Thursday, February 7, 2008

My Bucket List...


Come on, you knew it was coming. As soon as I get a chance to go to the movies I want to see the movie "The Bucket List." It's about two guys living out the things they want to do before they kick the bucket. It stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. How I would love to have dinner with those two guys!

Anyway, I have always had a list of things I wanted to do in my life. Several years ago while on a trip to Amsterdam I made such a list. I found that little journal recently and many of the items remain undone. There may be a space limit on a blog, so I will just share a few items with you.

1) Be a guest on the Mike Douglas show, or the Tonight show with Johnny Carson. Now I suppose it would be Oprah?
2) Make a movie of my life, but first live a life captivating enough to make into a movie!
3) Design my own home that is very comfy for big partys and small family dinners, and has a 'dishwasher' and a 'walk in closet.'
4) Be in love for at least four seasons (consecutive seasons would be nice)
5) Have lots of kids (or two because college costs so much)
6) Create a place to be creative... a studio filled with light and space to make stuff
7) Write a book
8) Meet Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams because they make me laugh till I cry
9) Have an amazing flower garden with a hammock in the middle of it
10) Create 'safe havens' for kids in dangerous neighborhoods (like the Power House in Baltimore)
11) Provide micro loans, or project lending to single parent families trying to create businesses
12) Bring peace to the Middle East (ok... so I've had that goal for awhile, but I had a hard time with Hebrew and Arabic)
13) Have someone ask me out on a real date for Valentine's Day
14) Go to a live concert once a month for life! Wow, can you imagine?
15) Go to a yoga, vegan spa in some place really amazing
16) Attend Sundance Film Festival and have dinner with Robert Redford (I didn't say marry him, just dinner. Don't be jealous.)
17) Be the Ambassador to the 'Inner Cities' of the United States
18) Fund music programs in poor neighborhoods
19) Sponsor a team of big brains to design cars that don't need ANY gas (yes, I do live in Texas at the moment)
20) Meet a man who really loves and cherishs me
21) Take photographs around the world of ordinary people doing amazing things at regular jobs
22) Collect the sacred stories and soul wisdom of regular folks
23) Create a bio dynamic farm/ranch with a big garden, fruit trees, happy animals and lots of space for city kids to come visit.
24) Be beautiful in every way
25) Get married to a guy who loves me and my family, and wants to have fun growing old together
26) Be debt free
27) Write and produce a play
28) Produce a huge concert that inspires people to VOTE
29) Write a song that makes millions of dollars to plant more trees in struggling neighborhoods
30) Have enough time each day to call and check in on each person in my family (whew that's a phone bill!)
31) Teach geography to kids and make it FUN!
32) See someone being born
33) Sail in New Zealand
34) Make my own paper
35) Watch the sun rise and set on all the continents
36) Make out at the movies
37) Run/walk a marathon (Geez, and I'm tired just thinking about it)
38) Preach to an "Amen and Hallelujah" congregation
39) Really learn how to forgive and how to accept forgiveness
40) Reach my goal weight of 170 pounds
41) Make a labyrinth
42) Grow my own avocado tree (come on now, you wish you had thought of that one)
43) Learn to dance (not the white girl kind, the real rhythm kind)
44) Sing the blues with the queens of the blues (too many to name, but they know who they are)
45) Have $100 a day to just give away to someone who looks like they could use the surprise
46) Design a restaurant that makes folks want to eat healthy
47) Learn how to be an Imagineer (ala the Disney Imagineers)
48) Create old folks homes that are so cool they soothe the soul of the aged and inspire younger generations to visit. (If I could just rid the facilities of that bleach/urine smell it would be a huge plus)
49) Inspire Americans to adopt older children who live here in America
50) Insure that every child has a safe place to call home


Well that's the first 50 goals. I sure hope this chemo stuff works as I have lots more dreams of journeys and adventures.

Send me your bucket list! Email me at sionito@aol.com.
Peace baby... it looks good on everybody.
Love,
Rhonda

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really enjoyed your comments and pictures. I haven't heard of the movie but it sounds cute. We might have to see it too. You have a great list to start on when you get better.
I see you have been busy with your website. I haven't been on to much lately. Didn't seem to get Christmas cards out but really enjoyed yours. She is such a beautiful girl. I know you are so proud of her.
We love you both,
Karon

Anonymous said...

I loved your list, Rhonda. It has inspired me to make my own Bucket List. I responded to you via email regarding some of the things on your lsit that I have actually done. It was cool!

Love ya,,

Dorothy

Anonymous said...

Wow. thats alot of things that you want to accomplish. but i know that you will make MOST Of them, Bacause you are so given. but if you cant finish them all....i will help you finish them.hehehe...well i love you and know that i will always be here to help you out!
Pecae out!
Lili

Janine said...

That's the most detailed bucket list I have ever seen. I will try to start mine. I hope we see you tomorrow as we have missed you. YOu didn't mention how you are surviving work. We're all fine on this end, just teenager central is all. I am trying to figure out a way to channel their creativity in getting away with stuff to something more productive :-). Fat chance. I know Lili would never try and pull anything over on you, right?:-)

Fight the good fight and see you soon.

P.S. Who are you voting for?

Dee said...

Your daughter is gorgeous! Such a pretty family and I love your list!

I have a thing for listing lol.

Never let anything sway you from your goals, ever. Cancer schmancer.

Dancer said...

Hi!
Thank you for your comment re: the CML and the nausea, etc...

It feels very comfortable to meet another person w/ CML. Thank you for sharing. I am adding you to my blog.

Be Well,
Dancer

Anonymous said...

Rhonda,

I read all your blog entries and you inspire me so much. You inspire me to always look on the bright side and to cherish everyday. Just know Aaron and I think of you often and wish only the best. Love,
Dayna

Brian Dowd said...

I agree with Janine. that is the most extensive Bucket List I have every seen. I just started think of my own list at the mid-January. That is when I found another lump. I am a testicular cancer survivor (june 2, 2006) and just waiting for my next ultrasound on March 24th to find out if I have it for a second time. I stay focused on living,family, friends and supporting the LAF.

Great blog!

LIVESTRONG!

Brian Dowd
http://canceradvocacy.blogspot.com/

Dancer said...

Hi Rhonda,

I wanted to let you know that I am reading through your story. I just read the December post that introduced you to CML.

I am sitting here...crying. I am not sure why I am crying?

A few minutes ago, I was having fun playing guitar with a friend...and, now I am crying.

I think it is just really wierd to read that post and have flashbacks to that same "pinch me, this can't be real" feeling...

we have been through so much and i don't think that people who have not had a cancer dx can understand---even the people who love me enough to want to understand.

thank you for your friendship and support...

the good side...it seems like you and i are better now and smiling.

be well!
dancer

Joanne said...

When you feel like it I can help make that Hallelujah and Amen preaching thing come true for you.... :o)

Love you...Joanne