2015 Bucket List

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Bull Riding at Club Med Cancun

We are all capable of astounding things. I want to learn more this year, take classes, push the limits, develop new skills, and enhance old ones. I want my life to be a magnificent story where my daily life is better than my dreams.

Here’s my 2015 bucket list (The highlighted items have been completed):

  1. Visit Argentina
  2. Visit Legoland with Athena
  3. Sail to Antarctica
  4. Go Canyoning
  5. Visit Chamarel Seven Colored Earth
  6. Cage dive with great white sharks
  7. Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park
  8. Visit my family in Canada
  9. Visit Uganda
  10. See a hippo in the wild
  11. Take Athena to Knott’s Soak City
  12. Be part of the sailing crew on tall ship Bark Europa
  13. Swim in Antarctica
  14. Visit Tel Aviv
  15. Go to Bwindi National Park
  16. Go Chimpanzee Trekking
  17. Visit the most southern city in the world
  18. Stay at Loews Hotel in San Diego
  19. Hike Sari Sari Falls & Emerald Pool, Dominica
  20. See polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba
  21. Snorkel Champagne Reef
  22. Explore a new resort in Mexico
  23. Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site
  24. Take Athena on her first camping trip
  25. Swim with whale sharks in the ocean
  26. Bring Athena to a new country
  27. Go to a spa with Athena 
  28. Visit Jerusalem
  29. Let Athena slide on a water slide
  30. Hike an active volcano
  31. Visit Mauritius
  32. Sail the Drake Passage
  33. See Cape Horn
  34. Visit Dominica
  35. Buy a house in California
  36. See penguins in their natural habitat
  37. Camp at Fundy National Park
  38. Go Gorilla Trekking
  39. Take Athena to a horse ranch
  40. Teach Athena to swim
  41. Float in the Dead Sea
  42. Hike Trafalgar Falls, Dominica
  43. Water skiing
  44. Take Athena to Magic Mountain, Moncton, New Brunswick
  45. Visit Phuket, Thailand
  46. Take Athena for ski lessons
  47. Take Athena to the New Children’s Museum in San Diego
  48. Go water skiing
  49. Bring Athena to the new Frozen section at Disney California Adventure
  50. Stay at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach

What’s on your list this year? Share it below and encourage others to make their dreams a reality. 

144 thoughts on “2015 Bucket List”

      • Do I have a list?! Whoa, baby, do I have a list! Only problem is, there’s no end point, so it’s freakishly long. Here are some highlights (not in any real order):
        1. Base jump
        2. Re-learn the guitar (significantly better, tho, this time)
        3. Hut-to-hut ski tour the Gran Paradiso in Italy with my daughters
        4. Rent an Airstream and drive cross country
        5. Run the 50-mile ultra marathon at the Pineland Farms Trail Festival
        6. Snowboard & ski Tuckerman’s Ravine
        7. See the inside cab of an 18-wheeler (dying to see where the driver sleeps)
        8. Summit all 48 peaks of the New Hampshire 4,000 footers
        9. Build a house from scratch
        10. Publish a children’s book

        And it doesn’t matter which ones I get to as long as I keep checking things off. It’s all about the climb, right?

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  2. Wow! You are going to be very busy. I would feel better if you skipped 5 and 7 and since I doubt that will happen…..just be careful! 🙂 I am not so adventurous at the moment but I am going to work on learning Italian. I can’t wait to see what you do next!

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    • I’ve already scheduled the cage diving with Great White sharks in July 😉 No skipping items. Eventually, I’ll do them all.

      Learning Italian sounds fantastic. Do you have Italian speaking family/friends? Are you Italian?

      🙂

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      • I am Italian, half of me anyway and i have some friends and a family member who speak a little but not a lot. My parents missed a big opportunity when i was little and my great grandmother was alive. I think that Athena is very lucky to have you has her mom. Still…..be careful with the sharks😁

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        • Sharks are very misunderstood. I heard a crazy, but true, statistic a few days ago that more people die each year from elephants than sharks.

          Our best friends are Italian and I taught at an Italian summer camp a few years ago, but my Italian is very limited. Teaching Athena another language is a high propriety on my list. I’m considering lessons this year, but I think it will be in French, since her father speaks French, or Spanish since it’s widely spoken in SoCal. Good luck with your learning 🙂

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      • hey lesley, when are you looking on coming to oz. im doing the shark cage dive next month and am looking on doing the croc dive beginning of june in case you re keen

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      • just did the cage dive last month in south australia. be prepared for a 3 hr boatride each way but its well worth the money and effort. you;ll love it.

