Hardy, Zachary: Bucket List

At age 18, I am seven years away from reaching a quarter century of living. With that number looming in mind, it’s time to make a bucket list. Surprisingly, my bucket list is less about extreme endeavors but more about the moderate joy gained from ordinary things.

                  The first goal involves learning a new language. It could be German, Spanish, Japanese or Korean, as long doing so allows me to communicate and understand the people behind the words. Imagine all the books that haven’t been read, conversations that haven’t been spoken, the Korean pop music that haven’t  been understood, and all the animes or foreign films that haven’t  been watched without translations.

I would also travel to a concert as my second goal. With great talents such as Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson dead, who knows how long Bob Dylan, Madonna, and Paul McCartney have before they kick the bucket too.

                  The third goal is to write. It can be through any means, but it must be published.  The actualization of the goal would be a rebirth and an extension of myself as a part of me would appear in places unknown to me.

                  Watching a Broadway play easily ranks as my fourth goal before death. Broadway’s theatricality is so enthralling to watch on screen, and I can only imagine how much so electrifying it must be to actually be there in person.

                  My last goal is to run a marathon. It would be a testament to my will to know someone as lazy as I would attempt and complete a marathon, regardless of where I finished.

                  Reaching a quarter century isn’t depressing, but rather it’s the time to begin to realize my goals. Although I don’t plan to die soon, the list is a reminder of what I must accomplish before I kick the bucket.