25 Things I Want To Do Before I Turn 25

After spending the last several days inside, today I finally ventured out into the slush-free streets of Rome to get some fresh air (and gelato). The family tells me that next month it will get a lot warmer and that the Spanish Steps will be flourishing with big, beautiful pots of multicoloured flowers. I can't wait for spring so that I can go outside wearing nothing but a colourful dress with leggings, a cardigan and ballet flats so that I can continue to enjoy the city of Rome without my teeth chattering. It seems like a far cry from today, especially when I saw a miserable looking mom dragging her son through the streets. He was no older than four and was happily holding his moms hand while trying to let go and jump into the puddles, while she kept tugging at him. She was carrying a couple shopping bags in the other hand and barking at someone through her cell phone.
I watched them for a bit and had a sudden spark of inspiration to write a list of things I want to do before I have children and get married. What do I want to do during the years I have left as a young, independent woman? No other question could thrill me as much. I do want to get married and have kids eventually (3 is a nice number), but I still have so many things I want to accomplish before then.

1. Spend an entire day hiking alone. Just me, mother nature, and a backpack full of water bottles and granola bars.
2. Live alone. Except for the company of a dog, of course.
3. Become fluent in Italian. 
4. Get my degree in Journalism.
5. Travel back to Europe for the third time.
6. Learn to play the harmonica (already a working progress).
7. Write a book.
8. Visit New York City.
9. Find my signature cocktail drink.
10. Have a professional portrait done of me.

11. Go canoing across Lake Erie.
12. Take a road trip somewhere - anywhere - with good company.
13. Plant a tree and visit it every year to see how much 'my tree' grows.
14. Teach someone how to read
15. Be a bridesmaid.
16. Ride in a hot air balloon.
17. Meet the one, the only, the truly inspiration and wonder woman extraordinaire - Elizabeth Gilbert.

18. Date someone who's totally not my type.
19. Make enough money from a job that I love so that I can actually afford to cross things off this list.
20. Visit the island of Santorini in Greece
21. Win something big like a fridge or the lottery. 
22. Find my own personal paradise.
23. Learn to cook. You know, real food. That doesn't come in a can.
24. Witness a miracle.
25. Become more fit with age, not less.