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  3. Ooh-lala, you go girl… just wait ’til Athena starts drawing up her own Bucket Lists; don’t be surprised if she outdoes you… though I’m not quite sure how! I have developed a serious hankering for getting to Greece and into a space simulator. And, since I’m living in Indonesia, I’d love to sail around the more remote islands of the archipelago. I’ll be watching (with bated breath), waiting for posts and pix – happy new year Lesley!

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    • She already talks about things on her list, which is what led us to Aulani a few moths ago. She’s a huge Disney fan. I think Disney will become a major part of both of our lists.

      Have you been to Greece before? Santorini is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s like your in a dream because the colors could only be real in your imagination.

      Obviously the sailing part draws me as well. Warm islands may be more my cup of tea but Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunities so I’ll deal with the cold for the rewards.

      As for the space simulator, if you figure that one out, let me know. I’ll join you 😉

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  4. 1.Practice Hand lettering.
    2. Write a children’s book.
    3. Watercolor my hand drawn art.
    4. Sell my handrawn art on etsy.
    5. Get 100 new followers on my blog.
    6. Get a makeover
    7. Travel
    8. eat better

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  6. I’m going to bring a product idea to life, publish a book, go on vacation to Myrtle Beach (never been there), take my motivational blog to another level, create an online public speaking course, and make new friends. Somewhere in there I’m going to experience some new adventure. Last summer, it was ziplining. I went alone so that I could be part of a group of people I didn’t already know and ended up spending the afternoon with a family from Mexico. You inspired me, Lesley!

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    • Make new friends should have been on my list for this year as well. Since moving to California 10 months ago, we’ve made some friends that are like family but being on the other side of the continent from my actual family is a struggle. The more we surround ourselves with good people, the happier we are and the more California becomes our home. We want that for us and for Athena. Good addition.

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  7. Instead of a Bucket List, every year I do a Vision Plan. This year I incorporated 19 goals into my Vision. I’m not going to list them all here, as I would prefer some of them remain private, but the basic arenas they cover are financial, artistic, professional, medical/health, lifelong learning/self-education, spiritual, and end-of-life (you never know when your number’s gonna get called, I don’t want to leave my husband flat-footed). The last two goals on the list are continuations of work I began in 2014 regarding keeping commitment and giving thanks.

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      • Thanks for asking. While I haven’t yet done it for this year, in years past I have been known to search out images online (usually using Creative Commons to find stuff that people don’t mind sharing) to represent the different goals that I develop during the planning process. I make a collage out of those images and put it somewhere that I will see everyday, like my fridge or my bedroom door, as a reminder of the vision plan. As I said, I haven’t done that yet for 2015 though. It becomes easy to interpret “vision” as something more metaphoric or symbolic. Thanks for reminding me about this element, I should try to make the 2015 collage sometime in the next couple of days.

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          • I suspect the reason that, a couple of days after writing my previous comment, I still have not done my collage despite saying that I would, is because my 2 previous attempts at them have not been very successful. Gradually over the course of a couple of months they became nothing more than a collection of beautiful images, divorced from my goals and original intent. My problem with implementing my Vision Plan has been not returning to it or reminding myself of it in between Decembers. Sometimes when I am working on them, the image that comes into my mind is that for most of the year I am swimming in a large murky lake, and when I am working on my Vision Plan it is like I come up for air and re-orient myself toward the shore by getting a brief glimpse of where I am headed. So far every time I have “come up for air”, I have discovered that I am still pointed in the general direction of the “shore”, but I always discover that I have been buffeted slightly by the motion of the “water” and am not at the same point on the “shore” that I was the last time I “came up for air.” I hope this extended metaphor makes sense! My plan in 2015 is to revisit my Vision Plan once a month. I will still be “swimming in the lake”, but I will “come up for air” more often and thus am more likely to stay lined up with the “shore”.

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          • Wow! Wonderful metaphor.
            I think this happens with many of us. Sometimes I feel that I am not even concerned about reaching the shore. And sometimes I begin to see the shore somewhere else.
            Your plan of watching your vision plan once a month is improvement, but what I remember from the reading is it said you need to visualize multiple times in a day.

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          • I have never read The Secret, and based on what I have heard about it, I have no intent to change that. I won’t deny that I have ambitions; but my scientific side says that The Secret did nothing but mass market the worst aspects of Neopaganism and that the brand of wishful thinking it sells both has no intrinsic impact on events, and also actively worsens the emotional aspects of lived experience. However, I do appreciate your intent to improve my quality of life. I hope that the sentiments I have expressed in this reply do not prevent us from continuing to interact through our blogs. You are clearly a very thoughtful individual and I would like to correspond with you.

