I really suspect this is a rather mundane list from the perspective of most, not too ambitious, but its the little things, as well as the so called 'big things' in life, that make a life.
So, many probably seem quite simple things, I guess they are, but this is a list of experiences I would like this lifetime, or in some cases, have had already. Obviously I may add to this list later as I experience more, but most of these have been pretty much with me for many years now.
[edit.. new addition to my list: visit Flat Holm island http://flatholmisland.wordpress.com/ ]
done!
[edit..new addition: To move to Mumbles, Swansea, to live and work there for at least 2 years or more]
Ice skate with a partner
I tried skating once before, it was nice indoor rink, it was a fun experience, but i realised I really needed some help, and I guess there was always that romantic element to the dream 'with a partner'.
This dream came true big time recently in December 2010, it was the most magical thing that's ever happened to me, a true romantic fairytale.. the bonus was the snow falling and the gorgeous man who held me up was the man I loved. I am forever grateful to him for that day, I don't think he realises how special that was for me, certainly a day I will never forget.
Ride in a hot air ballon
That happened in June 2007, well not 'hot air' exactly, it was a tethered helium and 500 feet over Bournemouth, but it was as just as scary, especially for someone with a fear of heights (that was the very reason I wanted to do it).. it was the most exhilarating and freeing experience I have ever had.. I was so scared but so proud of myself for doing it, my legs shook the whole time, I couldn't move, found it very difficult to take photos, but I'm so glad I did. My bravery also encouraged my sister to come too.. fantastic memorable experience.
Trampolining
I remember trampolining as a kid, and I remember I loved it, loved the 'free' feeling of flying, the moment of weightlessness was almost spiritual (watch Community Season 2, Episode 7... its just like that ;) Its something I would like to experience again as an adult.. would definitely need a good sports bra though me thinks.
Ride a horse on a beach
I used to ride ponies while I worked on a farm in my 20's, mostly just trekking over the park, never really got to gallop much, and I don't think I appreciated the experience at the time. Now its a dream of mine to go ride a horse along a long empty beach. I've found the beach, and found the ponies... now its just the courage and money to see it through. I would have preferred doing that with a partner, but I think in this case a good friend would work as well.
Anyone fancy going horse riding this summer at Ogmore by Sea? let me know :)
Visit Glastonbury (the town not the festival)
Not too many places I want to visit inland, but Glastonbury is definitely one, I have been to Glastonbury very briefly, all I got to see was the main shopping street, but even then I was awed by the place, its very spiritual, and still quite 'hippy', nearly every shop had incense burning, the people are interesting, many new age types, very cool place to be. I would just love to go back and spend time seeing other things, the abbey, the Tor and Chalice Well.. I nearly got there again recently, but it wasn't to be, so its still on my bucket list.
Also plans for Stonehenge fell through, it hadn't been on my list previously, but I think now its up there if doable.
Last year I also was driven through the Cheddar Gorge, it was at night, so didn't see much at all, but it got my interest, so Cheddar Gorge and caves would be another one.
Move to South Wales
I was very much 'stuck' in an industrial concrete city, way too big for my comfort, it was a monster of a place, nowhere to go, no where I wanted to go, I ended up being a bit of a hermit. There where regular riots, bombings, shootings.. the lot.. it wasn't all bad, or all rough like that, but the city just wasn't doing it for me at all, but I believed there was noway out, I felt stuck. I really wanted to move to Canada, but Wales seemed like a more doable option, and it was the very first place I remember wanting to run away to as a child, at this time in my life, just the chance to get my feet wet in the sea was a huge pull for me, it wasn't something I could do often at all, the coast is very much a place I wanted to make my home.
I had very little money, no job to go to, or home, but I managed it somehow, found a cheap enough place, and with the help of some friends I moved here, its been 2 years since then and its the biggest and best thing I have ever done, It changed my life completely, Cardiff is great, a very arty city with a village feel to it, with views of hills and mountains one side and sea the other, also many spiritual people here, a lovely mix of cultures too. And being a Doctor Who fan, one of the first awesome things to happen was seeing David Tennant in the audience at a John Barrowman show.. meeting a Dalek and various Doctor Who characters was cool too.
Its been a big adventure since I moved here, there's some beautiful scenery and interesting beaches and towns, I've made it as far as the Gower Peninsular, which was a spectacular sight, standing by Arthur's stone and looking over the moors with wild horses roaming about and surrounded by beaches, so much beauty, I would like to get out to the Gower again, spend more time there for sure...
so this one is done really.
Watch the sunset over the ocean
Most the beaches here are south facing, and a bit aways to be going alone at night. I did find one beach nearby that faces west, albeit a very pebbly one, so it was just a matter of when to go. Its been too cold really to visit over winter to hang about at night, but on a recent visit to a nearby town with my boyfriend, we somehow ended up right on that beach with sunset approaching, it wasn't really planned, so I think it was just meant to be. It was another magical moment in my life, with a double bonus of the romantic element.
