Today is my 24th birthday.
In a mixture of celebration and fear, I wanted to put together a list of 25 things to do before I turn 25.
Some of them are travel related, and probably a little far fetched. But, I’m allowed to throw in a few unlikely dreams, aren’t I? Lots of them are highly possible, so I will work hard over the next year to complete this list as best I can. Here it goes…
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1. Do Nothing on my 24th Birthday
Did I ever mention that I’m terrified of turning 24? It’s my “scary age“. Everyone has one, and mine is 24. 24 always stuck in my mind as the age of “adulthood“, as a child. I remember my Uncle’s 24th birthday, and now I am an adult. I know, I know.. everyone grows up eventually, I’m not Peter Pan.
2. Add at least 10 New Pins to my Map
I have a map board in my room, where I add pins for each of my travels. I hope to add at least 10 more pins this year, meaning that I’ll visit at least 10 new cities.
3. Officially Graduate University
Technically, I’m currently done my undergrad. I’ve just left my graduation status open to finish an additional certificate. I will officially graduate in April :]
4. Get my TESL Certificate
I’ve always planned on teaching English abroad after graduation. I may wait a year or two to leave, but I’d like to get my certificate this year so I always have the option.
I’d like to start off in the Middle East for at least one year, where I can earn higher wages to pay off my student loans. Then on to some other awesome destinations!
5. Visit a Canadian Territory
I’ve traveled to 9 of the 10 Canadian Provinces (unfortunately missing NFLD!), but have not been lucky enough to step foot in a territory yet.
I’d love to visit any of them, especially Yukon or Nunavut. Have you seen photos of Nunavut? Oh my God!
6. Attend all of the Cool Travel and Adventure Expos in Toronto
I attended a couple so far this year and really enjoyed them. There are some bigger ones coming up in the winter that I hope to go to. It’s great to be a such a huge room jam-packed full of other travel-lovers like myself!
7. Relax More
I’ve been in University for so long without any breaks that I literally get 2-week-long-migraines every couple of months just from the stress.
While most students take their summers off, I keep going through those humid months, sitting in sticky classrooms and stuffing more and more academic knowledge into my melting brain. I’ve had enough.
8. Go on another Long Distance Train Journey
I traveled across Canada by train last year, so this year I’d like to try it somewhere else. Preferably the Trans Siberian/Mongolian, but anywhere will do. I love trains!
9. CN Tower Edge Walk
I’m not quite sure why I haven’t done it yet; I live in Toronto and it’s easily accessible to me. It’s probably the cost; it’s quite expensive.
One of these days I will get up there and look down upon my lovely city from the sky.
10. Get a New Travel-themed Tattoo
Not like I don’t have enough already, but I want more. I love tattoos and I love travel. I always have too many ideas, but can never really settle on them.
I currently have a map of the world, a compass and GPS coordinates as travel-themed tattoos. What to get next?
11. Go to TBEX ’12
I’m generally new to this whole travel blogging world, so I haven’t had the chance to meet all of the other travel bloggers like everyone else.
I didn’t go to last year’s TBEX because I thought I was still too “new“, but I’d love to attend this year :]
12. Volunteer in the Galapagos
We’ve been planning and trying to fundraise for volunteer efforts in the Galapagos Islands next year, but have so far been unsuccessful. We will keep trying, and hopefully make our goal by May or June, 2012.
13. Visit Petra, Jordan
Jordan has always been in my list of top 5 countries to visit, and I would like to do it this year. Fingers crossed!
14. Make it to 2 more Continents
I mean come on, I’ve only been to 3 /:
15. Go on an American Road Trip
I’ve been on plenty of Canadian Road Trips, and some smaller American ones.. but I’d like to take a big trip through the States.
16. Throw Away Half of my Possessions
Ok, maybe not throw them all away. I could sell some things and give others away. But, I would eventually like to do away with half of my things.
I have too much random junk that I really don’t need. How am I supposed to just pick up and travel the world with a whole truck load of nonsense left behind?
17. Start a (real) Career, in Travel
Travel Blogging is awesome, but it’s not my job. I’ll always shoot weddings part time (a couple weekends of the year), but that doesn’t pay the bills.
I’m done University and now I need to start my career, preferably in travel.