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          • I was just suggesting the technique that I read there.
            I have read the criticism of the book too, but I find the principles described there, mainly Visualization, recurring in many books and theories though.
            Paulo Coelho “When you want something with all your heart the universe conspires in your favour.”There is a similar quote from Maharshi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga.
            I agree that wishful thinking wont get you anywhere but I have seen visualisations work a couple of time. Maybe it is because if you visualize regularly you are focussed towards that goal and it makes you work for it.
            Why would this prevent our communications?
            You are not a taliban lover. Even if you were, I would like to learn the reason behind your fanaticism. 😀
            And even if we disagree on topics, It will give us a chance to look on things from different perspectives. In the end we might agree to disagree though.

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  11. Love your parent ideas. And yes! Take Athena to another country. And another. I have managed to take my daughter to a few, and it has made a huge difference in the way she thinks about things. Don’t listen to anyone who says it’s too much trouble. You’re a mom – you’re used to trouble.

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      • Off the top of my head…
        1) buy a house
        2) visit my brother in Seattle
        3) explore the lava tubes at Mt. St. Helens
        4) see another Marcus Eaton concert
        5) help the kiddo settle into life at college…wherever that will be
        6) plan and pay for my next big trip: Sri Lanka in Jan 2016

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        • Sri Lanka might make my 2016 list as well. I’ve never been but I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. It’s not possible this year with too many plans already but if I consider it now, it will have a place next year.

          I like number three as well. I’m going to research them now. 🙂

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          • I’ve been in the tubes in Bend, Oregon…so check those out too, while you’re at it. But Mt. St. Helens is a better overall trip because then you get to see the volcano too!

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    • It’s not the number one destination that I want to visit. It will have to be spectacular to live up to my expectations but I think it will. What country tops your list of places still left to visit?

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      • From our experience with our Dutch rellies who have visited over the past 20-30 years – Australia is like no other country and quite unexpected. Part wild west; part cosmopolitan cities; and part surf / hippie / laid back everything and all with that hard-to-understand Aussie accent. Mostly people love the sky, beaches and good food. I still need to get back to Canada where I lived on a working visa in 2003 – I want to visit the French provinces and gosh I miss the ice-skating. And I think back to the UK to do the islands – having watched all those “Coast” programs by the BBC with Neil Oliver I realize how much I missed. Oh and Beatrix Potter’s farm … warm and safe travels to you Lesley !!!

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  19. you are truly inspiring.. A breath of fresh air. Thank you! All I have been able to do is complain and cry for two days. My hopes for 2015 have crashed down on me. Looking at your list brings me joy. Brings back some hope in my life.

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  21. Glad you have Argentina at the top of your list! You will love it! But I suggest you to visit not only Buenos Aires, but go from North to South. It’s a big country, so you will need some time… One possibility is to purchase an air pass to combine several flights. Check here
    http://www.aerolineas.com.ar/en-eu/cheap_flights/visit_argentina
    You may check my post with the highlights of Argentina
    http://wp.me/p508D7-8E

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    • My visit to Argentina will be a short one this year with only Buenos Aires and Ushuaia included. It’s more of a stopping point before sailing to Antarctica, but certainly worthy of another visit in the future. 🙂

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  22. 1. Not go bankrupt in the economic shit storm
    2. Develop my blog writing a bit more seriously
    3. Improve my photography, exhibit and sell a print
    4. Continue learning to make short films and finish a current project on sustainable food and energy production with ‘Biochar’ Ed
    5. Cherish the good things in my life
    6. Avoid the temptation to jump out of serviceable aircraft 😉

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  24. Loved the list.
    Mine are 1) Make a product successful. 2) Become a permanent article contributor. 3) Study English again 4) Finish my draft for my book 5) Join musical theatre workshop again 6) Take Dancing lessons 7) Take voice lessons 8) Audition to musicals 9) Bring my Grandmother to Korea 10) Bring my family to Japan 11) Study Arnis again 12) Learn my favourite songs in the piano. 13) Improve my skill in Photoshop

    That’s all of them for now. 😉

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    • Japan is on my list as well. Have you been before? I look forward to researching it more when I return from Antarctica.

      Are you thinking about a class in Photoshop or working on your own? I like that list item as well 🙂

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      • I haven’t been on Japan, but my Aunt did. Her previous employer is Japanese and she was sent to Japan a couple of times.

        We saw her pictures how great the places she visited.

        I can work on my own cause there are tons of online tutorial videos everywhere. Yesterday I found a class in coursera. If you’re interested, here’s the link: https://www.coursera.org/course/compartsvisual.

        Problem is there’s no schedule yet. I might depend on youtube tutorials for now.
        How about you? Do you use photoshop too?

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  26. Get an agent, get a book published
    Train trip with the hubs
    Visit kiddos for a month
    Reconnect with relatives
    Explore San Juan Islands (you should check them out for kayaking/cycling)
    Read lots of books in the backyard hammock this summer instead of landscaping the backyard
    Oh yeah, figure out a way to Scotland as a heritage exploration trip

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  29. So. Much. Travel. And I love it! But I’m curious about how you keep yourself organized and accountable to accomplish so much in a single year. Some similar items are on my 101 in 1001 list, which spans three years.. I’m a little intimated by all the things I still have to check off by September!

