Lists, Lists, Lists

I LOVE lists—grocery lists, to do lists, packing lists, life lists. I’ve got a weak spot for things that keeps me feeling productive and organized, and lists just happen to be free and convienent . But more than the lists themselves, I am secretly and maybe even a little unreasonably devoted to the act of crossing items off my list. Things that I do out of habit, like making the bed and going to the gym will inevitably make it on the daily to-do list, just so that I can have something to cross out. What’s worse is that I’ve even gone so far as to add things to my list that I’ve already accomplished, for the mere satisfaction of striking a line through it. I think an intervention might be necessary.

My Current Life List

Launch a career as a travel writer—win a photography contest—have my very own mango tree—get married—adopt kids—experience pregnancy—be a rad surfer—camp the west coast of the US—become conversational in Hindi—grow my own food—make a hammock—start a killer blog—live on the beach—publish something—snorkel the great barrier reef—bungee jump off of Victoria Falls—surf Oregon’s sand dunes—make jam—do something big with my life—co-author a book with my mom—start a project for street kids in India—see the Team 100 Athletic Scholarship program flourish—quit working in a cubicle on projects I’m not passionate about—be self-sufficient—climb a really high mountain—work as a deck hand on a sail boat—start an urban farm—eat croissants in France—stomp grapes at a winery—make my own wine—island hop the Caribbean—go zip-lining in Costa Rica—trekking in Patagonia—attend an Indian wedding—attend the Pushkar Camel Fair—see the Northern Lights—be my sister’s best friend—perfect the art of roti making—learn how to make yogurt—start my own holiday traditions that don’t involve consumerism and tree killing—travel around the world with my kids—cycle my way across a continent

My Must Read List
Molokai – Alan Brennert
Storms of my Grandchildren – James Hansen
No Impact Man, The Book – Colin Beaven

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life – Barbara Kingsolver