The other night, I started making a list of things I want to do. Or, more specifically, a list of physically challenging and adventurous things I want to do. I was recently inspired, once again, by very old friends (now acquaintances through time) to just... do it. I say "once again" because I go through these phases, where I'm all gung-ho and ready to leap. But then I get sidetracked and things get in the way (re: life) and I lose that spark, that fiery passion. So off the top of my head, I came up with this list in no particular order:
Explore Western China (inspired by and an ode to Raul)
Run a marathon
I sat with this list for a few moments, quite pleased with its contents. Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro has been one of my long-standing goals in life. I don't know when or how this came to me, but somewhere along the way, I became transfixed with climbing this mountain. I actually met a girl in college who summited it, and I was in awe. She had done what I've always wanted to do, and I marveled at her passion and felt inspired from head to toe. I really want to do this. And when I mean run a marathon, I really mean walk-jog-run because just finishing a marathon is quite something. So after sitting with this list for a few moments, I began to think about which of these could really happen in my near future. I narrowed it down to the following:
Summiting Mount Washington (the highest point in the Northeastern US) seems like the most probable since it's in nearby New Hampshire, and I'm pretty sure I can rope in a few friends to come with me. I'm already imagining hiking through some crazy weather and a few days filled with laughter and good times. What I like about hiking is you get to meet fellow hikers along the way, and there's an immediate bond because you're all there trying to reach the same point. Everyone has their own story, and I really like learning about people--I guess that's the anthropologist in me. Plus, summiting Mount Washington would be good climbing experience pre-Kilimanjaro! Anyway, in the near future, I think I might also have time to drive down (or up?) Route 1, or bike/drive across the country. I would prefer to bike across the country, to see America and its beauty... having things to look forward to is a good thing.
I wish I had more adventurous goals. I would like to walk a marathon--not run one. And I'd like to visit more national parks (not too crazy of a goal).
I have to keep small goals. Right now I'm trying pretty hard to keep my goal of putting on pants every morning.
I do still really want to bike across America too! Hopefully in a summer before starting grad school. I think our timing probably won't be the same but I'm glad you've got the goal too.
I would like to start a band that rocks harder than any band heretofore known. I would like people to invent new words solely to describe how hard we rock.
OMG. I have a response.
I wish I had more adventurous goals. I would like to walk a marathon--not run one. And I'd like to visit more national parks (not too crazy of a goal).
I have to keep small goals. Right now I'm trying pretty hard to keep my goal of putting on pants every morning.
I do still really want to bike across America too! Hopefully in a summer before starting grad school. I think our timing probably won't be the same but I'm glad you've got the goal too.
I would like to start a band that rocks harder than any band heretofore known. I would like people to invent new words solely to describe how hard we rock.
I would also like to hear what Paci has to say!