27

Today, at 10:52 PM, I officially turn 27!

It has been a great birthday. I spent the weekend in Charlottesville at my UVA 5 year reunion with WONDERFUL friends from college. It was almost perfect (besides not being the nicest/most coherent person at 2 AM), and I got my fair share of UVA and Charlottesville-ness in terms of food, drinks, bars, friends and sites! I am already looking forward to my 10 year reunion! I think this will easily top any of my high school reunions- UVA knows how to do it right and it is much more fun to re-live college than re-live high school. I certainly felt like no time had passed and was back in my element.

To cap off a great weekend, I also got to spend today, not only celebrating myself with coworkers, friends, family and even MORE food, but the MBK class of 2013! It is always nice to see my seniors graduate, and this class was special since it was my FIRST group of students on my caseload when I started three years ago.

I figured it would be nice to document my feelings about turning 27, but the truth is that I am not feeling much of anything this birthday in terms of "oh my god I am getting old" or "this year will absolutely rock!" (a la turning 21). I am very content in my life currently and am excited for a lot of things that are coming up, so I think 27 will be a good year for me. Age is all about how you feel and not the actual age you are. I probably feel better at 27 than I did at 22 or 24...and definitely better than I ever did in my teens (those just weren't my best years).

So on this day, June 10, 2013, I wish myself another year of growth, fun, happiness, letting loose, and overcoming some challenges! I also hope to cross a few more items off my bucket list (I exed off 7 of 53 this year)! I guess I am not in my upper-twenties anymore, so I gotta make the last few years of the decade even better than the first!

Love to all my amazing friends and family! You all make going through this crazy life worth it!:)

Prom 2k13

Meadowbrook High School has it's annual prom last night at The Jefferson Hotel. There is a group of teachers that have made it a tradition to get dinner before prom and then head out for some drinks following the dance. It was so much fun, with our very own faculty prom king and queen and a great poem:) 

 

Office neighbors!

The other half of the table

Ernie the English teacher reciting a great poem

My former office neighbor!

Counselor, Teacher, Office Secretary

The men with their fearless leader

Ladies take 1

Ladies take 2 with lots of laughing

Yearly counselor photo!

Love my team:)

Who knew I would be going to so many proms after my own two during high school?

20's

I complain a lot about being a twenty something. This whole decade to me has been a big ball of uncertainty and the unknown. Well, I hate not knowing what is coming- it gives me anxiety and leaves me confused. I yearn for yet fear certain things, so I am always thinking I want what I don't have. I know that is not the way to live. But I came across a great article the other day that highlights what I should remember and take from this time in my life:

This is what I say to all those twentysomething naysayers: I want to remember the fear, I want to remember the promise, I want to remember the nights I wanted to curl up in a ball, I want to remember the people I’m not supposed to remember, I want to remember not knowing myself, I want to remember the moment I started to feel safe and like this life I’m leading is really mine. I’m going to be scared, I’m going to bruise my knees and not know how they got there, I’m going to try to fruitlessly forge a connection with someone who won’t ever get it, I’m going to lose the person that means the most to me and find my way back to them. I’m going to be a twentysomething because that’s what I am and all I know how to be.  And you should too. You should love every single moment of this hot mess of a decade. Chances are you’ll miss it before you even get to say “I’m 30.”

If only my head and my heart would follow suit!

 

Changin'

 

It seems to me that the more we change...

...and grow...

...the more we stay the same...

...and keep on staying...

... I guess part of who we are is innate from birth.

You know you're getting older when...

...you want this

instead of this

But to be fair, I don't always make that choice. It's just becoming more common. What is happening to my sweet tooth?! Damn you Starbucks Iced Coffee w/ Soy Milk and Truvia (a great Vegan treat)!