Feed a Giraffe

Just one of those quirky things that need to be done.



Look at it. :) I used to love giraffes when I was younger (idk why). They just fascinated me. With hooves the size of dinner plates, they are some of the only animals who can scare off lions.

You can feed giraffes in a lot of zoos. The PHX Zoo, which is 10 minutes away from my house, has a giraffe-feeding activity where you can give them carrots.

I gave one a carrot and it had a purple tongue and it was all long and tonguey and giraffes

So the next time you go to a zoo, see if they allow you to feed the giraffes.

It's fun. I promise.

Go on A Thousand Dollar Shopping Spree

I've always wanted to blow a ton of money in one shopping trip.

Just one trip though. Cuz a thousand dollars is a lot.

But I really want to go out, probably when I'm older, and buy cute things with my friends.

Top five things to buy include:

1) Shoes. I really like ankle boots right now.

2) Dresses. I want a lot of floral prints, mostly cause they are so changeable-if you pair it with a leather jacket, it can become much edgier.

3) Leather jackets :P. I have a white one, but I want a red one.

4) Jewelry from my favorite books.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices

Divergent

5) And finally, I have to buy a vintage watch.

That would probably be the most expensive item.

This is actually something I really want to do because I won't have monetary limits and that's exciting.

Anyways, Black Friday was two days ago and I got red Converse yayyyy

Pie-Eating Contest

Winning is everything, guys.

If you do not beat everybody else, you are not Asian.

[Quick Asian grading system cause it seems approprate here:

A-Asian

B-Below Average (no bed)

C-Crap

D-Death

F-You are effed]

Now you know.

Anyways, pie is delicious and why would you pass up FREE pie? (I'm talking to the Asians again.)

(Children gorging on pie)

Basically, fairs and carnivals sometimes have pie-eating contests where people compete to eat the most in the shortest amount of time (or something like that).

It looks really fun and delicious and messy and gooey.

Which makes it awesome.

I don't really know why I would put this on my bucket list, but I would.

Anyways, this post also kind of fits in with Thanksgiving, which is coming up soon.

Except I don't bake pies on Thanksgiving.

I don't bake...

Yeah, so have a good break, guys :)

Plant a Garden

I decided to do a more tame activity this time. Planting (and caring for) a garden is really relaxing,a nd when you get to eat your delicious vegetables, you'll be super happy.

Even though it's hard to maintain (and weeds are infuriating), it really is nice. 

Two years ago, my parents decided to plant a garden in our backyard. They put a little brick wall around a little patch of land and we planted the seeds. For months, everything grew, including weeds. It was horrible to go out in the sun and pull, pull, pull. Once I saw a spider, and that was the end of going anywhere near the garden. Once all our veggies were ripe, we harvested them. It turns out we planted WAYYY too many squash seeds, so my mom just gave the squashes to people who came to our house.

But still. They were yummy.

So first off, you should choose a section of your yard for gardening. Maybe put some bricks around it or something. Then, start a compost pile right by it (for those who hate spiders like I do, you may want to skip that step). 

Go out and buy a few packets of seeds (not too many), and split your dirt into rows. There should be mounds and dips to the water can spread evenly. Poke little holes in the dirt and plant the seeds (not too far down). 

You can also make little signs for the veggies.

Make sure to water your plants weekly or install a drip system. In a couple months, you will have deliciously fresh vegetables. :)

If you don't want to have a food garden, you can always plant flowers instead.

Anyways, have fun planting your food/flowers and I wish you the best in your efforts.

Dogsledding

Doggies Dogs are adorabubble and amazing so let's travel across the freezing tundra with them.

Don't they look so loyal and happy with their little tongues sticking out?

Dogsledding is not very common, as far as bucket list activities go.

In fact, it is really only prominent in Alaska. But Alaska is beautiful, so you might as well get a cruise to Juneau and dogsled there.



I've been to Alaska, and I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

So dogsledding also takes some guts because you have to put all your trust in the dogs. It also gets REALLY cold.

(When we went to Alaska, we went kayaking, so we put on two jackets and a long-sleeved shirt, and when we got there, the instructor was slathering sunblock onto her bare, short sleeve covered arms.)

In conclusion, one of the less conventional bucket list activities I recommend is dogsledding.

Tomato Battle

Messy, slimy, gooey red fun. It's an amped-up food fight. (I've never been in a food fight, so I like this idea.)

People actually organize these things. Since normal food fights in cafeterias aren't allowed, tomato fights are a REALLY good idea. 

Plus, if you don't like someone, just invite them to this in a friendly way and attack them with tomatoes once you're there. 

Yes. 

So, there's a website called tomatobattle.com that organizes events for New York City, Seattle, Southern California, and Norcal (where is Norcal?). 

I really have nothing else to say. Go throw tomatoes at people. Don't hurt anyone. Wear waterproof clothes. Send me pictures if you want to. 

🍅 did you know there's a tomato emoji? 🍅

Riding an Ostrich

You have to do some odd things before you go. Come on, give it a try. It might not be so horrible.

