Getting Older - Turning 35
- Hello Ember
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
I turned 35 this year (about a month ago now- it's been a busy month, but in a good way. More on that later...) And as one of my closest friends pointed out, I'm halfway to 70. I never thought about it in those terms, but it did put some things in perspective. Since I tend to think in lists, here's a couple...
35 Fun Things I've done so far (in no particular order):
Get married to the love of my life - best and easiest decision I've ever made.
Go scuba diving - Did this in high school, and I loved being able to be on the same level as fish. Did again in Hawaii a few years ago, but it was a windy day so visibility was low. Saw a lot of sea turtles though!
Go on a road trip with my Bestie - We've done this many times, and have more planned for when they're financially possible.
Be a homeowner - 2x officially
Win an Emmy - An exciting night, and a heavy trophy.
Run a half marathon/ and 10k - The first of both of these was a part of RunDisney races and it's my favorite format for a race.
Work in 30Rock for a week - I did this as part of a work exchange and it was a great experience.
Take an art class as an adult - I cannot recommend doing this enough. I took so many portrait classes last year and loved every second of it. I'm taking a break from it this year, but hope to take more in the future.
Learn Crochet - I did this last year with "Woobles" and made about 20 little characters to gift to loved ones.
Go Paddle boarding - An ab work out for sure, and something I think I can improve on for sure.
Make a quilt - So far I've made 2, I have a lot more fabric I need to use.
Learn Wheel Pottery - An enjoyable, but expensive hobby.
Ride a mechanical bull - I was in middle school when I did this, but it was fun!
Go Zip lining - Did this in Hawaii, a fun thrill adventure for sure.
Swim with Dolphins - Back in high school we did a trip to Florida, and I swam with them at some attraction.
Go Kayaking - As often as possible.
Visit and tour a castle - In Edinburgh, Scotland a few years back.
See an opera - Went twice now I think? With my mother-in-law
Learn to surf - Did so in El Salvador back in 2016, but would love to go again.
See the northern lights - In Iceland, we did a night drive during the northern lights. I wish I would've appreciated it more at the time- there was a lot of snow at the time.
Go on vacation with a group of friends - Disney World 2022, 8 of us did an amusement park trip and it was a lot of fun.
Adopt a puppy/kitten - Got a kitten back in 2013, and a puppy in 2016
Co-direct a film festival - Did this on my 35th birthday!
See a play on Broadway - I've seen two now! Hamilton, when I went on a work trip by myself. Then Phantom of The Opera when I went with Bestie.
Catch fireflies in the summertime - A fabulous past time at my grandparent's farm.
Ride a jetski - So. Much. Fun.
Visit the ruins in Rome - Just a really cool architectural site full of so much history.
Eat at a Michelin Star restaurant - I think we've done this a few times now, once was accidental in San Francisco, we didn't realize it was a Michelin Star, we just thought it was a good restaurant with lots of tapas.
Do a wine tour - Did this in Palisades, CO years ago. I just remember liking a pink one.
See the art I learned about in college, in real museums - Many times, and every chance I get in Europe. I love museums. The Lourve and Uffizi Gallery are some of my favorites.
Paint murals in my home - Something my grandparents allowed me to do in their farmhouse and I still enjoy doing to this day.
Smash pennies on a railroad track - Another memory from times with my grandparents.
Go iceskating - I've done this many times, I wish I was better at it, but I do like ice skating & roller blading.
See a movie in theaters, solo - as often as possible! Bonus if the theater is empty besides me.
Renovate an old home to what we want it to be - Currently in progress, but we've put a lot of effort in and I'm really enjoying what this home is turning out to be.
35 Things I want to do before turning 70:
Do an Aura reading - I'm just curious, what color would my aura be? I have no idea what it all means, but I'd be interested in trying it out.
Attend Sundance Film Festival - I guess it doesn't have to be specifically this one, but I would love to attend a major one just to see how they do it.
