Keeping things going... the life's to-do list

Throughout my life I have made mental notes of the different places I wanted to see and things I wanted to do. I clearly remember wanting to trek through the rain forests, which now just seems ridiculous considering my overwhelming fear of spiders of all sizes and bugs in general, and wanting to explore the pyramids of Egypt due to my fascination with their ancient culture and mummification process. Over time my notes have changed or have been forgotten. Several years back, after creating a mental travel list with Brian, I decided to actually write things down. This list included both travel destinations and a variety of things I wanted to. Most would call it a bucket list but I feel I'm far too young for that, so I refer to it as my life's to-do list. My original list was lost after my computer was mistakenly reformatted by one of Brian's friends and though I created a new one shortly after that I couldn't remember every item on the original and cannot find that copy now when I search for it. So, for the third time I have created a list - which I have posted below in case you're interested.

With my mom outside Harpo Studios after watching a taping of the Oprah Show during the 25th and final season!

What I find interesting about the list is how it has changed over the years and I'm sure will continue to change. Items get marked off as I travel and seek out these items each year (which always makes me a little giddy) and new things get added as I learn of new places to visit or get interested in new activities to try. Some remain constant because they will take a while to get crossed off. Keeping track of my life's to-do list allows me to choose new travel destinations and different activities to seek out instead of always going back to the same old places each year. Don't get me wrong, I definitely have my favorites. Whether I've been there multiple times (ex. Las Vegas, Disney World) or I enjoyed it so much the first time I can't wait to go back (ex. New Orleans, Denver, Savannah) I almost feel guilty going back to the same places because it takes away from the opportunities I have to travel elsewhere.

Brian & I rafting on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado

I encourage everyone to keep a life's to-do list. It doesn't have to have a theme and it doesn't have to be travel related, it can be anything you have an interest in. Keeping a list allows you to have a variety of goals instead of just living for the weekends, getting a higher salary, buying a house, or raising a family. If you don't already have a list created take some time to jot down a few things today.

Sunset off the coast of Clearwater, FL

Here is my latest list... can't wait to see what items I cross-off next!

Life’s to-do list

Travel:

United States

· Alaska

· Austin, TX

· Charleston, SC

· Key West, FL

· Nashville, TN

· Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

· Portland, OR

· Seattle, WA

North/South America

· Vancouver, Canada

· Jamaica

· Costa Rica

Europe

· Italy

o Rome

o Pompeii

o Venice

· France

o Paris

· Belgium

· Iceland

· Germany

· Greece

· Russia

· United Kingdom

o London, England

o Stonehenge

o Ireland

o Scotland

Asia

· Cambodia

· Japan

· Laos

· Vietnam

Africa

· Egypt

· Morocco

Activities:

· Hot Air Ballooning

· River Tubing

· Zip-line

· Visit the Grand Canyon

· Deep Sea Fishing

· Watch the Aurora Borealis

· Dine at a AAA 5 Diamond restaurant

· Spend a full day at a spa

· Snow Tubing

· See a concert at Red Rocks (Colorado)

o Preferably Dave Matthews Band

· Tour the White House

· Stomp grapes

· Take a Cruise Vacation with port calls

Items already completed:

· Obtain a Master’s Degree

· Attend a taping of the Oprah Show

· Watch a sunset over water

· Go White Water Rafting

· Visit the Biltmore Estate

· Visit California’s Wine Country

· Denver, CO

· San Francisco, CA

· New Orleans, LA

· Savannah, GA