The Bucket List

If I were to have a set of new year's resolutions, I will have to put "Stop procrastinating" on top of the list. I've been meaning to post a new blog entry weeks ago but it seems like I've been spending more time surfing the net for the latest juicy Hollywood news (rehab or jail stints, pregnancies, Britney Spears sightings or latest celebrity hook-ups/break-ups). It's admittedly one of my guilty pleasures and a pretty trivial endeavor perhaps but it sure took my mind off more disconcerting matters in my life. Anyway, let me just acknowledge and express my gratitude to everyone who left kind comments in my previous post and those who sent messages of support and best wishes. Although most of you are virtual strangers to me, I am deeply appreciative and undeniably comforted by your thoughtfulness and sincere concern for my well-being. I've slowly come to terms with my situation and I am determined not to let these three letters (SLE) get in the way in the business of living especially since I am blessed with another year to do with as I please.

Normally, I would have my top 10 things to do in 2008 but I'm trying to set more realistic objectives and could only come up with eight, so far. I just have to be more proactive in checking them off the list before the year's end. Here they are:

1. Read a book (any book for that matter). I am ashamed to admit that I have yet to open a page of "The Da Vinci Code" or "Memoirs of a Geisha". I sure need a firm kick in the butt to make sure this goal will not make a repeat appearance in 2009.

2. Take another trip to Europe again. It might be difficult to pull off due to our three dogs (any volunteers to watch them?) but I'd really like to visit Spain, London or Greece this year. I got bit by the travel bug and there's no getting over it anytime soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

3. Get together with some friends from Friendster . I know there have been some tentative nattering about it and I would like to be there when and if it actually happens. It would be interesting to finally see and hear the people behind the blogs, comments, messages and photos. So, who's up for it and who's on the planning committee? Count me in, peeps.

4. Finalize my mother's petition for the US immigrant status. We're just mostly waiting for the process to go through and I'm getting quite impatient. As much as I prefer to be independent, I can't deny hankering for my mother's presence whenever I don't feel well or if I just feel like talking to someone.

5. Stay on a healthy diet and workable exercise plan . I've shed a few pounds in the recent months and signing up with Lifetime Fitness proved to be a great investment. Despite our previous chronic failures at gym memberships, Kenny and I are surprisingly more inspired to stick with the program this time around. It definitely helps that we just love their sauna, hot tub and swimming pools. I'm also motivated to learn how to swim so I could work on getting a SCUBA certification eventually. I would certainly love going to the beach more if I don't have to wear those cumbersome floaties and vest like a 3 yr-old tot.

6. Go skydiving and/or ride a hot air balloon . The mere idea of doing these activities is quite an aberration to my timorous character but having conquered the zipline in Maui left me feeling a bit more adventurous and dauntless. Let's see if the anticipated adrenaline rush is enough to keep me bold and fearless.

7. Go on a  road trip to the Pacific Coast. Inspired by Elizabeth's blog, I would love to visit some of the amazing parks and sceneries in the US. Unfortunately, long distance driving is not Kenny's cup of tea but if I can round up some friends who might be keen to do it with me, I'll be happy to get behind the wheel. I would have to save up for a GPS device though. There's no sense in being stuck in the middle of nowhere, right?

8. Watch more concerts, stage and comedy shows. I've been checking out the Ticketmaster website and found out that the Foo Fighters will be performing in Chicago in February. I'd better drop some hints for Kenny for a Valentine's Day surprise for me.

I guess that's about it. How about you guys? I know some of you are not so big into making annual pledges but here's how I look at it. There are a lot of sick people out there somewhere who probably just received the dreaded "talk" from their doctors about their dire prognosis. As painfully depressing as it could possibly be, they might have to make an inventory of things they need to do to settle their affairs.

In light of my recent health scare, I'm just thankful that I'm not in the similar quandary but I feel it's never too premature to make a catalog of experiences and feats before one "kicks the bucket", so to speak. I guess I'm just making my own bucket list  a bit shorter every year by fulfilling some of them now and getting an earlier head start in the race against time. Sooner or later, we'll run out of it. After all, we're all dying from the start. Some just got pushed to the head of the line.

