Hello 23!

Today is my birthday!! Wooo! I am entering my last year in my early 20s. I can't say there is anything special or significant about turning 23 that I am looking forward to, but I can say that the upcoming year of my life is probably the most mysterious I have ever had to look forward to.

I literally have no idea what is going to happen next! I have always had some idea, and it usually involved going to school. But now that is over, and nothing but a future I cannot even begin to predict lays in front of me. Terrifying? Yes. Exciting? Also yes! But looking back on the past year I have done and accomplished so much that I never would have thought possible.

1) I worked at a high end motor sports club where I got to work for Mclaren for a few days, and ride in some of the most beautiful and expensive cars in the world. Not to mention driven around in them by professional race car drivers!

2) I moved to England. I MOVED TO ENGLAND! I never thought I would move abroad, let alone to England! And I loved it! I love it in England despite everything that drives me nuts about it, and I am really gutted I have to leave. I have met amazing people from all over the world, and have seen and experienced so many amazing things.

3) Traveled the world. I have visited Italy, France, Spain, and Scotland in the past year. The opportunity to visit these places is irreplaceable.

4) Worked towards getting my Masters degree, which will also be my third degree overall.

5) Fulfilled a promise to myself that I made 4 years ago; that I would go back to Scotland within 5 years. When I made the promise, I had no idea if I would be able to keep it, but now I have been to Scotland twice in the past year. Not nearly as much as I wanted to, but it is more than I imagine would be possible.

The future may be uncertain, but there are a few things that I know are going to happen soon. First, I am going to visit Germany and see the place where my family came from. Second, I am going to finish my dissertation, which has taken so much of my time (and sanity), I cannot wait for it to be complete. Last, I am going to move back to the USA. Although I have some major mixed feelings about this, I know it is the beginning of the rest of life, and that because of this last year, it is going to be so much different than I ever imagined. I cannot wait to see what this next year holds.

A special shout goes out to Andrea and Brodie, who put on a special birthday for me and made chocolate chip pancakes so good we all almost burst!

Also a shout out to all my relatives I missed at the family reunion yesterday. It broke my heart not to see you all this year, but hopefully next year we will be able to make up for it!