"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -St. Augustine

I was recently asked if I had a timeline for my goals on my bucket list. To be honest, I don't yet. For the most part, it's simply because I don't have the financial means to accomplish some of the more extravagant things (travel the world) or I don't have the time to dedicate to achieving my goals (Ironman triathlon). Yes, I know that they're just excuses, and that if I realllly wanted to do them, I could. But I also realize I have priorities that simply trump my lifelong wishes (school, loans).

In the meantime, I suppose there's no harm in reflecting on some of the bucket list tasks that I had already checked off prior to putting together my official list. After all, I would have wanted to do it all before I die anyways!

First off, backpacking Europe. My half-assed blog details as much as I could while having infrequent access to a computer in the latter weeks of summer '09. I visited 6 cities in 5 countries in just under 3 weeks: Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy; Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria. It was a wonderful trip, albeit stressful. Here are some of my favourite pictures.

Eiffel Tower right before it lit up.

The last leg of the Tour de France. It was INSANE. I had to sit on Nam's shoulders to even see anything! Most people just watched the screen.

Bullfighting ring in Barcelona, Spain. Had to adjust the lighting in the pic because we were standing in the shadows of the arena. The bulls were huge!

Sitting on the steps of the Colosseum in Rome. The picture at the very top of this blog is from the Colosseum as well. I would go back in a heartbeat. Definitely need to go again. I absolutely love the history there.

Watching the sun rise of the canal in Venice. The story of why I was standing there is much less glamorous -- after an unbelievably crappy overnight train ride from Rome, our train arrived in Venice at 5 am. I am not exaggerating when I tell you it was THE most uncomfortable night of my life. When we arrived, nothing was open, including our hostel. So what else to do but to watch the sun come up and sleep on creepy church benches next to pigeons?

Prague Castle in the Czech Republic. We didn't actually get to go because we didn't allot enough time while we were there =( Next time!

Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria

My heart is yours to fill or burst, to break or bury, or wear as jewelery

It's emo, I know. But "Hands Down" is one of my favourite Dashboard Confessional songs. I've always been a hip hop, R&B and slow jam kinda girl. BoyzIIMen, Usher, Brian McKnight, you name it. So when I was introduced to DC in my latter years of high school, I was surprised with how quickly I fell in love with the band. Granted, those were some tumultuous years, filled with heartache and teenage angst, so in retrospect, maybe it shouldn't be such a surprise after all. Listening to DC today doesn't fill me with angst or frustration, but rather, reminds me of a point in time when I was hopelessly, head over heels "in love". And it doesn't necessarily bring up old feelings, but there's an old sense of nostalgia and fond reminiscence associated with the music of that time period.

So when I found out today that Dashboard Confessional has been on tour for the 10th anniversary of their album, Swiss Army Romance, I was ecstatic. I haven't been to many concerts, but every time they've been to Toronto, I always had evening classes or some other obligation. Unfortunately, I missed their New York stop in December, and they don't seem to be coming to Toronto. Therein lies the dilemma. Do I fly to another [American] city just to see them? I know they're on my bucket list...but financially, it doesn't seem responsible to spend hundreds of dollars just to see them for this particular anniversary concert, when they'll likely come back to Toronto whenever they come out with a new album (as they have in previous years for the rest of their albums), but that probably won't be for at least another year or two. Decisions, decisions...

And now, for some Dashboard Confessional, "Hands Down":

Brrr...it's cold in here!

If it wasn't for Darren, I probably would have chickened out of doing a polar bear dip. Not because I'm scared of water, but because...really, who wants to jump into freezing cold (and dirty/possible nuclear!) water anyways? I'm not exactly sure why I chose this as a bucket list item. If anything, I suppose I can say I did it! (And isn't that the point?)

After much humming and hawing, we finally got out of the warm car and made the trek over to the water. In all honesty though, I think it was colder getting ready to jump into the lake, than actually splashing around in the freezing water.

It's a short vid, but here's proof that we actually did it!



High five, polar bear buddy!

And so it begins...

My friend, Darren, has recently encouraged me to take a running jump at my bucket list. His accomplishments are quite spectacular, and his ambitions are envious.

I know it sounds cliché, but I want to live my dreams too. I had a bucket list floating around years ago, but I think it’s time to start fresh. Things have changed, I have changed. Some dreams have evolved. Like Darren, I will post up a spreadsheet to keep track and add to the list as I go.

I’m excited. I’ve never needed an excuse to do what I wanted, but this makes my dreams feel a little more tangible. Stay tuned for the list.