The Bucket List

Oh, the Bucket List... the things you hope to do and accomplish before... well... let's ignore the actual kicking-the-bucket part :  )  When I was younger there were only three things I knew I had to do… two of them are at the top of this list, and one of them (graduate from Texas A&M) is already done. So… here we go!

1. Learn how to play tennis and actually play it... because there is a difference. I have wanted to play tennis since I was about 10 years old and never have, other than batting a ball back and forth against the garage door with my brother... and I am pretty sure that does not count.

2. Go horseback riding… cannot believe I live in Texas and have never done this!  I am not sure I want to make it an actual hobby but I would like to give it a whirl.

3. Tour the East Coast… everywhere from Florida to Maine and especially small, tucked-away villages and seaside towns. There is a very long list of places I would like to visit… even beginning to list them is daunting.  I am thinking of starting a new feature on this blog highlighting different ones... so much history, so many things to do and experience!

4. Finish writing my book... (shouldn't this one be first?)  OH... and have it published : )  That's the kicker, right?

5. Enjoy a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3 in New York City.  I have been to the Big Apple twice and never made it there.  Almost did once.  Long story.

6. Visit Greece and Italy… something inspiring about being where Western civilization began.

7. Learn to play the piano… I took lessons one summer as a child and stopped… wish I had kept going. 

8. Teach college.  My plan behind earning my master’s degree was to have the credentials to teach at the university level and hopefully I will have the opportunity one day.  (Hopefully this coming fall, as I have applied for a few positions).

9. Relax.  If you know me at all you know this will probably be the hardest one for me.  (I am not sure it is really fair to put something impossible on here but I am leaving it, ha!)

10. Learn to play golf well… The Hubs said he would teach me : )  He is an amazing golfer.  He purchased gold clubs for me after we were married but they have only been used for one trip to the driving range.  Hopefully we can get out and play this spring... and hopefully I can exhibit some patience and be a good student : )

11. Visit Disney World… you are never too old for the Magic Kingdom!

12. Spend a summer in the country, preferably in the Northeast.  I really am a city girl but would enjoy this so much!

13. Meet Tom Hanks, Kate Middleton, George W. Bush, Kyle Chandler, and Muffy Aldrich… but only as long as they are all really nice in person.

14. Earn a Ph.D. in American Studies… ideally from Yale but having my sights set on the Ivy League may be pushing it a bit : )

15. Eat at Sardi’s in New York City.

16. Walk Haunted London… I have a book with maps tracing haunted paths throughout the city, including the trail of Jack the Ripper and the alley inspiration for Scrooge’s business in Dickins’ A Christmas Carol.

17. Ride in a hot air balloon.  Preferably over some green rolling hills but I am flexible.

18. Go on a murder mystery weekend in an old English manor or a New England inn.  Spooky.

19. Go sailing.  No real desire to be in charge of the ropes or sails or anything… but I could have some wine or a snack on deck : )

20.  Purchase a Lilly Pulitzer dress.  Sounds simple, but they seem to look cuter on everyone else, ha!  Maybe one needs to be thinner.  I have a few other LP pieces and really love them, so I am hoping to find a well-fitting dress soon!

21.  Watch the entire series of Gilmore Girls... from start to finish.

22.  Visit a working orchard or fruit farm and pick my own fruit :  )  Maybe I can do this while I am summering in the country!  OR... I can head down 35 and pick peaches in South Texas later this spring.

This list is an evolving work-in-progress… it is hard to think of all the things one would like to do and it is easy to forget about the smaller things : ( Oh, and if you can help me accomplish any of these, let me know : )

What is on your Bucket List?

P.S.  If you follow my private family blog and this post looks familiar... it is there, too :  )  I felt like sharing with everyone!