25.

I think that I live in a fantasy world for 90% of the time. I am a dreamer, an explorer, a lover of adventure and river swimming at 2 a.m. But for one day out of the whole year, all of my friends come together and join me in this imaginary world that I have created and it is the absolute best feeling ever. Saturday I will be 25 :)

Here are some of my favorite people:



Every year I make several goals for myself. See last years here. But this year I think that it is especially important, because 2011 started off pretty rocky and also because I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life. . . meaning I am not happy with a lot of big things, and I am changing them one by one for the better. I hope that when I am sitting here next year, I will feel at peace and centered. I hope that a lot of the uncertainty will have brought about some answers, and that I have continued to think and change and challenge myself in a way that has left a thousand more questions needing answers.

But my first goal is to continue looking at hair schools. I have already looked at one, but the reviews are horrible and it's also pretty expensive. I know that cosmetology school isn't for the weak. . . it's hard and will challenge me in an entirely new way. It's not even going to be fun. It's also going to put a strain on us financially. But after it's said and done I will be in a creative new career in an environment that I love (ie NOT an office). I want to make a decision by August and sign up. No turning back!

My second goal is that I want to continue only surrounding myself with positive people. Earlier this year, several people who I thought were ''best friends'' turned out to be the total opposite. I was shocked, angry, but most of all hurt. I think it's important to be honest with yourself, and when a friendship turns toxic it's important to cut ties and move on. The longer you keep those people in your life, the more damage that is done and feelings that are hurt. And a part of this is getting out there and making new friends and meeting new people. It's ok to go to the river by myself, or even for a walk around the city, because you never know who you will meet. There are so many people out there, and I don't want to limit myself just because staying in a routine is ''comfortable''.

Last but not least, I want to live in the moment and enjoy my life every single day. Every week I want to go on at least one adventure, every day I want to laugh at least once, and I want to go somewhere that I have never been before as often as possible. I think that I spend a whole lot of my time planning for the future, and while that's important. . . so is right now.

Twenty-Four has been a great year, and I've learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I donated my kidney, went camping on the beach, lost my ferret, met some incredible people, got a ticket for expired tags, and read a lot of books. I'm proud of myself and what I have become this year, and can't wait to see what the years to come have to offer :)