Hi everyone!
So today I turned… 29? To be honest sometimes I have to think twice about my age haha. Each birthday feels surreal to me since time passes so quickly.
I don’t mind getting older. I think every year I grow, gain new experiences and see the world through slightly different lens. People around me (who are around the same age as me) start complaining about being “old” but I don’t feel the same way. If you were to give me the opportunity to rewind time and go back to when I was younger, I don’t know if I would. The truth is that I’ve learned so much and met lots of people (and read lots of books) that changed who I am and how I think. Because of these things I am happier now than I was when I had been younger.
Today I want to look back on the memorable things that I’ve done when I was 28. (I’ve already done reading, writing and blogging wrap-ups for 2019 so I won’t spend too much time talking about these things. For the most part I’ll talk about the other stuff!)
8: I climbed rocks and biked.
In December 2018, I signed up for a membership at an indoor rock climbing gym… and never looked back! Over the course of the year, I continued a routine of climbing once or twice every week and now I can say that I am passably good at it? I love the feeling of climbing towards the top- and I am so focused that I often forget that I am exercising (which is the best type of exercise I think haha..)
I also started biking to and from work during the spring, summer and fall. There is a lovely bike route along the ocean which is beautiful. I’ve taken a break during the cold, rainy winter, but hoping to get back on track soon!
7: I went to Australia.
Australia was awesome and beautiful. I saw kangaroos, koalas and little penguins! One of my most memorable experiences was visiting this long, uninterrupted stretch of beach that was seemingly untouched by civilization. Read more about my trip here.
6: I moved.
Now that I’ve settled down in my new place I am loving it so much more than where I used to live. It is closer to work and surrounded by a beautiful seaside walkway. The circumstances that led up to the move were stressful, however in hindsight I am happy that it pushed me to move to a better location.
5: I wrote some novels.
I finished Never Forget (adult sci-fi) and wrote two drafts of Children of the Sun (YA sci-fi/mystery) and began Fog (YA fantasy.) I participated in NaNoWriMo, two rounds of Camp NaNoWriMo and Pitch Wars. In total I wrote 201K words this year! Read more about my writing goals here.
4: I published a scientific article.
Not as exciting as actually publishing a novel, but it’s something right?? If you guys ever want to read an (incredibly interesting! I swear! really!) article about Pediatric Crohn Disease, click here.
3: I got a new job.
In August I started a new job that was a bit more IT-focused compared to my previous role in clinical pharmacy. It’s been extremely hectic especially in November and December, but I love how this position expanded my comfort zone and pushed me to face new and challenging situations! Looks like I’ll be doing this for a while (until December 2020) although I am crossing my fingers that things will wind down a little bit over the next few months so that I can get some quality reading and writing done!
2: I made a wedding dress (from scratch.)
Yup! Essentially I got inspired by a $10,000 wedding dress that I couldn’t afford….. and decided to take matters into my own hands by buying $20 used curtains from a local thrift shop and busting out my trusty sewing machine. Read more about how I did it in the links below:
1: I got married.
I got married (and it’s kind of a big deal? I think??!!) I am happy to be married to a wonderful person who listens to me and makes me laugh and cheers me on in all the strange and funky and outrageous hobbies that I choose to pursue haha.
I’m going to keep my life goals light this year, especially since I’ve piled on a few lofty reading, writing and blogging goals!
- In January, I want to finish making my thank you cards and send them out to my (small) wedding invite list.
- In March, I am going to LA!!!! (… But before that, I have to renew my passport. Dang.)
- In April, I want to make a dress to wear to my friend’s wedding in May.
- In May, I am going to Italy and Montreal!
- In May, July & September, I have a series of weddings to go to, and I am super excited for them (I am the bridesmaid for two of them!)
- I recently purchased a Cricut machine, which I look forward to using for making a variety of cards. My very informal goal is to make all cards that I am going to send out / give away in 2020.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday? How do you feel about getting older?
Photo by Nikhita Singhal on Unsplash
SOPHIE LI 
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