My Not-so-Bucket List

Though I consider myself pretty adventurous, I've realized that I have a list of things I've done once and have zero interest in doing again. I thought I would share these things and my experiences.

1. Raw horse.

I spent the summer of 2007 in Japan with my mom. I had just recently discovered the Travel Channel program "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" and just knew that anything he ate, I could eat, too. Japan was my chance to go Bizarre and I definitely took advantage of the interesting things this wonderful country has to offer. Most of my gastronomical adventures ended very well. A random water-milky looking drink with no English or pictures to clue someone what it could be? Creamsicle in a bottle. And don't even get me started on the kit-kats! Green tea, peach, red bean, red apple, tea, ... Every one a pleasure to my taste buds.

So, one night, a (insert glittery text) fabulous friend of my mom's took us out to a small, local place. He knew of my crave for the bizarre, and he pulled through. Skewers of little chicken hearts? Really chewy, but tasty nonetheless. Dishes of random Japanese treats that I don't remember, but excitedly gobbled up. However, everything came to a screeching halt when the plate of horse sashimi was placed on the table.

....You want me to eat what?

And I tried it, because Stubborn is my middle name, and I was determined to start my own show on the Travel Channel.

I've already given away what I thought of it, since it's in my list of "things I'll never do again," but, horse is definitely not palatable for this little lady. Especially not raw. The taste was indescribable... meaty, bloody, gross. Bleh. Luckily there were plenty of other yummy treats that followed this slimy piece of livestock I just swallowed.

2. Tattoos

This is a good one. So, at 16, I decided I was ready for a tattoo. My best friend & I found a place in our small Texas town that would give a tattoo to minors with parental consent. Perfect, right? She drew hers up, got her mom to consent, and ta da! She had a tattoo. My mom wasn't so easy to convince (thank you, mom!). I had the coolest moon & star design picked out for my ankle and how dare she not let me get it done? I got over it pretty quick, even though I think I do remember crying and being all angry at her.

So, there I was, finally almost 18 and have actually done some research and planning for my tattoo. I've been working with a legit Houston artist and my appointment is set! My birthday rolls around, and I'm so ready to get my first tattoo. How come nobody told me how bad this hurts? Gah, it's awful! Needles are ripping into my skin at super crazy speeds and this is supposed to be awesome? Psh. The outline is done, and I get up to look at it and probably complain a bit.

"Do you want to stop now and come back to finish it?" "To be honest, if I stopped now, I'd have an outline for the rest of my life. Let's just get it over with."

Three hours later, I have a tattoo. After he makes the final stab into my precious skin, the first words out of my mouth are "One and done." Everyone tells me that I'll change my mind. "You'll get addicted," they say. I laugh, because I know I'm only going to have one tattoo for the rest of my life.

3. Raw Oysters.

Maybe even all oysters, in general. They say it's an acquired taste, but dang, these things are foul. Not pleasing to any of my six senses. Ugly, smelly, slimy, and just plain revolting. If anyone has seen the movie Elf, you know the reaction he has to trying the fruit spray? I did that for like half an hour.

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Those were the ones I brainstormed. When I think of more or experience more, I'll add them!