I think that I would be pretty good with any position in the travel industry. So, why do I keep hearing “you’re too qualified” instead of “you’re hired“?! Someone hire me! Haha 
18. Upgrade my Camera
I’ve been using the Nikon D300 for the past few years. It’s wearing down and I’m not as impressed with the final products as I used to be.
I really need to upgrade, and I’m even thinking of making the dreaded switch over to Canon for the 5D Mark II.
19. Start a New Photography Business
I’ve had a business plan in the works for a couple of months now, and I’d like to put it into action over the next year.
I already own a Wedding Photography business, but I’d like to gear it toward destination weddings ;]
20. Write a Print Article for a Well Known Travel Publication
Isn’t this every travel writers dream?
21. See/Photograph the Northern Lights
I don’t care if I have to disguise myself as a polar bear and camp out for three nights in an igloo… I want to see the Aurora Borealis.
22. Enter the Southern Hemipshere
I spend too much time in the North :p
23. Have Success with my New Website
I run another website, aside from Seattle’s Travels.
24. Move to a Better Apartment
I loved my new apartment when I first moved in.. but there have proven to be some big problems. Hopefully I can find the perfect place this year.
25. Not be Afraid to Turn 25
Doubtful. But, I’ll try. I’ll probably spend my net birthday huddled in a field somewhere, hiding from life. But, until then…
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So, there it is; my 25 before 25 bucket list. I’ll include update posts as I check off the boxes, and a follow up post a year from now.
Thank-you for all of your wonderful birthday wishes so far, I really appreciate them :]
A fantastic, ambitious list there Seattle! I wish you all the very best with ticking that one off and I’ll be keeping an eye on your progress for sure!
I can 100% recommend the Yukon if that’s where you get the chance to visit. It’s pretty amazing!
Masey recently posted..Banff Mountain Film Festival 2011 – Radical Reels
Thanks
Amazing photos you have there btw, love the gallery!
It makes me want to visit the Yukon even more.
Brilliant list Seattle!
Can’t wait to help you tick off your TBEX goal and if you’re up for Jordan then TBU (travel bloggers unite) is going to be held there in … September?… next year! Would be a great event to go to especially because Jordan is so keen to work with wonderful bloggers.
Can’t wait to see how you get on with your list. Good luck!
Nicole recently posted..So you want to be a Camp Counselor? – 5 Steps to Rockin’ a Camp Worthy Portfolio
Oooohh, really?! I had no idea, that’s awesome. I definitely want to go.
Yay for TBEX! And yay for all the potential meet-ups! haha. Thanks for the RT too :]
This is great! I hated turning 23 and I am looking forward to 24 even less..luckily Kieran is 30 next year so I don’t feel so bad when I think about that lol. One of my top ones for the near future is the USA road trip too, just because its so much more accessible to me now that we’ve moved back. Good luck and have a great birthday! Xx
Haha, yeah it’s definitely helpful knowing that almost everyone else (besides you, Kareenie & Joe) are older than me
All these guys will be 26 next :p
Hmmm… yes and now we can also plan road trips together
And Thaaaanks :]
Ah, I had a list exactly like this but lost it all when I moved my blog over to a .com!
I’m inspired to revive mine now. Kickass list. You’ll achieve them all I’m sure, and you’re off to a good start…this blog is one of faves, by the way.
PS I want your hair.
Candice recently posted..Becoming a Beer Pong Pro, Learning to Love Hockey, & Mexican Maggots
Great list!! And I’ll bet you can tick off a lot of these items in the next year!
I hope you do make it to TBEX, because I’d love to meet you! And, if you decide a U.S. roadtrip is in the cards for you, let me know! I just did one this past summer.
Amanda recently posted..New Zealand Cities, Part 2: Wellington in Photos
Candice – Ohhh noo, that sucks! I’d like to see your list too! And thank-youuu, happy to hear that from such a great travel blogger
Amanda – I’d love to meet you too! Perhaps I can combine the roadtrip with TBEX, and I’ll definitely need some tips
25 is nothing!
Great list. Good mix between easy achievable and harder-to-attain goals! Now, start ticking them off!
Tobias – Before I am 35 recently posted..The Agta Charity – Part 6: The Settlement
I’ll try to do the hardest ones first
25 was my “feared” year, but now it’s 45!
