THE BUCKET LIST
When I was a little girl, I used to look at my mother’s miserable life and think to myself that I would do better when I grew up. She had a hard time raising us with my dad being constantly overseas. Money was always scarce, and everything was a mission, from school pick-ups to homework. Every now and then, her in-laws would visit from another province and add to her misery and exhaustion. She was not loved or cared for; she did not have much autonomy. I don't remember her being able to spoil herself. She became more and more overweight, antisocial, and depressed. I am hoping I will be able to keep my sanity at this point in my life, keep going, and be a hot and confident mama for my little daughter. I have been reading a lot of books and watching a lot of movies. I came across a movie called The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. Just watching these great actors having a conversation on screen is the most amazing thing ever. They are diagnosed with advanced cancer and are exploring their end-of-life options. Jack Nicholson is the rich guy with the terrible attitude and the money, organizing a lot of travelling and great experiences. Morgan helps him get in touch with his inner soul and become a better human.
I have summarised their adventures below:
Witness something truly majestic: They try to accomplish this by visiting the Himalayas, but the view is completely blocked by a heavy storm. Later, Edward realizes a different kind of majesty at the end of the film.
Help a complete stranger for a common good: This was one of Carter’s deeply personal goals.
Laugh until I cry: They achieve this in a hilarious, light-hearted hospital scene later in the movie when Carter explains the incredibly bizarre (and disgusting) truth about Edward’s beloved, ultra-expensive "Kopi Luwak" coffee beans.
Drive a Shelby Mustang: They rent out a racetrack and aggressively drag-race vintage sports cars.
Skydive: This is the very first thing they do after leaving the hospital, featuring a terrified Carter and a thrilled Edward jumping out of an airplane.
Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world: Edward originally scoffs at this, assuming it means a supermodel. At the end of the film, after reconciling with his estranged daughter, he hugs his young granddaughter and kisses her on the cheek, finally crossing it off.
Go to the Pyramids/See the Great Sphinx: They sit on top of the Pyramids of Giza, discussing life, faith, and Egyptian myths about the afterlife.
Additional Global Milestones (Seen in the Travel Montage)
While they don't read every item aloud, their journey across the globe checks off several massive travel goals:
Go on an African Safari (Shot in Tanzania)
Ride a motorcycle on the Great Wall of China
Visit the Taj Mahal in India
Dine at Chevre d'Or in France
This movie really got me thinking about my life and my priorities. What are the things I genuinely want to do? It would have been easier if I could have made friends with someone like Jack Nicholson, who would have funded my dreams and ambitions. Perhaps it would be easier to think about your bucket list when you have stage four cancer, and you do not need to save for retirement or leave money for your kids. We are focusing on the smaller check goals and then to bigger long term goals in this bucket list.
Blasting on eating out with family in a sit-down restaurant!
Buy my little girl a bicycle, I hope she plays with it, and does not disappoint me
Send my review article for publication to that stupid and expensive journal
Book and travel to whatever conference I want to
Have a spa day and a whole-body massage
Go and visit my home country if the political situation allows..I can not think about any other travel destination until I make it to my home country, eat the food at a fancy local restaurant…go to grandma’s house where I was born and raised…and go through all of my sentimental items.
Have a Mamma Mia, ABBA theme birthday party, with a live band playing! full of dancing, signing and laughter and fun.
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