As 2008 Draws To An End...What Have I Done???

I originally saw this list in Vivien Blackburn's blog and in other artists' blogs. And it sure did look like a thought provoking exercise that was sure to be fun.

So here is my take on it. I have highlighted the things I have done...

1. Started your own blog (finally!!)

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain(Mount Patti!!.....about 2500ft)

9. Held a praying mantis(and had a boxing match with it!!)

10. Sang a solo (would love to...my mum's a soprano singer!!!)

11. Bungee jumped(nowhere in my list of things to do!!!)

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightening storm at sea (I have a phobia for a large body of water...so NO!!)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (so many!!!)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables(I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment I had)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train(wasn't enjoyable!)

21. Had a pillow fight(with my twin sister!!!)

22. Hitch hiked(does that include asking a stranger for a lift??)

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb(the most tender moment)

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse(saw a partial one though)

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (truly a sight to behold!!!)

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (lets see!!!...yes)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language (have given up!!!)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (it has been a fleeting experience)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa (I live there!!)

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted (by myself! yeepee)

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (would give anything to do so)

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud (did that a lot with my twin sister!!)

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie (been on TV several times though)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma ( for my wonderful sister!!)

65. Gone sky diving (no way....I'll simply pass out!!)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (Don't think I can ever do that!)

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter (want to!!!)

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (O yes)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone (oouch!!!)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper (yep..several times...felt like a star!!)

85. Read the entire Bible (too lazy!)

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (yep....chicken,goat, turkey!!!)

88. Had chickenpox(and measles!)

89. Saved someone’s life (that's what I do for a living)

90. Sat on a jury!

91. Met someone famous (several....depends on how famous!!!)

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby (very very soon!!!)

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day (it was about 40 pages thick)

There are a couple of people I admire for one thing or the other they have done (it kind of makes me want to work harder).

They include Harry Bell's visit to the Vatican and Casey Klahn's reading of the entire bible.

I also noticed that most people who filled out this list have lost a loved one, never visited Africa and have all started a business. Quite interesting!

It's amazing how much sorrow each and every one of us go through. But I believe the most important thing is not to go through a period of sorrow and emerge angry but to go through it and emerge stronger and more willing to share with others.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.