Alfryji, Noaf: Bucket List

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My bucket list is kind of empty because the things I had asked the Almighty Allah already, I have  received. I prayed to have a good and educated wife, with the same personality as mine, and here she is supporting and encouraging me to break the hard stones required to achieve my goals. Also, she gave birth to the most adorable baby boy in the whole world. I again thank Allah for these gifts.

Also, I had dreamed to go and study abroad, especially in the United States. Due to what I heard and had seen from the movies, the high standard of education and the quality of training inspired me travel to the USA. Now, I am studying in one of the best universities in the state and interacting with top students in the most beautiful and quiet town in southern part of Arkansas.

The remaining items on my ‘bucket list’ include going on adventure trips, especially camping in the forest, mountain hiking, and sky diving. After, I wish to roam around the world with my little family.

Later, I wish to build an organization that helps needy people around the world, no matter what their religion and nationality. Helping people is the great thing because the Almighty Allah has advised us to do that, in return he will bless us for our whole lives.

Another thing is I wish to own a vintage sports car. I would love to have my own collection of them, or at least to have one.

Lastly, I wish to raise my children according to Allah’s desire, give them a good education, and ascertain that a good future lies ahead for them. Most importantly is to give and show them love for I believe that it will help to make this world a better place.

Davis, Gabrielle: Bucket List

Many individuals might consider my bucket list to be somewhat typical; however, my bucket list is quite unique. My future endeavors consist of facing fears, exploring historical landmarks, and remaining dedicated to service while creating enjoyable life experiences. I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower on my honeymoon, visit all 50 states while contributing to non-profit organizations, and shave my head bald in a donation to the Cancer Society. 

One of my greatest aspirations is to elevate to the top of the Eiffel Tower to mentally capture the city of Paris. I always dreamt of traveling to Paris, but I have recently discovered an interest in photographing beauty. In this adventure I hope to also capture peace photographically while beginning my new journey.  

For many years I have witnessed how non-profit organizations struggle with budgets which hinders their efficiency. As a result of my own personal relationships with such groups, I have decided to travel to all 50 states to make donations to non-profit organizations, especially those that are newly established.

In the past year, a close family member was affected by cancer. I have great empathy for those so suffering. I hope to shave my head bald one day in order to donate my hair to the Cancer Society. Additionally, I hope to wear my natural look through the entire recovering process. 

A bucket list is stem filled with signs of fear, uncertainty, and shame. However, humankind will never live up to the standards of one another. My bucket list enables me to conquer my fears while enjoying myself at the same time.

Tong, Tian Jun: Bucket List

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Waking up every morning, I’m working on the list of things that I want to achieve. Out of that long list, two of them are a must for me to fulfill before I die.

The first thing is I wanted to do is to handle at least one dog that wins the title of number one dog of the year in the United States. Being a dog show enthusiast, I always enjoy my moment in the show ring with my furry partners. But the achievements I’m looking forward to are far more challenging than just being in the competition. I can see myself flying for a year with my show dog from coast to coast and city to city just to chase that title. The adrenalin rush during the shows, the fatigue of intensive traveling, and the hard work of grooming will all be paid off when I see the dog I’m handling ranked number one on the All Breed chart. I want to have a photo of me and the dog snapped and the stories of how we fought for and won the title will be shared in my family from generation to generation.

The second thing I would want to do is to own a mini farm. There, I will keep chickens, ducks, and goats. I would also grow some fruit trees and have a big fishpond as well. Every morning I will wake up to feed the animals, spend the afternoon cleaning up their living areas, and spend my evenings making sure everything is in place before I go to bed. During my free time, I will pick fruit from my trees. I will keep some for myself and the rest will be shared with my family and friends. Giant kois will be the main fish species in my pond, swimming gracefully, and showing off themselves to me every morning when I feed them.

All of these might seem nothing to most people, but I know once I achieved them, there will be no regret after my last breath.

Schroeder, Jordan: Bucket List

Let’s start small. My name is Jordan Heléna Schroeder and the smallest item on my bucket list is a piano. Even though it is not actually small, it’s probably more of a possibility than my other bucket list items. I have wanted a piano for a very long time because I’ve taken piano lessons since I was seven years old. I always loved the instrument, how it sounded, how I played; I envied other pianists who were better than me, that motivated me to try to be even better. It doesn’t really matter what kind of piano it is, as long as it is of good quality. I know that I need a piano in my home someday.

The next items on my list are less likely to occur and much more adventurous than staying inside and playing the piano. I would love to travel the world, specifically places in Europe such as London, Venice, and Rome. I love the culture, architecture, and cuisine. Reading about all those things over the years have made me ready to pack my bags and leave on a whim. While I’m traveling the world, I’d like to take another adventure and go scuba diving to some beautiful coral reefs or tropical waters. Swimming used to be a big part of my life because my grandparents lived on a lake and I felt like I practically lived in the water, so scuba diving is a must.

