 | 11 Dec 09 |
No, I’m not dying. But reading Toni’s blog a couple of weeks ago reminded me of something that has been on my mind recently, something I can thank the FBI Citizens Academy for. And that is the realization that I’ve lived a pretty unadventurous life. Full, yes, adventurous, no. I suppose some folks would consider raising children adventurous, and that’s true, but I’m talking a different type of adventure, literally experiencing the wonders of this planet. The adrenaline rush of swimming with dolphins, of hiking in Yosemite, of canoeing down the Amazon. Of tapping back into my love for shooting, maybe, even getting into competitive shooting.
How is the FBI CA responsible for this sudden desire to take the word by storm? Well, of the 31 of us attending the class, I was the only one who didn’t have a college degree, the only one, who seemingly, hadn’t gone out and taken the world by storm. The background of the agents themselves was formidable. The sacrifice and hard work they put in to get where they were impressed me. I felt like I was the only one who hadn’t challenged myself. It’s funny, as I’m typing this I’m thinking, raising four children, launching three successful businesses and publishing over 10 books in five different languages ain’t nuttin’ to sneeze at, and it isn’t, but along the way, I lost my sense of adventure. I became complacent. I got lazy.
As I drove to the first FBI CA class I almost turned around a half a dozen times. I forced myself to keep going. I took a deep breath when I arrived and bravely walked into the building, and when I was greeted by smiling faces I let out a long breath I had been holding. I immediately felt like I was where I should be. I met two great guys, George and Gary who I maintain contact with, and whom I will see again when I attend the alum meetings and Infragard.
But it was the last class, the day on the range that made me realize I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and experience more of the world first hand not, from my office window. I wanted to let it all hang out. One thing I realized I did not want to do was pursue my degree. There was a time I did, but, I’m doing what I love, and I don’t need a degree to get promoted, but I do need some credits in adventure to keep the juices flowing and the stories fresh. So, I’ve composed a Bucket List of things I can do, for now, locally. Things that won’t drain my bank account, things that are close, things that will push me out of my comfy little box.
Here are a few:
I want to spend the day at the coroner’s office. Take a tour of Santa Rita jail and tour the CSI labs in my county.
Join the local shooting club.
Learn a martial art.
Join the de Young museum and see not only the Tut exhibit but all of the exhibits that come through.
Learn to scuba dive.
Go to the Planetarium.
Go to the opera.
Return to New York and hit every museum.
Return to DC and visit all the monuments, and spend days in the Smithsonian.
See the Grand Canyon, hike through Yosemite and Big Sur. Visit Yellowstone and Alaska.
One day, I want to go to the Galapagos islands, and the rain forests in Costa Rica, and see Manchu Pichu.
I want to stuff my hubby and in-laws into a luxury RV and travel across the country with only one destination: Adventure.
What about you? What’s on your bucket list?
© 2009, Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
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You’re not alone in not having a degree, Karin. And although you (and I) might someday change our minds and finally get one, it will be for our own edification. After you finish paying for your kids’ college, that is.
I like your bucket list. But you know, just going to the FBI Citizens’ Police Academy is pretty cool, and WAY out of most people’s comfort zone. Just saying.
I’ve already mentioned that I get to go to South America this spring–to Macchu Picchu and the Galapagos! Eight years ago, six months before 9/11, I went to Paris and Tuscany, my first trip out of the US, as a 50th birthday gift to myself. That was definitely a bucket list accomplishment!
I also want to visit various countries in Asia, and to finish seeing the rest of the US. Six states to go, one of them Alaska. And although I’ve written non-fiction books, I’d like to write, and have published, some fiction. I started NaNoWriMo, but wrote myself into a corner in less than 9,000 words. I may start over soon.
Good luck with all your aspirations.
by Karen in Ohio December 11th, 2009 at 5:31 amKaren, I love the fauna on the Galapagos! I’ve wanted to go for years. I’d love to go to the game reserve in Kenya too.
Hey, don’t worry about writing yourself into acorner, we all do it one time or another. The trick is to just keep writing!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:06 amInspiring, Karin! The top of my list: Get in shape! That way I can do some of those fun, adventurous things again! Yes!!!
by Debra Webb December 11th, 2009 at 6:32 amDeb, I need to get into better shape too!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:06 amCan I tag along? That said, I have to admit…I’ve led a life many haven’t, especially given my age. When I was growing, girls wanted their MRS degree. I’ve done the CSI thing as a career. I have a closet full of weapons…Heh. I got a 20 guage shotgun for Mother’s Day. Warped? Me? Oh yeah! LOL.
I’ve scuba’d, raced cars, jumped from an airplane, rapelled. I’ve shown horses, trained SAR dogs, and witnessed some of the best and worst of humanity.
In January, I’m headed to Panama to ride the Canal train, to Columbia to visit a museum full of pre-Columbian artifacts, and while in the Grand Caymans, I’m going down in an observation submarine.
On my future bucket list? To hold my first grandchild (since The Only isn’t married yet this can wait awhile!) I want to go back to California and spend *real* time driving the Lost Highway and staying in Tahoe. I want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at all the little towns and big cities. I want to watch the sun rise and set over the Grand Canyon, camera in hand. But most of all, I want to grow old and comfortable and look back on a full life with no regrets.
