by 
John Goddard is most known for his amazing Life List of accomplishments. At the age of fifteen John Goddard listed 127 goals he wished to experience or achieve in his lifetime. A generation later, he has accomplished 109 of these quests, and has logged an impressive list of records in achieving them.
I’ve been compiling my “Life List” for the past weeks. It’s still not fully completed yet but I’m sure there’s more to add on at different stages of my life. I hope i will be able to check off at least 3 items from the list in 2007. I have also added things that i have already accomplished before coming up with this life list. Events which i think are highlights that have shaped my life tremendously.
My Life List (17 out of 98 so far…)
EXPLORE
1 North & South Islands of NEW ZEALAND 
( Feb-Mar 2005 ) ( will be back again soon )
2 Sarawak, BORNEO ( Feb 2006 )
3 Sabah, BORNEO ( Apr 2006 and July 2006 ) (July 2007) ( will be back again soon )
4 Chengdu-Jiu Zhi Gou-Huanglong-Wolong, CHINA ( Nov-Dec 2006 ) ( will be back to other parts of China )
5. Kalimantan, BORNEO
6. Brunei, BORNEO
7 Shiga Heights, Nagano, JAPAN ( Feb-Mar 2008 ) ( will be back again soon )
8 Snowscape in Hokkaido, JAPAN ( Feb-Mar 2008 ) ( will be back again soon )
9 Alaska Temperate Rainforest
10 Amazon Rainforest
11 Micronesian Islands & Atolls in the Pacific Ocean
12 Cook Islands
13 Fiji
14 Galapagos Islands
15 Madagascar
16 Greenland
17 Antarctica
18 Arctic
19 South Africa, driving a Land Rover
20 Great Barrier Reef, Australia
21 Caribbean islands
22 Outer Space
23 New Guinea
24 Taiwan ( Apr 2009 )
25 The Socotra Island, Yemen
26 Bolivian Salt Lake (The Salar de Uyuni)
27 Iceland
28 Christmas Island
29 Stewart Island, New Zealand
PHOTOGRAPH
1 Bornean Pygmy Elephant Herd ( Apr 2006 and July 2006 and July 2007) ( will be back again soon )
2 Giant Panda cubs ( Dec 2006 )
3 Fireflies at night along Kinabatangan River ( tried but failed in July 2007 )
4 Steller’s Sea Eagle in flight with catch ( Feb-Mar 2008 )
5 Snow Monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter in Shiga Heights ( Feb-Mar 2008 )
6 Red-crowned Cranes courtship dance ritual in winter in Hokkaido ( Feb-Mar 2008 )
7 Nocturnal creatures of Borneo
8 Orangutan with baby in the wild
9 All the Kingfishers of the world ( holds 4 out of 90 species so far )
10 Grizzly Bear with cubs / Grizzly Bear hunting salmons
11 Komodo Dragons
12 All the interesting types of lizards in Madagascar
13 The oldest Tortoise on Galapagos island
14 Northern Lights, Southern Lights
15 The midnight sun phenomenon at the North and South of poles
16 Star trails above the Great Pyramid of Giza or other famous sites
17 Wolf, Coyote, Bison in Winter at Yellowstone National Park
18 Photograph 1000 different species of birds in the wild ( currently at 74 as of 13th APr 2008. Added 2 species of ducks, 3 species of gulls, White-tailed Eagle, Steller’s Sea Eagle, Black Kite, Whooper Swan, Red-Crowned Crane from Japan )
19 Astro-Photography
20 All the 42 species of Birds of Paradise of the world
21 Migration of the Purple Milkweed Butterfly in Taiwan ( Apr 2009 ) (butterflies migrating that year was record low, didn’t manage to photograph in large numbers )
22. Migration of the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico or California
23. Do time-lapse photography or videography
VISIT
1 Backpack around Europe
2 New York, New York!
3 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
( one of the astronomer sent me a mail package full of NASA and Ames stickers and old copies of astronomy magazines when i was 11. i was writing to her and asking her loads of questions about the origin of the universe theory 
still have that package with me. Always excited to see the sender’s address, hehe)
4 Launch Pad at Kennedy Space Center and witness a rocket blast off into space
5 Desert anywhere in the world
6 Beaches of Hawaii
7 Krabi, Lombok, Bali etc…. islands with nice beaches
LEARN
1 Scuba-Dive
2 Para-Glide
3 Sky-Dive
4 Driving
5 Drums
ACCOMPLISH
1 Work from Home ( current, since Apr 2006 )
2 Own two or more companies ( C.S.Ling Photography, Techsailor Group, May 2007 )
3 Expedition with National Geographic
4 Publish an article in National Geographic Magazine
5 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year ( I’m really hoping for this year…. A few of my images got in to semi-finals in Year 2008 but didn’t make it to the finals)
