Thursday, February 28, 2008

My Bucket List

Having seen the movie, The Bucket List, here for your reading pleasure is mine. In other words, a list of things I want to accomplish, see or do before I kick the bucket. If you wanted to share yours as well, I wouldn't say no. Here goes in no particular order:

1) Skydiving has always lingered in the outskirts off my mind as an activity that has to be experienced at least once and probably only once. In tandem with the greatest expert in the country, of course.

2) All right, let's get the obvious one out of the way. Being print published is clearly high on the list. No need to be a best selling author - at this stage it would just be enough to have someone other than my dear cps recognize my work for the fabulous writing it is. Yes, of course it's fabulous - it's just that not too many have recognized that fact yet.

3) I have several travel related desires but none more than seeing Machu Picchu in Peru. The reason I haven't got there yet is that we have this obligation to return to Italy to see husband's side of the family on a fairly regular basis and Peru is not en route. Every time we go back to Italy, we (or often just I) take a side trip to somewhere new but usually enroute or in Europe. This year in April, it's Egypt, just for me. Agatha's Christie's Murder on the Nile has inspired all sorts of drapey, cool clothes to be packed for the cruise part but I guess at the end of the day, it will just be cargo trousers and t-shirts. Much more practical on donkeys and camels.


4) This one is a little strange but I've always wondered what it would be like to have an out-of-body experience. Floating about above everyone else, invisible, seems the ultimate in voyerism. But that wouldn't be the central aim of the journey. I used to dream of flying and it was other-worldly, but life and responsibilities crushed the flying dreams right out of me and I would love just one more time to experience that sensation.

5) To talk to my father once more before his illness and death, without that tragic cloud of knowing death is near, which makes one incapable of saying what one wants to. The day to day effort of surviving the unsurvivable renders one incompetent in the area of expressing one's true feelings. Maybe I'll achieve this in another dimension but certainly not in this lifetime, so I'm not sure if this should be on the bucket list but I'm the boss and it's staying.

9 comments:

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Suzanne, another WOW! post. You are the most interesting person I know. :D Your range of interests amazes me.

I can see you sky diving. I would settle for para-sailing. That's my dream.

You will become internationally published soon. It's your destiny. I looove your books and they are worthy of a long shelf life. Okay, I'm your cp. :D

I have never heard of Machu Picchu in Peru but have always been interested in Peru's history. Can't WAIT to see photos of that trip.

Out-of-body experiences. AH! Something comes into focus. :D I think it's possible. When I am ill, I visualize myself hovering over my body and that lessons the pain.

I believe loved ones who have passed communicate with you through dreams. I often spend times with my grandparents while sleeping and wake up feeling like I've spent treasured minutes with them. :D

You also will have moments of clarity when you know a loved one has said hi. You'll hear his or her voice in your ear by a phrase you remember them saying.

I think he or she also tells God what a beautiful soul you are and then blessings come your way.

Love never dies. It just changes form.


Hugs, JJ/Nancy

Suzanne said...

What lovely sentiments, Nancy. I don't dream about my father yet. I guess that will come with time.

Parasailing would be pretty thrilling as well.

Machu Picchu is the ruins of an ancient Incan city built high up in the Peruvian mountains around 1450. It is supposed to be an awe-inspiring, magical place. One day I will get there.

raine said...

That's a fabulous list, Suzanne--and I'd go for every one of them myself.
Well--except for the skydiving, lol. It's just never appealed to me much...

Yes, your writing IS fabulous, and it will most certainly be recognized. I've said it all along, and meant it.

Love to see Machu Picchu too, ever since I read Shirley MacLaine's "Out On A Limb". There's something very special about it--quite right.

I haven't made a Bucket List. Something to think about...

Suzanne said...

Thanks Raine. I just need to convince someone else now - the fabulous writing that is. Why don't you become an editor or an agent?

I read Shirley MacLaine's book too, many years ago and I've also never forgotten it.

Let me know if you ever do put together your bucket list.

Suzanne

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Wild wave!!!

I can't wait until you tell me you've had a dream and a beautiful visit with your dad, Suzanne. :D

Jeff and I snowshoed today. I'll have photos on my blog soon.

Hope your dinner party went well.

Hugs, JJ/Nancy

Novice Writer said...

Just came across your blog..Really nice:-) I am sure your wish to get published will become a reality soon..All the best!!

Suzanne said...

Thanks for dropping in novice writer. I went to your blog and enjoyed yours as well. Earthquakes are sure frightening.

Heather Dugan Creative / Footsteps said...

Hi Suzanne,

I'm with you on several of those!

-Would sadly have to pass on the sky-diving as my surgically-enhanced ankle would be terribly unreliable (sigh).

"Yes" on the published author(!!) and Machu Picchu.

I LOVE my flying dreams and am always surprised to awaken to another reality (which is probably why I love swimming and snorkeling so much; closest thing on earth...).

Your dad... I remember spilling a pitcher of ice water everywhere as I said my last good-byes to my dad. His (and mom's) death changed me; I wish I could share the details of those changes with him.

Thanks for sparking some interesting thoughts!

Suzanne said...

Footsteps, you could always skydive and land on your backside. Ouch!

You are so luck to have flying dreams - I miss them.

Ditto on being changed by a parent's death. I feel like a different person, almost.

Suzanne