Comments

[E U N I C E]

nice!

[habib]

cooooooooool

[Aurine]

hi..rOsE sO nYs I lYk iT vErY mUcH cAn U pLzzz tEl Me hOw 2 dO tHis???,,..bY dA wAy tHnX 4 gIvInG mE sPaCe 2 sIgn hEre...

[Aurine]

sO nYs i Lyk iT By dA wAy ThNx 4 gIViNg mE sPeACe 2 sInG hEre...

[Margaretha]

Hi Rose..
I'm from Indonesia.
I think I like your blog so much.
I'm not new in frienster but I never make blog before.
Can you tell me how to make it so nice like yours.
Can I be your friend?
you can find at my yahoo addres...etha_tara@yahoo.com

Thank you

God Bless

[mohammed]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[Alexandra]

Hi..Am Alexandra joy by name pretty new on this network, i was introduced by a partner..you can hit me up at my yahoo addres...joy_alex66@yahoo.com

best regards

[leira]

welll just want some friends........

[Mary]

I swear I am going to snap if Friendster keeps on doing this to me. Anyway, as for your first one, I highly recommend reading Monkey Beach. I had to read it for my English class and I think it is one of the best books so far. It is a coming-of-age story about a girl dealing with her past and her brother's disappearance. I highly recommend. In fact, I give it both thumbs up. Take care and I hope all is well.

[charlene]

wow!!!!!
i really like the anemie post...can u send it to me pleaser?

[Jagadish Bhakta]

Hi, Rose

Go ahead optimistically, never look back.

[annette]

every year I try to come up with a short list of resolutions. this year I decided not to make any because it only means that i'll break every one of them :) i'm not good with keeping up with of any of the resolution i make but i am still hoping to lose some weight here and there. if i lose 5 lbs. the first half of this year, i will be a very happy gal!

[lee anne]

ganda po

[H]

Rose, I sincerely admire your courage to move on. If you are still up with your no. 3 target, check out 'The Bloddies' board discussions. I've personally met some members of this group. They are great, i assure you.

Keep frosty!

[rye]

i want 2 be a superhero!!!!2 save the planet from global warming!!!!i want to live more than a years!

and im juz lookin around BLOG'ERS RULE!!

[elizabeth]

Hi Rose, it is nice to read your blog again. I had been waiting for a new one since your last post :). I am very glad you continue to enjoy, treasure and move on with a happy and hopeful outlook in life despite the SLE. Wow, go for it, (the adrenaline rush), I do not think I can do that since I get scared as death even with just a roller coaster, hehe. Heights with motion scare me to death. But I know my cousin would want to try skydiving too, one of the things she wants to experience while she still can. Hey I actually have some plans on Olympic National Park, WA and Redwood National Park, CA both along the Pacific Coast. We only did the SF to SD part and I love to see Big Sur again. But I am not sure if it would be this year since I plan on Yellowstone and Grand Teton this summer. Just so many places to see, yet too little time (and little money). Let me know if your plan to drive the 1500 mile stretch of the Pacific Coast pushes through, if it is in my scheduled free time, we may meet somewhere. Thanks also for mentioning my blog, it is uplifting to know you were inspired to see more natural parks and sceneries in US through it. Oh well, I may sound "sirang plaka", but it was actually your blog that inspired me to write more decently, as writing is not my strength. Too much thinking for me, I prefer to just "click away", meaning take pictures. Again, happy New Year, and thanks for all the inspiration you had awakened in a lot of people. I pray your health will continue to get better. Good your physical fitness plan works out very well now for the two of you.

[Schmetterling]

Rose, I absolutely adore your optimism! You are an amazing woman of strength! Wished we could do altogether your mentioned adrenaline rush. I am dreaming of doing those, too. But unfortunately I won't be able to afford it this year. So if ever you'll make it I'd be so happily applauding you. Take care always and Happy New Year!