6 Own a 600mm telephoto lens and have the strength to carry it
7 Publish a photography book
8. Have my own photo exhibition ( Wild Moments, 6th - 23rd Nov 2008 )
9 Publish a fiction fairy-tale book
10 Been to all seven continents
11 Hug an Orang-utan, Panda, Cheetah, Blue whale… i gotta hug all my favourite animals…
12 Always photograph human, culture, monuments shots on each trip. At least 25% of total photos taken.
13 Compose a song, and be the singer, piano, guitar, drummer etc of that song
14 Dance and sing around the fire with an African tribe
15 Make news headline for something good of course
16 Conduct travel/photography courses
17 Backpacking with my friends anywhere in the world
18 Sponsor my parents, little aunt, 2nd aunt etc on a vacation together
19 Get married
20 Have children and teach them all the great things in the world
21 Have a farm
22 Visit the Moon
23 Look at Earth from outer space
24 Whale-Watching in Alaska, Africa, etc…
25 Swim with wild dolphins
26 Have a huge outdoor photo exhibition along Orchard Road
27 Photos to be on more than a dozen of books and magazine covers ( Currently 2 covers, Asian Geographic Dec 2008, Nikon Focus July 2008 )
28 Get an Electone, STAGEA and learn to play Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
LIVE A FEW YEARS IN
1 Canada
2 New York, New York!
3 New Zealand
4 A countryside somewhere in England… somewhere like Lake District
5 Sailing on a ship
6 On an RV
March 4th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
This is really interesting. I started writing a “life list” on my own (in my blog), but found it difficult to be this specific. However, the difference of people’s life lists probably shows people are different…
March 4th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Cool…. think whichever way feels better for you. Not all life list have to be this specific, i guess i’m just a very “atention-to-details” person, haha…
May 1st, 2007 at 8:59 pm
[…] be able to travel to Africa and see the Northern Lights at the North of poles are both on my “Life List” of things to do in this lifetime. So far i have acomplished 7 out of 82. Let’s hope i can […]
September 11th, 2007 at 7:42 am
After # 18, your list will change and slow down. Better make children last on your list.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Beautiful! One of the cutest portfolios i’ve ever seen! And wow, what a post. I am impressed! I am a web/graphic designer & 2D/3D animator as well. But i never had such a list i guess. I wish to see all the list items ticked very soon !
Cheers!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:47 am
thank you Ron!:)
February 15th, 2008 at 12:40 am
You’re welcome. your life-list always brings me back to your blog
. Its very cute!!!!!!!!!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:46 am
[…] Looks like more destinations to be added and more missions to accomplished in my Life List […]
September 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Thank you for sharing your life list. I find it very interesting. As I am a recent survivor of colorectal cancer I have taken up photography (D700, etc.) and think of my own life list. You made me focus on some places to add to my list. As for your places to live, my family comes from London Ontario which is off Georgian Bay Canada, a wonderful spit of water and land north of Toronto. Cold and it is a great migratory bird spot. Look for the old farmhouses covered in snow with tunnels to the barn to feed the cows. I recommend it.
I lived a few years in Surrey England (outside of London) and it was a picture worth taking around every corner. Much better than the lakes district if you look for the old iron forts, etc.
New York, well i worked in NY for 10 years and commuted from Princeton NJ (about 70 miles south of NY). Wow! NY is NY. Lots to do and lots of pictures to take especially if you want to add some human animals to your portfolio.
As for sailing, I raced Star boats which is one of the Olympic class, although i was not at that level. Try to get to Newport Rhoad Island (a 3 hour drive north of NY city) and check out some of the weekend regattas. I was on the cover of Sailing magazine in a black and white that was wonderfully done by a pro. It is on my wall forever.
Never will be in an RV but New Zealand is on my life list now that I think of it.
Best wishes for your continued success.
regards
John
September 13th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Thank you, John. Your comment is inspiring! Now i have more things to add to my list!
I’m glad my list have helped yours. D700 is a fantastic camera, can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I have dreamt of going Canada since forever… it’s such a perfect place for wildlife. Not only birds but also the land’s largest carnivore, the polar bear. Mother and cubs… every wildlife photographer’s dream.
I seldom take human photos anymore, i don’t even take much photo of myself while I’m traveling overseas. Something which i kinda regretted.
Racing Star boats sounds exciting! I’ve only been to dragon boat regattas here in Singapore. Wow, gracing on the cover of a magazine must have been an amazing moment
Thank you and all the best to you too!
September 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
[…] towards the end of this year, another goal will be checked off my Life List! My very first solo-exhibition, Wild Moments, will be held at2902 Gallery from 6th - 23rd Nov 2008, […]
October 28th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hey Ling
awesome awesome stuff. u r a woman of vision. i am humbled by what i am seeing and am inspired
Kim Pong
October 29th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Hey Ling.
Just saw that you would like to come to Mexico and see the Monarch Butterfly migration. Well, you better come next year or maybe you won’t be able to see it at all. The landowners, illegal loggers and “mysterious” wildfires at Michoacan (where the butterflies spend the winter) have threaten to destroy these incredible insects.
