up together. We don't have any memories from our childhoods together. I want my children to be able to have something like that.