Eight Things

Saw this on Mindy's blog...eight things I want to accomplish before I die:

1. Raise Madison, my beautiful 10 year old daughter.

2. That doctorate degree...it's calling my name, I just need to step up and get to it. The program at USC seems like a perfect fit. My entire life, I've wanted to get a doctorate degree. This academic year, I'm taking a series of four courses (also at USC) on teaching gifted students -- that would give me time to take the GRE, get my portfolio together, gather references -- and be ready to START the doctorate program next fall. I can do it!

3. Own an apartment in New York City. Just a small one. A studio would be fine. I love New York City. Just love it. And I'd love to have a place there, some place of my own.

4. Visit Morocco. For some reason, this seems so exotic and far-fetched. I've been to Europe so many times, but Morocco? Hmmm....definitely on my list of "I want to, someday..."

5. Attend a World Series game that the St. Louis Cardinals are playing in. I've been to regular season games. Division Series games. League Championship games. But never the Big Dance.

6. Spend each summer doing things I love. Last summer was Paris and London (with a bit of New York City thrown in). This summer? West Palm Beach. Next summer? Already talking about Eastern Europe and winding back through Paris. One of the joys of teaching is long stretches of summer off -- and I need to commit to taking advantage of that.

7. Visit the College Football Hall of Fame. I can only do that if I attend a USC Trojans football game at the University of Notre Dame, because for sure I won't be in South Bend for any other reason! I went to the 2005 game in South Bend, a whopper of a game, and I don't know if any experience could top that -- but I'd love to go back. For sure on my list.

8. Go to Greece, to visit the land of my ancestors. Catina Nicolopous (my great-grandmother) came to this country in 1914, at the age of 22, from Greece. I have the records from Ellis Island, but I'd love to stand at the port in Greece and see the ocean from that side of the world.