A Look Back at 27

My annual birthday blog post has arrived!

Since my last birthday, so much has happened - we settled into San Diego, I got a job, we did a little traveling, and oh yeah, we got engaged! Like always, I love taking this time, as I’m about to turn another year older, and look back at some of my favorite memories from the past 12 months.

Moved to San Diego

One of the biggest changes in this last year is that Andrew and I moved to San Diego. Last year, we officially moved a week before my 27th birthday, and it’s a great moment to reflect as I’m about to turn 28. Acclimating to Southern California hasn’t been 100% easy, but I am so grateful for the experience so far. Now, I have a job I’ve been at for almost 10 months and we just moved into a new apartment!

Back to Disneyland

This was one of the most exciting things! Two months after we moved, we booked a quick trip to Disneyland and it was so amazing to be back. Andrew and I spent a couple sunny June days at the Happiest Place on Earth, then returned again in December with my family!

We Got Engaged!

Let’s be honest, this was the best thing to happen in my 27th year. Andrew had planned a date night for us, and looking back, I probably should’ve had a suspicion but I really didn’t! He surprised me with a Venetian-style gondola ride in Coronado and at first, I was just marveling at all the boats and houses that we rode past. Then, out of nowhere, Andrew started talking and before I knew it, he was down on one knee in front of me (which was quite impressive, because we were in a gondola with not a whole lot of leg room). I’ll admit, I didn’t hear much of what Andrew said because I started crying immediately. Full on sobs of happy tears! I managed to muster out a “yes” and we finished up our ride with a song from our gondolier. We then went to Little Italy for a delicious dinner, the perfect end to an amazing evening.

Trip to Phoenix

For Labor Day weekend, Andrew and I drove from San Diego to Phoenix for a scorching hot few days. We visited the Desert Botanical Garden and sweated through all our clothes, and had a really nice dinner with my aunt and uncle. We also saw the Mariners play the Diamondbacks, and even ended up on TV! (Thanks Gramma for snagging that video of us)

Lots of Baking

I didn’t realize till I was putting this blog post together, that I really went crazy with baking this past year. I have found great joy in baking, and thoroughly enjoy trying new recipes and having people enjoy what I make. Some of my favorite recipes have been: Mini Apple Pies, Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites, and Rice Krispie Stars (plus many others that I haven’t shared on the blog).

Holidays in San Diego

This last year was the first time I spent any major holiday away from family. For Halloween, instead of doing my family’s annual pumpkin carving, we did it over Zoom. Also, Andrew and I decided to stay in San Diego for Thanksgiving, having our first Turkey Day just the two of us. We started the day watching the Macy parade (a favorite of mine) and had a scaled down dinner that evening for the two of us. While it was odd to not to be with our families, we made the most of the holiday.

Ran a Half Marathon

Towards the end of 2021, Andrew and I signed up for the San Diego Half Marathon and started training in December. It was unlike any goal I had ever set for myself, and definitely the furthest distance I had ever contemplated running. The two of us did a good job of sticking to our training schedule, and at the end of March, it was finally time for the half marathon! Overall, I felt pretty good throughout the race and throughout the last mile, I could feel myself getting emotional. Once I crossed that finish line, I couldn’t help but cry and be amazed by this feat we had just accomplished! I’m happy to say that we both finished under two and a half hours, our fastest time to date.

I have to say, I’m looking forward to 28. While the idea of time flying by and getting older does feel very daunting, I feel like every year I become a little more sure of myself and who I’m becoming. I’m growing, I’m learning, I’m maturing. I strive to fill my life with memories and moments that bring me happiness, as well as surround myself with people who are kind, supportive, and inspiring. 27 brought that to me, and I can’t wait to see what 28 has to offer.