Friday, January 11, 2013

The list

In my twenty ninth year upon this earth I compiled a list. The list in question detailed 30 very specific challenges that I should complete within twelve months. I asked my friends to help me by suggesting things that would challenge me, help me overcome a fear or give me a little nudge to do some things I’d always talked of doing but never gotten round to.

I loved that list. It was written in the back of my diary and travelled with me for the whole year… ticking things off made me smile.

I went on an amazing journey that year, and I’m not just talking about backpacking around South East Asia… I grew, I discovered things about myself and man, I had some fun.

I went to Glastonbury…. And spent the best part of a week wading about in mud, falling as it did on the wettest weekend known to England (and yes, that is saying something). I also got to spend some time with dear friends Jen, Dave and Tomas, sleep in a kids tent (how was I to know that the tent I got for my 8th birthday would be too small?...) and see some pretty amazing bands. 


I threw myself out of an airplane in a leisure activity officially known as sky diving. Grrr Sula for challenging me to do something so utterly terrifying. It turned out to be amazing, of course, that’s why people do it I suppose. It’s more than five years ago now, and the thing I remember most is the breathtaking scenery, the curve of the world and the rush of endorphins (and relief) as my feet touched the ground (metaphorically speaking. I actually landed on my bottom). 

 
I got a tattoo. It’s a small butterfly, but it looks like a prawn.

I went to a football match. 


I shot something… (well technically I didn’t, but I did fire a gun). 


I posed for a life drawing class. You know… naked.


And… I made a film for YouTube. I’d actually forgotten all about this little gem until my friend (and co-star) Claudia posted a link to it on my Facebook page. The thing that I’m most proud of is that I managed to convince this group of hip, young things to take part in a synchronized swimming routine (you’ll never believe we had no professional training).  In the five and a bit years that it’s been on YouTube it has been viewed 3,071 times and I’d estimate that at least 100 of those views were from me…it makes me smile… every… single… time. 

 

Did you spot me?
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40 comments:

  1. That's a good list!
    I did a similar thing but at 39 and 40.
    Actually, for my 40th I got a book called "Things to do now that you're 40" and I would randomly open pages when I needed inspiration. I would get pissed off if it said stuff like "make chili jam" and really excited when it suggested stuff like "go trapeze flying". Which I did. Actually my first year of blogging was mostly about doing those 40 year old things.
    Ahhh, the memories ...
    I love the painting by the way. Did you get to keep it?
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

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    1. Unfortunately I didn't get to keep the painting, but I will always treasure the photos!

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  2. Oh tell us more things! What a good idea. I haven't ever done a list like that... I did write a list of the qualities that were important in a life partner when I was 30, must find those one day and make myself fall about laughing!!

    Hope you have had a good week. Seana x

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  3. PS I linked to my new regular Self Care Sat post from last Sat, another will go up this arvo, would love you to have a look and comment on something you've done to take care of yourself this week.

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  4. Gorgeous idea! 3000+ hits on YouTube isn't too shabby. I love that you set out to challenge yourself. You are so alive. X

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  5. Posing naked.. wow! I'm impressed. How do you not just laugh uncontrollably?

    I don't think I could sky dive, hubby did it when he was 18 and says he wouldn't do it again. That's enough of an excuse for me!

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    1. I guess it wasn't that funny, the class was full of older people who were there to learn :-)

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  6. I hope you realize that you are spreading envy across the blogging scene this morning. At age 30 I was bogged down with a solo mortgage, loser boyfriend and an unsatisfying job. Perhaps I'll do a 60 before 60 list and it will be twice as good!

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    1. You can do any of these things at any time. Except for the backpacking, that might be a bit tricky with little people.

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  7. What a great idea! Not only did you have a great time, but made awesome memories to make you smile during the less adventurous times :-)

    In my 29th year I was pregnant with my third child. Maybe I can do something like that in the lead up to 40 when my kids can get their own breakfast and wash their own hair.

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  8. Oh gosh this is an excellent idea. I am stealing it. Maybe for my 39th year. Can't believe you skydived. Urghhh...

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  9. Are you in black and white?

    What a great idea......The list and the synchronized swimming! :)

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  10. What an exciting list! I just ticked my first item off my 30 before 30 list and I'm happy to get it going :)

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

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  11. I can't believe you have been skydiving, I am having palpitations just thinking about it. I have abseiled a couple of times, that is the worst thing I will do I think. Loving the synchronised swimming and the posting naked though, I might give that a go! (or not).

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    1. I loved abseiling too, and climbing, sky dive was awesome. I'd recommend it.

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  12. Ha ha! Love it. I giggled the whole way through that video. Very well done.
    You've got way more guts than me luv. No way in hell could I, or would I, go skydiving. I just couldn't do it. As you can tell, I'm no adventure junkie, lol. :)
    xx

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  13. Wow! That is a great list! I loved your video! I was smiling all the way through it!

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  14. I love your video. I would giggle each time I watched it too. Rachel xx

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  15. OMG that is hilarous, that video rocks!!
    I love your list and have also done all of those things on it, although the tattoo might not have been such a smart idea as my daughter constantly asks me about it.
    I'd jump out of a plane again tomorrow if I could!
    Emily

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  16. WOW you have guts girl!!! I thought turning up to the shops in your wedding dress was hilarious, but you have balls and a great sense of self.
    Well done :)
    Becc

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  17. What an adventure you had and it's such a great idea.
    Carolyn

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  18. Oh my gosh, that swimming is so lame and so totally something I would do! I love it! You did some awesome stuff! My 30 by 30 list I didn't even come close to finishing and it had some absolutely crap stuff on it. I also had almost 3 years to complete mine so that's something about just how crap half the things on the list were! The best ones I did manage to cross off though were reading 200 books and getting pregnant.

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  19. Oh I really want to make a list now!! So many cool experiences you had. I'm feeling quite inspired, sounds like a good Friday night activity for me :)

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  20. Good on you darls! I am 40 in 6 months and am ticking off shit like crazy! Cannot do a tatt though.... Or can I?

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    1. If it's something you've always wanted then I'd say go for it! I love mine xx

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  21. Sounds amazing, and what a great idea :-) It's my birthday soon and I think I'm going to do this :-) how exciting

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  23. Loved the u tube. "Dancing on the ceiling" song in a pool seemed a strange choice of music. Loved the dog paddling extra.

    A butterfly that looks like a prawn - sorry can't even imagine that one.

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  24. Please join us for a Friday Flash Blog, where you can share your favorite posting of the week and see what others are talking about at http://www.fridayflashblog.blogspot.com

    And be sure to sign up on our site to get an email notice when the next Friday Flash Blog is live.

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  25. Love your youtube vid. I would so love to do a couple of those things on your list like sky diving and shooting a gun. They sound like awesome things to do.

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  26. Very cool man! I envy your list and that you've checked boxes. Nicely done.

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    1. There were a few things that I didn't do... maybe I'll do them this year!

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  27. Oh, that video cracks me up!!! And what a great song to do it too! Cheesy, but GREAT!
    I've always wanted to sky-dive. One day :)

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  28. Love this! Thanks for the laughs.

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