Suzi Rose's List

Poster- Suzi Rose


12/28/09
Well, I woke up at a lazy 11:00 am today in the confines of my Dad's oceanside home in Texas. I brushed my hair and put on a bra to make myself a bit more presentable to go downstairs. I had my coffee and of course had to check my facebook and Yahoo. :) One of my "besties" Sarah, sent me an email that presented me with a challenge that I will have to face in the next year and a half of my life. A "BUCKET LIST" of things I'd like to do before I'm 30. At first, I took a huge sigh and said, "Dammit, one more thing I have to do." Then, as my mind woke up with a bit of encouragement from caffeine and packaged sugar, I realized that this would be an excellent idea.

Now I must say that my life has been extremely rich and adventurous. I've skiied the Continental Divide, gone scuba diving in Mexico, dog sledded in Alaska, ridden horses in the Rocky Mountains, and had a delicious Guiness in Ireland. But, let's be honest, my parents initiated most of those activities. So, it's time for me to get my ass in gear and get going in life. I've made a list of 10 things I'd like to do before 30. Most of these do require money...and as I teach 1st grade and suck at handling money, these could get tricky or I could just go broke. I guess I'll have to get crafty and cheap huh? Now, some of these might also seem easy....and they probably will be. But I've only got 497 days until the big 3-0. So, I need to get things moving. My list could go on and on if I was making a list of "before I die," but that's too much. Here's what I want to do in these next 497 days. Wish me luck in my adventurous, childish, frightening, and amazing endeavors.


1. Take more horseback riding lessons and/or lease a horse- I grew up riding horses. My dad had a ranch in Colorado with horses and I showed and jumped horses in Naperville. I miss it greatly. Unfortunately, it's pricey, but it is one of my most favorite things in the world and I need to get back on that horse. No pun intended.

2. New car- For godsakes, I've had the same car since 2001. She is paid for and is a total badass. Knock on wood, I hardly have problems with her....I say her, her name is Cricket. Long story. Anyways, she's got about 103,000 miles on her but looks like new...in my eyes. But, it's time to be a big girl and get a big girl car.

3. I want to visit friends/family in Arizona- 1/2 of my extended family lives in AZ along with several close friends from high school. I've been saying I'd go out there for ohhh, about 10 years now. I don't understand what is so difficult about going to a place with lots of sun and parties....

4. I want to go on a ski trip out west with friends or family- I also grew up skiing in Colorado. My dad was the volunteer medic on the ski patrol at Monarch ski resort in CO. I was a hot little skiier let me tell you. I've been back to ski in CO in the last 5 years or so, but I think it'd be amazing to go with a large group and sit in hot tubs, drink wine, and ski our asses off.

5. Publish "Ugly Shmugly"- Last year I wrote a children's book and submitted it to many publishers. I actually recently just got an offer from a company to see the entire manuscript. So...I need to do some editing and additional work and send it in. I'm really hoping to be published before 30! Oh and the name is copyrighted so don't even try to steal :)

6. Participate in Naperville “mini-triathalon” – Welllll, I will never be one of those people that will do a marathon. I just won’t. I know myself and I would probably die during it b/c I would put off “training” for it until like the day before. So, I’m going to try to do a mini-triathalon here in the Ville in August. I remember I was getting a ride home at 10:00 am last summer and it was hot as hell. I saw all of these people bettering themselves and going for a morning triathalon. I thought they were nuts. Well, I guess I am too then….please pray for me on this one.

7. Hold a tarantula- Ew. I know so weird and seemingly very easy but I am PETRIFIED of spiders....petrified. So....I'd like to walk into Petland one day and just hold one of the sons of a bitches.

8. Do some major work in my school district in the writing curriculum- I'm on my way with this one, but I want to make sure I follow through and keep the momentum going! I was asked to present to principals and 2 staff members from every elem school in my district on best writing practices with primary students. These kids are screwed... :) But I'd like to make a significant change in our writing curriculum within the next year or two.

9. Flippy Cup- I know, I know....I'm acting 20 but I don't care. My gf's and I rocked out shirts "Let's Chug It Out Bitches" like 4 years ago and played in a TAPS tournament with practically all dudes. I can't really be doing this when I'm 40, but we look young and can still drink pretty ridiculously, so I'd really like to sign up for another one of those drunken fun fests.

10. Niagra Falls- This is the one I am most worried about conquering. I have some travel things on my list already and money is tight-especially if I'm going to get that new car....But, why not try. Ideally, I'd love to rent an RV and road trip up there!