29 Personal Highlights: An Ode to Being 29

I turned 30 yesterday! It has been a blog custom of mine to post some kind of list on my birthday. I linked the previous years at the end of this post. This year I’m following last year’s cue and listing my favorite memories from last year. This was a difficult birthday for me to swallow; so reflecting on my favorite parts was quite therapeutic.

I took a road trip to Marfa with my best friends

Kim and I slept in a teepee while visiting Marfa, Texas.

Had my first helicopter ride while visiting Seattle for the first time.

Started a new position that is both more challenging and pays more, which afforded me an opportunity to really tackle my student loans aggressively for the first time.

Grilled my first meal on my own.

I ate crepes and foie gras in Paris.

I killed some time in a coffee shop in Amsterdam.

I ate mussels in Brussels.

I visited five countries: Canada, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Turkey; four of which were for the first time.

I visited two new states, Oregon and Washington.

I attended World Domination Summit and it was very inspiring.

While in Portland for WDS, I took part in my second group world record breaking! Here’s a fun news clip explaining the record.

I learned how to thread a sewing machine and made my own cloth napkins.

I bought my second car and for the first time did not have any car payments! (Never mind getting the first car I bought with my own money stolen.)

I rode a bike for the first time in twenty years. In Paris too!

I rode a bike for the second time a month later in Portland! It was much easier the second time around.

I started to experiment with food plating.

Kim, Thomas, and I stuffed a telephone booth with balloons just for fun.

Kim and I floated paper lanterns for New Year’s instead of helium balloons.

I taught Bob the dog how to put his toys in a basket.

I participated in VEDA for the third consecutive year! Soon to be four consecutive year! (You can join us.)

I rode a Segway for the first time.

I briefly moonlighted as someone who gave food tours. I learned a lot in a short amount of time.

My little from Big Brothers and Sisters finally met Alan.

I learned how to shrink wrap and how to coordinate a silent auction.

The very first time I made croutons, I made it with bacon fat. The second time, I made it with duck fat.

I tried 16 pizzas in one day.

I submitted a sketchbook to The Sketchbook Project for the third consecutive (and possibly last year). In fact yesterday, Donna paid my sketchbook a visit in San Francisco!

On Saturday, Anita hosted a balls potluck for my birthday and I had such a fun time being ridiculous with my friends. I really believe that the fun part about love is being stupid together.