Turning 3-1

It's hard to believe that a year has past since I started this blog- it amazes me just how quickly time does fly- but also how much can change in the span of a year. I celebrated my 31st in high style- living it up in the land down under.  I could not have asked for a more amazing way to celebrate yet another year.

Despite struggling a tad with yet another number turn ( for some reason it was harder to write the numbers 3 and 1 than it was writing 3 and zero -- it's like it made it official or something) I was out and about adventuring and soaking in as much as  I could  in Australia.

I went sand boarding, snorkeling and even tried surfing. I hugged Koalas and lounged with Kangaroos.  I saw things I'd never dreamed of--  this was one Birthday I will never forget. I'm crossing my fingers that within the next 30 I find myself making the trek back over there.  Next post- a re-cap of the places we saw and the things we did- with of course a few stories in between.

Ringing in a new decade

It's hard to believe that another year has flown by. I've never been one to go all extravaganza for New Year's- typically I allow my gung- ho friends to pick a place to party and follow suit. Everyone scrambles to find something to do, and usually we end up forking out way too much money for "just another night out". But, as they say... it is New Years!

A new year. A year of possibilities, changes and unknowns. At the stroke of midnight, it all begins. It's always been difficult to reflect on the year passed while Auld Lang Syne is humming in the background, the crowd is counting down in unison and glasses are clinking together. At that pivotal moment expressions of good luck, happiness and health are murmured across the bar- usually by this point we can barely stand- but all the same we're celebrating the new year to come.

It's the following day, when morning breaks and the fog from the previous evenings cocktails and shots lifts that we take the time to reflect and curse ourselves for the debauchery from the previous night's party. As we piece together the night, we are faced with the reality that it is a New Year. I've always gone back to ponder the good and the bad and cross my fingers for an even better upcoming year.

I have to admit, that as I scan the last 12 months- I wouldn't change a thing and am amazed by everything that I have accomplished. Of course, there have been some trials and tribulations along the way- but as much as this is cliche- it is truly these times that pave the way for more strength and adventure.

As I raise my glass to no one in particular- I'm wishing that everyone finds the passion to embark on their own adventures and find their true purpose in life. Here is to loving, living and hoping that all of our wildest dreams come true in the new decade.

Girls Night In

In our twenties, Girls Night consisted of an evening excursion where girlfriends gathered, dressed in skimpy outfits, drank ridiculous amounts of alcohol and headed out for a night on the town. We would be loud, reckless and act like we didn't have boyfriends.

As the years passed, and we all became busy in our personal, romantic and business lives our once partied filled girls nights on the town turned into something much more profound... Girls Night In.

Girls Night In: A small group of good girl friends who get together either at some one's house or casual eatery. A chance for us to unwind, have dinner, drink good wine and of course gossip about everything.

Once gathered, we check in with each other. We broach the work topic and move on quickly. We gossip about relationships and sex. We offer advice for the girls who need expertise in all areas, especially on how to control their boyfriends/husbands. We analyze just about everything. We fantasize about love and romance. We discuss fashion and very random facts. Sometimes we talk about nothing at all. As the wine flows, we return to our favorite topic : the bedroom. Blunders, passionate nights and hot tips. We really should run our own racy column.

I'm really going to miss attending this weekly affair!

Champagne Birthday

Definition:  One's Champagne Birthday, is the day when the age one turns and the date of birth coincide. Lucky for me it was the year I turned 22. I lived to see it. Barely.

Spring Break. 21, Single and in Daytona Beach. Those seven days are really quite a blur. Memories in the recesses of my mind, tucked neatly away- only to re-surface when absolutely required. I suspect I may not be the only one with foggy details of that week. I know for sure I didn't participate in the thong contest.... or the wet t-shirt contest... or lined up for the shot contest. Uggh... at least I don't think I did. 

The week I turned 22, and celebrated my Champagne Birthday with a blend of old  and new friends was the week I knew I was finally over my first love.  The week I longed to live life with reckless abandon. The week I discovered I actually had a slinky sexual side, and it was alright to be impulsive. 

I returned home from Holiday with most of my dignity, a new outlook on life,  and a meter long fuschia colored drink container disguised as a bong with "Daytona" slapped on its side like a bumper sticker to eternally remind me of the celebration.  

As I look back, 22 and single was fabulous. Discovering myself just that much more and learning not to care about what anyone one else thought, was even better.

Twenty One

When I was 21, I wanted to be 30.  I'm not sure why. At 21, I had left home and moved into a flat with a girlfriend. I had broken up with the love of my life ( a 5 year high school love, body tingling-"this is the guy I am going to be with forever" relationship. ), and was living a new adventure.  Studying by day- and hitting the bars at night. Im exhausted even thinking about it. Here's what the week looked like then for the single ladies: 

Monday- Ladies Night at the local pub

Tuesday- Off

Wednesday- Ladies Night same pub but different location

Thursday- Girl gathering to re-cap Mondays events, possibly study

Friday- Club in the city (R & B)

Saturday-Club in the city (House)

Sunday- Rest and Re-coup for Monday's festivities

How I even graduated from University still remains a mystery- how I had the financial backing to support my week an even bigger mystery. Had I known then what I know now, I would have probably been able to buy a home.

Reviewing the schedule of past activities makes me realize that at 21 we were ready for anything that came our way.  The fact that now, I can't even handle one night out on the town without suffering badly for the following three is painful. I do hear though at 60 we get a second wind. 

 

The beginning

Here I am. I had a dream several weeks ago, and somehow in a spark of creative genius- I knew I had to start a blog. For someone as technically challenged as I am, I have no idea what I'm doing, how to "html", or any of that jargon- but I do know how to type- so I am hoping the power of the prose will be enough... for now... okay and maybe earning some money while I do it.

So here is the mission: My Thirtieth Birthday is fast approaching, and although Im not having a melt down; I am somewhat having issues with leaving my 20's, and heading into my thirties. Lately, I have been reviewing the choices, experiences, memories, breakdowns, break-ups, loves and laughter over the past decade.

Reflections. Rants. Re-caps.

Here's to hoping you'll join me in some of my most intimate and hilarious experiences in life and embracing the upcoming shift into my thirties.

Georges Clemenceau once said, "Everything I know I learned after I was thirty".