30 things I've done

Hello friends! This is the first attempt I've ever had at starting a blog. I've been doing a lot of running lately, and it seems like every time I'm on a long run, I think to myself "I really want to start a blog." And I come up with all these "brilliant" ideas about interesting things I can write about. Once the adrenaline and runner's high wears off, the ideas seem a lot less brilliant, which is why I haven't actually started the blog, until now. I don't expect my writing to be polished, super creative, or maybe even interesting. It's mostly just a chronicle of my life and thoughts that I'd like to share with whoever might be inclined to read them.

I'm turning 29 next week, and recently I came up with a list of 30 of the most significant things that I've done so far (since graduating from high school 10 years ago). It was a little hard to pare it down to just 30, but it was a good exercise in remembering some of the significant events in my life and how they have shaped me. In creating this list, I did a lot of thinking about where I am now compared to 10 years ago, and how far I've come in that time. I really feel like my late 20s have been "The best years", which is the namesake of the blog. I am happier and healthier now than I think I ever have been in my life. Although it's easy (especially around a birthday, as I lament getting older and wonder where all the time has gone) to think that all the best times are behind me, I also remember that there is a lot of life yet to be had and a lot of great things coming up. That's why I am also working on a list of 30 more things I'd like to do before I turn 30 (stay tuned!).

30 before 30 - the Past 10 years:

1. Graduated from high school #4 in my class, and gave the commencement address

2. Started college at Luther

3. Joined a sorority, XOP

4. Served as pledge mistress of XOP

5. Studied Abroad in South Africa

6. Conquered heartbreak

7. Discovered the freedom of breaking out of an unhealthy relationship

8. Worked at WAPO – a childhood dream

9.Became part of Psy Chi and Phi Beta Kappa (honor societies)

10. Conquered an even worse heartbreak

11. Studied abroad in Greece and Turkey

12. Graduated from Luther with highest honors (Summa Cum Laude)

13. Moved to Minneapolis

14. Began graduate school at the U of M

15. Went to Hawaii with friends from graduate school

16. Was both a tutor and nanny at College Nannies and Tutors

17. Met the love of my life

18. Went to Duluth/North Shore and got engaged

19. Completed an internship at Augsburg College

20. Graduated from graduate school

21. Had a beautiful wedding

22. Honeymooned in Jamaica

23.Began my first real job, as an academic advisor at Walden

24. Supported my husband through a life-threatening illness

25. Took a vacation to LA

26. Bought a house

27. Started a new job at Walden as Coordinator of Field Experiences

28. Took a vacation to Dominican Republic

29. Took a vacation to Mexico

30. Took a girls’ trip to Vegas with friends