If you peek into my diary/notebook/doodle book, you'll find every type of lists imaginable. I have the daily to-do lists, to-buy lists, to-wash lists, to-bring lists, to-read lists, birthday wishlists, the list of languages I want to learn, the list of cocktails I have tried and have yet to try, the list of English words beginning with the letter C that I can come up with in 5 minutes, the ever-repeating list of monthly expenses, possible-names-for-my-future-children list...and loads more. I've been making them since I was in high school; it has bordered on insanity at times.
Most often, they are just for laughs, like the list of (un)lucky guys/girls I've ever dreamed of sleeping with. But my favorite, one I take more seriously, is my bucket list--the things that I need to do and tasks I need to complete in my life before I pass on. The things listed can be very extensive, ranging from the mundane (get a driving license) to the outrageous (shave my head bald), from the attainable (climb Mt Kinabalu) to the nearly impossible (have a flat tummy). I think it all started several years back when I had a bout of quarter-life crisis.
The list gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction each time I tick an item off it, a reason to get out of bed each morning. This blog will be the first time that I'm properly documenting them for the public to see.
My sources of inspiration include these books here:
..and these websites, among many others:
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In this blog, I will only list down goals that I can document in videos and photographs. For example, I will not write anything too subjective like "Be a happy person" because that's continually fluctuating, thus impossible to prove or measure. I wouldn't know if I have achieved my target, or how happy I would have to be before I could cross it off my list. I might be happy now but feel bad later in the afternoon; would that count? For the same reason, I won't post anything like "Drink two liters of water everyday for a year", because that is also impossible to keep track of. The posts I have here are mainly one-time goals, rather than resolutions that I have to consistently maintain for long periods of time.
You may also find posts such as "go fishing" and "go trick-or-treating on Halloween". While these may sound commonplace to some of you, they are things that I have never done before and would love to try. It is important to remember that your bucket list does not have to aim to impress others; it is your own personalized challenge--your own Fear Factor show, or Amazing Race or Survivor, whichever suits you best.
Because life is an ongoing journey, this will perpetually be a work in progress, updated and revised from time to time as I evolve as a person, redefine my goals, develop new interests, and think of new things to do, up till the day I take my last breath. Ultimately, I hope it will inspire you to do the same.
Click here to see the list.
If you have any suggestions, if you want to join me on any of my adventures, if you want to donate, or if you want to help me cross something off my list, please do let me know. My e-mail address can be found at the "About Ummi" page. Thank you for your support!
