Since tomorrow is my 30th birthday, I thought I’d take the time to properly reflect on the last decade and how eventful it’s been. In chronological order:
- Received first set of real pearl earrings
- Fell in love with old movies
- Discovered the importance of wearing sunscreen every day
- Discovered my passion for vintage clothes
- Watched Kris graduate and find success in teaching
- Sought office experience and quit my job at Express
- Acquired internship at legal services
- Got a paid position at an insurance company where I answered the phone. That was it.
- Wrote for a kids news site
- Got embarrassingly drunk on three Martinis
- Saw a squirrel get run over on the way to buy my first car. Showed up to the dealership bawling. But got my first car.
- Interned for a website showcasing teen fashion designers and traveled up to New York to cover their fashion show two years in a row
- Secured an internship at AOL as a tech writer (was offered the internship I REALLY wanted a week later, but had already committed to tech position, so I had to decline the offer)
- Fell in love with the Harry Potter series
- Sent out approximately one million resumes
- Graduated college with a degree in Communications (Electronic Journalism focus) and minor in IT
- Less than a year after graduating, I was offered my dream job and began working for the very same person who spoke to the first college journalism class I took and inspired me to go into web production (Bronwyn’s played such a huge role in my ’20s)
- Helped Kris search for his first place
- Styled fashion shoots
- Traveled to NYC for a pet fashion show
- Got our first dog
- Got laid off
- Was offered a job and accepted it before getting laid off (big thanks to Michelle)
- Discovered Virginia wine
- Began painful commute to D.C. from Manassas
- Moved in with Kris and got the chance to spend every second with my best friend
- Got married on our ten year anniversary
- Refused to have a wedding
- Enjoyed every second spent with parents
- Dealt with quarter-life body changes
- Became more self conscious than ever in my life
- Took control of my life instead of letting it just happen around me (e.g.: my yearly goals)
- Became determined to get over my fear of flying
- Got second dog
- Flew with Kris to Chicago
- Got a passport
- Started a business with Kris
- Traveled to Europe
- Saw friends raise children
- Inspired by Green Collar Economy
- Finally voted for the winning presidential candidate
- Began volunteering on a regular basis
- Met the weirdest, funniest, most amazing people who I’m happy to call my friends
- Proudly watched my sister graduate, move to a different state to study bats, and then find a job
- Won a Webby
- Realized I wanted to find a job where I could make more of a social impact
- Left National Geographic after 3 1/2 years
- Ended my vegetarianism stint after six years
- Deepened my relationship with hats
- Spent quality time with my Grandma
- Lost first pet. RIP Toto.
- Being surrounded by the best coworkers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with at Share Our Strength
- Expanded my palate – tasted lots of new food
- Began working out regularly
- Debuted “Alabaster Disaster” on the roller derby circuit
- Flew solo for work without Xanax
- Found out I have Hashimoto’s disease
- Had the opportunity to work with a life coach
- Made huge strides to get over fear of public speaking
- Was inspired by The Beauty Myth
- Constantly wowed by Kris and his ambitions
- Discovered first grey hair
- Got permanent wrinkles
- Became more confident than ever
- Happily remained childless
- Fell in love with California
- Took first vacation with Kris and parents
- Got my first tattoo
- Stood for what I believe
- Came into my own
– Lyssa
Wow, you remembered a lot of things. I should do the same when my turn comes 🙂
I still have my memory despite my old age. 🙂