Yes boys and girls, the year is speeding away and already my Festival of 50 has reached the halfway point.ย
Miss 20 suggested that I needed to revisit my list of 50 things, to see how I’m tracking. (She’s one smart cookie, that Miss 20 – anybody would think she takes after her Mama!)
Adventures
1 – Head overseas for a holiday – YES. We had a fabulous week in Bali for my actual 50th birthday in January.
2 – Go on a scenic helicopter ride – YES. My beautiful kids gave me a Sea World helicopter joy flight as part of my birthday present, so I took to the skies in March.
3 – Try glamping – not yet, although I did pitch a couple of businesses in south east Queensland (so that I could bring you the reviews here on the blog) – however without success to date …
4 – Go on an underwater experience – YES, did this in Bali too!
5 – See David Strassman and Ted E Bare live – YES, every bit as good as I hoped, we were only about 3 rows from the front.
6 – Go to the theatre at least once – YES, another fab birthday present, my folks gifted me tickets to see Ladies in Black at QPAC.
7 –ย Ride in a limo – mmm don’t know what the chances are of this one, but a gal can dream …
8 – Go to the planetarium (haven’t been since I was a kid!) – not yet.
9 – Do at least one bloggy junket (like this one last year, with Princess Cruises) – not yet, though I’m open to offers LOL.
10 – Feed/Swim with dolphins – no.
11 – Ride a jetski – no.
12 – Try indoor skydiving – no.
13 – Ride a segway – no.
14 – Stay at a five star hotel – YES, at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa in Bali – and loved every minute of it!
Health, Beauty & Fitness
15 – Book in for my free mammogram (oh joy) – not yet.
16 – Participate in the Bowel scan (another freebie for 50 year olds) – not yet.
17 – Have the annoying (but harmless) skin tags around my shoulders and bra line removed – not yet.
18 – Have laser treatment to get rid of the broken capillaries on my nose and chin – not yet.
19 – Enquire about cosmetic treatment (Botox? Collagen?) for the big wrinkle between my eyes (I don’t have to get it, just enquire about it!) – not yet.
20 – Try aquarobics – YES. Loved it, and was going twice a week until a severe case of swimmer’s ear put a stop to that several weeks ago. Still hasn’t cleared up properly ๐ .
21 – See a podiatrist (seeing as the corn removal pads didn’t work) – not yet.
22 – Do a beginner’s yoga class – not yet.
23 – Try golf – YES! Not only have I been to the golf driving range with hubster and Mr 23 a couple of times, the hubster and I have even played a couple of rounds of golf at the Coochie Island Golf Club – it’s very laidback and casual so didn’t have to worry that we had NO idea what we were doing!
24 – Have a rose petal bath – YES, in Bali.
25 – Try a flotation tank – no.
26 – Try belly dancing (I’ve already got the belly, may as wellย put it to good use!) – no.
27 – Have my legs waxed (as I never have before) – maybe in the Spring?!
Personal
28 – Go to a day spa – no.
29 – Try some new foods – YES! I’ve tried quite a few new things this year, particularly when we were in Bali. Seaweed pudding anyone?!
30 – Have a glamour photo shoot – YES! You can read about my glamour photo experienceย here.
31 – Keep a gratitude jar – YES, but have been a bit slack about putting notes in it, there’s probably only about half a dozen so far.
32 – Read 50 books – YES! Even though it’s only halfway through the year, I’ve already read 50 books. If you’re interested, you can follow me at Good Reads. Perhaps I should double my original goal, and aim for 100 this year?!
33 – Successfully grow zucchini – I was so excited when my potted zucchini plant produced a baby – and I do mean a teeny weeny zucchini, the size of my little finger. I left it on the plant hoping it would grow bigger, alas, it withered and died. So I’m not sure if I would call that a success or not.
34 – Donate to a Christmas hamper – bit early for this one.
35 – Wear a bikini at the beach – YES! In Bali – here’s the proof:
36 – Go to the Eumundi markets on the Sunshine Coast (I’ve never been) – nope, not yet.
37 – Do a basic photography course or class – not yet.
38 – Have my picture taken with somebody famous – not yet.
39 – Be an extra in a TV show / movie – HA. I applied at an agency which said it was free to join, AND I was accepted subject to paying a $100 fee. Ummm, what?! Despite sending two emails to enquire what the purpose of this fee was, I never heard back. So I didn’t join.
40 – Knit a scarf – nope.
41 – Win a competition – LOL I have won two lucky door prizes at business networking events this year, does that count? Prizes were a $100 gift voucher to a local restaurant (haven’t used it yet though) – and a bottle of wine.
42 – Drink juice from a fresh coconut! – YES! In Bali.
43 – Organise a family portrait – not yet.
44 – Apply to go on a TV quiz or reality show – not yet.
