Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever (Mahatma Gandhi): 99 things I have been lucky to do

I thought Keith Bond’s recent blog post, 99 things I want to do that I aint done yet was brilliant.  Having worked in a nursing home during my student days and watching my father be diagnosed and struggle with Parkinson’s Disease from the age of 51, I am a great believer that life is too short to waste. You never know what is around the corner. Making a list of goals to accomplish is one step closer to achieving them.

Last year I turned 30. Many of my friends complained about being another year older but to me, every birthday is a major accomplishment and I have always set myself a new goal to complete each year, whether it was successfully completing my university degree, visiting Australia or learning to bake a decent cake (bit sad I know, but a great way to relax). I celebrated my 30th birthday with an 80’s fancy dress party. My guests and I all looked ridiculous but we had a fantastic time and that’s what life is all about.

Reading Keith’s article made me think about the things I have already done and what I would still like to do. Whether I succeed or fail, I’m proud to say I had a go. So here are a few of the 99 things I wanted to do that I have done:

• A wonderful wedding day enjoyed by all my friends and family
• The birth of my first daughter Robyn Maria
• Standing on the Grand Canyon
• Having a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, Singapore
• Wine tasting in the Margaret River wine region, Western Australia
• Successfully completing the Great Manchester Run in aid of charity

• An 80’s fancy dress party to celebrate my 30^th birthday
• Seeing the late Steve Irwin perform live at his own Zoo in Brisbane, Australia
• Enjoying a career that challenges me and allows me to achieve a wonderful work/life balance
• Successfully completing my BSC (Hons) degree in Behavioural Sciences at University
• Completing a work placement within the news team of a local radio station
• Watching Tom Jones perform live in Las Vegas
• Attending my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary party
• Taking a ride in a rickshaw
• Honeymooning in Venice
• Learning to bake and make pastry
• Taking an activity holiday in Austria where I experienced white water rafting, windsurfing, tobogganing and abseiling.

Watch this space for the remaining 99 things I want to do but ‘aint done yet!