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    • Do you have your list published on your site? I’d love to read it.

      Planning it all beforehand is impossible and finding balance is even more difficult. I don’t really put a lot of thought in the beginning about how I’m going to do it all. I just write it down and try not to get discouraged. Then, day by day, I consider what’s possible now, this week, this month, etc. Then, I get to work.

      This month, I’m sailing to Antarctica so a few items can be accomplished at the same time. I try to group them together to make it more possible.

      We’ll see if I can do it all but I’m sure I’ll have fun trying. 🙂

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  32. Let me know if you get to #16- we live in Napa and it would be fun to meet you in person 🙂 Just not from June 9-25- we’re knocking one off our bucket list- 2 weeks in the UK- really excited about the Harry Potter museum, snorkeling with seals on the Isles of Scilly, and a Highlands tour in Scotland, amongst other adventures (and my daughter is looking forward to the Doctor Who museum in Cardiff)

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  34. Love this.. My friends and I strongly believe in living a Bucketlist Lifestyle..(#YOTBL). It’s so important to push yourself to do the things you wouldn’t normally do, and yes in the process your dreams do become a reality.

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  36. Wow! Agreed with other commenters – go big or go home! :p

    Good luck! You have the same disease as me – Fernweh. I hope you get to see all of those places, even sailing to Antarctica!

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    • I leave for Antarctica tomorrow. It also helps with crossing off a few other items like visiting Argentina since I’m leaving from there and sailing with Bark Europa – that’s the company I’m traveling with. I should have more than a handful of items completed before the end of the month 🙂 Anything is possible, right? At least I’m going to keep telling myself that.

      What are a few things on the top of your list this year? Anything this week/month? I love hearing from others.

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      • Well, I went small in comparison! I want to complete my first IronMan 70.3! I want one month where I run 100 miles. And I’d of course like to knock another country off the travel list! 🙂

        Have so much fun, and of course, be safe!!

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  39. So much win in this list! When you go to Maui, I definitely recommend catching a sunrise on Haleakala and the bike rides are a ton of fun – and you should definitely try snorkeling at Molokini, just off Maui’s coast! The Justin Winery is absolutely wonderful – it’s not too far from my folks’ house in California, and they also have a beautiful restaurant!

    Can’t wait to see you tackle all these goals – you will do awesome!!

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  40. Gonna follow you just to see you accomplish these and remind me not to forget about my own! Far smaller and more personal and money constrained but hey, it’s what I need to be doing:
    Go on holiday
    Stick out uni
    Do a pole competition
    Get my drivers licence
    Upgrade my swimming qualification
    Go on a Party week
    Get my pole instructors
    Get my 6 pack
    Cut down on alcohol
    Read more
    Spend my evenings away from my phone
    Act from the heart and never look for a response
    Trust in God
    Walk more

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  42. Thanks for dropping by my blog – glad you liked the story! It’s a great list you’ve got there – hope you get all of that done. Now that I’m in Mayotte, I have a chance to go diving with sharks, but I’m still debating whether to put it on my list – swimming with turtles might be exciting enough!

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    • Swimming with turtles is a great start and a beautiful experience. Maybe try that one first and see if you enjoy it. Then you can decide more easily if you’d like to swim with sharks. Do you scuba dive?

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  47. What a list! I have 2 simple targets for myself this year: learn to roast meat well, each time, every time; find my niche in baking, be it bread, cookies or muffins.

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  48. Oh wow! These are wonderful! I hope to take my little Dorian out of the country soon, although I am not sure that we can swing it this year. My list is pretty simple this year…
    1. Focus on health (mental and physical).
    2. Run a half marathon.
    3. Travel to at least 3 new cities that my little one has not been to yet.
    4. Write for myself– as much as I can.
    5. Become a work at home mom (I am almost there, but I am gone a couple of hours a few times a week).
    6. Focus on hiking and the outdoors (we bought a vintage Winnebago this past year and we are focusing on making it the way that we want and being outside).
    7. Focus on our bills and finances.

    That’s it… the main things anyway. 🙂 Whatever we can do in addition, so be it– you never know what surprises may come. My husband and I are calling this year “the year of us,” so we are focusing on things that relate to our relationship and our health. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing, and can’t wait to see you knock them out!

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    • Great direction for the year! My list this year was focusing on learning and discovering new talents, but I hope to make Athena & Darren a huge part of that.

      I wish you a year of successful ventures and good health.

      Stay in touch with your accomplishments 🙂

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  49. I have to say I’m quite envious of this list. I admire that you have this wide array goals, good luck and I hope you are able to do everything on this list.

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