Life List

I committed at the beginning of 2009 to actually writing these to-do list things down and keeping a live, public, active record of when these were accomplished. Not only that, but I committed to living a life focused on making these things happen, so this isn’t just a “wish list,” but my most important To Do list ever. There is intent behind every item.

This list is active.

And because of that last statement, this list will surely evolve, growing and changing as I move forward.  And that’s fine.  (It took me awhile to realize that this list was not static, not concrete, but dynamic and energetic (just like me!). Naturally, as I went through this, a few themes jumped out at me.  It’s fairly obvious where my passions lie and what my pursuits should be.  These themes won’t surprise you one bit, if you’ve known me for any length of time.

  • Love. Meet people, make connections.
  • Yoga.  Both the physical asana practice as well as the lifestyle.
  • Knowledge. Be constantly learning (books, from other people, through my experiences).
  • Travel. Travel as often and as far and wide as possible with the focus on experiencing the culture: the people, food, drink, and music.
  • Writing. “To write of an experience is to enrich it.”

Doniree’s Life List – (Created 10/5/09)

  1. Be able to get into Bakasana (crow pose) in yoga (October 11, 2009 – Simon Park’s Inversions and Arm Stands Workshop)
  2. Camp in the boundary waters
  3. See a ballet
  4. Sell my car (anyone want a 1997 Chevy Malibu?)
  5. Get published in a magazine that is still in print
  6. Write a book (even if my mother is the only one to read it)
  7. Go to culinary school for the hell of it.
  8. Give up dairy for a week
  9. Get a 4th tattoo (March 23, 2010 – tattooed “Satya” (truth) in Sanskrit on my right forearm)
  10. See a movie alone (just something I’ve always wanted to do and haven’t)
  11. Learn how to use a sewing machine
  12. Learn how to use Photoshop (On 2/12/10, I created my own blog header!)
  13. Canoe around Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet/Lake of the Isles
  14. Read one book per month for an entire year
  15. Get completely out of debt by age 30
  16. Shop any one of the Twin Cities farmers’ markets (other than Nicollet Mall) – (September 19, 2009 – Minneapolis/Lyndale Ave Farmer’s Market)
  17. Shop the Midtown Global Market
  18. Ride in a helicopter or hot air balloon
  19. Try Bubble Tea (aka Boba) (December 8, 2009 – The Tea Garden, Dinkytown, Minneapolis, MN)
  20. Kayak
  21. Complete CorePower’s Yoga Teacher Training Program (completed November 15,2009)
  22. Take more Spanish classes (community ed would be lovely).  Extended time in a Spanish-speaking country counts too.
  23. Try curry (November 15, 2009; Yoga Teacher Training banquet, Bombay Bistro, Minneapolis)
  24. Run a 5k
  25. No processed food for a week
  26. Go horseback riding (again; Last time I did I was 12)
  27. Learn how to cook tofu (I can saute it like a pro!  Next up?  Learn to bake it.)
  28. Go rock climbing (Vertical Endeavors counts)
  29. Drive a motorcycle (get the license)
  30. Get a passport
  31. Drive a moped
  32. Archery
  33. Pick out pumpkins in a pumpkin patch
  34. Acupuncture
  35. Get my palms read
  36. See a psychic
  37. Drink espresso.  Like, straight espresso in one of those cute tiny little cups they serve it in.
  38. Teach high schoolers something (yoga, English, ESL, proper grammar… something)
