WE ALL HAVE TO TURN TWENTY
And what I want to do before the inevitable beginning
A couple months ago, one of my favorite people in this cosmic universe and my trailblazer in life
, wrote a bucket list of 20 things she wanted to do before she turned 20. I am never of a oppose a good list, a solid mind-map, or a note-worthy declaration. There is so much I want to do; I want to exhaust all of life’s possibilities! I have a little under two months, so I think this is the perfect time to start bracing myself for a new epoch and a new decade.
1. Conquer my fear of the freeway
I failed my first driving test because I drove too slow. I have only ever been on the highway once with my driving instructor and she had to step on the gas peddle for me because I was driving 45 on the highway… in LA. I think I have mentally strengthened since I last ventured on the highway at the age 15. I can not be too sure because I don’t drive in college but rest assure, when I go home, I will try my best.
2. Make a three course meal at home for my friends
Example course (not sure if these are good pairings):
Miso roasted carrots & focaccia w/ caramelized onions
Chirashi bowl
Fig leaf panna cotta
3. Learn a new piece on the violin
I was away from my violin all summer and this semester, I couldn’t join my university symphony because I wanted to dip my toes in other areas of interest… The only time I have been opening my violin case is when I do tutor my violin student twice a week and even then, I play simple songs and am more focused on helping him learn. A couple of days ago, I played a little show piece in the living room because I was procrastinating on my essay and I realized how rusty I got (which made me so sad). I think I want to learn something before my birthday— give myself a deadline!!! I realized I missed playing music so much.
4. Go to a concert by myself
I think the last time was probably in the beginning of 2024 when I went to watch a jazz show at Ronnie Scott’s. A little espresso martini in a jazz bar could save me.
5. Solo expedition to the city
Probably SF. LA if I can conquer the freeway.
In the beginning of last year, I went to San Francisco by myself a handful of times. I have not exercised my courageous muscle in a bit and letting fear win this internal combat. I want to be brave because I know it will be worth it!!
6. Ruminate about the happiest moments of my teenage years
Sometimes I forget how happy some moments were. I want to sit there and marinate in happiness that I’ve felt over the years. I don’t take time to be grateful enough.
7. Have a snowball fight
I want to hold a ball of snow in my hand and feel my hand go numb.
8. Fall in love and find true love
This is a pretty impressive feat. It is not even the top one. There was an impressing 7 items before this one.
9. Go skinny dipping in a lake in the middle of nowhere
I was talking to a girl at a party and she was from Maine. I asked her if there were beautiful lakes there and she said yes. I am so inclined to go to Maine and visit the canyon she told me about. Or Oregon.
Sadly, it is the winter months and this might have to go on the back burner.
10. Spend time with my family and ask them about their 20s
I don’t think I have really asked my grandparents about their life when they were young!! I know vaguely about my parents’ 20’s and I hope they can tell me the stories they have accumulated.
11. Have a slumber party
I’ve only had 1 sleepover (with natnat) in my apartment which is crazy. First grade me would beeegggg for sleepover with my friends.
12. Try colored contacts
I’ve been saying this forever but I’m scared of touching my eyeball. I think olive toned contacts would be dope and go with red hair.
13. Stargaze
Begging for a shooting star in the dark sky with no light pollution.
14. Make a 5 year plan
I have one mentally but I should put it down in somewhere tangible. I love a solid plan just like a meaty list (such as this). But (reminder to myself) nothing is set in stone and even if I have a masterplan, I can always diverge!!
15. Write a piece explaining the fear I feel without using “afraid” or “fear”
Harmonia gave me this challenge a few months ago because I am constantly filled with fear as much I am filled with happy emotions. In this list thus far, I have mentioned the word “fear” or “scared” three times already. They are sadly imbedded in my colloquialism.
16. Watch the sun set and then watch the sun rise
Essentially an all nighter; preferable spent in a car on the mountains.
17. Go on a mountain
I want to see the world from atop!!! And the sun set and rise.
18. Host a hot chocolate and pajama party
There would be regular hot chocolate and sipping chocolate topped with a toasted marshmallow.
19. Fix our dining table
If you have been to our apartment a few times, you notice the table gets a bit more wobbly every time you come. In some ways, it is so romantic because you can feel the other person’s pressure on the table. But it needs to be done…soon…
20. Learn how to DJ
My club hosted a fireside chat with LP Giobbi (who is a Berkeley Music grad???? bro…) and she was so inspiring. She was a band kid growing up and did jazz piano in college and got her foot in the music industry by handing a letter to the CEO and was approached by one of Daft Punk’s producer during a gig and now is an epic DJ with an epic nonprofit.
Anyways, I have been learning on-and-off but I feel like her talk just gave me so much hope in the potential of the industry and how fluid life is (thus I don’t want my 5 year plan to be a reigning dictator in my life). I want to host a get together at my apartment and DJ in the corner of the candle-lit living room and have an episode of Domo projected on the wall.
maybe i’ll make a bucket list too but am unfortunately not as hopeful and lively as shannon
dj shannon will be lit af