Ok, fine. I've heard riding an ostrich is like riding a pencil-necked, 250-lb chicken. But haven't you always wanted to ride a chicken?

I have absolutely no idea how to sell you on this. Just take my word for it. If you trust me. You probably don't trust me. That's okay. We'll work on that. 

This guy looks like he's having so much fun! (Also, he has a mustache.) 

Anyways, ostrich riding is a little more scary than horse riding. I've ridden a horse and I know they have four legs, a sturdy neck, and a long body. Ostriches don't. But that's the thrill. Doing something you haven't done before. Going out of your comfort zone. 

Apparently, the best place to ride an ostrich is South Africa. That might also be the only place to ride an ostrich. Sorry.

But take a risk. Have fun.

Go ride an ostrich.

Building a Treehouse

So it seems weird. I know. But it's one of the classic DIY activities: building a fort, a hideout, a treehouse.

Now if you don't know me, I have absolutely no building skills. I can barely use pliers properly, so I looked up instructions online. (Keep in mind that I also suck at remembering instructions, as is readily apparent from my failed attempts to make a paint-by-numbers.)

So I got some links for you. http://treehouseguides.com will show you all the styles and steps of treehouse building. 

Apparently, a family built a treehouse for $300. I'm a little sceptical of its stability, but it looks cute.

Typically, treehouses are more expensive. Prices range from $500 to $2000. Depending on your preference or the tree, different styles will be chosen.

One of my favorite treehouses is actually a sphere.

I also like this cottage-style one.

This crazier one reminds me of the Mad Hatter.

Plan carefully and think about this decision before bulding. Make sure to choose the right tree, talk with the local planning department, and check with your insurance about any possible damage the treehouse might make. 

Most importantly, have fun!

Visiting the Taj Mahal

So I'm a little biased in saying that the Taj Mahal is the first monument you should visit. Oh well.

Look at this. Not only is this a great architectural feat, but it's also a symbol of a powerful love.

During the Mughal reign of India, trade was flourishing, culture and ideas were moving, and life was good. Many of the leaders during this time were benevolent and good (at least in the beginning). Many of them also had several wives. One such king, Shah Jahan, had a wife named Mumtaz Mahal (she was also known as Arjumand Banu). They were very close, and he loved her very much. While her husband was fighting in a war, she died giving birth. While it's sad, it's kinda Shah Jahan's fault cause this was her fourteenth child and I don't think anybody can survive for fifteen. The Taj Mahal was built as a monument and tomb to her. 

Now, this marble structure houses both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. It is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

If you decide to go to India, make sure to visit some of the other popular attractions, such as the magnificent temples, the national parks, and the Himalayas.

(*also go to Cafe Coffee Day and order their paneer sandwich or cake*)

Since I have no idea how to end, here's a poem by Shah Jahan:

"Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory."

{btw for non desis, "himalayas" is pronounced like 'him' followed by 'aah' NOT AN 'UH' then 'l' and then sort of an 'uh' with an 'eee' which compunds to a sort of 'ai' sound NOT AN 'AY' and finally 'yaaz'. I know it's weird, but it bother me when people say it with that american accent.}

White-Water Rafting

A picture is the best way to portray the thrill of white water rafting. One of the most terrifying yet exciting things to do, rafting is an amazing experience.

A gentle push from an instructor sets you off. You relax while your grip on your paddle loosens. This seems slow and gentle. Then, you round a corner to find a ten foot drop looming in front of you. (Ok, so that's a little unrealistic. It's more like four feet). You paddle frantically with the others, trying to steer around the rock jutting from the middle of the drop. As you finally reach the drop, you squeeze your eyes shut. You fly over the rock with a shriek. The raft hits the water with a thud, which splashes the freezing water onto your body. 

After a few more drops, you get into the rhythm of it. You start anticipating what is around the bends. You want to do more exhilating courses. That is when it starts to be fun.

I know my description makes it sound awful, but it really is a fun thing to do. You can choose a level of difficulty (which ranges from one to five) based on your age or experience. 

One of my favorite rafting experiences was on Salt River in Arizona. While the water was freezing, it was one of the more dangerous rivers I have rafted. That also made it much more thrilling. Another of my favorites was in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, the water is warm because of the climate there. We got to drift down the river on our backs at some of the calmer parts. 

So all in all (this was sort of a rambling post), rafting is something you should try if you haven't already.  Visit www.raftingamerica.com to book your ride.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower

Next on my Wonders of the World list is the Eiffel Tower.

Did you know they light it up on the hour?

(I didn't know that, but Nishat told me :P)

So the Eiffel Tower is a landmark (literally) for a relationship. Now, I'm only 13, so the romance in my life is limited to eating chocolate cake while dreaming of Jace Herondale/Wayland/Lightwood.  But I think that Paris is very beautiful, especially for a honeymoon (unless your husband likes eating A LOT because France has small portions). 

Paris is known for its wine and cheese, both of which I either don't like or am not allowed to eat. However, a lot of adults like cheese, apparently. So enjoy a night filled with crepes and Nutella (wasn't it invented in France) and your dream boy/girl. 

