A Look Back at 26

Another year around the sun! Last year I was thinking that I would only have to spend one birthday in a pandemic, but here we are, still dealing with COVID, just now with vaccines. So I guess that’s something positive that happened during my 26th year!

In all seriousness, this last year was filled with many moments that brought me joy. Lots of moving, some safe traveling, and more! To celebrate 26, here’s my annual birthday post where I highlight happy moments over the past year!

I finished my certification program

In the spring, I completed my certification in digital marketing from the University of Washington! I enhanced my skills and furthered my knowledge that I was then able to implement at my job.

We moved out of our apartment

Last June, our lease was up and we were ready to move out of our apartment. We had spent months suffering listening to our next-door neighbors having band practice for hours on end, so this smile you see above is pure happiness!

I celebrated my childhood best friend’s wedding

I was so happy to be able to celebrate my childhood best friend’s wedding last summer. She had to cut down the guest list excessively because of COVID, but thankfully the ceremony was still able to take place safely outside.

Andrew and I road tripped to national parks

I was so excited to embark on a national parks road trip at the end of the summer! We drove to and camped at Zion National Park and Arches National Park in Utah, then Redwood National Park in California. It was an amazing trip and I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of these parks.

We celebrated three years together

Last December, Andrew and I celebrated three years together! We took a weekend trip up to Bellingham, booked the cutest little Airbnb, and spent some quality time together. And since it was around the holidays, we took in some Christmas time activities, such as a boat parade full of festive lights.

I got published

I had the wonderful opportunity to be published by Seattle Refined: featuring the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall and highlighting Cafe Allegro, Seattle’s oldest espresso bar. As a writer, these were such big moments for me and I’m hoping to continue my work and getting my name and writing out there.

We moved to San Diego!

We’ve been San Diego residents for less than two weeks now! In early March, Andrew was offered a job with the City of San Diego and we decided to make the leap and move somewhere new! We’ve been thinking about relocating for awhile now, and the sunny climate was definitely a plus. We’re still getting adjusted and unpacking our boxes, but we can’t wait to get acclimated and making SoCal our home!

I got vaccinated

I have been waiting for this moment and was so excited when I was able to finally get my COVID-19 vaccine! I found a location here in San Diego that was allowing walk-ups and did not require an appointment. I showed up before doors opened and was able to get in and get out fairly quickly. One step closer to feeling safer and hopefully putting an end to this pandemic.

I’m feeling good about what 27 has in store for me! I never thought that I’d celebrate my 26th AND 27th birthdays during a pandemic, but I can say that there have moments of joy, happiness, and growth in this last year of my life. Here’s to another year around the sun!