50 before 50

Over this last couple of months I’ve been decluttering my home. I ran across some old journals, one of which I kept while in high school.

On the inside cover I had written out a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish in my lifetime. Ha! And to my surprise I had attained all of them with the exception of one which was to write a book. It’s still a goal of mine.

This discovery in conjunction with watching one of my favorite content creators Tashira of Politics and Fashion, who created a list of goals to get at before she turns 40.

Okay so, 40 for me was some years back…lol; but the idea had me thinking of the space and place I am in my life at this very moment. I asked myself a few questions…are you doing the things that make you happy? Or even the things that you say you want to do, or the things you dream of? The answer was nope! So I made a new list of things I want to experience in my life. Some of them I've had forever.

Maybe we can cross our lists off together.

1. Travel cross country on a train - the idea of seeing the US and all its countrysides in all its glory from the view of a train is poetic to me.

2. Learn conversational Spanish - Yes, I had three years of Spanish in high school and nope! I did not retain anything, with the exception of, "La chicle en la basura." Sorry, Mrs. Ortiz!

3. Plan an epic girls trip - If you knew my dear sister/friend Sharon Moore then you would definitely want in on this trip.

4. Sit for the NIC - Most American Sign Language Interpreters, including myself, aspire to accomplish this goal...tuff but well worth it.

5. Learn to bake scones/madeleines - Who doesn't love a good scone?

6. Start playing the viola and flute again - I began to play in grade school and I wish I never stopped. It's kind of like riding a bike (or at least I hope) you never really forget.

7. Learn French - I mean why not? My name is French!

8. Travel on the Orient Express - Have you guys seen this train? One word...Magnificent!

9. Get my last wishes in order - Super important! I don't want my family to stress if something happens to me.

10. Get a new tattoo - I would love to add something small and henna colored.

11. ✔︎Start a blog/vlog - Crossing this one off right now.

12. Organize my entire closet - I don't know if this will ever completely happen! LOL!!!

13. Compete in a bodybuilding competition - This will take a great deal of discipline.

14. Go skinny dipping - Need I say more?

15. Get another Sugar or two - Sugar was my dear yorkie, AKA…Brown Sugar, I miss him more than words can express.

16. Begin writing a book - This was the one goal that I did not cross off from my list from high school.

17. ✔︎Expand my African American Fine Art Collection - I started this collection some years ago. I would love to add Tiffany Glen, Twin, Woodrow Nash, and Judy Bowman just to name a few.

18. Buy good pillows - I'm always trying to improve the quality of my sleep.

19. Drive to Toronto Canada - I'm ready for a good road trip.

20. Learn basic carpentry - Full disclosure…ugh! I can't read a ruler.

21. Learn to apply lashes - Have you ever got the glue in your eye? Ouch!

22. Learn basic photography - In this age you gotta know your way around a camera.

23. Start a magazine - This is one of my earliest life dreams to work at a magazine. Why not start my own?

24. Learn to apply the perfect smoky eye - I have a love/hate relationship with makeup, but a good smoky eye...huh! You can't tell me nothing.

25. Experience a nude beach - Maybe it will be exactly like you see in the movies. A girl can dream can’t she?

26. Visit the African American Museum in DC - A must in my opinion for every POC.

27. Visit an owl sanctuary - My favorite animal. I just wanna touch the feathers.

28. Trip to Paris - the first time I visited Europe was in 2015 it was right after the winter holidays. All the decorations from the holidays were still up and everything was so beautiful.

29. Eat at a Michelin star restaurant - I love food…let’s see what the best of the best has to offer.

30. Read 50 books - I need to get back into the habit. I love a good book. I will use a kindle from time to time, but I prefer an actual book curled up on the sofa with a blanket on my lap.

31. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge - Seems like an American thing to do. So…why not?

32. Stand on pointe - I took dance as a child, but the dream of wanting to be a ballerina never really went away.

33. Take myself to brunch - I’ve never been a weekend kind of girl. In my parallel universe weekends are for work. In my mind this is what really cool chic weekendy kind of people do.

34. Visit the DC Cherry blossoms - The Cherry Blossom trees were gifted to the US in 1912 by the mayor of Tokyo as a representation of friendships. They are some of the most beautifulest of GODs creations.

35. Visit the MoMa - I love art!

36. See a broadway show - The child thespian in me needs this experience.

37. Take a surfing lesson - I've lived a stones throw away from the ocean for most of my life and I have never been surfing.

38. ✔︎Attend a Murder Mystery Dinner - I am for sure a who dun-it, 20/20, murder mystery, murder tv type of person.

39. Experience a Mud Bath - This is said to be a great pore cleansing experience.

40. Do a nude photo shoot - I cannot think of one GOOD reason not to. HA!!

41. Participate in the Polar Bear Plunge - I despise the cold, but hey for experiences sake.

42. Do a yoga headstand - I admire those who can and want to join their tribe. In my eyes these are strong folks in more than one way.

43. Fly first class - who doesn't love a little luxury?

44. See Misty Copeland perform - I am just in awe! The beauty in seeing a face like mine in this arena is a dream come true.

45. Visit all 50 states - I want to experience that one special thing about each place in our US of A.

46. Ride in a hot air ballon - Since I've already checked skydiving off my list this is the next best thing.

47. Attend a lantern festival - I imagine this to be picturesque, surreal and beautiful.

48. Go to a silent disco - Is this still a thing? Either way I think it's cool.

49. Make my own wine (red of course) - the essence of my taste in a bottle.

50. Plan an epic 50th celebration!!