#90

#90 Milk a cow

Today I completed one of the more unique items on my 10-year list with a trip to North Vancouver’s Maplewood Farm.

When I wrote my list close to a year-and-a-half ago, I had no idea how I was going to pull this one off: Not only did I need to find someone who would let me milk their cow, but if eating pork and undercooked bacon creeps me out, how on earth did I expect to get up-close and personal with a bloated udder?

Maybe it was my eagerness to hide my city-girl image, maybe it was how Farmer Courtney made the process look much easier than it actually was. Either way, at about 1:15 p.m., I gave a milking demonstration to four young kids and their respective parents.

By the end, we had filled a pale with close to five litres of fresh milk. And by we, I mean Farmer Courtney. (Although, I maybe managed to milk three ounces out of Lima, two of which ended up on my suede shoes.)

But I had a blast, and that’s all that matters.

I’d like to thank Maplewood Farm for indulging my random desire to milk a cow. There’s a first for everything, and now I know who to call if I decide to put “milk a goat” on my next 10-year list.

And a special thanks to Farmer Courtney, who gave me a lovely souvenir.

16 down, 85 to go.

Check out photos of the event on my personal blog.

#26

#26 Turn off my cell phone/computer for a week

I opted for the former of the two, because I just love blogging and social media too much to give up.

And so I galavanted all over the island of Manhattan, sans-cell phone.

See above.

15 down, 86 to go.

#2

#2 Travel to New York

#32

#32 Fly in a helicopter

I forgot I had this on my list, but it was completed while I was in Wainwright.

Not only did I get a sweet helicopter ride, but it was in a military Griffon. For details on the full experience, check out “Dam, that was fun" here.

13 down, 88 to go.

#100

#100 Be successful at something nobody thought I could do

This one is fairly straightforward, and my previous blog posts on my personal site explain it in detail: Spending two weeks on a military base in Wainwright, Alberta is something that nobody (including myself) thought I would ever do.

But I did it, and I’m so glad I did.

The experience was fantastic, I’ve met some amazing people and have learned lots about broadcasting. It was worth every penny, and I would sign up again in a heartbeat.

12 down, 89 to go.

#24

#24 Get paid for journalism

Working, writing, reporter or photographing for free isn't recommended by the professors teaching the various courses in my journalism program.

That concept is one of the two that us students are constantly reminded of: the other is that journalism isn't easy, whether it's getting interviews, working your way up the career-ladder or simply getting a job.

While the idea of working for pay seems obvious, the point is to work for either pay or work experience, and to make sure we gain something from the experience itself.

Technically I had been paid for journalism prior to this post, but it was also prior to the creation of this list, and therefore didn't count (no retroactivity here).

So today "officially" marks the day I get paid for journalism, because my contributor cheque from the Kwantlen Runner came in the mail.

It feels good to know that I am not only getting published but am getting money for doing so.

It's also a good thing that I am writing for the Runner for the experience of working for a paper: my cheque was for $5.

11 down, 90 to go.

#16

#16 Cook a turkey dinner meal

I love Thanksgiving. Partially because I love this time of year when the leaves change colour and it starts to get cold outside, and partially because I enjoy spending time with family.

But honestly, the main reason why I love Thanksgiving is because it's one of three times a year where I get to gorge myself on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Recently, I've taken it upon myself to improve my cooking skills. I've made a number of desserts and baked goods, and a few dinners here and there.

Yesterday, I decided to put my cooking to the test and make Thanksgiving dinner.

For dessert, I made a luscious four layer pumpkin cake, which was no piece of cake to make.

My relatives brought over the veggies, yams and potatoes: I took care of the cooking. I made candied yams, stuffing, gravy and of course, the turkey.

As a rule, I try to stay away from raw meat, mostly because the texture of which grosses me out, especially when it still takes the form of a bird.

But after popping a Gravol, and with my mom's guidance, I managed to overcome my squeamishness. And after a while, manhandling the turkey stopped bothering me.

The worst parts: removing the neck, stitching the bird closed (I kept stabbing myself) and lifting the turkey in and out of the oven (it was just over 17 pounds).

A little advice: for anyone else out there who gets a little woozy dealing with meaty foods, pretending you are a doctor can help take the edge off of the situation. You could also pretend to be a coroner, but that's a little morbid for me.

The dinner went off without a hitch (read nothing was burnt) and my dessert was a hit.

And the best part about Thanksgiving dinner is that there are always tons of leftovers for today, tomorrow and the rest of the week.

10 down, 91 to go.