Great list!! The CN Tower Edge Walk looks amazing (& scary). Going to have to steal that idea for my list ;
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..Chicken Poop at Liberty Market Restaurant | Arizona
Yeah–I think that it’s 25 for most people.. which probably makes more sense than 24. And steal away
Love this post and agree with all but TBEX, I found TBU to be much better.
ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
Hmm.. good to know. Hopefully I can do both
You have some great plans. If you’re thinking of going abroad to teach soon let me know. I’ve been doing that for years and I might have some good websites or contacts to pass your way. The TESOL is a great idea!
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Faces of Asia | Part 5 | Travel Video
Happy belated birthday..I turn 24 in December..think ill make a bucket list of my own.. Maybe this way ill manage to do more of the things I love
Great photos and great bucket list. You need to go and visit NZ if you are wanting to head into the Southern Hemisphere!
Cole @ FourJandals recently posted..What are we doing? Our next Adventure
Cristian – You should!
Cole – I definitely want to go there soon! Maybe not in the next year.. but maybe 2
You have a good list, a lot to do in a year. Northern Lights & Galapagos were my favourites.
Sam recently posted..Taylor Creek Trailhead – Kolob Canyons – Zion National Park
I think that they might be my favourites too :]
The Northern Lights is high on my list too. I suggest knocking off numerous bucket list items at once…take a road trip from Toronto, across the US, then up from Vancouver to the Yukon and see the Northern Lights up there. A Toronto -> Alaska road trip is high on my own bucket list!
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That sounds like an awesome plan! Although.. I’ve done the Toronto-Vancouver thing before, so I’d like to try heading North to Nunavut, perhaps. But, I would also like to see Alaska some day too :]
Fun list. It would be interesting to revisit this list when you are almost 50 so you can hear how young you truly are. Enjoy it now!
You’re probably right!
Just stumbled upon your blog now! Really enjoying it! I turn 24 in March and am thinking of making a similar list! These are a great inspiration!
All the best from a fellow traveller & Canadian,
Rachel
I LOVE the map you have painted on your wall! You inspired me. I want one too!
Jaclyn recently posted..Sunday Spotlight: Cambridge, Ohio
It’s not a painting, it’s a sticker… so you CAN get one too
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Big-Global-World-Map-Atlas-Vinyl-Wall-Art-Decal-Sticker-/170590947190?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item6d6f4e5f00#ht_2590wt_1135
I love your 25 before 25 list. I just completed my list for this year, my third annual bucket list… your dreams and expectations for your year are AMAZING, a reminder that maybe its time for me to step up my game. I’d love to collaborate with you on something that you hope to do this year.
Hope to connect soon.
We have similar tastes and goals! I’ll tell you, getting a job in tourism was not easy. I have a BA in Geography and a MSc in Tourism Management and had a really rough go. No one has any idea what a degree in Geography means, and everyone thinks a degree in tourism means I’m a travel agent. Anyway, I found the trick was knowing people in the industry, getting your name out, and being very good and translating the skill set and capabilities you developed in your degrees. Good luck with your list! I’m hoping to get to Jordan this year too – aiming for October. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Lindsay recently posted..Fulfilling Dreams
That’s so cool! I have my BA in Geography, so perhaps I need to continue on to a MSc in Tourism Management too!
Have you ever seen this site? http://fuckyeahgeographyalligator.tumblr.com/ So good for geog majors
And that would be great if we both got to Jordan at the same time!
Oh my god I am LOVING that tumblr. I’ve not seen it before…it’s my new favourite thing. Thanks!
And hey, if you ever want any info on MSc programs, I’ll gladly help out! I really loved it (suuuuch a nerd haha).
Lindsay recently posted..Fulfilling Dreams
How do you find the time and money to travel if you never take breaks from school and have yet to start a “real job”? I’d love to know your secret as I am constantly in school and totally broke..how can I make it work??
Well, it helps that I’m not in school any more. But, my blog helps me to afford the traveling that I do now. I would definitely suggest starting a travel blog if you want to travel more :]
How do you make money doing such a thing? I mean its not like I paid money to view your blog, which is lovely btw. I’m not sure that would be right for me, as I am pretty computer/html/technology retarded. Unless it is much easier than I think..I just don’t get how you get paid for it haha.