One of my friends sent me a link to this Huffington Post story, which led me to this post about creating what is the opposite of a bucket list. I’ve never really had a bucket list — I guess because I’ve been lucky to have some great experiences already. I’m a firm believer in seizing the moment and saying yes to whatever great opportunity comes my way.

So, in no certain order, here are just a few of the adventures I’ve already crossed off my list.

1. Taken a cross-country road trip. When I was 8, my family drove from Florida to California, up to Alaska, across Canada, down through North Dakota, back across to Virginia, and down to Florida. We camped every summer until I was 11. That was the ultimate of summer road trips. That same trip: I visited multiple national parks, drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, learned to play cribbage on a boat, walked on a glacier, went whale watching, went to a saloon in Sitka, hugged a redwood, visited Mt. Rushmore, saw the Grand Canyon, and witnessed Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone.

2. Been published nationally. The first time was a poem I wrote when I was 4 about a green balloon. It was published in Highlights for Children.

3. Lobbied Congress. I’ve done it at both the state and federal levels.

4. Worked on a Hollywood back lot. In college, I took a summer course at the University of Southern California and filmed on the Universal lot. That same summer, I took the drive up Mulholland Drive to see the Hollywood sign and L.A. at night.

5. Hiked a mountain. I hiked one in the English Lake District – home of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. I also a pulled a muscle, so it wasn’t a great success. Most of my athletic endeavors aren’t, including learning to snowboard and kneeboard. Both pretty much featured me falling over…repeatedly. I have successfully whitewater rafted and ziplined, though!

6. Celebrated New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Twice. Both times at a private party so I didn’t have to stand outside for hours.

 

7. Stood on the 50-yard line during a football game. One of the perks of working at Florida State University during homecoming.

8. Narrated a TV episode. It was only for local TV, but our regular person cancelled at the last minute, so I had to read the intro and exit. But I drew the line at appearing on camera.

9. Swam in the Gulf of Mexico at midnight. Enough said.

10. Danced at a street party in Riga to celebrate St. John’s Day, otherwise known as the Midsummer’s Night.

11. Rode a mechanical bull in Dallas.

12. Sat on the FDR to watch the Fourth of July fireworks in New York City.

13. Built houses in Zimbabwe when I was 19. That same trip I went on a safari in the Hwange National Park, drank beer on the patio of the Royal Livingston hotel, walked along Victoria Falls, tried crocodile and ostrich, and hugged a child in an orphanage.

14. Made butter. In 5th grade, my entire class made butter in a jar. It involves a LOT of shaking.

15. Attempted to go to a rock concert in Grant Park in Chicago with my grandmother. It was too crowded.

16. Got lost backpacking through Europe by myself. As in, I still have no idea where I was. But at least I was found.

17. Sang Piano Man in a packed Carrier Dome during the Elton John and Billy Joel concert. Still ranks as one of the best concert experiences, EVER.

18. Bought myself jewelry at Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Ave. in NYC. It was to celebrate my first job promotion and that I could.

19. Won several swimming medals. Michael Phelps I am not, but I did do a decent job on the relay team.

20. Cruised the Mississippi, the Seine, the Thames, the Zambezi, the Rhine, and the Danube.I enjoy a river cruise. I’ve also been on a cruise to the Bahamas. Worst. vacation. ever. Never ask me to go on a cruise ship with you.

21. Climbed the Great Wall of China. We also saw the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. By the end of the trip, I was eating at McDonald’s in Shanghai. There’s a limit on how much Chinese food I can eat.

22. Shopped at Ron Jon’s in the middle of the night. Just because.

23. Driven the Delta Blues Highway.

24. Wine tasted along the Cayuga Wine Trail in upstate New York. My freshman roommate and I did that on our first trip back to Syracuse.

25. Saw the New York City Ballet’s 50th anniversary performance of The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is my Christmas treat, and this is the standard to measure all other versions.

26. Camped out in a field to watch a meteor shower. I love meteor showers. If you haven’t seen one, start with the warm weather ones. It takes more preparation to stay outside in December.

27. Had caviar and a shot of vodka in St. Petersburg, Russia. One of my many adventures with my grandmother. We toured Red Square, saw the Bolshoi Ballet, and watched the sun never set.

28. Sampled Riesling in a small vineyard in the Rhine region of Germany.

29. Eaten Belgian waffles for dinner in Belgium. The joys of being an adult. I also visited the Smurf museum, otherwise known as the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

30. Stood on the white cliffs of Dover.

31. Went on a police bust during a ride along for a story. I also rode to the local jail to drop the guy off. When the booking officer asked if he was dropping two off, thankfully my friend said just one.

32. Made my own plates on a potter’s wheel. I’ve never eaten off of them.

33. Perused the stacks at the Strand bookstore and had a picnic in Central Park. The perfect afternoon for a book lover.

34. Until I played the piano at the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in Paris. The historic bookstore across from Notre Dame has long housed artists. I played Debussy’s Clair de Lune.

35. Stood in line behind the Picadilly theater with my best friend after Guys and Dolls to get Ewan McGregor’s autograph. We’ve stalked many celebrities together — musicians, bull riders, you name it.

36. Celebrated my 21st birthday at the opera. Miss Saigon was one of the first musicals I ever saw, so I wanted to see Madame Butterfly while I was studying abroad in London. I also got the chance to tour behind the scenes of Les Miserables at the Palace theater.

37. Eaten Apalachicola oysters fresh from the bay in Florida. I waited a long time to check off that quintessential Florida girl to-do.

38. Ridden a motorcycle. My grandfather used to take me to preschool on his bike. I guess he started my love for adventure.

I hope this gives you a little inspiration to think about all of the things you’ve already done while pursuing your bucket list. As for my list, we’ll just say it’s to be continued…