It's Time for an Update!

It's been a while since I last blogged, I've crossed off a few more things on my list, and something interesting is happening - this blog is encouraging others to make their own bucket lists or do something special for their upcoming birthdays ending in zeros. That's an aspect I never considered when I started all this, and I think it's pretty cool! To all of us, carpe diem - seize the day! And on that note, here are my next 5 things...

The '40 Things' List

1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
28. Explore Regina's backyard - see what's just outside the city limits.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
30. Visit a natural site in Saskatchewan I haven't been to before.
31. Learn to play the guitar.
32. Visit a Canadian National Park I haven't been to before.
33. Climb Wascana Hill in Douglas Park and watch a sunset.
34. Visit the observatory at the Science Centre.
35. Attend Mosaic - a multicultural festival held annually.

Item #1 - Go Snowshoeing

Well, I can cross another item off my list... Today I went snowshoeing!

We had a pretty nice day for it with temperatures around zero, fresh snow that arrived overnight, and our walking surface was fairly solid - not too much sinking into the snow. We walked some ridges along a fence line, crossed a frozen creek and some grassland, and walked around a golf course still very buried in snow. Pictured below my friend Dorothy and I are snowshoeing on snow drifts 4-6 feet off the ground.

I've cross-country skied since I was little, so am far most used to a gliding motion than a high-stepping motion on snow, but it was fun to try. I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life and it's about time I gave snowshoeing a whirl!

Item #12 - Go Kayaking

Our last day on the beach in Cuba was a beautiful one. The water was calm once again after a cold front had come through - it was perfect for taking out a kayak for the first time.

I'm not sure what would have been easier - a one-person or a two-person kayak, but my friend Korin and I gave the two-person kayak a whirl and had fun. Thankfully, there were no grades given on paddling as our rhythm wasn't great and we kept hitting each others' paddles. :)

Item #15 - Go Horseback Riding

Following the river cruise where I tried lobster, our next stop was at a farm with all sorts of options for activities - one of which was horseback riding. Just like trying the lobster earlier, the opportunity to ride a horse presented itself and I thought, "Why not?"

The positives:

• The horses were very tame.
• The horses weren't too large - they were about my height.
• The route was short - just up the road and back again.

Prior to this opportunity, I had been thinking I'd find an hour-long ride I could go on somewhere. But after the ride (which wasn't longer than 10 minutes), it was interesting to realize that 'up the road and back' was just enough. Going horseback riding simply means I tried, not I had to complete a trail ride. Whew!

Item #3 - Eat something I've never tried before

With the help of a recent trip to Cuba, I've been able to cross a few more things off my mini bucket list. Up first: food!

While sailing down a river during one of our excursions, we had the option to have a lobster snack. Well, for 5 pesos (equivalent to $5) each, why not?

The lobster was pretty good, and I'm glad I tried it. While I may not rush out to a restaurant to have it again, this non-seafood lover is glad she gave the 'chicken of the sea' a taste.

Here we go... Hot off the presses!

Well, hello all you night owls! It's 2:30 a.m. and I can't sleep, so I might as well blog, eh? Here are my next 5 things...

The '40 Things' List

1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
28. Explore Regina's backyard - see what's just outside the city limits.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
30. Visit a natural site in Saskatchewan I haven't been to before.

And there's more...

It's that time again - time for another update! No, I haven't crossed anything else off the list, and yet it continues to grow! Here are the next 5 things:

The '40 Things' List

1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.