Writing designing running hiking traveling – let’s just all move to New York City!

Time to update my bucket list.

I wrote this a little more than a year ago. Here’s what the list was then, and how it’s going (items in green are in-progress or done!):

1. Write a novel.

How it’s going: I have written the first draft of a novel. And I am working on the first draft of a second novel. Not too shabby, but I have a long way to go! I’ll add my new goal is to make my novel reader-ready!

2. Live in New York City.

How it’s going: I didn’t even make it to NYC in 2009, a fact I’m very bummed about. I still plan to do this at some point though. This is a long-term goal!

3. Travel to all of the continents (this is Jeff’s idea actually, but I am on board!)

How it’s going: It’s not. But it’s still on the docket! I have been to two of them!

4. Become a successfully published writer of both fiction and poetry (how does one define success on these things?)

How it’s going: Well, if you count #1 as progress then this is making some sort of headway!

5. Win a non-newspaper related design award (have 4 newspaper-related ones)

How it’s going: I guess you have to enter to win, huh? I need to get on this.

6. Get another college degree (photography, graphic design, or writing. Or all 3!)

How it’s going: Still want to do this. But if I’m being honest, I want to do this less than I did a year ago. Need to get my creativity back on the front burner!

7. Run a half-marathon (lemme do this first, then we’ll talk about a full one)

How it’s going: I cannot believe it was me that wrote this! A year ago I couldn’t even imagine something longer than a 10K. Then Kevin started running. And he is very ambitious. And when he asked me earlier this year if I wanted to run a marathon, I laughed. Then I said, “Really?” Then I said, “Ok!” So I have Kevin to thank for me knocking this one out of the park! I ran my first half-marathon a few weeks ago in preparation for the full one I’m running in a few weeks! Take that, bucket list!

8. Go for an extended hiking trip (Appalachian Trail, perhaps?)

How it’s going: Ok, I really really really want to do this still.

9. Live in another country for at least a short time.

How it’s going: This one I was thinking of as a retirement-age goal, so we’ll talk about it in 30 years or so!

10. Take up cycling, both for exercise and transportation.

How it’s going: Done! I’m still shaky on the bike, but I rode my new road bike last weekend to meet Colleen for breakfast, and I have ridden a borrowed mountain bike to meet Amy for coffee, and I have ridden them both for exercise.

————

General thoughts: I’m proud of the progress made regarding the fitness and the writing, not so much the traveling. It’s been a little tight money-wise, so I think that makes sense.  Reading this list again, the item I get most excited about (other than the ones that are already in progress!) is #8, an extended hiking trip. Even if I have to plan it for a few years from now, it’s time to start thinking about it! Who wants to take 3 months to hike the Appalachian Trail?


Comments

16 responses to “Writing designing running hiking traveling – let’s just all move to New York City!”

  1. Amy Avatar

    Love your list and that you are making progress! Keep going!
    .-= Amy´s last blog ..Cowboy Boots: The Trend =-.

  2. Chris Avatar

    This is a really cool post and I think I might steal the idea from you if you don’t mind?

    It’s nice to kind of take it all in and reflect on it, see where you’re at as far as goals and it’s nice to see a clear picture of what’s left to do.

    I’ve always admired your vision, dream and determination and I think we’ve talked about most of these before. I might want to get in on a few 😉
    .-= Chris´s last blog ..Top tens: India Pale Ale’s (IPA) =-.

  3. john Avatar

    Great post. Thanks for sharing this!

    Best of luck!
    .-= john´s last blog ..VII. Halloween Disasters =-.

  4. crystal Avatar
    crystal

    I have a bucket list and I love it. You reminded me ro reread my list and get going on some more things to check off. Did you watch the movie?

  5. Melissa Avatar

    Crystal, you need to post your list! Post it in the comments if you want since you don’t have a blog … I did see the movie, but I fell asleep and missed about half of it. Chris, steal the idea all you want – I stole it from Bethany!

    I think everyone should have one of these … if anyone writes one, make sure you put the link in the comments so we can all read it!

  6. Amy Avatar

    Can I just use your list? Appalachian Trail…I’ll be the one wanting to have a support team so I could run it.
    .-= Amy´s last blog .. =-.

  7. Kevin Avatar

    This is so funny. Crystal and I were talking about her list today and I had no idea why. Now I know! I think it is awesome what you are doing and I am on a similar “quest.” I cannot wait until we cross the finish line of the marathon (you probably ahead of me, but it’s all good) and you can not only cross off a half, but a full a little more than a month later!? You rock!!!

    I may write a bucket list soon on my blog, just give me some time to be even more ambitious 🙂
    .-= Kevin´s last blog ..another random rant =-.

  8. Kevin Avatar

    Oh, and the AT will be on mine for sure, but yeah, we will need like 6-9 months or so to do it. Anyone want to sponsor me?
    .-= Kevin´s last blog ..another random rant =-.

  9. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I remember reading this list when you wrote it, and I have been so excited to monitor your cross-offs over the course of this year. You kick ass! 🙂

  10. Catherine Avatar

    Love this bucket list! You just inspired me to update my own which I wrote a few years back (and haven’t looked at in many moons). There’s some great hiking in Europe and London could be your base camp 🙂

  11. crystal Avatar
    crystal

    Mine is super long. I’ll go over it and pick some of the best. It has big things and some little petty things. Well petty things to some people 🙂 I think I have like 40 things.

  12. crystal Avatar
    crystal

    I lied, I didn’t take anything off.
    Here’s the link:

    http://justkev.in/2009/11/crystals-bucket-list/

  13. Heather Avatar

    You really do inspire me to try just a little harder. Good for you for all the progress you’ve made. As for the rest, you’ll get there. I have no doubt.
    .-= Heather´s last blog ..Vanity Goes After a Fall =-.

  14. […] I tackled this a couple of years ago with my bucket list. But today, I’ll focus on one of these. #1 to be […]

  15. […] as he and I resumed our trek around the lazy river, I tried to conjure up a mental image of my own bucket list. I’ve been down water slides. I’ve been parasailing. But what haven’t I […]

  16. Tiffany Johnson Avatar
    Tiffany Johnson

    Awesome!