A yearish ago I wrote a post “Thirteen Things to Do Before I Die.” I know many of you have posts of several things you wish to do, and I’ve decided to expand my list. The top 13 are from the original list, and I’ll keep updating this with more items or comments as they come to mind. Any suggestions? Also, if you’ve done a similar list, give me the link so I can check it out! If you see anything familiar, it is probably because I borrowed it from you!
1. Visit every inhabited continent. (still need Africa, South America, and Australia)
2. Read every book written by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. (I’m only close on Jane Austen – I still want to read two of her incomplete novels and her Juvenilia)
3. Grow my own vegetable garden (I’d want cucumbers, bell peppers, and radishes, just like we had growing up).
4. Memorize at least 4 books of the Bible. (already memorized 1 Peter)
5. Write a book. (working on this one!)
6. Be a positive influence on the next generation.
7. Celebrate Dana and I turning 40 with a huge party (you’re all invited…summer 2022).
8. Meet the president (whoever is in office at the time, whether I like them or not).
9. Go on a cruise.
10. See my favorite Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde plays performed in person (Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello; The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband…I’m sure I’ll add others later).
11. Root for OU in person at a bowl game (and have them win! – or is this asking too much?).
12. Publish something…an article, a book, etc.
13. Visit the Holy Land.
14. Play a game of Monopoly from start to finish.
15. See a Broadway play.
16. Serve on a jury.
17. Watch Gone with the Wind.
18. Swim a mile (again).
19. Blog until I die…or until God convicts me to stop.
20. Read 3,000 books. (count started in 2006: (47 + 33 + 67 + 45) = 192 read so far)
21. Walk the streets of Rome.
22. Write in my journal every day for a year.
23. Write a letter twice a week for a year.
24. Create book database/checkout system.
25. Build up my emergency savings (I have a specific number in mind, but I’ll keep it to myself).
26. See the Mediterranean (I’ve been this.close several times).
This is a great list! I haven’t done a before you die list, but I have thought long and hard about what I want before I’m thirty. I haven’t published it, but a lot of it involves travel and really pinpointing areas of injustice in the world that I feel like I could contribute toward healing.
I like your list! It’s got a variety of pretty intriguing things on it. I’ve actually never made a list like this. Perhaps I should. Goals are always nice right?
When you visit Australia make sure you visit the west coast and drop in to say hello. :)
Great list. My daughter directed “The Importance of Being Earnest” at our local little theatre last year. It was excellent, if I do say so myself!
Great list! And a great idea! Of course my favorite is read 3,000 books! You’re on your way.
You’re never seen Gone With The Wind?! That used to be my favorite movie growing up. I love your list! I want to visit the Holy Land too and walk on every inhabited continent…I still have Africa, Australia, Asia and South America to go :-) I have a post coming up, but I may copy your idea for my next post!
I’d happily help you with #23!
YOU MEMORIZED 1 PETER??????? That is amazing in itself!!! I do good memorizing a few VERSES!!!!
I have a list myself… had on it for years to run the mini marathon… when I did it – I was so happy to cross that baby off… that’s so fun to do – mark something off you have longed to do! Good luck with all the other things on your list!!!
I personally am going to have to add the “Read 3,000 books” myself… good one!
@Elizabeth: I probably should do one a little more short-term. Though I do have goals for this year, so I guess I’m set.
@Veronica: Yeah, I’m definitely not one to have just one interest, haha!
@Rodney: Isn’t that where all the shady Australians live? ;)
@Barry: It’s a great play. I love the movie…and want to actually see the play.
@Pam: Thanks. I figured that would be 60 books/year for the 50 years, which is about how long I’m “supposed” to live. If I croak at 40 I won’t get there, but it’s good to aim high!
@Elizabeth: I never watched it growing up, and then I had a chance to see it in college, but I hadn’t finished reading the book. Now, I can’t find anywhere to rent it!
@Amanda: We should do it!
@Rebecca Jo: Yes, though I must say, it’s not memorized anymore. I wish I could keep up with it, but really, I think the importance is to get all soaked up in it. I have started a little work on Romans, but haven’t figured out how to incorporate that into my new life.