Spend a week in Cardigan Bay (West Wales)
A more recent addition to my list, I've been thinking about this over the last year, its just something small (well big for me as I have no idea how to pay for it)
I don't really have 'holidays away' like most people, but I do see its appeal for sure. I hear Cardigan Bay is popular for dolphins and seals, I would love to spend a nice summer week at a retreat or just a nice hotel, meditating on the beach, taking in the sites, walking and walking some more, watching the sun set over the ocean and hopefully see some dolphins and seals.
Falling in love
This has happened twice in my life, once when I was 16, then again more recently, though neither was to last, The love remains but the relationship experiences were way too short and volatile, so I guess this one is done, but not quite...
Be with my soul mate/life partner
yes, I want a life partner... for life!. To experience a healthy and truly open connection with another soul. There's just something about that bond that I had a taste of, to really get to know another person like they *are* you, a part of you, and have that special kind of love for each other that last through the hard truths of life, and the truths of just being human, the acceptance of who you really are, the compassion and passion and deep love that can truly last and raises you up so high. It just seems to bring a whole new meaning to existing on this planet.
I don't know if this can actually exist for me, we are all so screwed up, but we can at least try.... can't we?
Pet dog
I have to add the dog on here, as this is something I do dream about. I did have a dog for 15 years, I was utterly devastated when he died, but the companionship and unconditional love only a dog can give is a very special thing. Animals just have this natural and very accepting nature, and we love them back unconditionally too (most of us do anyway). I guess a dog is different from a cat, they can have such a strong bond with you, and they might be harder work, but the joy they can bring is so worth it.
I suppose if I am to be without my life partner, I would want that companionship of a dog, or if I do find my life partner, then the dog would be a lovely part of the family.. so either way .. dogs win.
Hang-glide down a hill
I think its that flying thing again, falling out of a plane does not appeal to me, but hang-gliding down a hill does, maybe its the safeness of following the land, gliding but not falling, this doesn't have the same terror that the balloon ride held for me, and not the same feeling as the trampoline, its something different.
We all have flying dreams.. right?.. well my flying dreams are always very low to the ground, most often I lose control of direction or even the flight itself, a few times I remember dreaming of flying high, but it gets scary up there, and I always end up back down near the ground trying to weave through buildings. So perhaps the hang gliding is a way to 'fix' some fear I have.
Talking about flying...
Fly in a plane
When someone says nowadays that they have never flown in a plane, never been abroad, people seem shocked and surprised, seems everyone has at least flown once by the time they are 30, and I am well past that, and have yet to fly anywhere.
It is something I would like to try, maybe a short flight to Anglesey or France even, just to experience it, the destination is a bonus.
But there is one particular journey I would like to take on a plane where the destination is more important than the flight..
this brings me to my next wish...
To live in Canada for a while
A good long while, even move there, in particular, Victoria on Vancouver Island. My heart has been there for a while now, and I hope the rest of me gets to go there too some time. Apparently its much like it is here in Cardiff, a port town with old buildings and an arty community feel, the bonus is its surrounded by gorgeous blue seas, beaches and mountain views.. and its Canada.. where many of my favourite people live... sounds perfect.
That's it
...so far.
Other wishes have came true too. Being afraid of deep water, and unable to swim, of course I wanted to sale in a boat on the ocean, and that happened at Eastbourne one summer, the sea was rough and there was even a thunder storm, which was very cool.
With my fear of heights, I wanted to stand on a cliff, as near to the edge as possible, I even I lay down to peep over the edge.
Walking in the clouds was a cool one, not that I intended that one, but if I had thought of it I would have wished it, I saw the low clouds from the beach, well it was either low cloud or high mist. Once I got to the cliff it was so thick I got very lost, but there was such a sense of calm, I felt very peaceful and happy, completely alone up there surrounded by a blanket of white, its a feeling I can still remember now, like being hugged all over, I felt perfectly safe walking about the cliff tops.
And I am forever grateful of my experiences with animals, working on an urban city farm and various animal rescue centres over 10 years, I discovered my ability to connect with animals to understand them and know how to calm them and form bonds, it was so cool to be the 'mother' of a small heard of sheep, and to be welcomed into a heard of goats, it was the individual connections that meant the most, rehabilitation of abused animals, to see them find their confidence again was an amazing and heart warming experience for me, even though there was a lot of heartache involved too, and if it had never happened I know it would definitely be a wish of mine.
I think now also I would really like to be successful with my artwork, not sure if this would be classed as a 'bucket' list.. its always been something I just love to do, just for me, to be visually creative, and explore different ways of doing that, I never cared about the money side, but I think over the years its becoming more evident that it would be cool way of paying the rent. I just need to get my act together, so any suggestions on ways of going about this I would welcome, and thank you to everyone who's helped me so far.
You can see some of my work on my attempt at a website www.imajade.com (still under construction)
thank you for reading and if you have a bucket list of your own, please let me know, or give me a link if you have it online.
I'd love to know what your dreams are.
Bucket image http://www.lassco.co.uk/index.php
0 comments:
Post a Comment