Bucket List – Open Book Blog Hop #93

♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦

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Topic #93

What Is Your Bucket List?

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Well, I guess the best way to accomplish this is to make an actual list. It’s pretty hard to think about it in terms of kicking the bucket. The reality is we can pass away at any time. Being as aware of this as I am, I think of this more of a list of goals. A couple of these are already underway. Do you know which ones?

1. Travel Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Kenya, Asia and maybe Egypt.

I don’t necessarily want to travel every country in Europe, but I’d like to visit the places from which my ancestors came: Italy, Scotland, England, Wales, Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden…I’ve been to Ireland, and it was a blast. Going there filled me with a sense of homecoming. The people were quite welcoming.

Australia and New Zealand have been on my travel list since I was a girl. I’d like to do this one sooner rather than later, because it’s more of an adventure holiday. Going to these countries, for me, requires good health and desire to be in the outdoors.

Kenya, is very similar to the last two places. Mostly, I’d like to just visit the Giraffe hotel and do some photography in wilds. (Of course I’d carry my camera to all my destinations because of the excellent shots I’d get.)

As for Asia, my biggest desire is to see China. For a historian, I can’t imagine a better destination (except for India), and learning experience. Japan has my curiosity, as does Myanmar, India and Korea. Pretty much all of Asia has somewhere i’d like to stop over.

Lastly, I’d love to see Egypt. My aunt was able to go when I was just a little girl. She brought me home a fuchsia bag painted with the mask of King Tutankhamen. A love of antiquities and classical history was born. Due to violence in the area of late, this may have to wait sometime, but I look forward to when things calm down again. Travelling, for women, can be dangerous no matter the place, so there is always a concern.

2. Learn a foreign language (or two—three)?

I’ve always been enamored with people who can speak more than their native language. Here in the United States, it doesn’t seem to be much of a concern among a large swath of the dominant culture. You know the ones, always screaming about speak English. They barely grasp English themselves, so a fear of someone who speaks a different language is probably intimidating. Either that, or they resent not knowing what is being said, or fear it. I never felt that way. It’s none of my business what people are saying to each other privately, and I’m not so insecure that I think it has anything to do with me. Even if it did, so what?

What languages are on my list? You must know I’m learning German by now, if you’ve been following the blog. Other than that, I’ve been very interested in trying Mandarin and Welsh.

3. Make a Movie

I went back to school to get a masters degree in screenwriting. For my project, I adapted my second novel into a screenplay and have been pitching it in an effort to get this list item checked off. Certainly there is no stopping there. Once I get one made, I am sure I will try to pursue others. Being an extra and knowing some very talented filmmakers has really inspired me to follow through on this.

4. Own a Great Dane

Dear God, this has probably been on my list the longest and it still has not happened! Finding a breeder is tough. You want someone responsible. In more recent years, I’ve become a more staunch advocate of rescuing instead of purchasing a pet. Because I always have a dog attached to my hip, there is a concern of bringing in another animal that could not mesh so well with my current pooch. There are plenty of horror stories out there to explain to you why I feel this way. So, I prefer a puppy (6 – 8 mos and under). Unfortunately, a lot of folks are looking for that description, regardless of needing that kind of match for their household. People just want puppies.

Certainly I would accept an older dog, but keep in mind this breed doesn’t live that long, and taking in a five year old means less time, not just dealing with more problems from their former housing arrangements.

5. Parachute

My dad was in the National Guard while I was growing up. He had 25 years of service. One of the things he loved the most was getting AirBorne. I have to say, I’d love to do this myself, at least once.

6. Tour amusement parks across the United States and maybe the world.

What’s to explain? I love places like this. There are some epic parks out there.

7. Cruise and photograph Alaska

Not much to explain here either. You have to know I’m a photographer?

8. Photograph Provence.

This would go hand in glove with my trip to France. I’d be willing to just do this part of seeing France, although missing Paris would be sad.

9. Own my own house.

…with a little garden and room for my dogs to run.

10. Meet the Dalai Lama (14th).

What an inspiring and amazingly loving man. He warms my heart every time I look at him. I’d like to learn more about Buddhism before I do, but I would feel comfortable encountering his holiness regardless. He has no judgment, just joy. I’d be giddier than a seven year old at Christmas.

I wonder what the other authors have on their list? Check them out on the links below…

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