  39. Visit every US state – 24/50 (and it doesn’t count if I’ve only seen the airport)
  40. See a concert at Red Rocks (bonus points if it’s Radiohead or Dave Matthews Band)
  41. See a Buffs game
  42. Go to Vegas! (June 4-7, 2009)
  43. See Stomp
  44. Travel around in a motorhome/RV for awhile
  45. Eat pizza in NYC
  46. See Riverdance
  47. Cirque du Soleil
  48. Stick my feet in the Pacific Ocean from the North American west coast (done it from Oahu)
  49. Go to NYC (August 14-16, 2009)
  50. See a show on Broadway
  51. SxSWi (March 12-16, 2010 – one of the BEST weeks of my life!)
  52. Atlantic City boardwalk
  53. Couchsurf
  54. Austin City Limits
  55. Visit at least two museums in New York City (the Museum of Sex would absolutely count)
  56. Tour the US Capitol
  57. Sit in a cockpit during all or part of a flight (can be commercial or otherwise)
  58. Go wine tasting in Napa
  59. Mardi Gras
  60. Attend a film festival: Sundance, Cannes, etc.
  61. Alaska
  62. Make lasagna (August 25, 2009, with Alissa)
  63. Make granola from scratch (August 15, 2010 for Sunday Potluck, using this recipe)
  64. Live somewhere for an extended period of time where I don’t need a car. (January 10, 2010, landed in Colorado without a car, updated this list in August 2010, still no car)
  65. See Pearl Jam in concert
  66. Help bring yoga to high schoolers (teamed up with The Wellness Initiative in Boulder, CO, January 2010)
  67. Throw out ceremonial first pitch at a MLB baseball game
  68. Get on a kiss cam
  69. Study Spanish abroad
  70. Teach English in a Spanish-speaking country
  71. See every major city in Canada
  72. See every MLB stadium (Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta Braves; Busch Stadium (old), St. Louis; Metrodome, Minnesota Twins; Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers; Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles; US Cellular Field, Chicago White Sox; Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs; Coors Field, Denver, CO; Petco Field, San Diego, CA)
  73. Study Sanskrit (definitely covering this on a basic level in Yoga Teacher Training)
  74. Read in a French cafe
  75. Eat pizza in Italy
  76. Make vegetable stock from scratch
  77. Go to Jamaica
  78. Learn more about Diwali/attend a Diwali festival/celebration (attended this in college, have wanted to do it bigger ever since)
  79. Get opportunities to travel or get invited on a trip of some sort because of blogging/writing (lifelong dream of mine to be a travel writer) – July 6-8, 2010 – National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, MI
  80. Visit every continent
  81. Visit Greece/the Greek Islands
  82. Make taco seasoning from scratch.
  83. Oktoberfest
  84. Carnival
  85. MICRONESIA
  86. La Escuela del Sol (yoga+spanish)
  87. Visit a nude beach
  88. Ride the gondolas in Venice
  89. Go to Europe
  90. Visit the South Pacific
  91. Travel by train.  (27th birthday present from Boyfriend, June 18-20, 2010. We took the Amtrak from Denver to Glenwood Springs where we spent an amazing weekend soaking up hot springs, playing mini golf, crashing weddings and high school reunions, and enjoying some really delicious eats.)
  92. Have boudoir or pin-up-esque photos taken.  Or both.
  93. Make-out in the Kissing Room at The Local in Minneapolis (Sunday Funday, May 30, 2010)
  94. White-water raft down the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon.
  95. Go on a meditation retreat.

