How fast the years go by...

Me as a kid in El Salvador.

So tomorrow, I turn 29.

It's weird.  I mean, there's nothing big about 29.  You can't drive or vote or drink for the first time, and it's not some big marking point, like a quarter century.  You're not even hitting that fearsome new decade.

But it does mark the last year if your 20s.  It kinda feels to me as though it may be the last year of your youth.  I know, I know, it's not that drastic, and I'm honestly not as afraid of my 30s as I may sound.  But I do feel that I'm hitting that age where I should totally have my life together and be an adult.

When I was younger, I was suer that by this time I'd have a career, I'd travel often, I'd speak more languages.  I thought maybe I'd be married, have a kid or two, definitely have some dogs.  When I was teen, I as sure that by this time I'd be in some war zone, reporting to the world what's happening.  Sadly, the reality isn't as awesome.  But things can change, right??

I have heard that the 30s is the new 20s, and I'm totally gonna choose to believe that's true.  Bad times aside for me, I feel like the 30s could be as awesome, if not more so than my 20s.  Even though my friends and I are getting to that age where houses and weddings are common, I don't feel like we're slowing down the fun.  Parties are still happening, clubs are still being hit up, and New Year's is still epic.  Road trips are still a go, and new places are still being visited.

Me, all dressed up for our 2012 New Year's Eve Burlesque Ball.

So I've decided that I'm going to look at my 29th year as time to get ready for what's sure to make an awesome 30s.  You know, do all the stuff I should have done by now: find a stable, permanent job, get my car back on the road, get my finances back on track.  Moving out would also be ideal, although in the end, being roommates with my brothers may not be so bad for a while.

Hopefully, by the time I hit my 30s next year, I'll be set and ready to live life.  Hopefully I can spend a great part of that decade seeing the world and enjoy the amazing places and do the awesome things that have been on my list for years:  do the hike to Machu Picchu, see the northern lights, visit Angkor Wat, learn to surf, go skydiving.  Maybe take some classes, learn to cook like a chef, take pictures like a pro, or learn to paint like Bob Ross.

But those awesome things will come later.  This year will be all about working towards travel.  Working towards stability.  Working towards the being able to do the things I want to do, even if it's only on the weekends.  It'll also hopefully be a year to get myself healthy enough to live through my 30s.  Lose weight, eat healthy, take yoga for my back.  Maybe even get some Lasik.

Also, I need to write more.  I don't write enough, which is sad, because it calms me down and makes me happy.

So here's to another year older, another year done, and hopefully a great many more to come!!