Things to Do Before I Die (Not a fan of the term Bucket List)

At church yesterday, we were asked to turn and talk to the person next to us about something we want to do before we die. I have a whole list of these things on my phone, and yet, in the moment, all I could come up with was, "Go to Tahiti." Which I felt really stupid saying after the girl next to me shared that she wants to start a non-profit.

The sermon ended up having nothing to do with our lists. The pastor asked us what's stopping us from doing those things, and he pointed out how there's stuff we want, and stuff we REALLY want. Like, "I want to read my Bible every day." But what stops us from doing good stuff like that is what we REALLY want, which is probably to watch The Bachelor. He then gave a great talk about our sinful natures.

But it got me thinking about my list of things to do before I die. There aren't a lot of noble, grand things on that list. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe because I'm already leading a fulfilled life? While I'm still not sure what I think about my current position, I know teaching reading is what I'm passionate about, so I don't have to worry about changing careers. And if I want to change the world or do good for others, I can use that passion to do it. For example, the church I just started going to has a reading tutoring program, so I could volunteer my services there. It's not something that's going to go on my list. Stuff like "thru-hike the Appalachian Trail" isn't on there either because, let's be honest, that does not sound like fun. Unless I could stay at a hotel each night. Anyway, I just don't have a lot of epic stuff on there the way other people seem to. My list is pretty frivolous. I think the only thing cliche about it is that there are lots of travel plans.

I usually post my list of things to do in the summer, but I don't think I've ever posted my list of things to do before I die. It's an ongoing list kept on my phone, but here's what I have so far:

1. Dance at a ball in Vienna (I saw on a travel show that they still have them!)

2. Be thin

3. Go to Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables

4. Zipline through the rainforest

5. Do the samba in Brazil

6. Learn guitar

7. Go to the moores in England, like in The Secret Garden

8. See a ghost

9. Live in a small town

10. Go to Tahiti

11. Make out at a drive-in theater

12. Sing in a cathedral in Europe (and probably get kicked out)

13. Go to Loch Ness. Look for the monster and sing songs from Brigadoon

14. Hike the Jesus Trail (40 miles from Nazareth to Galilee)

15. Go to the town in Germany that is our family's namesake and see if I'm treated like a celebrity

16. See a tornado

17. Live in Italy

18. See 24 hours of light in Alaska

19. Adopt

20. Run the bases at Wrigley Field

21. Swim with manatees

22. Be in a hurricane and have a hurricane party

23. See the northern lights

24. Record an album

25. Go on a Tunnel of Love ride

26. Go on an archaeological dig

27. Have a spur of the moment wedding in Vegas

28. Visit the places my ancestors are from- the towns in New England, the Horr estate in England, Ireland, Germany...

There are a few other items that are not appropriate to post in a public forum. ;)

As I looked at my list, I realized I've actually accomplished a few things- fourwheeling and meeting my birthfather. Well, I haven't actually met him yet. He just friended me on Facebook. But that's another story.

What scares me is that there is so much on this list, and I will be 30 next month. How on earth will I do it all??