{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

Kandace October 6, 2009 at 7:40 pm

This is fabulous. I'm stealing it for my blog, since I pretty much already have a running list in my head of things I want to do. I'm even stealing the title because I like it.

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doniree October 6, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Thank you! I'm so glad you found this inspiring! I'm so eager to keep moving through this list :)

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Kandace October 6, 2009 at 10:40 pm

This is fabulous. I'm stealing it for my blog, since I pretty much already have a running list in my head of things I want to do. I'm even stealing the title because I like it.

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doniree October 6, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Thank you! I'm so glad you found this inspiring! I'm so eager to keep moving through this list :)

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RM October 12, 2009 at 10:16 am

Love your list! It's a lot less racy than Nicole's, which is nice :)

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doniree October 12, 2009 at 10:46 am

Haha thanks, but I have some things that aren't published :)

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RM October 12, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Love your list! It's a lot less racy than Nicole's, which is nice :)

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doniree October 12, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Haha thanks, but I have some things that aren't published :)

Doniree Walker

http://doniree.com | @doniree

via iPhone

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Rachel Cotterill October 19, 2009 at 6:30 am

Interesting list … it's always fun to see what other people's goals are. I don't have mine written out neatly like that, but I have an ever-changing list in my head.

You should have England on there somewhere… not that I'm biased ;)

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doniree October 19, 2009 at 6:36 am

Thanks! Well, Europe is definitely on my list of places to go and you can bet England's going to be on there. Where in England do you live? What should I absolutely NOT miss?

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Rachel Cotterill October 19, 2009 at 9:30 am

Interesting list … it's always fun to see what other people's goals are. I don't have mine written out neatly like that, but I have an ever-changing list in my head.

You should have England on there somewhere… not that I'm biased ;)

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doniree October 19, 2009 at 9:36 am

Thanks! Well, Europe is definitely on my list of places to go and you can bet England's going to be on there. Where in England do you live? What should I absolutely NOT miss?

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Christina November 11, 2009 at 1:57 pm

I was just re-reading your list and realized you have to come back to NYC for a few things. PLEASE! let me know next time you plan on coming to the city. The Museum of Sex is on my list (and I live here!) and I MIGHT be able to talk to some friends about a “behind the scene” tour at another museum or two.

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doniree November 11, 2009 at 1:59 pm

I might've just squealed. Out loud.

SERIOUSLY?! For one, I'm so coming back. I LOVED it there. Loved it. So
count on that. But you know, after the winter.

Thanks for the info! :)

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Christina November 11, 2009 at 2:01 pm

My old roommate works at the Guggenhiem and another friend at the Frick. They might just laugh at me when I ask, but it's always a possibility…..Plus, I have scoop on other interesting things going on….when it's warm again!

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Christina November 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm

I was just re-reading your list and realized you have to come back to NYC for a few things. PLEASE! let me know next time you plan on coming to the city. The Museum of Sex is on my list (and I live here!) and I MIGHT be able to talk to some friends about a “behind the scene” tour at another museum or two.

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doniree November 11, 2009 at 4:59 pm

I might've just squealed. Out loud.

SERIOUSLY?! For one, I'm so coming back. I LOVED it there. Loved it. So
count on that. But you know, after the winter.

Thanks for the info! :)

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Christina November 11, 2009 at 5:01 pm

My old roommate works at the Guggenhiem and another friend at the Frick. They might just laugh at me when I ask, but it's always a possibility…..Plus, I have scoop on other interesting things going on….when it's warm again!

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Erin December 4, 2009 at 2:26 pm

So I just read #13 on your passport list. If you need a photographer, I'm down to go anywhere. Hell, let's make a book. It'd be an adventure!

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Erin December 4, 2009 at 5:26 pm

So I just read #13 on your passport list. If you need a photographer, I'm down to go anywhere. Hell, let's make a book. It'd be an adventure!

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doniree December 6, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Yes. We're doing this. End of story.

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Erin December 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Loves it. And I seriously cannot wait.

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doniree December 6, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Yes. We're doing this. End of story.

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Erin December 6, 2009 at 5:31 pm

Loves it. And I seriously cannot wait.

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A Super Girl December 22, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Hi, I'm new…from Brandy's hijacked secret project :-)

I was caught by your accomplishment of crow pose! I just can't get that…and most arm stands, really. I can get one foot up and feel balanced, but it's that other foot that's got me stuck. Funny thing is that I was in class tonight and it was part of a flow; so coming home and reading it here was a bit of a coincidence!

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A Super Girl December 22, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Hi, I'm new…from Brandy's hijacked secret project :-)

I was caught by your accomplishment of crow pose! I just can't get that…and most arm stands, really. I can get one foot up and feel balanced, but it's that other foot that's got me stuck. Funny thing is that I was in class tonight and it was part of a flow; so coming home and reading it here was a bit of a coincidence!

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Carolina January 8, 2010 at 5:54 pm

I'm new to your blog, but I love your style. You're so much fun!

I just read through your list and as far as C-11) goes, I live in Italy and will be for the next 18 months…travel tips or even a place to stay, I'll be around… :)

Live well and take care :)

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Carolina January 8, 2010 at 8:54 pm

I'm new to your blog, but I love your style. You're so much fun!