Go to a yoga retreat - I am not a yogi, and about as flexible as a folding chair, but it looks like a good experience.
Go whale watching - I just want to see those massive beautiful beasts in the wild (from a safe distance of course)
Go sailing - Is it relaxing? I've never been on a sailboat but it might be nice.
Learn Curling - A sport that looks easy, but I really doubt it is. I want to try.
Play bingo in a parlor - A favorite family past time, I'd like to try it in a pro parlor - just think of the energy in those rooms! The calm competition!
Attend an acting class - This is WAY outside my comfort zone, but I think it could be a good experience and useful for public speaking skills & social anxiety.
Meet an otter - I know the zoo near me has meet and greets, so maybe someday!
Pet a seal - Seals are so stinkin' cute and I want to befriend one.
Go parasailing - This just looks like a blast, and I love water sports.
Write & Direct a short film - This one's got potential, but only time will tell.
Visit the east coast during the fall/ see all the leaves change
Take a cooking class - I don't enjoy cooking, but maybe I would after a course?
Learn to play the piano - I bought a keyboard after a suggestion for stress relief, but I don't know how to properly use it. I'd really like to take lessons and learn.
Go to an archery range - I don't have great upper arm strength, but I do enjoy target practice of all sorts.
See a concert at Red Rocks amphitheater - I live literally an exit away, so it's very possible, but they're quite expensive. This is about finding the right mix of affordable and something I actually want to see.
Order room service in a hotel - Is it worth it? I'm not sure, but I want to try it at least once in my life!
Plant a tree and watch it grow - We had planned to do this in our current home, but we've been here almost six years and this goal keeps getting pushed back for others.
Learn how to make tasty mocktails - I stopped drinking years ago, and I really enjoy mocktails when we go out to eat. It'd be fun to learn some for home entertainment.
Go on a wildlife safari - I love giraffes, and wildlife in general. I've been on the one in Animal Kingdom at Disney World, but it's not quite the wild...
Write a book - I have a few ideas, but haven't sat down and focused on it. A long term goal indeed.
Visit all U.S. National Parks - This goal is in progress, I've seen 23 of 63 (?-they increased the number since I originally set this goal, it was 59 then.)
Raise $5k for charity - I would love to help raise money for a good cause.
Do the Dopey Challenge - 48.6 miles through the Disney Parks over 4 days, including a full marathon.
Experience Zero Gravity - I've never ever wanted to go to space, but the zero gravity looks fun to try
INDOOR skydiving - Outdoor is beyond me, but the indoor stuff looks fun.
Try a sensory deprivation tank - Would I enjoy it? Would it stress me out? I'm not sure, but I'm willing to try it once.
Get a fancy massage - I've had chair massages in work places, but I'd really like to have a full fancy massage. (maybe after accomplishing goal # 35?)
Eat french fries in a luxury car - This one has a tiny backstory. In high school this guy was such a smug little... anyway... he was protective of his car and didn't want to encourage a mess or eating or anything in his car. So this one is for the teenage me that really wanted to eat something low-brow in his precious car.
Shark cage diving - At least once, just to try it...
Climb to the top of a lighthouse in Maine - I've yet to visit Maine, but I've always romantizied the place and I really want to go all the way to the top of a lighthouse in a chunky oversized sweater
Make a wreath for the front door of our home - Probably a winter one, but I feel like creating your own wreath that you're proud enough to put on the front door is an extremely welcoming entrance
Learn to paint - Like on canvas, I've painted many walls, but I'd love to be able to paint beautiful scenes on canvas
Reach my goal weight/physique - yes, this one is "basic" but wouldn't it be fun to accomplish this?!
I don't fear getting older. I think it's an honor, a privilege. And I'm going to live it up while I can. Maybe this second list is possible, but I'm going to try.
*I didn't have a lot of travel specific items in the list, because I absolutely love the experiences of travel and that could have easily taken over both sides of these lists.
**Just a few photos of the have-done list:
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