My 2011 bucket list
In case you don’t already know, I made my friends’ Valentine’s Day card this year. I spent about six hours in a span of two day pouring all of my creativity into the cards, and I’m very proud of them. But most of you don’t know why.
For the New Year that just passed, instead of creating resolutions that I’d never stick to or personality goals that I use as a cop-out, I made a bucket list. My list consists of five very seemingly average things that I have never done but I have made a goal to do this year. Most of these came out of a conversation with a co-worker, Greta.
Here is what I wrote about it in the Jan. 6 edition of Ottawa Delivered.
Here is what I wrote about it in the Jan. 6 edition of Ottawa Delivered.
“1. Sleep in a tent — I had very bad allergies as a child and my mom was a nurse, so I’ve never slept outside in a tent or at an overnight camp. Plus, my dad is not a Boy Scout or a hunter, and neither is my boyfriend. Maybe my boyfriend and I will attempt an overnight stay in one of the many local parks, but I doubt it. So I plan to buy a tent and set it up in the back yard. Hey, I’m all for baby steps.
2. Dye Easter eggs — Greta was shocked when I let this one slip. My parents aren’t crafty and as said before, were not into holidays. So Greta invited me to her mother-daughter tradition of Easter-egg dying in April this year. Bring it on Mrs. Lieske, I’m a fast learner.
3. Make my own Valentine’s Day cards — I don’t think this one is very shocking. My valentines in school were all store-bought. But I made my own Christmas cards this year, so why not tackle the holiday I despise the most for the sake of tackling a resolution?
4. Utilize a public laundromat — Another one that surprised Greta. Excuse me for always having access to a clothes washer and dryer. Technically, my apartment even has a washer and dryer on site that is shared among eight apartment residents, but I’ll let Greta take me to the one she goes to. It’s called staff bonding. That’s how we roll.
5. Ice skate — I’m not sure how I missed this one, honestly. My friends had ice-skating parties when I grew up, but I always seemed to miss them. But since I now live in the frozen north, I’m pretty sure I can’t get away this one for very long.”
So, the goal of my Valentines-making-adventure was to create childish-looking Valentines to make up for never making them in school. Just for the record, my “Dinosaurs” Valentine’s Day cards were a hit in school, even if they came from Eckerds (pre CVS Pharmacy where I grew up).
I wrote an original poem that was hand-written on each of the 10 cards to express my feelings towards the holiday. “Roses are red, violets are blue. It’s Valentine’s Day … Whooptie-freakin-do. Because just once a year is really not the way. So I hope you know I love you, each and every day.”
Yea, I think they’re bad ass, and I’m pretty proud of them.
Another of my resolutions goals that I can scratch off the list is visiting a laundromat. I went with Greta two weeks ago and documented our adventure. It wasn’t that exciting. It was really cold that day, and we were both bitching about work. But I can say I’ve been to one now, and that’s all I wanted.
That’s all. Nothing fancy.
***Photos by me
Comments