I remember when I was younger, you could see the butterflies fly over my hometown for weeks. These year I saw the for only two days… and there weren’t that many.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Thank you Kimpong and Hector
Hector : thanks very much for letting me know about the situation of the Monarch in Mexico. My heart really dropped when i saw this. I may not be able to head to Mexico sooner than next year, but i will be in California end of this year where the Monarch are as well. Probably not as spectacular as the ones in Mexico but i do hope i will be able to see them.
It’s a race against time for the vanishing wildlife and landscape. I really wish i could go sooner… if not for the lack of funds.
I really do pray the situation of the wildfires gets better…
November 10th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
werent you from dmd?
anyway..your photos are awesome and inspiring. I still remember you posting your very first photos on CS. way to go, lingnightsky. 
November 10th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Hi Norza! wow, thanks for remembering! That’s so many years ago! I still remember you too
November 30th, 2008 at 2:11 am
[…] View Video here. It was truly a memorable night. To have my dream come true ( another check off my Life List), sharing my work with people, having support from friends and family and reading the wonderful […]
November 30th, 2008 at 2:20 am
[…] the next exhibition… ( Life List : Have a huge outdoor photo exhibition along Orchard Road. ) Goodbye Wild […]
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Great Life List!! John Goddard is truly a Legend for Life Listers! His Life List is on the wall at the Adventurers Club of LA and I’m so excited to be speaking there in February.
Bill Starr, CEO My Life List
www.mylifelist.org
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:01 am
Hi Bill, All the best for your speech! Great job on mylifelist.org!
January 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Woah…
I can really go like “woah…”
): So envy.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:47 am
wow, came across ur list in travelcafe… its so inspiring.
er.. saw that you want to photo the southern lights, just out of curiosity as I was also trying to find out.
do you know which part of australia or new zealand that we are able to see the southern lights?
January 11th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
eddy: Winter months are the best time to view Southern Lights. there has been reports of Southern Lights in Tasmania, Canberra, Kangaroo Island…
As for New Zealand, Steward Island would be one of the best place to see Southern Lights. Steward Island is know by the locals as Rakiura = The Land of Glowing Skies. Other places in NZ includes Invercargill and Queenstown.
You should probably check out if there’s strong solar activity for the year before planning a trip to see Southern Lights. http://www.spaceweather.com/
Good Luck!
January 11th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
hey! i truly admire your achievements!
btw do you travel and photograph alone?
because if you’re looking for a travel mate, i am too!
(i love photography too)
January 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
[…] View my full Life List here […]
January 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
hi Mel! I’m always looking for fellow photographer and travel mate! I’m going Taiwan this April. If you are interested to join, email me at ling@cslingphotography.com
May 19th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hi Ling,
Just like to say, you’re living my dream and doing it like a pro! Very inspiring!
All the best to you and because of you, I’ll start my bucket list too!
All the best!
May 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hi Wai Hong,
thanks! Looking forward to see your list up soon~
Ling
July 8th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Hi CS Ling, you are one lucky ‘devil’; at this age you have achieved so much, while the rest are just kuck starting their career.
Just happened to venture onto your site (2nd time you are looking for partners to travel, the last was to Taiwan); and I have not read all of your articles yet. Very interesting and you are indeed very talented.
Noted too that you got to be born within richness.
Opportunity arises, I will follow you on your next trip. Cheers!
July 8th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hi Cactus400D!
Hope you can join on the next trip next time!
hehe, truth to be told, i’m not born within riches. After every trip ( or everything spending on equipments ) my bank account dips dangerously low. All the things i did i earn $ with my hard work. I believe that if one works hard enough, one will get “lucky”.
Most of my trips i planned it myself so it’s always within a tight budget and timeline… well, except the Japan trip, it’s an expensive country to travel in. haha…
October 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hi Ling!
I’ve been here a few times and I’m greatly inspired by the things you have achieved, and going to achieve. I really admire how successful you are in photography! I keep wondering how people manage to do that while so many of us are still down the well, probing in the dark :p
I’m also going to start my own life list, thanks to you!
I love budget travel, backpacking and such, and have done that travelling to many prefectures in Japan, all on a very, very low budget! It’s true that Japan is an expensive country to travel in, but if you have the time (not money) to spare, there’s always some ways around that
If you don’t mind, drop me a message the next time you’re going, and I might be able to share some experiences =)
October 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Hi gnohz,
It’s great you are starting your own Life List! Can’t wait to see it!
Thanks for the trips on traveling Japan on low budget!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
All thanks to your inspiration! It has 58 items at the moment and growing! It’s going to take some time but I’ll let you know when it’s completed!
Somehow I think it’ll continue to grow even after I’ve “finished” it…
November 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I think #6 under “Accomplish” will be your biggest challenge! On the other hand, if you can buy the 600mm f/4, you can probably well afford to hire someone to carry it for you!
Having previously lived in Hawaii for many years, I predict that your list will expand considerably when you visit there.
Your work is absolutely stunning and your goals portend a brilliant future!
February 18th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Hi - My parents visited your photo-exhibition at a shopping centre - central or centro - in orchard road. Are you still there? I would like to check it out and be inspired too. so..is it central or centro or some other shopping centre?
Thanks!
Soon Ju