Friday, October 24, 2008

Taj Mahal, Here I come!

I was recently browsing My Documents on my home computer (too much time on my hands?) and came across a little gem of a file simply titled GOALS. It's a list of things I'd like to do before I die - I wrote it about four years ago when I was teaching High School. In the Freshman Careers classes I taught (I know - argh!) we were discussing the importance of goal-setting and I read a story a man who had written his own "bucket list," if you will, when he was a boy. He had about 114 things on his list and had actually completed most of them! I was completely inspired by this and set out to make my own list.

So I commenced in making my list. A few of the things on there are givens, like marrying in the Temple and having a family. My list also has categories for Sites/Cities To See and Countries to Travel, catering to my love affair with all things travel-related. Some are a bit more random, though, like my desire to learn how to fly a helicopter. Don't know where that one came from! (Actually, I do... Can anyone say Magnum P.I.?)

As I was reading through my list, I realized that I'd actually accomplished a few of the things I wrote four years ago. I walked on the Great Wall of China, rode a camel, visited Alaska, saw Itzhak Perlman in concert, learned Tai Chi, went whitewater rafting, and started my goal to be in at least 10 musicals - 3 down, 7 to go...

In celebration of many exciting list-items to cross off in the future, I thought I'd post a few more of my life's ambitions. So here they are, in no special order...I present to you -

'Cole's Goals:
Learn to tap dance
Visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Run a 1/2 marathon (don't care to go for the whole one)
Be in a movie
Visit Lhasa, Tibet
Learn to play guitar
Ride an elephant
See a space shuttle launch
Cruise the Li River in Southern China
Read the entire Bible at least 10 times
Solo in an oratorio
Learn to ride a horse well
Go to Antarctica
See the Pyramids in Egypt
Meet the President of the United States
Learn to decorate a cake
Meet all 12 Apostles

and of course...

Sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

I don't know if these others will ever happen - though I'll certainly try - but this last one is non-negotiable. So remember to watch for me in future Conference Sessions! Then you can say, "I knew her when it was only a dream..."

What do you have on your lists? I'd love to hear...

6 comments:

Stephanie said...

I totally have you on my list of people who I know I will see some day in General Conferance, I totally need to make a bucket list

Heidi said...

I am totally with you on the Mo-Tab thing. I don't know what your time-frame on that is, but I'm thinking I might be able to try for it in about twenty years. Until then, I can always dream.

Sheree Flick Photography said...

One that you have on your list as well. I would love to see the pyramids in Egypt. That would be so rad!

Unknown said...

This is great, Nicole. I use Robert Goddard's list in my classes every year. My list is on my blog. Like you, I've been surprised by how many of the things I've been able to accomplish so far. Most of my goals involve traveling or are things I can't do alone. When I wrote my list I didn't really think I'd ever see the Eiffel Tower, let alone walk on the Great Wall. It's amazing what a little list can do... :)

sara said...

This really is a good idea. I think I might steal some of yours. I've always wanted to go sky diving and visit every temple in the world. I'm only around 15% completion of that one. I'll have to keep thinking of things to complete my list.

Robyn said...

I think those are awesome goals - makes me rethink mine a little - time to start accomplishing more of those goals! I'll go to Tibet with you and cruise China's rivers. I missed going back last summer and really do think I will return!