Every year I set out to learn something new or try something I have never tried before. Just over the last few years that has meant dirt biking, roller derby, krav maga, kayaking, crocheting and jewelry making. (My "have done" list is actually longer than my "to do" list.)

I have a long list of things I still want to try and I add to it all of the time. Some are even travel goals. Here is a quick glimpse of what is still on my list....

try fire dancing

learn a few fancy bullwhip tricks

belly dancing

yoga

crash a demolition derby car

drive a jetski

tai chi

learn more American Sign Language

yodeling lessons

sailing

scuba diving

Luxor, Karnak, Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Giza, Cairo (Egypt)

learn to read heiroglyphics

go on an African safari

vacation in Bora Bora (over-water bungalow)

wander Le Louvre Museum for days

Vatican City, waterways of Venice, Roman Forum, Colesseum, Palantine Hill (Italy)

Ancient Ruins of Greece

renew marriage vows in Austria

train a companion animal

visit Birkenau Auschwitz in Poland

learn how to do cartwheels and walkovers

enter a real cooking competition

take an Alaskan cruise

visit Bran castle in Romania

swim with dolphins

space travel

ride a unicycle

hold a monkey or chimp

deliver a baby (not my own)

build a house with Habitat for Humanity

take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the snow

and so on..... the list is very long.

It looks like most of those things will have to wait a little longer because I've been sitting on a shiny new banjo and a very cool brazing/welding set-up for the last couple of years and I'm thinking its high time I found myself the right teachers. If you know anyone who brazes/welds or plays the banjo, please give them my contact info. Even if they can't teach me, they might know someone who can. I'm especially interested in playing some punk rock on my banjo, but I'm not picky. Pardon the pun.

Had a great xmas with the family. In an effort to put more heart into our gifts I made some pretty bracelets and four batches of delicious caramels. I even crocheted a couple of blankets. I know not everyone appreciates getting homemade gifts, but I think I chose the right people to make the effort for. Our boys got way too many toys from relatives and friends, as usual. They also some got very cool microscope slide sets. Such a great gift idea for science-minded kids.

I'm really happy because Drew bought the two of us passes to my favorite place on Earth... Disneyland! It's hard to believe that it's been eight years since we've had passes. Bring on the corn dog date nights! I know many people will think we are mean because the kids did not get passes of their own, but we don't want the magic to be jaded by overindulgence. They get to go once or twice a year for birthdays or special events and that keeps it super exciting for them. I think that little kids should be so pumped up that they can hardly sleep the night before a trip to Disneyland. It should be one of the highlights of their year, not just another play date location.

Spent today at San Diego's Natural History Museum (Balboa Park). We went to see the Darwin: Evolution Revolution exhibit. It was truly exciting to view such an amazing display. I could have spent another three hours reading every little note. While we were there, we saw the film "Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs" and it was fascinating. They said they have the largest 3D screen in the state. I highly recommend both experiences for inquisitive minds of all ages.