Grand Canyon Hike

I know that it's strenuous and hot and long. It's worth it.



The Grand Canyon is an absolutely beautiful hike. The gorgeous red rock, the sparkling Colorado river, the lush greenery and wildlife at the bottom. It's no surprise that the canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.



There are many hikes to choose from once you reach. The most popular are the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and the Rim Trail. My family and I went down the Bright Angel and came up the South Kaibab on a day trip in August. The only problems we had were self-inflicted; we had not packed lunch, and neither Usha nor I had trained. (Before you laugh me, you should know that we were planning to hike a smaller trail in Flagstaff, but it was closed, so we headed to the canyon.)



However, the Grand Canyon is a dangerous hike for many. Back country hiker Micheal Gliglieri says, "Over the last decade, proportionally more people have been dying from environmental problems -- mainly heat -- while hiking. This is despite everything the park has tried to do via educational signs and via preventative search and rescue (PSAR) work, both of which are pretty good. There were also proportionally more people dying from falls within the Canyon (as opposed to from the rims)."

There were 15 "environmental deaths" (related to heat, dehydration, cold) from 2007 to 2011 alone. Traveling without water or sun protection can be fatal, so be careful. If you plan to hike it, pack plenty of water, salty snacks, and sunblock.

Also, if you don't want to hike all the way down and up, plan a two day hike and rest at the bottom. You can camp or book a room at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. The Ranch is packed, so book in advance. To look at lodging, visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

The Grand Canyon is definitely something you need to conquer before dying. Start planning and get to it.

Ziplining

Ziplining is a memory I'll never forget, and it is definitely something you need to do. Nothings beats whizzing down a line above treetops, feeling the wind in your face and the clouds in your hands. I myself have only gone twice, but I can definitely say that I'm planning to do it again.

Ziplining does have some age and weight limits, but depending on the course, these limits vary. The only problem with weight is that if you don't weigh enough, you won't have enough momentum to get all the way to the end (this happened to my sister). However, small children can be taken on smaller ziplines, so don't worry about your family.

Now this is biased, but I believe that Costa Rica is one of best places to zipline. It features one of the longest ziplines in the world, and the rainforest coupled with the clouds makes for an amazing experience.

You don't need to travel so far to have a good time, though. Visit ziplinerider.com for locations near you.

Going Up in the Air

A hundred years ago, if you said you wanted to fly, people would have scoffed at you. Soaring through the sky, waving at birds, somersaulting in air... all of that was unimaginable. 

Now, it is a reality. Take advantage of your century. Go skydiving.

Skydiving is an exhilarating experience that millions of people take part in. There is almost nothing more exciting than flying free. 

After jumping out of the plane, you'll freefall down to the earth. After a specific point, you will pull the cord and your parachute will open up.

It is relatively safe. Last year, 19 out of 3.1 million skydiving incidents were fatal. Visit uspa.org for more information on skydiving safety.

Also, skydiving gives you a chance to get out of your comfort zone. A lot of people are afraid of heights. What better way to conquer that fear than to face it head on? 

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Understandably, skydiving is a scary experience. If you feel it's too much, you can choose a safer alternative: hot air ballooning. 

Hot air ballooning is more calm and peaceful than skydiving. A pilot gently lifts off the ground and you drift with the wind. You can enjoy lovely views very close to where you live, but from personal experience, I'd say ballooning over a lake is the best. 

Sometimes the pilot dipped the very bottom of the basket into the lake, and while the water did get my feet wet, it was very fun.

Hot air ballooning is also a more family friendly activity. You can go up with young children safely, and they will be enclosed in the basket at all times.

If you want to have a lot of fun, get a special balloon. There are some shaped like teddy bears, while others look like our favorite Disney characters.

The way the balloon remains in the air is through heat. A small propane burner heats the air, which rises to the top of the balloon. This burner is controlled by the pilot so you can rise and fall when needed.

Remember to book both of these activities ahead of time and check that you are familiarized with the safety procedures.

Before you die, make sure to fly.

Snorkeling

Oh, the beach. One of your favorite vacation spots. Seagulls are cawing, salty wind is blowing, bright umbrellas are dotting the sand. You can hear the shrieks of excited children and see the surfers riding the waves.

But there's so much that you aren't seeing. Under the water lies a plethora of marine life, and it's up to you to discover it. 

Snorkeling has been one of the top ten ocean activities for decades.  

 

Shoals of vibrant fish swim by as you drift underneath the waves. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a turtle. 





Snorkeling is also a family-friendly activity. If you have a young child, you can strap him/her to a boogie board with an aqua eye, which is a hole through which they can see the fish. 

The top ten places to snorkel are reportedly Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas; Buck Island, St. Croix, USVI; Crystal River, Florida; Pigeon Cay, Honduras, and  Rockhouse, Negril, Jamaica.
Remember to snorkel the next time you visit the ocean; it is definitely an experience that needs to be done before you kick the bucket.