Updating my Bucket List

In August 2014 I published my bucket list, you can see it here: http://simonascornerofdreams.blogspot.ch/2014/08/my-bucket-list.html

It’s almost been four years, so I thought I’d look at it see, whether I achieved it and if I actually still want some of these things.

Things I achieved from the list:

-       New York: Stayed in New York in 2016. LOVED IT!!!

-       California: I have just come back from California and it’s been amazing!!!

-       Meet some of my fave authors: So lucky, to have met so many great authors: Aven Ellis, Holly Martin, Lindsey Kelk, Giovanna Fletcher, Mhairi MacFarlane, Carrie Elks, Heidi Swain etc.

-       Sing a solo in a concert: Still so grateful for this! It’s a dream come true and it was for Les Misérables!

-       Learn Spanish: Just started that, I’m going to Barcelona in October and I really want to be able to speak to the people.

-       Fly in a hot air balloon: Over the desert in Arizona, so amazing!

Six things!!! I’m very happy with that. Most things I mentioned are still on the list, some maybe not as important anymore, but still in my mind. I have met a lot of authors already, but meeting Paige Toon is still on my bucket list.

I’d like to go back to uni at one point, but the subject I’m not sure about. Writing my own novel and musical sound like a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work and yes, they are at the back of my mind, but it’s not that high up on the list.

Swimming with dolphins is still high up, also all the traveling destinations, the Northern Lights, living in London and going back to Vancouver.

Obviously, the life and family connected ones are still very important too.

Now, let’s see, if there are any new things:

-       Try skiing and snowboarding again: I used to both. I skied until I was about 12 years old and then I started snowboarding. I haven’t been on the slopes for a few years now, so going back is definitely a goal.

-       Teach in another country: Whether it’s a Swiss school or a local school and I think the experience would be great.

-       Learning to play the guitar: I have wanted to do that for so long!

-       Fly first/business class: Just once would be fab!

-       Organize a bookish event: I think that would be so much fun!

-       Go on a cruise: You can see so many places.

What’s on your bucket list?

My reverse bucket list

I found this idea on Holly’s blog: Golly Miss Holly

It’s basically a list of things you have already achieved and are proud of. We always talk about the things we want to do, some we may never be able to do, so I thought celebrating things you’ve done already is a really nice idea.

I graduated from uni with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education – That happened three years ago and I’m still loving my job! It was quiet a rocky way until I was finally able to hold me diploma. After high school I had a huge list of possible subjects to study. Then I did an internship at an international school and that was one oft he best things to ever happen to me! I knew I wanted to be a teacher. However, I thought that I’d prefer the little kids, so I went for the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade diploma at first. After three semesters I had enough and switched. Turns out I actually love teaching 5th and 6th grade. I cried a lot before I did the change, because I didn’t want to lose one whole year of studying, but now it’s really the best decision I ever made.

I travelled to the States all by myself – I have been to the States before with my family, but last year I decided to travel solo. I have only been to Florida before and I just wanted to discover some other areas in the country. I booked a trip to New York, Dallas and Chicago. New York and Chicago because I always wanted to go there and Dallas, because my lovely friend Wendy lives there and I’m a big fan of the Dallas Stars. So there were four flights in total and I actually quiet like flying. I think the thing that freaking my out the most was getting through immigration alone and finding my way to the hotel. It all worked out find in the end. I even got lost in Brooklyn once, but all in all it was an incredible trip full of highlights. Solo traveling is actually not that bad and you meet lots of people on the way.

I have an English C2 Proficiency diploma and a French DALF C1 – So, most of you guys know that German is my mother tongue, so I first learned French at school, followed by English. I really like languages, so I always really enjoyed studying for them. After high school I lived in Vancouver for a while and did my C2 diploma there. It basically means that I’m mother tongue level and I’m really proud of that. I think I even speak more English than German and  my blog is in English too. Getting that French diploma was a bit harder, but I had to do it for uni to be able to teach French. The exam was a lot harder than the English one and I didn’t pass the first time, so when I passed the second time I was really happy!

Language stay in Vancouver / language stay in Montpellier – Tying in with the last point are my language stays. I lived in Vancouver for about half a year to study for my C2 diploma. It was my first time on a long haul flight all by myself and staying in a big city like that. I still think back to this amazing experience, because Vancouver has been fabulous. In 2012 I then went to Montpellier for 6 weeks to study French, also an experience I wouldn’t want to miss.

Learning to play the piano – I have always wanted to play the piano, so I was really excited when my parents signed my up for lessons. I changed my teacher in between and I had some ups and downs, but I’m happy I stuck with it. I stopped when I was 17. I took it up again at uni, because it was required for being able to teach music. Then I finally learned how to accompany songs. I love playing the piano and singing, I still do it, it relaxes me.

Singing in a choir – I took up singing lessons at high school and sang in a choir there. I was even part of a musical. After high school I wanted to continue, so I joined my mum’s choir and then also my uni choir and I took up singing lessons as well. I love singing in a group and I’m still in the choir now. I’m not someone who really really wants to sing a solo, so a choir is perfect for me.

Joining the committee of my choir – I joined the committee of my choir last year. I write the program, deal with the printing and the media. It’s a lot of work, but the other members of the committee are really nice and getting praise for my work just feels great.

My London adventures – London is my second home, I go at least once a year, sometimes more. The city is amazing and there so many things to do. Musicals, book events, discovering the city, meeting friends etc. I’m so happy I found a place like this!

My blog / Instagram – Basically everything connected to my blog, I’m really proud of! It’s still just a hobby, but it’s so much fun and I have met some great people through this!

What awesome things are on your reverse bucket list so far? 

Harry Potter Bucket List

If you have read my blog in January you know that I love making Bucket Lists. You probably also know that I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan, so why not combine the two. I actually found this list on the internet and picked my faves, might have added a few as well. I’m actually surprised I haven’t done some of them yet. Here is the link: http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Harry-Potter-Bucket-List-37146932?crlt.pid=camp.2xSmMN5sUTuA#photo-37146949 and now enjoy.

-       Make butterbeer and try other Harry Potter recipes

-       Receive a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter: Etsy has lots of great costum-made ones ;)

-       Read your tea leaves: could be fun ;)

-       Make the Ultimate Harry Potter Pilgrimage: visit all the places connected to HP, at least   I have finally managed King’s Cross and I’ve been tot he Great Hall in Oxford. Here is a list: http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Harry-Potter-Travel-Destinations-36456884#photo-36456884

-       Discover Your Own Amortentia Scents

-       Interact With the Queen (J.K. Rowling): On twitter of course, I have tried it before, but no reaction so far

-       Play Quidditch Pong

-       Collect Every Chocolate Frog Card

-       Get Through an Entire Pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans

-       Listen to the Series: I have started this, I’m actually listening to it right now

-       Meet a Cast Member: Preferably Tom Felton! Or Emma Watson

-       Show Off Your Witchy Side With HP Gear: Getting a HP phone case is still a plan

-       Read the Academic Harry Potter Literature

-       Watch Every Harry Potter Film in a Single Day

-       Visit Warner Bros Stadio Tours in London

-       Universal Studios Orlando for the HP experience

What is on your HP bucket list?