Hey there, my name is Mary Lou or "Lou" to my friends. I was Born in California and grew up in NY.  @29  I felt like I was on top of the world. Doing exactly what I wanted to and loving it. Unfortunately, that all changed quickly.   Diagnosed with terminal cancer & no viable treatments, my life has changed dramatically.  Doctors say I have between 12-18 months.  Sometimes Life throws us a curve ball that we can’t control. But, what we can control is how we deal with it. So, I decided to face the inevitable head on knowing my days are numbered. "So sadly it seems, that it’s only when we get to this point in our lives that we come to realize how precious every day, every hour, every minute of our time is."

After graduating college with a masters in aeronautical engineering, I joined the Navy. After graduating OCS and becoming an officer, I then went on to flight school.  Flying has been one of my passions for as long as I can remember. One of my most proud accomplishments was graduating and becoming a jet fighter pilot. One of my biggest dreams was to become an astronaut.

       While in college I met Aldo. He was my roommate’s cousin, and we just clicked, a friendship we still maintain to this day. Without any real family, Aldo has always been there like a big brother. At his prodding, I have created my “bucket list” of things I still would like to do. He has also taken on the role as benefactor and is enabling me to accomplish my list. This is a gift I could never repay, TKS.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Mary Lou L.

I will update my bucket list as I can with descriptions of my experiences. I look forward to our comments & suggestions. God willing I will add more if possible.

My Bucket List

1) Go on 5th Ave or Rodeo dr a shopping spree

(Nov 15, 2011. while in Ca, i was whisked away and taken on a Rodeo dr shopping spree. I can't believe it. i spent more than 1 years pay. But, I'm worth. TKS)

2) Visit Oahu & Surf the Banzai Pipeline
(Nov 24,2011 Arrived @Oahu last night, Me and five friends. Al flew us here for the holiday. Got to surf the Banzai Pipeline. yes it was everything I had imagined. Even with my intermediate skills from the wext coast surfing, I held my own. Last nite, we went to a Luau @ Paradise Cove, another great experience. Going to Pearl Harbor today, 11.25.11 and check out the Arizona. Surfing again tomorrow, and then a day to relax. Need to be back in NYC by 11.30.11. Al has a surprise @ the tree lighting scheduled, can’t wait. P.S. the pups love it here on the beach)
3) Ride a hot air balloon

4) Take a trip on a sailboat

(Nov. 2 sailed to Catalina Island with friends and spent the weekend TKS Al for setting it up) 

5) See the aurora borealis
(Christmas Eve, flew to the west coast and then off to the Yukon’s. We stayed in a really nice lodge and took the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Each night we left the lodge and went over to the viewing areas and sat in heated tents, with coffee and cocoa and watched the artistry in the sky. On the day after Christmas, we went out on snowmobiles and traveled along the trails. Wow, great. Each night we returned to the sky watching. On the 27th, we went out on dog sleds, another great experience. )
6) Be a member in the audience of a TV show

7) Go horseback riding along the beach

(Nov. 6 Al flew us to Grand Cayman with friends, got to ride horses along the beach and swim with the stingrays. Wow. )

8) Sing karaoke.

9) Reach 250 followers on Twitter

10) Visit The San Diego Zoo

(Nov.14, 2011 , Had the opportunity TKS to Al to go to the premier for Twilight in Ca. while here in LA, I took advantage and the opportunity to go the San Diego Zoo. What a great time. As good as i thought it would be. Spent the whole day there)

11) Visit Universal Studios.
( Nov 11. While in Ca, traveled to LA from SD. Next stop Universal Studios. Had a great time, saw all the attractions. Went to Graumans Chines theater as well and saw the foot & hand prints of my favorite actors. Extended the trip even more by stopping in seattle for a day and seeing the Space Needle and the beautiful visions towards the mountains and water. Stopped at Pikes Fish Market and had the chance to see the "flying fish" . All in all, a realnice extended weekend.)

12) See the lighting of the tree & Ice skate at the Rockefeller Center
(Nov 30, Had a great dinner @ Nobu, then went to the lighting of the tree. had a great time. no skating tonight, but will this weekend. Met a few of the performing stars (T.B., C.K., N.D. & A. R.) and had the real VIP treatment. 12.02.11 Back to RC skating and having a blast. hot choclate by the fire, a great nite.)
13) Visit the Smithsonian

14) Go to a spa for a weekend & get a complete makeover

15) Do something completely crazy and out of character

16) Make a difference in at least one person's life
(12.05.11 a new acquaintance, MR, was kind enough to say that “ I have made a difference in her life by touching her heart and inspiring her with my journey.” I am speechless and very grateful, to have done this, as well as grateful for adding a new friend to my life.  These things I do in my journey are just an abbreviated, cross section of my life. I have always enjoyed life to the fullest and will continue enjoying life as long as I am able to, I don’t know the meaning of the word quit.  You guys help me in many ways just by allowing me a platform to express feelings and keep some normality in my life. So, it’s you guys that I thank with my heart.
17)Go to Mardi Gras

(Feb 2012, on our way back from Australia, Aldo surprised me by stopping in New Orleans. We stayed right on Bourbon St, and caught the last days of Mardi Gras. What a surprise.)   

18) Meet someone who sweeps me off my feet.

19) Learn to dance the Tango

20) Go whale-watching .
(Nov.19, 2011 went whale watching off the east coast in the Atlantic. what a day, photos to follow. Such beautiful creatures went with a couple friends and my new puppies. Spending the rest of the weekend on Marthas Vinyard. Again Al, TKS 4 everything
21) Go on a Hansom cab ride through Central Park

22) See The Radio City Music "Christmas Spectacular"
( 12.07.11 went to see the Rockettes @ Radio City Music Hall. What a great time. Aldo took me and my friends. First Dinner downtown and then orchestra seats for the show. Felt like a real tourist )
23) Go to a Christie’s or Sotheby’s auction

24) Go to a Broadway show

(Nov. 12 Al got me tickets for me a few friends to see Hugh Jackman “ Back on Broadway” Wow what a show.)

25) Dive the Great Barrier Reef
(Feb 2012 got the opportunity to go to Australia. Spent 10 days there. Traveled throughout the outback, as well as the cities. Dove the Great Barrier Reef. Wow , such clear water and colorful marine life.  Al, TKS 4 everything
26) Fly supersonic one last time in my F-18
(Flew to San Diego  on the 8th. Had Navy bussiness & was given the ultimate opportunity, to fly my bird for the last time. To fly one more time to the stars and heaven at mach 2 in my F-18,  Next day,So many mixed feelings. Both ecstasy & sorrow. Doing something I love, piloting a jet fighter, and knowing it's the last time that I'm ever going to again. While flying, I feel like and eagle soaring through the sky, & become one with the aircraft. Performing maneuvers that most pilots only dream of. Flying fast enough to break the sound barrier, and high enough to touch the stars. Yes, It's the greatest feeling in the world. And, yes, I was one of the lucky ones. While in San Diego, I happened to see the most spectacular sunrise and sunset. Hope heaven that pretty.)
 27) See “Penny and Leonard” get back together (new huge BBT fan)

All comments are welcomed