A Look Back at 24

It’s my birthday and I’ll blog if I want to! Well, technically tomorrow is my birthday and I will be turning the big 2-5! I don’t know how this last year flew by so fast, but it did and one of my favorite ways to step into a new year is to reflect back on the last one. So here we go!

I Learned to Love Camping

I’ll be the first to admit, camping was not my jam for most of my life. I’m not a fan of dirt, I like toilets that include full plumbing, and comfort is the name of my game. But Andrew and I took a few camping trips over the last year that I really, truly enjoyed. It’s nice to disconnect a little bit and try new experiences.

I Went to So Many Mariner Games

This last year was full of baseball games! The Mariners may not have made it to the playoffs, but that didn’t diminish all the fun I had at Safeco Field last year (RIP Safeco).

I Chopped My Hair Off

I don’t mix my hair style up too much. I like it long, I like it layered, and I like it manageable. I decided this last year that it was time for a little change, so I chopped my hair off! I’m already planning when to do it again.

I Went to Boston

The perks of having friends who live across the country is that you can go visit them! Andrew and I visited our friends Pete and Shannon in Boston last fall and had a great time (except for when I got sick on the entire flight home…good times). We went to a Red Sox game at Fenway, ate cannoli’s in Little Italy, sweated through our clothes wandering around town, and dominated at Boda Borg (look it up, you won’t be disappointed).

I Moved Out

I moved into my own apartment this last year! I was excited to start this new chapter and step into my own as an adult.

I Walked Across a Bridge

Last December, Andrew and I took a weekend trip up to Vancouver B.C. and visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge. I am not a huge fan of bridges, so the fact that I walked across it (and many other smaller ones that day) with no panic attacks was a real accomplishment. The entire park was decked out in Christmas lights and it was absolutely beautiful. I hope we’re able to make it back again someday.

I Celebrated Love

I went to a wedding, attended an engagement party, and celebrated one year with Andrew!

I Cried During Dear Evan Hansen

I am a huge fan of Ben Platt and the show Dear Evan Hansen, and I was so happy to have gotten tickets when the show came to Seattle. Minus a rescheduled show, the whole thing blew my mind. I cried multiple times and quietly lip synced along through all the numbers.

I Ran Really Far

Earlier this year, my mom and I signed up for the Tunnel to Viaduct 8k in Seattle. Neither one of us had ever ran the distance of an 8k before, but we wanted to see the Viaduct one last time and thought it would be a fun, cool opportunity. And we were right! Our legs were jello after we finished, but we did finish, and that’s what matters. We also completed in just over an hour and for two people who had never ran that distance before, that’s pretty good in my book!

I Stayed in a Treehouse

I surprised Andrew with a weekend stay at TreeHouse Point as an early birthday present this spring. It was a relaxing, peaceful getaway that was too wonderful for words. The staff at TreeHouse Point made the whole stay effortless and memorable, and if you’re ever in the Issaquah area, go check it out!

I Gained a Better Grasp of Who I Am

I’ve been lucky to have had years of self-reflection, therapy, and big life moments, changes, and experiences under my belt that have allowed me many opportunities to grapple with the question: who am I? People go their whole lives with this question on their shoulders and some figure it out, some don’t. I’ve reached a point in life where I’ve made great progress to be comfortable with who I am and I have a sense of direction (and hopes) of where I’m going in life. I’ll credit that to the support system I’ve surrounded myself with, the opportunities I have had and hope to have, and serious self-reflection within myself. It’s nice going into this next year feeling good and feeling like I have a better head on my shoulders.

This last trip around the sun was one for the books. I got to embark on so many fun adventures and embrace new opportunities with a great group of people around me. 24 will go down as a great year in my life, but I’m excited for what 25 has in store for me!