Living...

As part of a project, I created a bucket list. The name is somewhat catchy, but it isn’t so much about death, as it is about living every moment of life to the fullest. That was the point of the project. In creating a list, it forces you to think about your future and what you want out of life.

·         Finish my degree

·       be published

I want to write a book about disabilities. I want to write a book of short   stories. I’d like to write an autobiographical book infused with humour.

·       be a public speaker

I want to bring awareness to neurological disorders.

*Not during a social gathering with family or friends. I know people that monopolize the conversation & talk about how bad things are and I’d much rather be positive.

·       volunteer with kids in the hospital, at a school or public library.

I love kids.

·       take a photography class

I love to take photos and to scrapbook them.

·       get married

Every little girl hopes to find her prince charming. I have watched several of my girl friends find their one true love. I have given advice about love that has proven to be helpful. When it comes down to it, there is no manual for how a person who uses a wheelchair is supposed to find love. I keep my eyes & ears open and hope that one day my prince will come.

·       eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out in one day

I put this on my list of things to do because I love to eat out and not many people have done this.

·       have a picnic

I love picnic food.

·       go to the Science Centre & the ROM

I’ve been to both as a child. Now, I’d like to see both from an adult’s point of view.

·       visit Toronto Island

I don’t know that I have been, but I’ve heard that there are lots of fun things to see & do on the island.

·       see a Toronto Maple Leaf game with Kira

I know the basic premise of hockey, but not much beyond that. My cousin is a huge Leaf fan, so win or lose, I'm sure it will be fun.

·       see the Lion King musical

I have always loved the music from the movie.

·       see the bodies exhibit

I am fascinated by the human body. This exhibit sounds really cool. My parents don’t want to go at all. Let me know if you want to go.

·       see a Toronto Blue Jays Game on retro night.

I used to be able to name all of the players back when they won the world series.

·       visit my cousins in Montreal

Montreal is a city with a great history. I’d love to learn about it. It would be great to see my cousins on their own turf.

·       travel east with Kira

Kira & I have travelled together many times. It would be neat to see where she went to university.

·       go on a road trip

Road trips are fun.

·       see a Broadway musical in New York City

I want to see what all the hype is about. I’d love to see Central Park & play tourist in New York.

·       visit Hershey Pennsylvania and stay at the Hershey Hotel

Anyone who knows me knows that I love chocolate.

·       have a chocolate facial at the Hershey Spa

It sounds so yummy.

·       tour the Crayola factory in Pennsylvania.

I’ve always loved the smell of Crayola crayons.

·       tour the Hershey Factory

I want to see the process from cocoa bean to chocolate bar.

·       go shopping in Grove City, Pennsylvania

I have heard that Grove City, is a great weekend getaway.

·       visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city with a rich history.

·       go to the Boyd's Bear factory in Philadelphia

I want to see how the bears are made.

·       visit Carlo’s bakery

I want to try the cakes & pastries, as seen on Cake Boss.

·       tour the Smithsonian

There is something for everyone at the Smithsonian.

·       tour the White House

·       go to Cheers in Boston

I love a Boston accent!

·       visit the Mall of the America

I love to shop. I want to say that I’ve been to the Mall of America.

·       have hot chocolate in a ski chalet in Colorado

I love hot chocolate. I don’t ski, but I might meet the man of my dreams, sipping cocoa by the fire place.

·       have a Chicago style deep dish pizza in Chicago

I love cheese & pizza. Chicago sounds like a neat city to visit.

·       visit the aquarium in Myrtle Beach

We’ve never been & they have a tube, similar to Sea World.

·      visit Disney World in Florida

I went to Disneyland as a child. I want to experience both places.

·       Go to Busch Gardens in Florida

My parents took my brothers before I was born & it sounds like a neat place to go.

·       take a Caribbean cruise

Everyone who has been on a cruise that I have talked to has loved it. There is so much to see & do.

·       have my hair braided in the Caribbean

·       take a Disney cruise

I love Disney!

·       walk through the tube at Sea World

I love creatures that live under the sea.

·       visit the San Diego Zoo

This is the zoo of all zoos.            

·       go to Las Vegas & see Cirque de Soleil

I hear the show is amazing. I want to see the strip in Las Vegas.

I posted this list the other day and it felt unfinished. I realize you never stop adding to the list. If you are like me, you write stuff down that you’ve already done, just so you can cross it off. It has always made me feel like I have accomplished something, even if it wasn’t on my original list.

A few of my favourite things...

Just for fun, I compiled a list of my favourite things.

·         I love a piping hot chai tea or a white hot chocolate.

·         I love the smell of freshly baked cookies, especially in the winter.

·         I love the feeling of wet sand between my toes.

·         I like a good book and an afternoon with nothing planned.

·         My guilty pleasure is watching reality television.

·         I love to scrapbook. Looking at old photo albums brings back so many fun memories.

·         I love the smell of sunscreen & coconut body butter.

·         I love the smell of barbeque sauce.

·         mac & cheese with a layer of melted cheese on top.

·         Having a meal with good friends.

·         Freshly washed sheets.

·         Old school video games. ex. pac-man, sonic the hedgehog, tetris, etc.

·         Spending time with family & friends.

All of these things make me smile.

Secrets to a long & happy life...

My Grandma turned 90 on the weekend. When I asked her how it felt to be 90 years old, she said one word, ‘thankful’. What a great answer. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. To be grateful for one’s life, means every moment is appreciated. My Grandma gave a simple, yet perfect answer to my question.

When you laugh, it makes life a lot easier. A sense of humour is the key to a positive outlook on life. Laughing at least once a day makes everything better. My Grandma laughs every time I see her.

Are there secrets to a long and happy life? No one knows for sure. There are many variables that suggest a long & happy life for a newborn. All newborns start out with the same potential at first. The moment they are born, the people around begin to shape the baby.

Most parents want their child to be happy and well liked by others.

A cup of tea or coffee allows a person to pause and enjoy the scenery of life.