45 – Get a house cleaner – budget hasn’t allowed as yet, but maybe later in the year?!
46 – Splash out on a new bedroom suite (after 27 years, it’s time …) – not yet.
Professional
47 – Expand my business as an SEO copywriter, by signing up at least five new regular clients (ten would be better) – Hmmm I’ve signed up a few new clients, I might have actually done this!
48 – Go on a conference – YES! I went to CopyCon (first Australian copywriters conference) in Sydney at the end of April and it was amazing ๐ .
49 – Refresh my business plan – YES! And I’m so glad I did, really needed to think through what I want to do with my business, and how best to achieve it.
50 – Create a product for my blog (eg an e-book) – no, but I *did* create a “Guide to Making the Most of Your Facebook Business Page” as an opt-in reward for my Front Page Web Writing enewsletter ๐ .
So it looks I’m doing okay with most categories, though I’m lagging with Health, Beauty and Fitness. I blame some of this on some unexpected health issues which have cropped up and demanded attention. And as for the lack of progress in the Beauty department, I think it shows I’m pretty happy exactly the way I am – they are things I “think” of doing but don’t feel any real need to pursue.
How do you think I’m doing so far? If you can help me with achieving any of the “nopes” or “not yets” on my list, do let me know!
Linking up with:
Jo Tracey says
Yeah, you’re doing pretty well! Say hi on your way up to Eumundi…:) #TeamLovinLife
Janet Camilleri says
LOL the problem is the Eumundi markets are on in the morning early … and I don’t do early mornings if I can help it … I think I’d need to be staying up there to actually make this one happen!
Deborah says
I love that you’ve gotten through a lot of them and I’m pretty sure one junket with Qld Tourism or similar could tick off a few – swimming with dolphins, jet skiing etc. Or you could organise to go whale watching here on the Fraser Coast (and you can swim with the whales on some boats) and take me as your plus one! (Not at all selfish!) Plus I get to tick Whale Watching off my bucket list as well! ๐
Janet Camilleri says
Great idea! Off to pitch them now ๐
Kathy Marris says
I’d say you’re doing extremely well with your bucket list Janet. It’s nice to have goals. That’s what life is all about. My dream was to go to Italy and I have already achieved that this year! ๐ TeamLovinLife
Janet Camilleri says
I loved seeing all your pics from Italy on FB!
Amy @ HandbagMafia says
You’ve ticked off so much! Well done ๐
Julia says
Wow! Can’t believe how many you’ve ticked off ๐
Ingrid says
You’re doing well! I’m tempted to make a similar list for myself!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Janet Camilleri says
Do it Ingrid, you’ll be surprised at how things start to happen ๐
Sydney Shop Girl says
Excellent progress on your bucket list, Janet!
Bali looked amazing.
SSG xxx
Janet Camilleri says
Oh it was – I’d love to go back!
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Wow – what a great list! You’re doing well at ticking them off too! Can’t believe you haven’t been to the Eumundi Markets. I have been many times. My tip – get there early. Parking is a nightmare. #TeamLovinLife
Janet Camilleri says
I think I’d have to be staying up that way before I would go. Because early mornings and me don’t mix!
Vanessa says
Re podiatrist – uni clinics are awesome. And cheap.
Janet Camilleri says
Great tip!! Thanks Ness!
jo says
Quite a list ๐ I mean, Wow! Amazing list! Looks like you’re doing pretty well with it. I think we should make a list like this every year to encourage us to do more, see more, experience more and be healthier. Great incentive. Keep on enjoying your Festival!
Janet Camilleri says
It’s sure made me pack lots of stuff into this year so far, instead of just drifting along …
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
I love your list Janet and you look Sizzling in all of your photos! I’m 60 next month so I had better get to work on my Festival of 60! You look like you are having a ball and that is what life is all about isn’t it!
Janet Camilleri says
Hey Sue I look forward to your Celebration of 60 adventures!
Ashleigh My Meow says
Are you in Brisbane Janet? I can’t remember if you are. I’m up there soon so perhaps we can book one of those things off the list! Or go to the cat cafe…
Janet Camilleri says
I am indeed!!!! Definitely let me know when you are gonna be in town!
Leanne says
You’re going great guns Janet – and I cannot believe you’re already half way through your festival of fifty – where has the time gone??? There’s a few things on your list that I need to do too – that day spa sounds particularly enticing and maybe I’ll have to start a “60 things to do before I’m 60 list” – definitely a blog post for me in that one!
Janet Camilleri says
I know, I can’t believe I’m now 50 and a half!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
You’re already half way through? How did that happen! Quick – dive into the ocean with a few dolphins stat! #teamlovinlife
Janet Camilleri says
I know right, time is simply flying by!
Jan Wild says
That’s a big list but I reckon you can nail it before your deadline. Time to get pitching girl and good luck with having all that fun ๐