Your list makes me feel like getting my butt off my couch and DOING something, for goodness’ sake! Maybe your ambition is contagious??
#6 is a tough one to measure, but I think you can check it off already. You’ve done a lot for the kids at your church!
@Mrs. Mouthy: Yes, I left it on there simply because it was on there before. I don’t really like having unmeasurable goals. I could cross it off, but my work isn’t done!
You’ve never played a game of Monopoly from start to finish?
@OneMom: Sadly, no. I’m a competitive game-lover, but I’ve never found anyone who wanted to finish a game.
What an impressive list… I have a feeling you might just get it accomplished.
Cool list! I like it a lot. I am inspired to make my own now. :)
what a great list, i have never put together a list of what i want to do before i die…..i really should. you’ve inspired me to at least start thinking about it.
you have some really impressive and difficult things on this list, but i think none moreso than finishing monopoly LOL i love that game, but NO ONE will ever play much less play til the end…..
@Valentine: Haha. Maybe somebody would give me a complete game of Monopoly for a gift some time. That would be great.
Wow that is a fantastic list!
Oh I love lists so much, they make me happy.
We have a few in common, and I saw on yours some I want to add to mine.
Love it!
I think you’ve seen mine, but if not here’s the link:
http://librarianorteacher.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20List
@Mia: Thanks for the link. I probably have seen it, but not when I’ve been thinking about. There’s a couple there that I contemplated putting on my list: adoption and coast-to-coast road trip but decided not to. They may be put on at some point!
Wow, your list is very intense. As far as Monopoly is concerned, I let my sister talk me into this a few years ago and I have advice: Do this last on the list because it will kill you. Ha – obviously I’m kidding, but I did suffer through the last 3 hours (yes I said the last three hours – I think it was 5 hours total)
And I can’t believe you haven’t seen Gone With The Wind – it is a great movie, but an even better book, so you should definitely read it first if you haven’t already. Then it can help with the 3000 goal also.
@Katie: Haha…that’s a great point! Though I think I’d really enjoy it–if it was with the right person–no longer how long it lasts.
I have read the book, twice, and enjoyed it. Though I don’t like Scarlet at all, there’s just something about the book I thoroughly enjoy. I actually “read” it on tape the second time…it’s a wonderful recording, and even at 50 hours, I’ll probably listen to it once a year!
I wrote a list abt 2 yrs back and never looked back to it .. guess i might even laugh at few of the things ! so time to revisit and revise it !! and i enjoyed your list :) gave me some ideas too ;)
Screw meet the president! You need to be the president.
That’s an impressive list! Good luck!
@Hit 40: Thanks, but no thanks. I value my personal time WAY too much and my opinions too highly to be elected to public office.
Great list. I should come up with my own list as well! p.s. (I am not from New Zealand and not personally offended but the Kiwis I know would be offended at your calling that continent Australia. It is now called Oceania, just so you know)
Ronnica – I don’t know where my job search will take me, but if I get a job in NC, you and I are going to sit down for a long, pure game of Monopoly!
@Vanessa: I never thought about it that way. Did some research, and and apparently there are many acceptable ways of looking at the continents. I’ll stick with what I grew up with until that’s clearly on the outs. Besides, when I say Australia, I mean Australia, not the other islands, too. (Though, I want to go to New Zealand, too!)
@OneMom: That would be incredibly awesome: both the job and the Monopoly game!
What a great list! I’d like to do a lot of those things myself! (Maybe not the swimming a mile one…..exercise? Blah!)
Btw, I found you via Best Post of the Week! FUN!
Well, now I feel stupid. This is Ronnica’s blog! I’ve visted before! But perhaps it’s a different template or something? I didn’t recognize it! As soon as I hit “Submit” something inside me said, “You’ve read this blog before!”
Sorry, Ronnica! It is nice to visit with you again!!!
@Daja: No problem! I did recently change the colors, though maybe you’ve visited even before that, when it was Tale of a Kansas Girl. Regardless, it’s great to have you here!