And if I die before I graduate…

Junior Sophia Cooper

Help! I’m drowning!

Between junior year classes, extracurricular activities and sports, I honestly don’t know if I’ll survive to see the glorified summer ’09 come around. Just in case I don’t, I’ve made a bucket list of things I want to do before I die from over-stressing myself:

1. Throw myself out of a plane

AKA: skydiving.

Sure, you have to be 18 in order to do this legally, but I’ve always wanted to jump out the side of a plane and pray that a flimsy piece of cloth will catch me. Unfortunately, my mom doesn’t think this is the best use of my time. She thinks I should be studying for tomorrow’s SAT test instead. Maybe if I take the SAT prep book with me, she’ll consider skydiving worthwhile.

2. See an R-rated movie. Legally.

I know, it’s pathetic. The only R-rated movie I’ve ever seen is Sweeney Todd, and that was four days before my 17th birthday. Since nothing exciting happens when you turn 17, I might as well exercise my new ability to see movies that cuss more than PG-13 ones. First on my list: “Slumdog Millionaire.” With its eight Academy Awards, it seems like a good choice. Plus, I’ve heard that the actor’s pretty cute.

3. Sleep more than 6 hours on a weeknight

With AP tests coming up? Psh, dream on. I’ve found that recently I procrastinate more and more, spending my time on Facebook and reading Harry Potter for the bazillionth time instead of working. Then, I still have to do my homework and study for the impossible chemistry tests before I can allow myself to fall asleep.

4. Learn how to hula

And in order to learn how to hula authentically, I’ll have to go to Hawaii! Seeing as I’ve never been to the hallowed cluster of volcanic rock, it would be great to grab my sunscreen, bikini and grass skirt and hit the gorgeous white sand beaches. Spring break, anyone?

5. See a shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center

This is my nerd portion of the bucket list. After going to the Future Astronaut Training Program for five summers in a row, I have a serious interest in the space program. It’s always been my dream to become an astronaut, and even if I don’t survive high school to become one, I want to see the gorgeous white orbital in person.

If you know of any way to make my bucket list items actually plausible, please let me know. It not, I cordially invite all of you to my post-AP test celebration of life. It’ll be one heck of a party!