Merry Christmas, my friends.
by Silver James December 11th, 2009 at 8:04 amYes, Penny, of course you can tag along, but um, you’ve done everything I want to do! Show me the ropes!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:07 amScuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, have High Tea in London, and take my kids to Japan are at the top of a very long list.
by S. J. Day December 11th, 2009 at 8:13 amMe too, Syl, me too!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:08 amI could sure use a bucket!
I’d love to learn to scuba dive and explore wrecks. Especially in Australia.
I haven’t seen Yosemite or Death Valley…
I’d like to go on a packing trip in Montana on a really good horse.
I’d like to stay in the Al Burj Hotel in Dubai (better hurry).
I’d like to rent a small RV and follow the Tour de France up into the Alps.
I want to go to Saratoga for a summer and to the Kentucky Derby before I die. Actually, that’s a dumb sentence. If I die, I probably won’t be interested in the Kentucky Derby or anything else.
I would have loved to sing at the Met. I would have sung the Countess in the Marriage of Figaro.
I’d like one of my books to be made into a movie, and I’d love to be welcomed on the set.
Three nights in a rock n roll band would be cool. It would also be nice if I could play the guitar like Stevie Ray Vaughan.
And I’ve never slept with Tiger Woods. Now there’s a hole in my resume.
I’d like to be a police detective for a week.
I guess what I’d really like to do is come back as a racehorse trainer at Santa Anita.
by J. JCarson Black December 11th, 2009 at 9:34 amJake, I think the few of us here at MSW are clearly the only ones who haven’t slept with Tiger. We must’ve missed the memo.
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 10:54 amOh, oh, oh, raising hand. I want to go to the Kentucky Derby too, Jake! and to be in a rock and roll band? Right there with you. But, I uh, can’t sing…
I’ve never slept with Tiger either. I plan on keeping it that way. snerk but i’m thinking he may lose that driver of his to a Lorena Bobbit type accident.
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:12 amKarin – You, lazy? I don’t freakin’ think so.
I want to one day be able to have a book signing.
I want to learn to scuba dive and do a shark dive (inside a cage).
I would love to see the pyramids in Egypt.
To go on an African safari.
To learn how to snow ski.
To learn how to not worry so much about everything.
To know my kids will always be okay.
To never run out of good books to read.
by HollyD December 11th, 2009 at 10:26 amHolly, I can be very lazy. The pyramid adventure sounds wonderful. One day, you *will* have a book signing. I’m going to be there too! and the worrying thing? ah, yeah, that *never* changes.
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:15 amBecause of the blog from the other day I made a small list of places that may be able to help families in need.
Lots of these provide assistance w/ Holiday presents, food – certificates and baskets, and assitance w/ utilites.
Lots of school systems have a program that buys toys for families w/ at least one child in their school system.
Some local police stationa buy presents and gift cards for groceries. Ours did this for us when my hubby was in Iraq several years ago.
Your local church. A lot of Catholic churches work w/ food banks and also provide toys and coats for kids.
Many Optimist Clubs have these same programs.
I hope these are helpful.
by HollyD December 11th, 2009 at 11:13 amThank you, Holly.
Our church does a wonderful job of collecting toys and food for those of us who need help. I have several gifts I need to wrap and drop off. I have so many books to donate as well. I really love this season of giving.
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 11:17 amKarin, we are so much alike! I also have no degree (dropped out after two years); I have led a very, very boring life. I did learn to shoot and buy a gun when I was 19, but as evident from the gun range lately, I didn’t retain the skill (it’s NOT like riding a bike! No practice=don’t hit target.) The FBI CA also spurred me to do things outside of my comfort zone, as well as basic research for books. I’ve spent several hours at the morgue, I’ve done two SWAT training drills (once as a bad guy, once as a victim) and been to Quantico. I can’t wait to do all of that again.
We can share some of your list items–I want to go to the museums in NY; I want to spend more time at the Library of Congress than I was able to in September. I want to go through self-defense training with my girls. I’ll pass on the scuba diving, though . . .
I also want to travel outside the US–to Australia and Ireland specifically, and maybe Italy.
Some other things . . . I want to do a ride-a-long with the Sheriff’s Department or EGPD; start going back to the gun range so my characters no longer shoot better than me; and take my kids, one at a time, on a trip wherever they want to go when they graduate from high school. Which means I’d better get off-line and keep writing.
by Allison Brennan December 11th, 2009 at 11:35 amI have about 9 hours left to finish two masters degrees (one an MFA in screenwriting and one a masters in philosophy of film). I’ve passed the 7 year mark that they normally allow for a person to get back into a program, so I doubt that’ll happen, but it would’ve been nice to be officially done. (I had to take some language classes over again for the proficiency tests. ugh.)
Anyway, my bucket list would include:
1) travel — I want to go to Ireland, Scotland, Italy, New Zealand / Australia among others. But I want the time to spend in each place and explore all of the non-touristy places.
