Not too long ago, one of my best friends asked what was on my bucket list! At the time, I thought I had never even made a bucket list…and posted something on Facebook. My dear friend, Marcia Stafford, reminded me that long ago, on her couch in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, we had indeed made our bucket lists after watching “A Walk To Remember.” It took me a while, but I found the list in perfect condition. (It was in a secret location with my Roger Clemens rookie baseball card! Clearly, I valued the list highly!)
If memory serves me correctly, Marcia and I sat there for quite some time putting much thought into our lists, reading them aloud to each other, and then adding this phrase, “Upon completion, Marcia Stafford & Ashley Goad will meet to watch once again ‘A Walk to Remember.’” Signed by both of us on July 11, 2002.
It’s been 10 years since making the list, and I figured it was time to evaluate and adjust if necessary! Here is how the list was originally made with an update below each goal:
1. Visit all continents
North America & Europe, check… Five more to go.
North America & Europe, check… Five more to go.
2. Visit all 50 States
Only 10 more to go!
Only 10 more to go!
3. Ride an upsidedown roller coaster – CHECK!
4. Live in a foreign country – CHECK!
I think living in Mexico for three months counts!
I think living in Mexico for three months counts!
5. Join the Peace Corps or do long-term mission work
Does Haiti count?
Does Haiti count?
6. Be fluent in a foreign language
I almost had Spanish mastered.
I almost had Spanish mastered.
7. Work on a ranch
Not so much feeling this one anymore!
Not so much feeling this one anymore!
8. Obtain a PhD in Political Science
Let’s change this to MDiv and Doctor of Ministry.
Let’s change this to MDiv and Doctor of Ministry.
9. Go horseback riding on a beach
10. See a NY Yankees game and Roger Clemens pitch – CHECK!
I’ve seen two Yankees games AND Roger Clemens pitch!
New goal – See the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium.
I’ve seen two Yankees games AND Roger Clemens pitch!
New goal – See the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium.
11. See all four PGA Major Tournaments (US Open, Masters, British Open, PGA Championship)
Check US Open off the list! Three to go!
Check US Open off the list! Three to go!
12. Volunteer at Quaker Lake
13. Own a BMW
Eh, I think this one can be removed, too. I dig my Xterra just fine.
Eh, I think this one can be removed, too. I dig my Xterra just fine.
14. Read all Ernest Hemingway & F Scott Fitzgerald novels
About halfway there…
About halfway there…
15. Visit the White House – CHECK!
16. Marry a man I truly love & admire – CHECK!!!!
Two words – John Broadhurst.
Two words – John Broadhurst.
17. Go skydiving
18. Meet Joey Fatone of *Nsync – CHECK!
I’m a little embarrassed this was on my list. However, we were in the same room at the Paris Casino in February. That’s enough for me!
I’m a little embarrassed this was on my list. However, we were in the same room at the Paris Casino in February. That’s enough for me!
19. Coach a “little league” basketball team – CHECK!! Go Cyclones!!
20. Have 4 children – I even listed names. Though I won’t have kids of my own, Clint & Michael are practically perfect in every way!
21. Ride in a hot air balloon
22. Win an election
23. Personally thank Dr. Charles Turner for saving my life
I will write that letter immediately!
I will write that letter immediately!
24. Have a personal library full of all of my favorite books
I’m well on my way to this!
I’m well on my way to this!
25. Watch a meteor shower from a mountaintop on the Blue Ridge Parkway
26. Overcome the fear of riding a motorcycle
OH MY GOODNESS! How can this be on my list?? Oh just wait till my husband reads this! I have a feeling it will be completed before the night’s over!
OH MY GOODNESS! How can this be on my list?? Oh just wait till my husband reads this! I have a feeling it will be completed before the night’s over!
27. Learn how to drive a manual car – CHECK!
28. Obtain a teaching certificate
Does a masters count?
Does a masters count?
29. Play golf at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach & Augusta National
Check St. Andrews off the list!
Check St. Andrews off the list!
30. Learn how to play the guitar
31. Take a surfing lesson
32. Travel to Holland and pick tulips.
33. Read the Bible, front to back – CHECK!
34. See a Jimmy Buffett concert – CHECK!
35. Backpack in the Himalayas OR Andes OR Swiss Alps
Hmmm… I’m thinking no on this one.
Hmmm… I’m thinking no on this one.
36. Take ballroom dancing lessons
37. Have a picnic at Beacon Heights, NC – CHECK!
38. Be on a reality show!
I’m thinking no to this one, too!
I’m thinking no to this one, too!
39. Be in the audience of TRL on MTV
Definitely not…
Definitely not…
40. Go on a game show
I was in the audience of the Price is Right! However, I’d still like to be a contestant.
I was in the audience of the Price is Right! However, I’d still like to be a contestant.
41. Watch a sunset over every major ocean.
42. Spend the night in a castle.
43. Go to all three Disney parks – Disney World, Disney Land, EuroDisney
Check off Disney World. I’ll hit up Disney Land in September!
Check off Disney World. I’ll hit up Disney Land in September!
44. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
45. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square
46. See fireworks in Washington, DC on July 4th
Would you believe in the two years we lived in DC, I was in Haiti for one July 4th, and coming home from New Orleans on the next?!
Would you believe in the two years we lived in DC, I was in Haiti for one July 4th, and coming home from New Orleans on the next?!
47. Attend a black-tie formal ball on New Year’s Eve.
48. See every Cary Grant movie ever made
About halfway there, thanks to Netflix!
About halfway there, thanks to Netflix!
49. Spend an extended time on a tropical island
Again, does Haiti count? J
Again, does Haiti count? J
50. Drive Route 66 – CHECK!
51. Go skiing – CHECK!
52. Keep a journal
I do this well when I travel. Of course, this blog is much like a journal!
I do this well when I travel. Of course, this blog is much like a journal!
53. Send all my kids to Quaker Lake with Marcia’s kids!
I think I’ll have to send my grandkids to QLC with Jackson!
I think I’ll have to send my grandkids to QLC with Jackson!
Additions to the Bucket List:
1. Say a prayer before a NASCAR race
2. Spend Spring Training in Florida and catch Yankees, Astros & Cubs baseball games
3. Take several weeks to road trip to major ball parks for games – Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, and all the ones along the way from each.
4. Be the Senior Pastor of a church
5. Take an Alaskan Cruise and a Mediterranean Cruise
6. Zip line in Costa Rica
7. Live every day in constant communion with God. (That’s more on an ongoing goal, not so much something to complete and mark off a list.)
8. Complete a sprint triathlon
What else should I add to my bucket list? What’s on yours?
No comments:
Post a Comment