I just read through your list and as far as C-11) goes, I live in Italy and will be for the next 18 months…travel tips or even a place to stay, I'll be around… :)

Live well and take care :)

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doniree January 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Ok, it's officially on my list now to get to Italy within the next 18 months.

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Carolina January 11, 2010 at 2:11 pm

Free room and board if you buy me wine and drink it with me. I'm just saying, lol.

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doniree January 11, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Oh it is ON.

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doniree January 11, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Ok, it's officially on my list now to get to Italy within the next 18 months.

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Carolina January 11, 2010 at 5:11 pm

Free room and board if you buy me wine and drink it with me. I'm just saying, lol.

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doniree January 11, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Oh it is ON.

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Dan Urlick January 25, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Wow, you are organized Doniree! Impressive list too. Even though you seem to have a wealth of experience for your age, it's nice to know I've at least experienced a couple of things you have not. I have seen a movie alone (not a porno) and really enjoyed it. Saw Jackson Brown at Red Rocks under a full moon, AMAZING! I've drivin a motorcycle and moped, which is fun but a relatively common experience. Outside of that I also would love to attend a taping of Austin City Limits. Much of the music on my Nano was downloaded following episodes of this incredible show. You know, I'm too lazy to create my own list, perhaps I'll just use yours as my guide. Oh yeah, I've done some volunteer DJing at KMSQ in Mankato, so I can scratch that off…

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Dan Urlick January 25, 2010 at 9:50 pm

Wow, you are organized Doniree! Impressive list too. Even though you seem to have a wealth of experience for your age, it's nice to know I've at least experienced a couple of things you have not. I have seen a movie alone (not a porno) and really enjoyed it. Saw Jackson Brown at Red Rocks under a full moon, AMAZING! I've drivin a motorcycle and moped, which is fun but a relatively common experience. Outside of that I also would love to attend a taping of Austin City Limits. Much of the music on my Nano was downloaded following episodes of this incredible show. You know, I'm too lazy to create my own list, perhaps I'll just use yours as my guide. Oh yeah, I've done some volunteer DJing at KMSQ in Mankato, so I can scratch that off…

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Tim March 17, 2010 at 8:34 am

Hope you enjoyed #sxswi!

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Allison March 18, 2010 at 10:18 pm

Just for #76, I love you. That’s been a life goal of mine since I was just a li’l one, bundled up in a blanket at Candlestick Park.

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Hannah Katy March 20, 2010 at 3:39 pm

Love love love your life list.. may have to steal some of these for my own ha.

Best,

Hannah Katy

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C.C. March 23, 2010 at 11:23 am

Love your list. I’d love to get paid to travel as well. Good Luck!

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Taylor March 30, 2010 at 7:55 pm

Psst. I’m stealing your idea.

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silverneurotics May 24, 2010 at 12:45 pm

When you get around to walking the Atlantic City boardwalk, let me know. I’ll be your tour guide.

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Joseph June 30, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Sweet list. Many of these are on mine too. I think I need to start writing them down

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David July 6, 2010 at 8:59 pm

I love life lists! They suck me in when I’m reading someone else’s and I get all excited. It’s like I want to help them complete their list. It also gets the wheels turning in my head about the things I want to complete. Which reminds me, I really need to write my own life list and start scratching things off! So #1 on that list is…

#1 Write a Life List.

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Katie O Arnold July 28, 2010 at 9:54 pm

I could definitely help you with #3. Amazing things are going on the dance world and choreographers are taking artists to a whole new level nowadays. Let me know whenever you do see a ballet–I want to know what you think!

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Bo August 13, 2010 at 7:14 am

Awesome list! You’ve certainly crossed more items off of yours than I have mine.

I’m dying to do #51…maybe this will be the year!

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Amy August 23, 2010 at 8:27 am

OMG I just read this list for the first time and I just wanted you to know that my boyfriend and the men of his family camp in the boundary waters every other summer. It’s hardcore and if you can do it, it will be a very interesting experience… from what I hear. Hope you make it there! P.S. I think I need a life list. This is just plain impressive!

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