Well, friends….today is my birthday! I am officially 26 years old. And with turning another year older, comes reflections on the past year and hopes for the coming one. So I thought I’d share with you these thoughts as I ring in another revolution around the Sun.
My 25th year brought with it lots of great changes!
This time last year, I was finishing all the details of my research thesis and putting together the final edits of my defense. Since then, I’ve graduated with my M.S. in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M and started a new Ph.D. program in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder. I’m currently studying for my preliminary exams this fall, so not much has changed on the amount of time I spend with my nose in the books. 😛
And speaking of CU Boulder, I moved across the country!!–from southern Texas to Colorado–and am in the process of becoming an official resident of the state! I absolutely love my new home and haven’t looked back since (at least until I started my work tour at NASA in May).
In addition to graduating and moving, I became a well-seasoned traveler–visiting 8 new countries (England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and France) on a two-week whirlwind trip, stopping by New York City and Chicago with family, and visiting Alaska (Allens’ home) for the first time last summer. And how could I forget about Utah, Wyoming, and Montana?!
I also made the leap of faith and (finally) started the blog I had been dreaming about for nearly 3 years. This blog has given me not only a creative outlet outside of engineering (which I so desperately needed), but it has also (perhaps most importantly) provided me with some insanely cool opportunities to explore new places and meet so many fantastic people that I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise. It’s been both challenging and rewarding, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me in the future. Thanks for following along!
And last but not least, I have become closer to people than I’ve ever thought possible. It’s been an absolutely incredible journey to be enriched by so many genuinely good people. The past few years have been really hard for me, as I was recovering from an exceedingly difficult breakup and loss of friend. But then I met Allen (my now boyfriend) and Stoian, and they both all but literally pulled me out of my depression and showed me how incredible life and true friendship can be. You guys are the greatest (THE greatest!) and I will forever be changed for knowing you! And then there is Conor, who I so recently met when I moved to Colorado, yet feel as though I’ve known all my life. He so easily pulls me out of my funk when I’m not feeling up for things and has a way of always putting a smile on my face. Thanks for so quickly embracing my quirkiness, dude! And then there is the love of my life, Allen. This man. Oh gosh. This man is so incredibly good to me. I don’t deserve him! I honestly cannot put into words how much he means to me. It’s the kind of love that gives you that deep, deep ache in the bottom of your heart. The one you just can’t imagine life without. Through everything I’ve gone through–through all the trials and tribulations (and so many tears)–he was there with me. Always supporting and loving me, irregardless of time or situation. And as I began rebuilding my life and regaining my confidence and laughter, he never stopped cheering me on and making me smile. He quite literally lights up my life, and is the one person I can’t imagine life without. He is, without a doubt, one of the favorite parts of my life over the past year. And this list is definitely not exhaustive! Without the love and support of my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa (watching from heaven), family, and friends, this year would not have been the same. You all are so much a part of who I am today, I’d be unrecognizable without you.
And while I love reflecting on all the exciting (and big!) changes that have happened over the past year, I’m also excited for all the things yet to come this next year!
I’ve hinted at it, but there are some truly exciting opportunities in the works with NASA that I’ll hopefully be able to share with you very soon. And I’m looking forward to getting past these pesky preliminary exams this upcoming fall and finally becoming an official ‘Ph.D. candidate’! Yay!
In addition, I’m looking forward to exploring more of the great outdoors and traveling in general. I’ve got a few trips lined up to hike in Zion and Bryce, as well as to climb more 14ers when I get back to Colorado. I’m also hoping to go back to Alaska next summer (Allen’s home) and see more of the cultural variety our great country has to offer. Nashville, Austin, and Seattle are definitely on my list of places to visit. If you’re my friend and you live in one of these places, expect a call from me shortly. 😉
As for life goals over the next year, there are a few of the things I’d like to focus on.
For starters, I’d like to be more spontaneous and to embrace trying new things on the regular. I’ve gotten much better about this since being with Allen–he’s super adventurous! And it’s definitely something that has added tremendous value to this A-type planning girl’s life. (I’d recommend going off the books every once in a while if you’re a planner like me!) So many of my favorite things have been found my simply trying new things on a whim, and I’m looking forward to keeping it that way and spicing things up this coming year.
Next, I’d like to make a conscious effort to be more intentional with the decisions I’m making in my life, as well as being more aware of how they affect myself, my body, my relationships, and the Earth. I won’t go too much into this now, but I’ve been doing a lot (A LOT) of research into how my choice in food in particular affects my body and the environment. And it’s definitely opened my eyes to how much of an impact my seemingly tiny decisions can have on so many different facets of mine and other’s lives. In addition to the food aspect, I’ve noticed that relationships (adult friendships) take time, energy, and effort. It’s not as easy as just connecting with someone when you meet them (at least not for me). So being more intentional with these valuable resources when it comes to forming and maintaining these friendships will be a main priority for me this next year. And as a final example, pouring time and effort and good vibes into my self and self worth has become increasingly important to me as I’ve gotten older. Over the past few years of graduate school, I’ve somehow lost my sense of balance when it comes to taking care of myself (I’m looking at you sleep, exercise, and happy thoughts). So this next year, I’d like to focus on loving myself more and being more intentional with spending time on myself. More to come on these thoughts, but awareness and intentionality are definitely two things I will be focusing heavily on this next year.
In addition to these goals, I’d also like to prioritize seeking out opportunities to give back to others, even when that means going outside my comfort zone. Community volunteering and STEM outreach in particular is a true passion of mine that I don’t do enough of. Sometimes I think it’s that I don’t feel ‘qualified enough’ to make a difference. I’ve also used the excuse that I’m new to Colorado and CU and still getting settled in to not reach out to people. But really there are always ways to give back–some are small and some are big–but they are always there!
And finally, I want to learn to cherish every moment I have–both the good and the bad. Because every day we have on this Earth is one we should hold onto and live out to the fullest. Too many times I get disheartened by the tiniest of things. I want to learn to relish every moment–even the bad ones–and to look at them wholly and honestly and as if they are the greatest opportunities for change or growth (instead of tearing myself down for not being perfect). And as for the good moments, I want to be present for them. Truly present. I want to not just glaze over them as if they were expected or deserved. I want to jump up and spin around in excitement and to share this success with others–not in a condescending or conceited way. But in a way that enables others to rejoice with me and share in my excitement. Because every victory (even the little ones) should be celebrated!
As for birthday plans, I’m taking it easy and laying low this year. I’m planning on going out to eat at Local Foods in River Oaks after work–enjoying the company of laughter and good friends on the prettiest of summer evenings. Quiet evenings beneath the stars, with nothing to do and nowhere to be, are my favorite.
Thanks for indulging me in this fun little post as I reflect on the past year and look forward to the next one! I hope you stick around to see how this crazy journey of mine unfolds! And feel free to say hi in the comments below– I love hearing from you all! Honestly, I love it!
As for now, it’s time to celebrate this 26th year! Won’t you celebrate with me?!
Photos by Tiffany Kowalski
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Top: Express (similar here, here) | Skirt: Banana Republic (similar here, here) | Shoes: J. Crew Factory | Purse: Francesca’s (similar here, here) | Necklace: Topshop (similar here, here) | Bracelets: J. Crew Factory (similar) | Rings: Topshop (similar here, here) | Lips: Revlon (HD Azalea)
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