2) skill set — I want to become a better photographer and learn more about photoshop (which I’m in the process of doing)
3) painting — want to get back to it
4) race car driving — would love to be able to race around a track at 200 mph
5) horseback riding — would love to do this again more consistently
7) FBI academy. Sigh. Double sigh. Woe and sigh. There isn’t one taught anywhere in my vicinity, but I would love love love being able to participate in something like that.
9) helicopter pilot — would also love to pilot. It had been one of my dreams as a kid to fly, and I was told by an eye doctor that I never would. However, with eye surgery this year, my depth perception has drastically improved and I think it might be a possibility. Woot.
I don’t have any desire whatsoever to fling myself out of a perfectly good airplane (you people are nuts) or climb up on the side of a cliff face (again, nuts) or submerge myself beneath tons of ocean water.
OHHH! The museums!! This should be up there at the top — I want to do the same as Karin and Allison — I want to go back to DC when I’m not at a conference and hit every museum. Same with NYC. And Chicago. And San Francisco.
huh. I need to live (in good health) ’til I’m about 125.
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 12:01 pmToni -when you go to New Zealand, make sure you spend some time in the Bay of Islands on the North Island. Gorgeous!!!!!
Most of my relatives live in NZ!
by J. JCarson Black December 11th, 2009 at 12:03 pmOh, Jake, I just googled those — stunning! They’re going on the list.
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 12:10 pmedited to add — I’m 99.9% confident that my degree did not teach me what I needed to know about writing in order to be an author. I don’t think you need one. The only thing it gave me was deadlines to get something finished, which I needed… not because of myself, but I felt I needed the outside deadline to help me justify my time away from our business and the kids. I had a hard time back then accepting that it was okay to do something for myself just because I wanted to. I know, what a radical thought.
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pmMethinks we need a girl trip to NYC to do the museums. I am very serious about this, Can we start planning now???
Toni, can I copy you? I want to be a chopper pilot too! My uncle flew the medivacs in Viet Nam. He was one brave mo’ fo!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 12:12 pmKarin, a definite yes to that trip.
Start the planning!
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 2:25 pmPASIC conference in 2011–we should go in a day early and hit all the top museums!
by Allison Brennan December 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pmAllison — great idea!
by toni mcgee causey December 11th, 2009 at 4:18 pmOh, two bords with one stone. Ok, I guess i need to rejoin PASIC, huh?
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 9:35 pmshould be birds with an i not bords with an o. what is a bord anyway?
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pmThat’s reminds me of another bucket list item fulfilled. Two and a half years ago, when I was 55, I climbed on horseback for the first time in my life, and commenced to learn to ride. Since then I’ve gone on three long trail rides in the mountains in Wyoming, which left me perfectly breathless, it was such perfection.
We also went to Australia a couple of years ago, but only for two weeks. That’s not nearly enough time, considering how long it takes to get there from Ohio!
The Pyramids would be fantastic to see, as well as the Coliseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens, the Great Wall, and so much more.
Hmm, maybe it’s time to buy some lottery tickets.
by Karen in Ohio December 11th, 2009 at 12:12 pmAllison I’m so glad you discovered the FBI CA! Had you not I would not have pursued it. I’m sooo glad I experienced it. I need to do a few ride-alongs as well. But all the guys I wan to ride with aren’t in patrol anymore! I don’t think I want some young gun. He’ll scare the crap out of me.
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 12:06 pmToni, I got my degrees in vocal performance (some fancy opera singin’), and it was worthwhile to get them for many reasons. I loved the Masters degree program in particular because we were all over-the-top prima donnas, with all accompanying sturm und drang. Lots of good characterization there, and it was pure fun. Then I tried one semester in the Creative Writing MFA Program, and ran away screaming. Sure, they all hung out at a bar, smoked cigarettes, and wore Birkenstocks, but they were the most uptight group of people I’ve ever met. It was such a contrast that I realized very quickly I was in the wrong place, and ran screaming. Glad I did, before they made me want to give up writing altogether!
by J. JCarson Black December 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pmI want to ski-dive. Don’t need to scuba, can’t swim.
I want to visit Ireland and trace my family tree there. I want to see England and soak up the history. I want to climb the Pyramids at Giza. I want to zipline in the mountains.
by Jill James December 11th, 2009 at 11:37 amJill, have fun with the skydiving! I’d rather have a root canal. I’m a huge chicken! Ziplining, yes! Jumping out of an airplane. No.
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 12:07 pmIt’s so much fun to read everyone else’s list! I’d love to:
1) Learn to horse back ride. Always, always wanted too. It’ll never happen now.
2) Go in a helicopter with an excellent pilot.
3) Travel a bit (I’m married to Anti-Travel Man)
4) Find out what the secret service really does.
5) Learn how to not be a creep-magnet; Seriously, creep guy bugging me in the store today.
I wish I had more time to come up with more! If I get my work done, I’ll be back!
by Jen Lyon December 11th, 2009 at 1:08 pmJen, plan on PASIC 2011! And travel with us to NYC!
by Karin Tabke December 11th, 2009 at 9:37 pm