Kicking the Bucket List

Oh, I had such fun looking through all my old photos for this post...!

I was listening to the radio yesterday, and the segment was on "Bucket Lists". People rang up to share things that were on theirs, or that they had crossed off. Some were dangerous things, others unique experiences, or places to visit.

Not to be too Carrie Bradshaw about it, but it got me thinking...

... I've actually done quite a few amazing things that were on my informal "do before you die" list. It was kind of a cool realisation. 

I've:

- patted a tiger

- ridden an elephant

- had a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles

- stood in front of the Mona Lisa and Van Gogh's Sunflowers

- been up the Eiffel Tower

- had a beer in the Eagle & Child in Oxford where the Inklings used to meet

- been to New Zealand, twice

There have even been some amazing experiences that happened quite by accident that I didn't know would be once-in-a-lifetime things I could add to my Bucket List:

- hiked a Glen in the Scotish Highlands

- napped in a hammock in a 200-year-old former Opium Den in Malacca

- went down the River Kwai on a bamboo raft

- got lost in the back streets of Venice and stumbled on the world's most amazing pizza

- watched the blackjack table in the Monte Carlo casino

And perhaps the biggest and cheesiest Bucket List item of all, amongst it all I somehow managed to meet the love of my life!

So what's left? There are so many amazing things in this world that I want to see and do. Most of my personal Bucket List wishes involve travel. I want to see Egypt, the Galapagos, Machu Pichu. I want to visit the Smithsonian and eat a bagel in New York. I've never seen Uluru and want to photograph the Red Centre. 

It occurs to me that I have not done anything Before-I-Die amazing lately. Need to get on that.

And if I had unlimited resources and could let my imagination run wild? I would love to go in to space. That would be the ultimate Bucket List item for me. 

What's on your List? Have you crossed anything off lately?

Opting out of Valentine's Day

My husband and I have never really "done" Valentine's Day. Not because we're not romantic, more because we don't think it's something to get excited about.

Basically, because we show and tell that we love each other every day, it seems a little ridiculous to make a special fuss about our relationship with flowers and/or chocolates on a certain day of the year. The idea is a nice one, but I think it's the commercial fuss and pressure that puts me off as well. 

When I was single, I was vehemently Anti-V-Day. I hated it. Because all it did was remind me very painfully for a seemingly interminable amount of time every year that I was alone. I found it horrific. I always secretly dreamed of a partner who would show up with a bunch of red roses though.

And guess what? My husband has never bought me flowers. Not once. Once his mum picked roses from her garden and told me they were from him. He is of the opinion flowers are for "when you've done something wrong". Nothing I can say will convince him otherwise!

But I get lots of other little gifts and gestures, so the flowers thing does not matter so much any more. 

Thus, Valentine's Day pretty much gets ignored in our house.

What do you think? Do you see it as a good excuse to do something nice with your partner? Or have them do something nice for you? Or do you hate it?

Costco Fun

After my last disastrous expedition to Costco, I was looking forward to hitting it again at a little less chaotic time.

My suggestion to hubby that we go on a weekday evening was met with an affirmative grunt so off we went. 

The store was refreshingly empty, so we were able to amble about at leisure. Hubby immediately found the tool and hardware section so that put him in a positive frame of mind straight away. 

I was just grateful to have a proper look at everything, and let my other half push the trolley (those things take some practice!)

I agree with those who say that Costco is a great place for catering a party - the platters are amazing. Where else can you buy a massive tray of prepped buffalo wings?

We ended up spending just over $100 on random stuff. I didn't really have a list so we decided to get things that struck is us a bargain or we really loved. 

Here is the haul. Ignore the other crap on my bench, I beg you.  Not pictured: 48 rolls of toilet paper that I do not have a storage solution for. 

The only thing I regret buying was the tray of Danishes (they're under there somewhere), 10 of which are now in the freezer and I'm not sure how well they will defrost. 

Best buy: Pop Tarts. Where have they been all my life?

My novice tips for Costco: don't go on a weekend, and know your prices. Other than that, just have fun! Aussies aren't used to seeing stuff in bulk, so a lot of the stock may be a novelty. 

Is it worth the yearly membership? Yes, if you team up with some family and friends and split up some purchases. Or if you have a family of ten or more!