The last item on my list doesn’t really benefit me, but it’s something that I’ve dreamed of. It’s not selfish like my other bucket list items. I would love to go on an extended mission trip for at least six months. I was always very involved with my church but haven’t ever had the chance recently to make an impact in people’s physical and spiritual lives. 

All of these things are significant to me in different ways, however, being content and happy with my career, my marriage and my life, whatever comes with it, are the highest priorities on my bucket list.

Obidigbo Nzeribe: Bucket List

                  Jodi Pilcout in her best-selling novel  Handle with Care wrote “I wondered about the explorers who sailed their ships to the end of the world. How terrified they must have been when they risked falling over the edge; how amazed to discover, instead, places they had seen only in their dreams.”  For me, Growing up in Nigeria was very different from what the media portrays as life in Africa. It was a mix of cultures and influences (both local and western); listening to music from Fela, Tuface and Asa while mixing it up with music from Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi and Kanye West, watching CNN and watching NTA (Nigerian News). But as the years passed I realized that watching and listening could never be as real as being there, and so were my dreams - dreaming could never feel as good as accomplishing them. I believe that is the same way the explorers Jodi Pilcout wrote about felt, actually seeing the world they had only previously seen in their subconscious minds. That is the way I want to feel before I die, having accomplished my dreams.

                  The first thing on my bucket list is to meet my mentor Chinua Achebe, this is a dream which is very unattainable because Chinua Achebe died last year but if the concept of life after death works in my favor then that means death would not be a barrier but a bridge toward completing my bucket list.

                  Another one of my big dreams is to be as good a photographer as Ansel Adams or Alfred Stieglitz. I have always had a flair for photography since I was able to hold a camera and going into professional photography either part-time or full-time would be a dream come true.

                  I was that kid in the neighborhood who would always mix up a bunch of food and try to convince my friends that it was the new cuisine I had created. Or, I was the kid who spent hours in front of a computer screen trying to figure out what kind of big software I would create, or who would spend endless hours trying to write a novel that would get national recognition, Yes, I was that kid who wanted to be famous somehow responsible and Yes, I am still “that kid”, and it would be a great joy to me if I could somehow invent something that would be used all over the world.

                  If life is not lived well, according to what an individual defines as “well” then it is wasted. I believe so much in the French saying “La vie est belle” which translates to “life is beautiful” so the last things on my bucket list are to enjoy my life well and to recognize that every life is in fact beautiful no matter how small it is. I hope to complete these things before I die.

"We only live once but if we do it right then once is enough”- Mae West.

Arkansas Clothesline Project

New honors students Dawson McGonagill (L, facing) and Andrew LeGrand (R, Facing) read commemorative t-shirts of female victims of domestic violence at the Arkansas Clothesline Project display at SAU.

The Honors Seminar class took time to view the commemorative t-shirts displayed at SAU recently. The Clothesline Project uses t-shirts created by family and friends of victims of domestic violence to graphically represent the scope and magnitude of the problem.

The UN Women Project Web page provides information and statistics about the worldwide pandemic of violence against women.

Brakebill, Cobyn: Bucket List

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            “Life is long, and you are young...”

-      Pink Floyd, “Time”

 from the “Dark Side of the Moon” album

            Life truly is a terrible thing to waste, as short as it can be. We rush through it, trying to do the best we can, unaware of the opportunities all around us to enjoy ourselves. The best way to solve this issue, it seems, is to make a list of everything you'd like to do before life passes you by. My list is very different, as I too am very different from others.

            The first item on my list is a trip to Switzerland. I have a few reasons for choosing Switzerland, as it is one of the most unique countries in Europe, it's the birthplace of my ancestors bearing my surname, and it contains various climates in a small space that allow for various vacation activities including skiing, zip-lining across canyons, and much more.

            Traveling would take up a large section of my bucket list. I would like to visit Ireland and the United Kingdom, specifically Wales, Scotland and the English countryside. My heritage and musical tastes play the largest part of this interest, as my mother's side of the family came from these areas. The many bands I enjoy such as The Beatles, The Who, Dire Straits, U2, and Pink Floyd all started here. I would like to see the film set locations of Star Wars in Tunisia, and Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, as well.

            There are many places I'd like to go and many thing I'd like to do, but I cannot list them all. I find, however, that if you don't act on something as soon as it's available, or forget to prioritize it, you might as well forget about doing it. As a former sociology professor of mine once told my class, “Go for the gusto, because if you don't, someone else will.” We're only given one life, so make every second worth living.