29 Things I Did My Fabulous Year Before 30

Thirty. 30. THIR-TY. Age is just a number isn’t it? Absolutely. Thirty is the new twenty – at least that’s how I feel. Traveling the world, exploring new things, and learning something new (or tons of new things) every day has enhanced my life and made me feel more youthful, wiser and adventurous. I definitely don’t feel my age (and I sure don't look it 😉 ).

I feel free.

As I began writing this, I was the ripe age of 29. Twenty-nine. The very last year in my youthful twenties. I turned thirty on March 7^th , and to me, this was exciting. Turning thirty closed a chapter, a very wild and exciting chapter, of my life – my twenties. Thirty begins a new chapter, and I have the power to decide what this chapter will tell.

Why are people scared to turn thirty? This is a question I can’t answer, but I can say that this milestone shouldn’t be a scary thing. Instead of sulking, freaking out, or panicking over a shitty job, I decided to make 29 – the last year of my life with a two in front – my best year yet.

Na Zdraví to the big 3-0. I plan to make this year even more exciting and adventurous.

1. To celebrate my 29^th birthday, I jetted away from Bali and over to Kuala Lumpur (one of my favorite cities). I drank cocktails at Marini’s on 57 while gazing directly at the Petronas Towers from the 57th floor.

2. I love to cook and I love to try new things. While in Cambodia, I learned how to make Khmer curry from scratch.

3. While traveling through Myanmar, I rode in a hot air balloon for the first time. We flew over the ancient temples of Bagan. It was awesome.

4. I got seriously claustrophobic at the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam. How the hell could they bear these conditions? Also, I ate the most disgusting thing I’ve ever eaten in Vietnam. With all the delicious food around in this country, something was bound to be gross. To this day, I still have no idea what it was exactly. Ew. But hey, I'll try anything once.

5. I washed elephants in Sri Lanka. This will never get old. Sri Lanka is a magnificent country filled with friendly people.

6. I bought gorgeous carpets in the Middle East. In this photo, I am having a hard time deciding which carpet to purchase in Doha.

7. Mussels, beers, and chocolates in Brussels. Welcome back to Europe!
8. I resided in Amsterdam for 7 months. While temporary, Amsterdam was a great jump spot in Europe for travel.

9. I ate my way through Italy. My previous times in Italy were spent in museums and at historical sites. My two trips to Italy in 2015 were all about the food (and wine). I gained 4 kilos, and really couldn’t give a shit. You only live once, and Italian gelato isn’t going to eat itself.

10. San Fermin in Spain. There’s nothing like it. There never will be. I cannot wait until July because I'll be returning!

11. I rode a camel in Morocco. The sun was so intense I had a heat stroke! The camels were super cute, though!

12. I fell in love with Bosnia and Herzegovina. No, really, I fell in love. I can’t say enough about this breathtakingly beautiful country. This proves that the places you least expect will steal your heart.
13. My mom and I finally made it on a lady trip. I took her to Croatia, Serbia, and Greece. They were perfect choices.
14. I went island hopping in Greece. Santorini's sunset really is a dream.

15. I mourned. Some very important and super awesome people in my life passed last year. Fuck cancer. I miss you grandma, Roxanne, Dave, (photo of my bro and I with Dave in Vegas, 2012), and my pet for twenty years Turtle the tortoise. RIP.

16. In Egypt, I climbed one of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

17. Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest. Yes, I went back. Again. Sorry not sorry.

18. I did a castle tour all throughout Germany. Burg Eltz was my favorite. While visiting Burg Eltz, I felt like I was in a fairytale.

19. I explored Latvia and Lithuania, which added two more former Soviet countries to my list. Former Soviet countries fascinate me. I desperately want to visit them all! What’s next?
20. Of course, I went home to visit Czech Republic (twice). There’s nothing like a good Czech beer. During my visit in December, I got a very special present.

21. I made it to Russia. #selfie. It’s always seemed so out of reach, like unchartered territory. Russia is glorious. Why isn’t it a more desired destination?

22. I  intensely people-watched at possibly the most rogue place on the planet, Christiania. If you haven't heard of it – there's a reason.

23. I traveled to the Emerald Isle – both countries. Meeting up with friends in Belfast and Dublin was nothing short of awesome. Ireland rocks! It's true, the Guinness tastes better in Ireland. Slainte!

24. I checked out a Syracuse basketball game with my best friend. We were slightly (okay, terribly) hungover, but the Varsity Pizza and Sprite prior to the game helped! Go Orange!

25. I (finally) learned how to surf and paddleboard in Hawaii. Now, I’m  freakin' addicted and can't wait to surf elsewhere in the world.

26. I climbed another significant pyramid, the Moon Pyramid at Teotihuacan outside of Mexico City. Mexico is full of ancient pyramids.

27. I danced my ass off in Cartagena. I didn’t even know I had it in me. There’s just something about Colombia and salsa combined.
28. I met Pablo Escobar’s brother. Unexpected things in life can surely rattle your emotions.

29. Oh hey, San Diego! I spent my last weekend of my twenties in a city I love surrounded by people I care about. I was literally overwhelmed by the love I received on my birthday weekend. Thank you, friends!