100 things to do

What is on your ”life list”? Do you keep written or mental notes about things you want to be sure you accomplish before you go?

According to the New York Times (link below), this phenomenon is catching fire across the country, particularly as Baby Boomers age — basically 100 things to do before I die.

So I thought I’d start my life list, which is based on a resurrected list from 10 years ago with a decidedly less fatalistic approach and which will be a work in progress. In my first attempt, I identified 10 … a few in mid-completion, and you’ll note that I am adding on over time.

1.    Buy a house and live on the ocean. half-check. (Well, it’s a tiny condo and I don’t get there as often as I’d like, but the balcony is fabulous).

2.    Live on a lake. half-check. (Got the house; still need to sell one and renovate the new one).

3.    Earn a PhD. half-check. (See a pattern developing? I finished coursework (26 of them) in December 2007, and take comps and research/write the dissertation in 2008).

4.    Get back down to 130, find some sort of exercise I don’t despise, and adopt healthier habits. no check. (Did the first six years ago and need to do it again, so it’s back on the  list; never did either of the other two with any enthusiasm).

5.    Teach. no check. (This is a plan for my next career, and I’m taking some steps to ready myself).

6.    Visit France, Ireland and Egypt. Travel on the Orient Express and sail the Nile. no check.

7.     Write a book. no check. (Surely that journalism degree will eventually pay off, right?)

8.    Get married to a man who makes me laugh and finds me adorable. (Stop laughing; it could happen).

9.    Raise a child. (See No. 8).

10.  Be financially prepared to enjoy an early-ish retirement. no check. (Plan A was unhinged by Nos. 1 and 2, lol).

11.   Learn to speak French passably well. no check.

12.   Make a meaningful difference in the world. (Perhaps that should be preceeded by: Figure out how to make a meaningful difference in the world). no check.

13.   Live larger (in other words, don’t play small). no check.

14.    Renovate (I might as well add to the list as I’m in progress). half check

15.    Learn how to paint (not the house, a painting). no check

16.    Plant a vegetable garden. no check

17.    Plant an English cottage garden that is Florida friendly. no check

18.    Practice photography. no check

19.    Finish dreaming up my life list. no check.

(Stay tuned). Note: Originally posted 8/26/2007 and updated periodically.

What is on your dream list?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/fashion/26list.html?pagewanted=all