It’s been a month since my last update (my bad), and this one won’t exactly follow my “normal” WTF pattern as yesterday was my birthday, and I’ve had a bit I’ve wanted to reflect upon. However, here is a quick breakdown of what’s gone on for the past month: I spent a week dog-sitting Skipper in Anacortes and hiking around Deception Pass, only to return to San Diego just in time for one of the rainiest weeks I’ve ever seen here. Then came our St. Patrick’s Day party, where we transformed the apartment into O’Haines Irish Pub, complete with green beer and custom steins. Then, the weather finally turned around, and I’ve been soaking up as much time outdoors as possible.
On top of that, I spent the past four weeks interviewing for a job and finally landed an offer! After six months of searching and applying, I don’t want to look at LinkedIn again for a very long time. Now I’ve got a week of freedom before I get back after it but this time on the employment side - woo!
Yesterday I turned 27, and for the past few weeks, I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it. Entering my late twenties, there’s a lot of social pressure around what’s considered “the norm” for this stage of life. Not that I’ve ever been one to conform to that, but it does feel like a shift into a new phase. Fortunately, after some reflection and a few thrilling life changes (looking at you, new job), I’m genuinely looking forward to what 27 has in store.
When I turned 26, I had months of plans lined up. It turned out to be an incredible year filled with some of the best adventures of my life. But unlike last year, I have absolutely nothing planned for 27. At first, it felt a bit daunting, but the more I look at it, the more exciting it gets. It’s like I’ve been staring at a blank canvas and finally I have an idea of what to paint. An empty schedule means endless possibilities, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
This past weekend was one of the best birthdays I’ve had in years. I spent it soaking up the sun, surrounded by incredible friends, and closing out Sunday night with a classic bowling celebration. Who doesn’t love a good bowl? (Had to go back to my roots after spending almost every childhood birthday at the lanes.) I received more birthday wishes than I could have ever hoped for and truly felt the love from everyone - it was wonderful. I also had plenty of time to reflect on everything this past year held, so in honor of that, here are 26 memorable moments (majority of them being amazing) that made my year so special:
Completed my first Half Ironman
Hosted a wild three-year lifeguard-themed party
Learned new woodworking skills
Knit two sweaters
Quit my first job
Hiked the Camino de Santiago
Visited 10 new countries
Traveled to a new state
Saw a lot of live music
Attended a wedding for one of my Semester at Sea friends
Sunburned my nose one too many times
Experienced the midnight sun for the first time (24 hours of daylight!)
Got to step inside the Love Island Villa
Came down with norovirus (unfortunate, but memorable)
Ran my first Turkey Trot (and PR’d my 5K)
Visited Catalina Island for the first time
Read 30 books
My body finally started tolerating gluten again
Ran my first Santa Run at Christmas
Applied to 200+ jobs
Got a new job!
Made a bunch of incredible new friends
Spent a lot of time with my family
Went to my first NFL game
Laughed until I cried more times than I can count
Grew and learned more about myself in ways I never imagined
On my birthday last year, my mom told me that 26 was going to be a great year and (she’ll love to hear this) she was right. So when she told me 27 would be even better, I think I have to believe her.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes now its time to tackle the next 365 days.
Here’s to 27!!! So glad you’ll be closer…so hoping we get to experience some outdoor adventures together. Carpe Diem!
OMG!!! I LOVE being right (which btw is most of the time), but Speen you recognize it!!!