# 3: ---> "Alex, what are your hopes and dreams?"

This was a question posed by a friend when a group of us ventured out to Newport last weekend. Across a rectangular wooden dinner table filled with oysters, ribs, gluten-free pizza, beverages, and deliciously smelling bread, I found myself lost for words. After a few laughs, I composed a nice, neat little answer; but, in some ways, it was not a true reflection of me. I've realized that this is a loaded question that cannot be answered in a neat little bow. My apologizes go out to my friends who eagerly sat waiting and listening for my response. Upon further reflection, here is my list that will probably keep on growing, but hopefully provides you with a better view of who I am. So, I give to you, loyal readers: my hopes and dreams list!

Alexandra's Hopes & Dreams (in no particular order)

• Visit the specific countries of my ancestors and grandparents, including Italy, Ireland, and Europe. 
• Meet my friend (in person and for the first time) who lives in Jamaica that I have been writing to since freshmen year of high school.
• Get a full-time teaching job.
• Have my own place.
• Have a boyfriend who cares about me and likes me for who I am. Then, we can talk about marriage. (:
• Publish a book of my own poetry.
• Attend a writing conference.
• Go hiking.
• Go horseback riding on a beach.
• Milk a cow.
• Raise my own children.
• Adopt a child or two.
• Go on an African safari. 
• Travel overseas.  
• Return to one of my first loves - dance (and open my own dance studio - or work at one.)
• Work at an orphanage. 
• Plant my own garden and harvest my own vegetables. 
• Go on a glass bottom boat tour. 
• Go para sailing. 
• Spend a night on a sailboat.
• Run a 5k.
• Go to New York City.
• Visit Mt. Rushmore.
• Stand in the "four states at once" on the western part of the United States.
• Travel by car across country. 
• Make a piece of clothing by hand.
• Visit all of the places where the things that I rely on daily, are made. For example, travel to the country(ies) that make my clothes.
• Go on a Ferris Wheel. again. 
• Go on a carousel. again.
• Get married on the beach. Or, have some aspect of my wedding on the water.
• Tell kids about the love of Jesus.