I was so excited when I made it to China and hiked the Great Wall. This should be on every 20-something's bucket list.
The other day I was listening to the radio and heard about plans to create a zip line between Las Vegas’ Luxor and Excalibur resorts on the Strip. The line would run from the top of Luxor’s pyramid to the roof of MGM Resort’s tram station by the Excalibur. Las Vegas is one of the few places in the world that talks about hosting several zip lines connecting destinations. Anyway, this whole zip lining thing sounds awesome and it sounds like something I’d love to do. I’m always looking for an excuse to do something out of my comfort zone and as a 20-something that is living in the full-time-job “real world,” I’ve realized now is the best time to check a few things off my bucket list. Better than that, I’ve started to create a 20-something bucket list of things to do before I turn 30. After all, our 20s are suppose to be our best years, right? I mean, “We are young,” sings Fun.
1. Travel OUT of the country again. I’m a travel junkie. Summer 2009 I studied in London and Scotland. Fall 2010 I sailed around the world, porting 15 times. Last summer, I took photography classes in Rome and Venice. I can’t stop. Next, I’m thinking Germany, Australia or somewhere in South America. If you’ve never had a chance to get out of America, do it already! Gary Arndt, a man from Wisconsin who left America in 2007 to travel the world and blog about it, gives you 20 good reasons to get off this continent, including “the rest of the world isn’t full of germs” and “you can find the Internet almost everywhere.” Also, check out his award-winning blog.
2. Complete a workout DVD series like Insanity or P90X. I’m great at starting workouts, but not so good at finishing them. While I know maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle at a young age is so important to a happy future, it’s sometimes hard to make it a priority. But, even First Lady Michelle Obama is scolding me with her Let’s Move campaign. So, I’m going to get serious and start with finishing a workout series I’ve started, instead of just running on the treadmill here and there. Let’s face it, I need to get into a good routine before I get arthritis. Mayo Clinic advises those trying to stay motivated through a workout to put fitness goals on paper to stay accountable.
3. Have an apartment to decorate. When I go to the mall to shop for clothes, I frequently end up at Crate and Barrel. If I’m with my mom, I might blame her for this detour, but honestly, I love checking out the trendy light fixtures and apartment furniture displays. Also, I’m slightly obsessed with The Nate Berkus Show and often feel depressed when the show concludes and I realize I have no good reason to refurbish a light fixture.
4. Cook a fancy full course meal. Stop it. Of course I’ve cooked a full meal before. I lived on my own for almost four years. But, I really want to make something spectacular — something like a holiday feast. I want to plan a meal from start to finish and execute it with Martha Stewart skills. My mom will be so proud of this goal. She’s been dying for me to become domesticated. Anyway, here are some cool ideas for an appetizer-to-dessert meal: Fine cooking has ideas for dinner party dishes and Fine Dining Lovers has a list of easy gourmet recipes. On another note and maybe for a laugh, do check out this wikiHow on “How to Cook for Your Girlfriend.”
5. Host a formal party. Well, I have to have a reason to cook my fancy meal, right?
6. Get out of debt (after my party, of course). The biggest debt plaguing 20-somethings is college loans, and I’m no exception. My smartphone data plan, car insurance and gas also wreck havoc on my paycheck. Because I live at home, I’m fortunate that I don’t have to pay for rent or many utilities. 20-Something Finance created a list of financial goals you should reach before you turn 30, including “Start an IRA,” “Start an Emergency Fund,” and “Create a Monthly Budget Plan.”
7. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Once I hit 30, I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince myself to stand shoulder to shoulder in a group of one million people, who might not be on their best behavior or smell nice for that matter, for hours waiting on a ball to drop. With that said, who doesn’t want to be part of one of the largest New Year parties ever? C’mon, that’s a memory right there.
8. Take a road trip, a real one that lasts longer than a weekend. Before I’m tied down with too many responsibilities, I want to get a group of friends together and see how far one car will take us. Road trip America is a good resource for road trip ideas and free planning advice.
Links to check out:
Bucketlist.org and bucketlist.net are websites that allow users to create a bucket list for free, check off when something is completed and publicly post it. Even without signing up, you can browse other people’s lists. There are some really neat ideas posted.
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What program did you go through to take the photography classes in Rome and Venice? I’d never heard of that before and I’m always looking for new ways and reasons to travel!