This years birthday updates are brought to you from Brisbane, Australia where I have been living the past few months! Twenty-eight was a big year for me. Finally, I was able to go to Egypt and see the pyramids that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a child. I was meant to go in 2009 but the plan was interrupted due to conflict. It was disappointing but I’m glad I was finally able to make it there. Better late than never!

I also made the move to Australia. A dream that I’ve had since I was in my early twenties. I’m glad that I finally took the plunge because it definitely would have been something that bothered me to miss out on.
Part of me still feels the burn of not living in New York. I don’t think that open wound will ever close.
Moving abroad for a year taught me some things about friendship. So many of my friends tried to stay in touch with me while I’m gone. Whereas other friends I couldn’t even get in contact with when I tried. People who want you in their life make the effort to keep you there.
For my birthday, my coworkers planned a barbeque for myself and another co-worker with a similar birthday. It was honestly much more kindness than I expected.
I feel like I’m supposed to say that I’m dreading my 30thbirthday or something like that but I’m really not. I’m looking forward to my 30s. I did a lot in my twenties travel-wise (Not so much career-wise). I’m looking forward to continuing to build a life around travel. Besides, I feel like I’m 23 years old anyway.

In my 20s, I sorted out my friendships. I kept relationships with my high school friends going strong. Who says you can’t keep friends forever? I also met a lot of great friends through work. I found a partner who supports all my wild ideas in life. He did join me in Australia after all.
I lived in a van while in Australia. It is the best way to live. You can go anywhere anytime. It’s so freeing.
During my twenties, I worked long hours and often I worked two jobs at once. I did this for the sake of creating travel funds. Part of me wants to end that in my 30s. But, we will see because I’m not going to travel any less. Ideally, I’ll spend the next year creating a life that involves enough money to travel without working 60 hours a week. If anyone has any tips for that, let me know.
But most importantly! I got scuba dive certified. This was something I had been wanting to do for years!
I want to somehow find a way to go to Antarctica for my 30thbirthday. It will be very difficult given that I’ve been travelling for most of the prior year but I’m fairly determined. One of my bucket list items is to visit all of the continents by 30. But, I will count it if it happens before 31 years old. Mostly because I don’t know when the best time of year to go is. And I want the trip to be special. So, I’m willing to do it a few months late. If anyone knows a cheap way of getting there hook me up!
Well, that’s all for these birthday updates. I can’t wait to see what my next year will bring.