They Say it's my Birthday

Today is my 29th birthday, and although I think I reached a point several birthdays ago where turning a year older wasn't necessarily a thing to celebrate, I'd have to say that this birthday in particular is the one I've been trying to stave off more than any other. There is nothing even remotely redeeming about turning 29; it doesn't come with special privileges, and there isn't even a "turning 29" section in the birthday section at Hallmark. It's totally forgettable, and the only purpose it serves it to remind me that I'm inching ever closer toward death.

I guess I'm scared more than anything, not of getting old, necessarily, but of what could possibly happen to me in this 29th year. I honestly thought my life couldn't get any more hectic than when I was 27, and then I turned 28 and all HELL broke loose: I met the man of my dreams, found out he wasn't the man of my dreams, lost my job, and got a dog, etc., etc.. You could say I'm a bit fatigued.

29 things I learned this year

1. Not to sweat the small stuff. I already knew this, but this year it was certainly put to the test

2. As each day goes by I’m becoming increasingly more comfortable with who I am; don’t know where or if there is a finish line though

3. There’s a big girl inside of me and when she wants food, I listen. I’m scared of big girls!

4. When I apply myself and give my very best effort, I can do anything (further application necessary)

5. I’m at the very beginning of my adult life and I have a lot more to experience

6. I need to learn more about money; From getting it, managing, growing it and keeping it. Nothing worse than funny money

7. Some things that used to matter to me, don’t any more

8. Life is a journey

9. Blogging has become more than a hobby, it’s my way of life

10. I still haven’t outgrown wanting to be childish

11. Michael Jackson meant more than I realized

12. People will be exactly who they are and you have to accept it and keep it moving

13. Rome wasn’t built in a day and nothing happens in a vacuum. Patience is a virtue I need to work on fine-tuning

14. Comfort food is my friend even when I don’t need comforting

15. Me + Too many drinks = Verbal Diarrhea

16. Some of the coolest and most talented people I’ve “met” are from the internet

17. Art is my therapy… take your problems out on the crayons

18. I am what I am and thats all that I am. I can be no more, I can be no less

19. I need to be more charitable. It’s good for the soul

20. Asking for help isn’t always a sign of weakness, sometimes it’s a sign of maturity

21. As much I love me some good gossip, I really could care less what celebrities are doing

22. Sometimes things really aren’t meant to be

23. I’ll take a boring night at home with the Toby to a boring night out any day

24. Girl’s Nights Out=Debauchery!

25. I’ll never outgrow playing dress up

26. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the questions to ask to get them

27. A cuddle with a puppy can erase a full day of ills.

28. Things, people, situations aren't always what they seem to be.

29. It's not what you have in life, it's what you give.

30 things to do before I turn 30 (or 35 lol)

1. Cook through one or more of my cookbooks.

2. Start taking the college classes that I keep saying I'm going to take.

3. Once a month, go on a day trip. Just hop on a bus and get away if only for a few hours.

4. Purge my wardrobe for charity and re-build it from scratch.

5. Give more than I take.

6. Learn more about being healthy and apply it to my life.

7. Build my nest-egg.

8. Try the food I've always wanted to but have been afraid to.

9. Find a job that I know I am good at and be good at it.

10. Start learning German.

11. Spend more time with my friends and get to know them better.

12. Finally get around to decorating my apartment.

13. Brainstorm ideas for the book I dream of one day writing.

14. Get my fishing license and spend some time fishing.

15. Spend more time with my family.

16. Get another tattoo.

17. Treat myself to spa day.

18. Spend a weekend at the ocean.

19. Perfect my “look”.

20. Go on a road trip that lasts at least a week.

21. Go to Victoria BC at Christmas and see the Nutcracker.

22. Get my car fixed up.

23. Raise my credit score.

24. Take an art class.

25. Pay off my medical bills/credit card.

26. Exercise more and lose 10 pounds.

27. Write my pen pal regularly and maybe get another.

28. Go at least one place I've never been.

29. Get organized and keep it up.

30. Enjoy every day.

These lists really stretched my brain, but in making them I realize I must begin anew each day. Apply what I've learned over the years and try something new each and every day. As I sit here, enjoying my cup of coffee, I will take a moment to turn my birthday blues into a celebration of the new year and the new start to come.

better get started...