Summer Bucket List

It – the season of milkshakes, the beach, humid-crazy hair and cocktails by the pitcher – is here and I could not be more pleased.

With every change of season comes a personal want to change also. Your to-do list becomes a little longer. You say things like, “This summer I’m going to read at LEAST one book a month.” You have new priorities to lose those bikini-prohibiting pounds. The world is your oyster and you know it.

For this reason, I think it’s no surprise that lately I’ve heard some of my pals talking about creating a “Summer Bucket List” of sorts. Activities or goals arranged for maximum enjoyment of (mostly) everyone’s favourite season.

Whether it be a boyfriend and girlfriend’s list of romantic dates, two sisters getting up to no good or simply a personal list to expand your sense of adventure and make every warm moment worthwhile.

The following are a few suggestions that will be appearing on my own lengthly list. I highly encourage you to create one of your own, incorporating the best of what summer has to offer.

1. Attend an outdoor concert.

– Many of my friends hit the road this week destined for Manchester, Tennessee for one of North America’s biggest musical festivals: Bonnaroo. While the thought of seeing the likes of Eminem, Florence and the Machine and Mumford & Sons was tempting, I’m saving myself for Ottawa’s Bluesfest, with the main event being The Black Keys. Outdoor music can be on a smaller, less expensive scale too. The nuts are hitting Westfest this weekend to hear some great local acts play on the streets of Westboro. Music, warm weather and beer sipping seem to go hand in hand year after year.

2. Be a kid

– I live my life with the mentality that you should never be too busy to have some fun. Reverting to your child years, bare feet, popsicle in hand, running through a sprinkler is one of the easiest ways to get this accomplished. Whether you stop in the park for a good old swing on the ol’ sets or impulse-buy a slip n’ slide for hours of unabashed good, clean, fun, bringing out the kid in you is sure to put a smile on your face.

3. Take a (road) trip

– If I had it my way (won the lottery, or had a sugar daddy) I would have Europe penciled in to my summer itinerary. Lucky nut Meghan, has already checked that one off her list and Kaylee will in the fall … but for this nut it’s not in the cards just yet. No reason to put on a pout. A road trip, a great mix-tape, a few bags of your favourite potato chips and your four best gals badly singing to every tune, makes for almost as an amazing time as a cross continent voyage. Take a weekend off, pick a city and leave the rest up to fate and spontaneity.

4. Spend an entire lazy day on a dock

– With summer comes camping, cottaging and days spent entirely slothed over an inner-tube, soaking up the rays and the essence of the season. If you have your own family cottage, great. If you don’t, find someone who does. If you’re adventurous, camp. And if you’re wild, throw a rager (don’t swim & drink!). No matter what kind of lifestyle you live, whether it be tranquil deck reading or daring cliff jumping, make your way out of the city and into cottage country. Some way, some how.

5. Sail the canal (Part II)

– Last year for my birthday we had a hilarious and amazing idea: buy an inflatable raft (approx $30) and set sail on the Ottawa Canal. Beers nestled under our toes, we spent hours lazily (and sometimes not so lazily to avoid oncoming tourist ferries, yikes!) paddling along through one of Ottawa’s most beautiful attractions. Sure Meghan may or may not have gotten really sunburnt, fallen into the canal and somewhat hated Kate and I for our over the top enthusiasm, it remains one of last year’s highlights for me, and I plan to set sail again this year. Ahoy!

6. Take a personal day

– If you’re anything like me you’ve had your nose pressed up to the glass of your place of employment on a nice day thinking, “why, Why, WHY am I stuck in here?” Not to condone playing hooky, or calling in sick for an important meeting but when the time is right use one of your precious vacation days for yourself. Buy a new book, get a pedicure, hit the beach, stay out later than you should with your friends and remember that all work and no play makes for getting a little “cray-cray”. (Translation: crazy)

7. Find a new, fun way to stay healthy

– While it’s those long winter months where every woman vows to hit the gym and burn off that turkey poundage, it’s the summer months that make it so easy to do so. There is literally a fun way to exercise at every corner. As mentioned, I bike almost everywhere I go in the summertime. Not out of necessity, I actually enjoy it! There’s something about the wind in your face that makes you feel great to be alive. Of course there are other just as fun alternatives: hiking, rollerblading, canoeing, water skiing, swimming, beach volleyball, etc. Pick your preference and feel the pounds melt away.

8. Spoil yourself with a summer dress

– All winter I count down the days till summer so that I can really make use of my closet which is packed to the brim with floral prints and bright colours. If you’re going to be doing a little spending in the next couple weeks a new dress to show a little shoulder and a little thigh is “wear” it’s at. (ha!) Just make sure to consult Kaylee Pare before you do.

9. See fireworks (… or make some yourself a la Katy Perry)

– I remember watching the sky open up with fireworks from my Dad’s shoulders thinking some really powerful magician was playing a trick on the world. Even though now I’m probably a little too big to relive this moment exactly how I remember it, I will stretch out on some grass with a blanket to take in some summer ‘works for sure. Canada Day comes to mind, where the Capital is the place to be, but if the show in your area isn’t magical, read item #4 above and don’t forget to pack some fireworks into your duffle bag.

10. Reunite with your 6 best buds

– I saved it for last, but really it’s #1 on my list. For seven nuts that are spread out between three cities it’s hard to find us all in one place. I’m sure you can relate. So whip out your planners, put a big “X” through one weekend of prior commitments and dedicate some time to the ones who keep you sane. There is no one I laugh harder with than these six sisters and no one I would rather spend a perfect hot summer night with… in a nutshell.