24

There is no way I am 24. Wasn’t I just turning 21 yesterday? 24! Where did 23 go? I guess this past year really has flown by as I pass yet another birthday. Now don’t think I am freaking out because I am turning 24, it’s more that 23 went by in a blur. I am entering a new stage in my life, my mid-20s. So long early-20s, you are now a thing of the past, but a not so distant past. After a year of people telling me I was too young, I am fully ready to embrace my mid-20s. I feel like 24 is when people actually have to start taking you seriously. You’ve been out of college for more than a year and are now in the “real world.” 

 

Twenty-three marked a number of significant changes in my life. I turned 23 less than a month after moving to Los Angeles. During the past year, I found my true passion, developmental production. The year brought a wide range of bad and good. Twenty-three brought more rejection that I faced in my first 22 years of life. I pained through two part-time, mind-numbing jobs to pay the bills, so I could continue to pursue my dreams. I walked a dog three days a week for extra cash. I saw my family the least of any year since I was born. I was in my first serious car wreck. Actually I was in two wrecks, back to back. Thankfully, 23 brought ten times more good than bad. I finally put fingers to keys and started this blog, which I still love writing on. I received my first real paycheck that I seriously considered framing rather than cashing. With my new cash flow, I was able to buy a beautiful Kate Spade purse that is more a piece of art than a purse. I lived minutes from the beach rather than a plane ride away. I sunned in Laguna Beach, and I didn’t see a day of snow. I met two fabulous groups of KU alums in LA and Orange County. I put my cooking skills to the test and made a complete Thanksgiving dinner. I bobbed my head to the side at the Roxbury and chatted with a TMZ camera guy. I gazed out on the sparkling lights of LA at night from Griffen Observatory. I constantly have to stop and take in the moment, simply because I can’t believe how much I love my life. Twenty-three has brought me so much to be thankful for.

Twenty-three was great, but I think 24 is going to be even better. I am now employed and ready to take on a whole new set of adventures. I can’t wait to travel the coast of California, visit my best friend in NYC, and hopefully take my first trip to Vegas. I love traveling and definitely didn’t do enough during 23. I might not get to every place I want to go since the list is endless, but I plan to make a dent. While 23 was completely devoted to finding a job, I am dedicating 24 to excelling at my job. Twenty-four is still about having fun. Come on, I live in Los Angeles! I might be a year older, but I don’t plan on slowing down. I already know 24 is going to be a great year because I woke up this morning to a call from my littlest niece singing me Happy Birthday. Right there was enough to make the day great, but it just got better and better. My amazing family sent my Sprinkles cupcakes at work, which was an amazing surprise for not only me but also my office! My office was a little shocked because I had kind of forgot to mention that it was my birthday. Haha. They all agreed 24 is a great a great age. If the last few days were any inclination on the future of this year, I can’t wait for it to get started!